First check the syllabus of BCS Written Preparation (International Affairs).

Topic
(Conceptual Issues)
Topics covered
Introduction to International Affairs: 
Significance of International Affairs; Meaning and Scope of International Affairs; Connections between international affairs and international politics.

1. World States and People/Groups Representing Governments: 

Modern States, State Types, Sovereignty, Non-State Actors, International Institutions, Groups Representing Governments and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) Relationships.

2.Energy and Security: 

Energy, National Power, Balance of Power, Disarmament, Arms Control, Geopolitics, Terrorism. Major ideas and ideologies: Nationalism, imperialism, colonialism, neo-colonialism, post-modernism, globalization and the new world order.

3. Foreign Policy and Diplomacy: 

Concept of foreign policy and diplomacy, decision making process, foreign policy makers, diplomatic functions, immunities and privileges.

4. International Economic Relations: International Trade, Free Trade, Protection, Foreign Aid, Debt Crisis, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Financial Liberalization, Regionalism, Regionalism, North-South Gap, Global Poverty, MDGs.

5. Global Environment: Environmental Issues Challenges, Climate Change, Global Warming, Climate Adaptation, Climate Diplomacy.

Full value

Answer 10 out of 12 questions.

4*10 = 40 marks.

Topic

(Empirical Issue)

Topics covered

United Nations System: United Nations and its organs, importance and limitations of the United Nations, reforms and role of the United Nations, Security Council, UN peacekeeping and peace-building functions, human rights programs, environmental programs International

Court of Justice, and Women's Empowerment Foreign Relations of Major Powers: USA, Russia, UK, China, France, Germany, India, Japan etc.

Global Initiatives and Institutions: World Bank, IMF, ADB, G-77, WTO, Kyoto Protocol, COP etc.

Regional Organizations: SAARC, BIMSTEC, EU, ASEAN, NATO, APEC, OIC, AU, GCC Major World Issues and Conflicts: Palestine issue, Arab Spring, Kashmir issue, Syrian crisis, Persian Gulf conflict, nuclear issue and Iran, North Korea issue, regional disputes in Southeast and East Asia, nuclear proliferation and other contemporary issues.

Politics of South Asia: India-Pakistan relations, Bangladesh-India relations, regional integration, water disputes, border issues and terrorism. Bangladesh in International Affairs: Major Achievements, Challenges, Future Directions

Full value

Answer 3 out of 4 questions. 
3*15 = 45 marks.   Let's see what the target marks could be. BCS Written Preparation (International Affairs) Target Marks: A. Conceptual Issues: 25-30. Total Marks = 40 b. Empirical Issues: 27-33. Total Marks = 45 c. Problem Solving: 10-12. Total Marks = 15 65-70 marks are considered good in international subjects. But you can get more than that. 80 marks are also obtained if enough reference, map is given in the answer. 47th BCS Preparation Enroll now in our program to prepare for 47th BCS. Enroll Now How to prepare for BCS Written Preparation (International Affairs)? International subjects like Bangladesh subjects are also an important subject in BCS written exam. Since the syllabus is divided into 3. So I am talking about the preparation of each one separately. 1. Conceptual issues Total marks in this section is 40. There will be 12 questions. You have to answer 10. This section mostly comes with definitions. Some specific topics have to be answered. You will get better marks if you use quotation. If you want the difference, give it in the form of a table. Never give the difference without a table. Time for 10 questions will be 72 minutes. So time cannot be wasted. Answer only what the question asks for. There is no use in filling the ledger. In the past, writing more would get marks. But currently the ledger is viewed by 2 examiners. So write less but write logically. Some important topics for Conceptual section: The question arises here from the interplay of international relations and international politics. Nature of state, modern state system, international relations, nation-state, independence-sovereignty, balance of power, nationalism, weapons , terrorism, colonialism, globalization and global challenges should be well known. 2. Empirical Issue 3 to 4 questions are to be answered in this section. Each question carries 15 marks. So the answer should be written a little bigger. Time will be 80 minutes. Your answer must be analytical. Do not write paragraph by paragraph. Examiner wants to see the points. So write in bullet point form. Maps, charts must be used. What you want to say, so that it can be understood through pictures or charts. Use of maps, charts will get you good marks. Give an introduction for each question. In the introduction, tell about how you are giving your answer. Conclusion must be added before finishing the answer. A short paragraph in your entire answer is the conclusion.

Remember, introduction and conclusion are important in the eyes of the examiner. If you do well in these two parts, no one will be able to stop you from getting good marks, inshallah. Some important topics in this section Read well about the UN and Its various organizations, activities, international initiatives, international organizations and the world's major problems and conflicts, world trade, development, investment and ongoing important issues. Apart from this, it will be easy to answer if you have a clear understanding of Middle East , South Asia, Far East, South China Sea, Mediterranean Sea and various regional and military alliances, EU, Russia, China, America.