.jpg)
Introduction
The West Bengal State Eligibility Test (WB SET) for eligibility as Assistant Professor will be held on 14th December 2025. If your master’s subject is History, this is the year to plan your preparation strategically — focus on conceptual clarity, historiography, and timed practice. The official notification and syllabus are published by the West Bengal College Service Commission (WBCSC).
Important date & quick facts
- Exam date: 14 December 2025 (Sunday).
- Papers: Two papers are conducted in a single day — Paper I (General — teaching & research aptitude) and Paper II (Subject-specific — History). (Paper format: Paper I tests general aptitude; Paper II is the subject paper for History).
- Where to download official syllabus / notices: WBCSC’s SET syllabus pages and PDFs (History syllabus available on the WBCSC site).
WB SET — Exam pattern (brief)
- Paper I: General teaching & research aptitude (objective MCQs).
- Paper II: Subject-specific MCQs (History) based on the prescribed syllabus.(Exact number of questions and timing are given in the official notification and may be updated there — always confirm on WBCSC’s notice page before you book travel/center choices).
History (Paper II) — Syllabus summary (concise & exam-focused)
The official History syllabus covers a wide sweep — from prehistory and ancient India, through medieval and modern India, to regional histories, world history, historiography, research methods and source criticism. Below is a study-friendly breakdown distilled from the official syllabus (use this as a checklist for revision and mock tests).
1. Foundations & Concepts
- Key historical terms, concepts and sources (archaeological, epigraphic, numismatic, literary).
- Methods of historical inquiry; chronology and periodisation.
2. Ancient India
- Prehistoric cultures and archaeology (Stone Age to Iron Age).
- Vedic, Janapada, Mauryan periods — socio-economic structures, polity, religion.
- Post-Mauryan developments: regional kingdoms, cultural exchanges.
3. Medieval India
- Early medieval polity and society; temple-building and art.
- Bhakti and Sufi movements; social and cultural impacts.
- Emergence of regional states and administrative systems.
4. Modern India (c. 18th — 20th century)
- Colonial conquest, East India Company to Crown rule.
- Economic changes, deindustrialisation debates, agrarian transformations.
- Indian nationalism: moderate to militant phases, major movements, leaders, constitutional developments.
- Social and cultural reform movements; partition and independence.
5. Historiography & Research Methodology
- Major historiographical trends (colonial, nationalist, Marxist, subaltern, feminist, cultural history, recent approaches).
- Research tools: archival work, oral history, quantitative methods, citation and referencing, thesis-writing basics.
Use the official History syllabus PDF as your primary checklist — it contains unitized topics and example sub-topics you must cover.
How to structure your prep (4-week rolling plan)
- Weeks 1–2 — Syllabus mapping & concept building: Read primary topics; create one-page notes per unit.
- Weeks 3–4 — Practice & short tests: Do subject-focused MCQ sets, revise historiography.
- Every week — Paper I practice: 20–30 minutes daily on research aptitude questions.
- Last 3 weeks — Full timed mocks: 2–3 full-length mock tests per week, review mistakes in depth.
Why take mock tests at ANSS ACADEMY
- Exam-realistic environment: timed full-length WB SET mock tests modeled on the latest pattern.
- History-focused question bank: curated by experienced faculty covering ancient → modern → historiography.
- Detailed performance reports: topic-wise strengths/weaknesses so your revision is surgical.
- Regular doubt-clearing sessions and model answers for conceptual clarity.
Book a mock test slot now — mock tests replicate the pressure and pacing of 14 Dec 2025 and are the fastest way to improve accuracy and time management.
Smart tips that actually work
- Practice source-based MCQs to sharpen analytical reading.
- Create a rolling "one-line summary" sheet for every major movement/period — use it for last-minute revision.
- Simulate exam timings: Paper I + short break + Paper II in a single sitting.
- Review previous years’ WB SET History questions to identify recurring themes; combine this with mock-test review.
Final note & call to action
The WB SET (History) on 14 December 2025 will test both factual knowledge and historical thinking. Start with the official WBCSC syllabus and then sharpen exam skills through timed practice. ANSS ACADEMY’s targeted mock tests are designed to close the gap between knowing and scoring — register for an upcoming mock and get a personalized study plan.
Official / useful links (for reference & downloads)
- WBCSC — SET notification & syllabus pages (official source).
- History (Paper II) syllabus PDF (official).
