Free Practice Questions for GCE A/L Common General Test
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Key Facts: GCE A/L Common General Test Exam
50 MCQs
Official Multiple-Choice Question Count
Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka
2 Hours
Total Examination Duration
Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka
30 Marks
Minimum University Eligibility Mark
University Grants Commission (UGC) Sri Lanka
Subject 40
Official National Subject Code
Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka
3 Languages
Offered in Sinhala, Tamil, and English
Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka
The Sri Lanka GCE A/L Common General Test (Subject Code 12) is a compulsory 50-question, 2-hour multiple-choice paper administered by the Department of Examinations. Scoring at least 30 marks is mandatory for state university entrance eligibility under University Grants Commission rules.
Sample GCE A/L Common General Test Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the GCE A/L Common General Test exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Which of the following is the longest river in Sri Lanka, originating in the Central Highlands and flowing into Koddiyar Bay near Trincomalee?
2What is the highest mountain peak in Sri Lanka, situated near the city of Nuwara Eliya with an elevation of 2,524 meters above sea level?
3Which tropical rainforest in southwestern Sri Lanka is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Biosphere Reserve due to its exceptionally high concentration of endemic flora and fauna?
4During the reign of which ancient monarch of Anuradhapura was Buddhism officially introduced to Sri Lanka by Arhat Mahinda in the 3rd century BCE?
5What is the official administrative and legislative capital of Sri Lanka, housing the national Parliament building?
6Which protected wetland in the southern coast of Sri Lanka became the country's first wetland of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention in 1990?
7The magnificent 5th-century rock citadel of Sigiriya, famous for its mirror wall, landscaped water gardens, and celestial frescoes, was constructed by which Sri Lankan monarch?
8Which historic medieval ruler of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa declared that 'not even a little water that comes from the rain must flow into the ocean without being made useful to man' and constructed the massive Parakrama Samudra?
9Under the 1978 Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, what is the total number of members in the national Parliament?
10Which statutory institution functions as the premier monetary authority in Sri Lanka, holding sole responsibility for issuing national legal tender currency and conducting monetary policy?
About the GCE A/L Common General Test Exam
The Sri Lanka General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) Common General Test (Subject Code 12) is a compulsory nationwide assessment administered by the Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka, for all students sitting their G.C.E. A/L examinations across Physical Science, Biological Science, Commerce, Arts, Technology, and Common streams. The paper evaluates foundational cognitive capabilities, logical reasoning, numerical problem-solving, everyday general knowledge, and language comprehension. While marks obtained in the Common General Test are not integrated into the calculation of the candidate's Z-score for university selection ranking, obtaining a minimum passing score of 30 marks is a mandatory legal prerequisite set by the University Grants Commission (UGC) for admission into any state university in Sri Lanka. Candidates who fail to achieve 30 marks are ineligible for university admission even if they obtain high Z-scores in their three core subject disciplines. This study bank provides 100 independent practice questions designed to help students master every blueprint domain.
Exam sponsor: Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka (doenets.lk). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Assessment
The Common General Test (Subject Code 12) is a single 2-hour paper consisting of 50 multiple-choice questions covering General Awareness (20%), Reasoning Skills (20%), Problem Solving Skills (30%), and Comprehension & Communication Skills (30%). Candidates record their answers on an optical mark recognition (OMR) answer sheet.
Time Limit
2 hours
Passing Score
30 marks (out of 100) required for state university admission eligibility
Exam / Certification Fees
Free for school candidates; nominal subject fee for private candidates
Exam sponsor websiteReported exam pass rate: Approximately 85% to 90% of candidates achieve the 30-mark passing standard annually.. This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. Exam sponsor website
Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Our practice resources: topics covered
We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.
General Awareness
Sri Lankan and world geography, historic hydraulic engineering and heritage sites, national constitution and governance, environmental conservation and biodiversity, international institutions, and contemporary developments.
Reasoning Skills
Deductive and inductive logic, syllogisms, spatial rotation and folding, Venn diagrams, alphanumeric sequences, directional sense, family relationships, analogies, and critical argument analysis.
Problem Solving Skills
Quantitative reasoning, arithmetic operations, ratios and proportions, percentages, profit and loss, time-distance-speed calculations, work and rate, basic mensuration, and data interpretation from tables and charts.
Comprehension and Communication Skills
Passage reading comprehension, contextual vocabulary, synonyms and antonyms, grammatical correctness, sentence completion, figurative idioms, and coherent textual organization.
Preparing for the GCE A/L Common General Test Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 30 marks (out of 100) required for state university admission eligibility
- Assessment: The Common General Test (Subject Code 12) is a single 2-hour paper consisting of 50 multiple-choice questions covering General Awareness (20%), Reasoning Skills (20%), Problem Solving Skills (30%), and Comprehension & Communication Skills (30%). Candidates record their answers on an optical mark recognition (OMR) answer sheet.
- Time limit: 2 hours
- Exam / certification fees: Free for school candidates; nominal subject fee for private candidates Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 100 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Sri Lanka GCE A/L Common General Test?
The Common General Test (Subject Code 12) assesses essential reasoning, numerical aptitude, general awareness, and communication skills of all A/L candidates across every academic stream. It ensures that students entering higher education possess well-rounded analytical and practical competencies beyond their specialized subjects.
Does the Common General Test score contribute to the university Z-score?
No. The Common General Test marks are not included in the calculation of the standard Z-score used for state university admission ranking. However, achieving at least 30 marks is a compulsory eligibility requirement. If a candidate scores below 30 marks, they cannot be considered for state university admission regardless of their Z-score.
What happens if a candidate fails to score 30 marks in the Common General Test?
Candidates who obtain less than 30 marks will have their university admission withheld for that sitting. However, they may re-sit the Common General Test in a subsequent examination year without necessarily retaking all three of their main academic subjects, subject to Department of Examinations and UGC regulations.
In which languages is the Common General Test conducted?
The examination is administered nationwide in three official media of instruction: Sinhala, Tamil, and English. Candidates complete the paper in their registered examination language medium.
Are calculators allowed in the Common General Test?
No. Calculators, electronic communication devices, and reference tables are strictly prohibited in the examination hall. All mathematical and problem-solving calculations must be carried out manually on the rough work sheets provided.