PMS Compulsory Papers General Knowledge Syllabus

General Knowledge syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for General Knowledge in PMS Compulsory Papers, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Everyday Science

   4 topics

   • Physical Sciences
   • Biological Sciences
   • Environmental Science
   • Modern Scientific Discoveries
2. 2

   Information Technology

   4 topics

   • Basics of Computers
   • Internet and Networking
   • Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies
   • Cyber Security and Digital Literacy
3. 3

   Current Affairs

   4 topics

   • National Issues
   • International Affairs
   • Important Global Events
   • International Organisations and Treaties
4. 4

   Pakistan Affairs (General)

   4 topics

   • Important Personalities
   • National Symbols and Heritage
   • Sports and Achievements
   • Awards and Honours
5. 5

   World Geography

   4 topics

   • Continents, Oceans and Countries
   • Capitals, Currencies and Languages
   • Important Geographical Features
   • Climate Zones
6. 6

   General Mental Ability

   4 topics

   • Basic Arithmetic and Numbers
   • Logical Reasoning
   • Analytical Reasoning
   • Data Interpretation
7. 7

   History and Civics

   4 topics

   • Major World Civilizations
   • World Wars and Their Impact
   • United Nations and Its Bodies
   • Human Rights and Democracy

General Knowledge flashcards for PMS Compulsory Papers

20 of 51 cards from the General Knowledge deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is Newton's Second Law of Motion, and what is its formula?

   It states that the force acting on an object equals its mass times its acceleration. Formula: F = ma (force in newtons, mass in kg, acceleration in m/s²).

2. State the formula for kinetic energy and define each term.

   KE = ½mv², where m is the mass (kg) and v is the velocity (m/s). The result is in joules.

3. What is the speed of light in a vacuum?

   Approximately 3 × 10⁸ metres per second (about 300,000 km/s).

4. Differentiate between scalar and vector quantities, with one example of each.

   A scalar has only magnitude (e.g., speed, mass); a vector has both magnitude and direction (e.g., velocity, force).

5. What is Ohm's Law and its formula?

   It states that current through a conductor is directly proportional to the voltage across it. Formula: V = IR (Voltage = Current × Resistance).

6. What are the three states of matter and the process names for changing between them?

   Solid, liquid, gas. Melting (solid→liquid), freezing (liquid→solid), evaporation/vaporization (liquid→gas), condensation (gas→liquid), sublimation (solid→gas directly).

7. What is the chemical formula of water and what type of bond holds its atoms together?

   H₂O; the hydrogen and oxygen atoms are held by covalent bonds, while water molecules attract each other through hydrogen bonds.

8. What is the pH value of a neutral solution, and what do values below and above it indicate?

   pH 7 is neutral; below 7 is acidic, above 7 is basic (alkaline).

9. Name the basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms.

   The cell.

10. What is photosynthesis, and what is its overall word equation?

    The process by which green plants make food using sunlight. Equation: Carbon dioxide + Water → (sunlight, chlorophyll) → Glucose + Oxygen.

11. Distinguish between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

    Prokaryotic cells lack a true membrane-bound nucleus and organelles (e.g., bacteria); eukaryotic cells have a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles (e.g., plant and animal cells).

12. What molecule carries genetic information, and what are its four nitrogenous bases?

    DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid); its bases are Adenine, Thymine, Guanine, and Cytosine (A–T and G–C pair).

13. What is the function of red blood cells, and which protein enables it?

    Red blood cells transport oxygen (and some carbon dioxide); the protein haemoglobin binds and carries the oxygen.

14. Name the four blood groups in the ABO system and identify the universal donor and recipient.

    A, B, AB, and O. O (negative) is the universal donor; AB (positive) is the universal recipient.

15. What is the powerhouse of the cell and why is it called so?

    The mitochondrion; it generates most of the cell's energy in the form of ATP through cellular respiration.

16. Define an ecosystem.

    A biological community of interacting organisms together with their physical (non-living) environment, functioning as a unit.

17. What is the greenhouse effect?

    The warming of Earth's surface caused by greenhouse gases (CO₂, methane, water vapour) trapping heat radiated from the surface in the atmosphere.

18. Name the main greenhouse gases responsible for global warming.

    Carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), water vapour, and fluorinated gases (CFCs/HFCs).

19. What causes ozone layer depletion, and which gases are mainly responsible?

    It is caused chiefly by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons, which release chlorine/bromine that destroy ozone in the stratosphere.

20. Differentiate between renewable and non-renewable energy resources, with examples.

    Renewable resources replenish naturally (solar, wind, hydro, biomass); non-renewable resources are finite and deplete (coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear fuel).

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