How to ace OGDCL CSR One Year Paid Internship? For Geology & Geological Engineering Applicants Only

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My Brief Introduction

I am Mubariz Hassan from Lahore (Punjab) Pakistan. I did my Bachelor in Geology from Abbottabad University of Science and Technology (AUST) KPK, Pakistan. I have successfully availed OGDCL one-year internship opportunity in 2022. Being secured the highest marks from Punjab in NTS conducted internship test and a Gold Medalist of university session 2017-2021; I am going to share the preparation methodology and best-recommended sources in a simplified but detailed manner.

NTS Test Syllabus

General Guidelines/Suggestions

• Initially, cover the bold terms given in the chapters from the books recommended below.

• The concepts and knowledge you have gained during the four-year degree program will matter a lot. Revise your own subject’s notes (if you have them).

• There is a total of 100 MCQs. Each contains one mark. There is no negative marking so attempt the complete question paper.  

• Start with the geology portion, then the verbal/English and general knowledge part, and analytical reasoning in the last. 

• Though analytical reasoning has 20 marks, it creates a major difference. This will distinguish you from other competitors. The more you practice, the less it will take time to complete on a test day. 

• The subject content weights provided by OGDCL are not definite. It can vary i.e. last time the major portion comprised Structural Geology and the minor from Petrophysical logs. Hence, focus on all disciplines equally. 

• Focus on stratigraphy, petroleum geology, and palaeontology with respect to Pakistan besides in general.

• Reach half an hour before test timing; bring your printed roll no slip, CNIC, paper board, ballpoints, and water bottle. 

• Be confident and attempt those questions first, you are sure about the right answer. Return to pending questions at the end of that particular section. 

• Mark the answers with a lead pencil or just by a dot and fill the all bubbles in the last 15 minutes. It will save plenty of time. 

Subject Wise Guidelines

1. Structural Geology/Tectonics

For Structural Geology part:

• At least Chapter # 15 (Geologic Structures) from Physical Geology by Charles Plummer, Diane Carlson & Lisa Hammersley (15^th edition or any latest).

For Tectonics part:

• At least Chapter # 01 (Introducing Geology, the Essentials of Plate Tectonics, and Other Important Concepts) pages 15-20 from Physical Geology by Plummer.
• Additionally Chapter # 19 (Plate Tectonics) from Physical Geology by Plummer.

2. Mineralogy

• At least Chapter # 02 (Atoms, Elements, and Minerals) from Physical Geology by Plummer.
• Additionally Chapter # 02 (Minerals) from a textbook of geology by K.M. Bangar OR, Chapter # 03 (Minerals) from Principles of Engineering Geology by K.M. Bangar. 

3. Geological Mapping & Correlations

• At least Chapter # 10 (Laboratory Work) from a textbook of geology by K.M. Bangar OR, Chapter # 12 (Geological Maps & Sections) from Principles of Engineering Geology by K.M. Bangar.
• At least Chapter # 08 (Time and Geology) from Physical Geology by Plummer.

4. Paleontology/Biostratigraphy

At least cover these topics from any book, report, pptx or self-made university notes: 

• Introduction i.e. fossils types, modes of fossilization, etc and associated laws.
• Major fossil groups, their test/shell composition, range in geological time, and habitats.
• Major index fossils, their ages and occurrence in Pakistan’s stratigraphy. 

5. Stratigraphy of Pakistan

• Geology of Pakistan portion from PDF notes by R.A. Farooqui (Geology Essentials).
• All field reports prepared during bachelor's. 

6. Sedimentology

• At least Chapter # 05 (Sedimentary Structures) from Applied Sedimentology by R.C. Selley.
• At least Chapter # 06 (Sediment and Sedimentary Rocks) from Physical Geology by Plummer.
• Additionally Chapter # 05 (Weathering and Soil) from Physical Geology by Plummer.

7. Exploration Methods

• At least Chapter # 11 (Fieldwork and Prospecting Methods) from Principles of Engineering Geology by K.M. Bangar OR, Chapter # 09 last few pages (Field Work and Exploration Methods) from a textbook of geology by K.M. Bangar.

8. Sequence Stratigraphy

Cover these topics from any book, reports, pptx or self-made university notes: 

• Concepts of sequence stratigraphy (basin with types i.e. extensional, compressional, strike-slip, etc.), (basin margin concept i.e. top set, offlap break, clinoform, bottom set), (terms associated with sea level i.e. relative and eustatic sea level, accommodation and sediment supply, etc.), (basin architecture geometries/stacking patterns i.e. progradational, aggradational & retrogradational), (sequence stratigraphic surfaces i.e. sequence boundaries, max regressive surface, etc.), (system tracts i.e. LST, TST, HST and their top & bottom contacts), and (stratal terminations).

9 & 10. Petrophysical Logs (Principles and Interpretation) 

• Wireline logging portion (02 pages) from PDF notes by R.A. Farooqui (Geology Essentials).
• Additionally from online PPTX and The Geological Interpretation of Well Logs by Malcolm Rider.  

Guidelines for GAT/Non-geological portion

For Verbal and Analytical Reasoning

• They are similar to GAT General and are quite simple and basic.
• Consult GAT past papers and YouTube to familiarize yourself with the type of questions.
• Practice analytical reasoning from a shared file in the recommended section.

For General Knowledge

• Consult NTS conducted jobs tests for education or any other department.
• Most are related to geography, capital, current affairs and Pakistan studies. 

Accessibility to Recommended Sources

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Lb1A7K7vCt8Pyp_j3V1JVvwLkLVyRZbP?usp=share_link

Must Review/Prepare the Following Topics

• Geological Time Scale, Mass Extinctions and Evolutionary Trends
• Mineral’s Physical Properties, Silicon to Oxygen Ratios in Silicate Structures
• Mohs Hardness Scale and Clay Minerals
• Kinematics, Dynamics, Geological Structures (folds, faults & joints) and Unconformities
• Volcanoes Types and other Igneous Bodies i.e. dyke, sill, lopolith, laccolith, phacolith, etc
• Upper and Lower Boundaries of all System Tracts (LST, TST, HST)
• Stratal Terminations (toplap, onlap, downlap & offlap)
• Well-known economic deposits of Pakistan i.e. their locality and reserves (coal, salt, gold, copper, iron, etc)
• Index Fossils in Pakistan i.e. mainly Cambrian, Permian and Triassic to Eocene.
• Different types of maps i.e. isobaths, isochore, isopach, contour map, base map, etc.
• Application of logs and cross-overs i.e. Gamma Ray is mainly used to evaluate shale volume, etc.
• Classification of igneous rocks with plutonic/coarser and volcanic/finer equivalents
• Major principles of Geology and their founders