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Why do you get a choice for general or specific topics in the afternoon?
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The idea is that all engineering students start with a common foundation in math and physical sciences; then they branch off into different specialized disciplines as their studies progress. Similarly, FE candidates all take the same "general" topics in the AM; then they branch out into their discipline of choice in the PM.
The PM choices are currently general, civil, environmental, electrical, mechanical, chemical, and industrial. In theory, the "general" PM module is intended for students in minor engineering disciplines that don't rate their own FE exam module (e.g. nuclear, petroleum, agricultural, metallurgical, etc.) But in practice, people often take the general PM module instead of the specific PM module for their discipline.
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What are the advantages and disadvantages to the selection of each?
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The advantage of the general PM module is that it basically covers the same content as the AM module. So if you thoroughly review general topics, you are prepared for both AM and PM. The disadvantage is that the general material is more likely to be fundamental stuff that you studied early in your college career (e.g. calculus, thermodynamics, statics), and which you are more likely to have forgotten. So review may be harder.
The advantage of a discipline-specific PM module is that it covers specialized topics that you probably studied over the past year or two, and which you are more likely to remember clearly. So it may be easier to review for a discipline-specific module. The disadvantage is that your review still has to include some general material as well, because you still have to take general topics in the AM.
It's a personal preference, and there is no universally accepted answer. Some people feel strongly that the general PM module is the easiest way to go, others strongly prefer a discipline-specific PM module.
