UPSC CIVIL SERVICE EXAM IS INDEED A HIGH BAR TO CROSS N IMPOSSIBLE ONE. BUT NEVER ASO IT IS ADVISABLE TO START RIGHT FROM THE COLLEGE DAYS . Clearing UPSC in the very first attempt needs some basic requirements. Here are some quick notes.
- Understanding the syllabus lucidly
- HAVING OWN ALL ROUND STRATEGY
- Being firm about choosing optional
- CHOOSING THE RIGHT STUDY MATERIAL FROM THE PLETHORA OF AVAILABLE CONTENTS.
- UNDERSTANDING CONCEPTS
- Practicing writing answers right from the beginning
At your very first attempt, the above mentioned points, added with consistency and perseverance, will surely lead you through the journey.
Important Links:
UPSC exam Pattern
UPSC Syllabus
The UPSC Civil Services exam has three basic stages:
- The first stage is Prelims which is objective
- The second stage is Mains which is a written examination
- And the third stage is the interview which is a verbal evaluation process
A candidate has to clear all these 3 stages one by one.
Out of these, to clear the prelims an aspirant requires the quality of ‘Recognition the Info’. For Mains, every aspirant irrespective of his level of preparation appears for this stage, your preparation should be open-ended and it requires much analysis and an understanding of the underlying trends and ideas.
And to perform satisfactorily in the interview, you have to take your communication skill to the next level. Failure, in any of these stages, can threaten the entire selection process.
Based on our mentoring of 5000+ successful aspirants over the past so many years, we recommend the following strategies for all the 3 rounds:
1. Cover the whole syllabus at least 2 times:
The syllabus should be covered exhaustively. No portion should be left for granted, whatever the past trends. UPSC can tilt towards any part of the huge syllabus and hence it’s advisable to be on the safer side.
2. Be consistence:
Consistency of performance is essential. You don’t have to be exceptional every day but as a minimum, you need to be at a level that even on a bad day you get points on the board. So, chart out your own strategy, Formulate your fitting time table, and go ahead.
3. Analyze PYQs diligently:
After coverage of a substantial portion of the syllabus, the first attempt of the static part (Prelims & Mains) PYQs must be attempted. That will be your first small step & giant leap for concrete preparation. Past year papers should be like a radar of preparation that provides direction and orientation to your preparation. Apart from enhancing your knowledge base, last year’s papers help in forming your mental outlook. This increases your common sense and helps you in eliminating options in prelims.
4. Attempt 1 mock test per month:
After coverage of a substantial portion of the syllabus, a decent number of mock tests must be attempted. The number of mocks should be reasonable. Too many tests would precious energy and too few numbers would go you unprepared. Mocks should be given in an exam-type environment only. Joining only one standard Test Series would be a wise idea. Post Test analysis with a mentor is a must exercise. High performance should not bring elation and poor performance should not bring frustration. Just run the race to continuously improve yourself.
5. Understanding Prelims & Mains & Revise Properly:
The actual difference between CSE Prelims and Mains is that while the Prelims focus on recognition (of information) and requires a comprehensive study covering a wide variety of topics, Mains need the ability to recall, analyze and express (ideas and information, including one’s own thoughts) properly which can only be done through an intensive study of the topic. Therefore it is very important to stay focussed and cover in-depth, the topics that you have picked for Mains and in doing so you have to match your skills with the subject at hand. Using the right approach and picking the right parts of the syllabus for the intensive study will not only help manage time but also garner more marks in the end.
6. Make your own effective notes:
No syllabus of UPSC can be covered with quality without making proper notes. Besides, you can develop a healthy habit of writing by self-note making. Notes should be made in an appropriate structure so that it becomes easier for the aspirants to memorize and recollect. Notes should neither be too bulky nor extremely short. Hence, the purpose of notes should always be tied in mind. Also never forget to update from time to time.
7. Avoid exploring new topics before one month:
Before 30 days of prelims should not be given to cover any new stuff unless it’s excessively and quite important. The month should be kept exclusively for revision. Mains can be taken along with Prelims but a proportion of time should be justified.
8. CSAT must be taken very seriously:
Taking it lightly can cost a big toll. The people who are all-out novices to CSAT should maintain it at par with GS. But even the aspirants who are at a comparatively advanced stage should take it seriously. At Least past years’ papers should not be missed anyway.
9. Prepare Current affairs from Civilsdaily
However, non-orientation preparation can destroy the entire purpose of Current Affairs. So, it’s important to carve and specify the boundaries. One standard Newspaper, one monthly magazine, the gist of Indian Year Book, Economic Survey, Budget, PIB, and Yojna should be on your platter of Current affairs. Joining an exclusive current affairs course is a good exercise.
Too much diversity in study materials will mess up your entire preparation and will bring anxiety and stress during the last leg of preparation.
10. Smart Study under the guidance of an experienced IAS mentor
Even with numerous things pending, you still have a great chance to crack the UPSC exam. Nobody goes for this exam with the best preparation. It depends on how you put it on that paper.
Some aspirants spend an indefinite amount of time researching the “best website” and the ‘best coaching material’, websites for current affairs, etc. as a result, they invest less time actually reading it. Others have this perfectionist mindset that forces them to make copious notes and compilations from tons of material available in the market. Desist from this. Do your research for a day, but don’t decide on your sources, get a mentor and stick with it. You’ll do just fine.
