Tips for UPSC Preparation

Tips for the UPSC Preparation

The Civil Service Examination is one of the most prestigious entrance examinations in India. This paper is attempted by lakhs of candidates across the country. The IAS exam is not only challenging but also lengthy in the syllabus. The UPSC exam is also highly unpredictable. The exam cannot be cracked by just being a bookworm. UPSC exam processes are mainly the personality test rounds where the panel will interview the candidate to assess their suitability for this service.

Tips for UPSC Prelims preparation

• Revision, Revision and Revision – Whatever you are studying, make sure you revise and remember the notes. Without the revision, you will be confused in the examination hall and end up getting confused so make sure you revise correctly.

• More Current Affairs Preparation – The students should prepare the current affairs months ago and avoid last-minute preparation for current affairs. Spend a few hours every day on current affairs and do not worry. Study more and keep revising what you can.

• Assess Concepts vs Facts – To clear the concepts and make a year. For example, the Economy paper is very conceptual but highly scoring so understand the basics well for this. Similarly, you can do it for all other subjects.

• Practice a lot of Test Paper – The candidates who are preparing for the exam should pick up some good test series and online mock test series and attempt them as per their level of preparation. It will help you to assess your preparation level and ability to finish the test on time.

• Make a routine to be active during the examination hours – Make sure you are more concentrated during the exam hours. Study and practice more during these intense slots of 9 AM to 12 PM and 2 PM to 5 pm.

Tips for UPSC Mains preparation

Create a Preparation Plan – 

• Create a plan before a year appearing in the exam
• Prepare for both prelims and mains
• Start answer-writing practices for the Mains
• From February to May focus only on Prelims
• This is how the candidate should plan their study and manage their time accordingly
• There is no perfect plan for any exam but you have to make sure that you plan in the right manner which will be your perfect plan.

Current Affairs Preparation – 

For the current affairs preparation, most of the questions asked would be on the latest events during June, July and August. The candidate should read the newspaper during this time which is very important from the Mains viewpoint. The questions based on current affairs are usually related to Geography, History and International Relations for which every candidate who is aware of the pattern would be knowing this very well.

Essay Writing – 

Essay writing consists of 2 sections such as sections A and B. Each one has 4 topics in each of 125 marks which makes a total of 250 marks. Usually, one section has topics which are based on general quotes while the other section would be administrative-related. The candidates have to choose a topic from each section & write about the topic in 1000 to 2000 words in the given period of 3 hours.

Some important Tips to Write – 

• Choose your topic wisely
• Outline first for the topic
• Write down all the important points first at the end of the sheet
• Don’t be provocative
• Give suggestions for your content
• Conclusion

In the final selection process, the essay paper plays an important role. This paper is all about assessing the personality of the candidates with the help of their views, suggestions, ideas, attitudes, values, ethics, coordination and written communication abilities.

Answer Writing Practice –

The candidates must be aware of the fact that the main exam is a descriptive type. The candidates need to write at least 200-300 words of an answer to each question. Hence, the answer writing practice is very important for the UPSC main examination. For answer writing practice –

• Take a regular test for the same along with the appropriate study materials
• Use of mind-maps which will help the candidates to link the sub-topics and remember the important points easily
• While making the UPSC notes, they should try writing around 300 words for each topic so that it becomes easier for the candidates to write the answers in the exam.

To evaluate their understanding of the answer writing practices, the candidates can check the UPC main answer writing practice pages and check the sample quest along with the complete answers given by the other IAS aspirants. It will help you with the standard of the answers expected in the main examination.

Tips for UPSC Interview Preparation

The first question which comes to the mind of the candidate is how to prepare for the UPSC interview. The interview process is the final and most important stage to determine the future of the candidate. Hence, the candidates need to put some extra effort into the preparation of the interview.

• Understanding the true nature of the UPSC interview
• Read your DAF thoroughly
• Regularly follow current affairs and newspapers
• Gain full knowledge of the events and news of your city and state
• Cultivate a good body language

UPSC Preparation Tips for Beginners

• Read the UPSC syllabus carefully, the candidates neither need too vast knowledge nor extremely profound. If you stick to the UPSC syllabus & understand what exactly they ask, the candidates will be able to limit the preparation time. Each subject has some dynamic elements other than the other so you will be able to limit the preparation to the important things.
• Become a Planner – As an IAS aspirant, planning should be the best. Put your skills in the right direction by designing a strategy to follow in the same year. Do not completely rely on the coaching institutes. Plan your strategy in a way that helps you to optimize the output.

• Start Preparing Notes – Do not start making notes till the moment you start the preparation of certain subjects. Take the help of at least one or two resources besides the NCERT. Highlight the important points as you read them and compile them into notes.

• Choose the Best Study Material – There are several books for the preparation of the UPSC examination, make sure you find the most reliable, comprehensive and authentic study material.

• Reduce Socializing – Preparing for the UPSC exam requires not just some hard work but also perseverance. It also alters your lifestyle. An important change to make would be to limit the usage of social media and the interaction with people.
• Set Deadlines – Settling the deadlines and a time limit is key to everything. With the help of proper time management, the candidates will be able to focus on their studies by optimizing their time. Design yourself a manageable schedule and follow it till the date of the exam.