Clearing the UPSC exam is a big challenge because the syllabus is really lengthy. You have to cover it all and get ready to attempt the most unpredictable paper.
Becoming a bookworm won’t do any good. You just have to be mentally strong and decisive to prepare for it smartly. Here are some quick tips that have helped many candidates in the past. And now, it’s for you also to prepare for your UPSC exam.
Tips to Prepare for UPSC Exam
✓ Make Yourself Ready
Before actually starting to prepare, you need to be psychologically all set for the entire UPSC prep journey. Ensure setting goals and devote time religiously.
Once it’s done, you have to understand the UPSC exam pattern. It can accelerate your preparation swiftly in accordance with the set pattern for the IAS examination. Here is a rough draft of it to discover in a jiffy.
The UPSC exam is segmented into three stages, which are prelims, mains, and interviews. Draw some time from your schedule to schedule your study and preparation, even if you’re working. If you’re still facing challenges, it’s better to join online classes.
✓ Set a Time Table
Time is key in the preparation for this examination. You have to make a well-organised routine for it. Don’t make it hastily. Take your time and set a time when you can completely devote yourself to your studies. Stick to the time and always streamline your timetable for it. Setting deadlines can create a feeling of “must-to-do”. It can help in completing the syllabus quickly.
Upon analyzing the syllabus, determine your upsides and downsides. Analyze how to work on them to maximize the result at the end (which is of course the success in the IAS exams).
✓ Check on the UPSC Syllabus
It’s always a plus point to look into the syllabus beforehand. Otherwise, the entire preparation will go on like a blindfold. Explore the official website for discovering the syllabus for the Civil Services Preliminary and Main examinations.
Don’t read it in a hurry. Spend some time understanding and following the guidelines meant for this paper. It will help you find accurate resources to study, make notes, and prioritize the subjects.
✓ Read Newspaper for Current Affairs
A newspaper is a pool of knowledge. Not only does it provide information from all directions of the world, but also saves time in searching for general knowledge-based information.
It’s always believed that non-readers of newspapers won’t succeed in it. Take into account that most GK-based questions have a direct or indirect connection with current affairs. So, never underestimate this point if you are really eager to achieve success.
In addition, you may join online UPSC classes or an IAS coaching center. Or, YouTube channels can be the best alternative for discovering current affairs every day.
✓ Wisely Pick Up Optional
Optional subjects can be a game-changer in the final tally. So, choose your subject wisely because they account for 500 in total scores. Take your time in this selection, and weigh the pros and cons of the subject. Brainstorm how well you can prepare them. Analyse while taking these points into account-interest in the subject, prior knowledge, or academic background in it can add a cutting edge.
There is a bonus tip that can help you to kill two birds with one stone. Pick up the ones whose syllabus overlaps with the General Studies papers.
Apart from that, you can join the UPSC coaching institute or online courses. It will save time by availing vital study materials.
✓ Study NCERTs
The NCERT textbooks are significant. Thoroughly study the syllabi of class sixth to twelfth. It can make all concepts crystal clear in your mind. These books are informative and trustworthy because the government has approved them by itself.
So, these NCERT books are a knowledge bank and can give you a good start for the UPSC examination preparations. Here is the link for accessing the list of all books. You may access it and start preparing yourself for them.
Remember that NCERT books are not the only source to study. If you want to stay ahead of others in the competition, you ought to prefer some other advanced textbooks as well. To get that list, you can ask the faculty of your IAS coaching institute.
✓ Make Your Own Tutorials
Making notes is a must-to-do exercise. It pays off with the success in the examination. Since the syllabus is lengthy, making notes can help you half-prepare while preparing them. It means that notes can save time to learn from scratch because you would have a clear understanding of all concepts.
For note-making, prepare a file as per the subject. This practice can help you cut short the timing for revision.
✓ Practice Writing Answer
Writing practice can make you perfect in attempting descriptive questions. This is indeed helpful and gets you prepared for the IAS main papers. Writing is segmented into three parts-analytical, critical, and communicative abilities.
Before that, the clarity of concept should be there in your mind. This clarity can help you organise your views, projections, or thoughts in sorted order. Ensure that your writing is time and space constrained. Effectiveness is key. So, focus on spinning your thoughts around the concept concisely.
✓ Prepare with Previous Years’ Question Papers
However, the previously asked question papers won’t be asked again. But, it would at least help you to understand the pattern of the paper. Once explored, you would understand the trend of attempting questions. Then, you can easily filter the areas where you need to work harder or less focus.
Besides, they will help you to analyse where you stand.
✓ Mock Tests
This tip is again for assessing yourself. You can easily find out mistakes, which will help you build a concrete approach for coming up stronger with better preparations.
So, join the mock test series. You can do it in your comfort zone.
