The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is a Government of India organization established in 1948. It has various responsibilities to select candidates for services as civil servants, malt the best among them and advise the Government on policies related to civil services. The UPSC exam is a grueling examination with no scope for mistakes or slip-ups. You need an all-encompassing strategy to crack this exam. That’s why we are here. In this article, Sumanth Makam, from National IAS academy, which is known for being one among the best for IAS coaching in Bangalore, will discuss the 10 best tips to help you prepare for your upcoming UPSC exams.
Remember that the key to cracking this exam is practice, practice, and more practice
The UPSC exam is a two-part written test. The first part is the General Studies Paper (GST) which is common to all disciplines. The second part is the Special Papers that is specific to your chosen stream – i.e. the subjects you have selected. The first part has a total of 100 marks and the second part has 200 marks. The overall marks are 300. The second part of the exam is of subjective nature where it is very easy to make a few silly mistakes. The best way to avoid this is to practice, practice, and then practice some more. You need to go through the last 10 years’ question papers, learn from your mistakes and implement changes in your preparation strategy.
Learn from your previous years’ answer sheet and implement changes in your preparation strategy
As we mentioned above, you need to analyse your previous years’ answer sheets to learn from your mistakes. Look out for the following things on your answer sheet to improve your preparation strategy:
The length of the answer: is it more than the prescribed word limit? Is it grammatically correct? Are there any spelling errors?
The way you have structured the answer: Does it have a smooth flow? Does it have a proper introduction, body, and conclusion? Is the topic covered completely? Are you referring to any source/author in your answer?
The selection of facts/figures/details: Are you selecting the important facts? Are you selecting facts having a proper context?
The use of examples: Are you selecting appropriate examples from your knowledge base? Are you selecting examples from the context of the question asked?
The use of appropriate language: Are you using the best language while constructing your answer? Are there any mistakes in your choice of words? Are there any grammatical errors?
Make a time table and stick with it
You can’t expect to get a top rank unless you put in an insane amount of effort. The best way to do so is by making a time table. Don’t leave any space for procrastination or you will end up burning out yourself. Make a plan and stick to it.
Here is a sample time table you can use to crack this exam: Start your preparation a few months before the exam date. Schedule your study hours for each day and also write down the time for breaks in between. This will help keep you motivated throughout your preparation. You can use this time table to track your progress and check if you are on track to meet your goal.
Form a study group with people who are as passionate about civil services as you are
You need to have a study group to keep yourself motivated during your preparation. You also need to have a feedback mechanism where you can share your preparation strategies and study hours. Additionally, a study group will help you avoid procrastination by sharing their notes and helping you out with your doubts. It’s always easier to study with a group than alone. You need to be very careful while choosing people for your study group.
Avoid people who will encourage you to copy your notes or crib about their preparation strategies. You need to find people who are as passionate about the preparation as you are.
Don’t neglect English and Math
The Union Public Service Commission has a very strict policy when it comes to English and Math. If you score a certain percentage of marks in these subjects, you are exempted from the proficiency test. This is a huge bonus if you are weak in these subjects. The best way to improve your marks in these subjects is by enrolling in a coaching institute. While you can make do with self-study for the other subjects, English and Math require expert guidance and attention to detail.
You can’t learn these subjects by reading a book or watching videos on YouTube. You need to go to a coaching institute that can provide you with expert guidance, IAS National Academy which is one of the best IAS coaching in Bangalore will provide you with the best resource materials, packed with excellent teachers to help you clear your exam.The only time you can neglect English and Math is when you are about to crack the exam. You need to go all out and be meticulous in your preparation to score a high rank.
Try the pomodoro method
The pomodoro method is a time management technique that helps you be more productive while studying. It consists of a sequence of three tasks followed by a break. Here is how to implement the pomodoro method while preparing for the UPSC exam:
Start with a timer set to 25 minutes. For the first 25 minutes, study without any breaks. When the timer rings, take a break for 5 minutes. Now go back to studying with breaks every 25 minutes. While studying, you must follow these rules: Keep switching between studying and breaks until your daily study hours are over. Once you are done with the pomodoro method, you will find that you have finished your study hours without even realizing it.
Use quiz apps to hone your General Awareness skills
The UPSC exam requires a high level of General Awareness. You will be expected to know your country and its culture, economy, and politics. You can improve your General Awareness skills by making use of quiz apps on your smartphone. There are many apps on the internet that can help you improve your General Awareness skills.
Stay away from books as much as possible and make use of the internet for research. You can select an app that quizzes you about Geography, History, Politics, Economy, and Culture. You can use these quiz apps to not only improve your General Awareness skills but also practice for the exam. One great way to improve your knowledge of current events is by reading newspapers. You can either read the newspaper online or pick up a copy from your local vendor.
Stay physically active
Most of the candidates who crack the UPSC exam are those who are physically active. The best way to keep your mind fresh and focused on your preparation is by staying physically active. You can go for a long walk, play sports, or do yoga asap. You can also download some meditation apps on your phone and practice meditation while commuting. Meditation is a great way to reduce stress and focus your mind on what you want.
Take breaks in between studies
The key to studying for long hours without burning out is by taking breaks in between. The breaks don’t have to be long, but they should be frequent enough to keep your mind fresh. Breaks are important because they give your brain a chance to relax. You can take a 5-minute break to make a cup of tea, go for a quick walk, or practice meditation. Although 5 minutes may not seem like much, it can make a big difference in your ability to focus for long hours.
You can also use this time to check your phone for emails and social media updates. The best way to take breaks is to plan them into your study schedule. Try scheduling breaks at regular intervals and follow the schedule. You can also make use of a productivity app or a to-do list to keep track.
Remember patience is the key to success
The UPSC exam requires a huge amount of preparation and patience. You can’t expect to crack this exam if you are studying casually. You need to devote yourself 100% to this exam and make sure that you are prepared well for it. This is a very tough exam, and you can expect to be nervous when you appear for it. The key to success is to keep calm and focus on your preparation strategy. Practice these 10 useful tips and be prepared to crack the exam. Now that you know how to crack the UPSC exam, it’s time to get to work! Put these tips into practice, and you will soon see the results you’re aiming for.
Read more interesting articles at organisedeveryday
