UPSC CSE Prelim: How Many Questions to Try and How to Prevent Burnout; Check 10 Crucial Suggestions from 5 Toppers

On 16th June 2024, the UPSC Civil Service preliminary Examination will take place all around the nation. In order to fill 1,056 positions in the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service, Indian Forest Service, and other related services, an exam is being held. UPSC has made its admission cards available as well.

Three days prior to the test, we’re going to give you 10 advice points from 5 top performers from prior years. Exams for Civil Service at UPSC:

Take a look at the papers from prior years; diligence pays off.

Aditya Srivastava, who qualified for the UPSC 2023 with an AIR 1, stated that he used to begin preparing for the preliminary exam in February. One must concentrate on the facts throughout the preliminary exam. Because there are identical possibilities, you need to be aware of the precise phrases and names.

Aditya shares his experience, stating that he completed all the books on his first try at the preliminary exam. He tried 90–92 questions, but he could only score 82, missing selection by two or three points. Aditya then began to sense that perhaps something was lacking. Despite having all the knowledge, he never put it into practice. As a result, he was unable to comprehend the UPSC preliminary exam format or the requirements for candidates.

He then carefully reviewed the questions from the prior year for his second try. He perused the documents from the previous ten years. He conducted a thorough analysis of the previous three years’ worth of writings. The way the statements were written, the types of items that were consistently stated incorrectly, and the types of statements that were consistently written correctly. After he made these observations, he concluded that he might use them as support for the questions he did not know the answers to or where his knowledge would not allow him to proceed.

Aditya was able to reduce the quantity of choices in this way. He raised his grades from 84 to 114 by doing this.

This is how Aditya managed her burnout while getting ready.

1. My usage of social media did not cease. I also used to kill time by watching reels.
2. From childhood, Aditya has always enjoyed reading about dinosaurs. He kept up this pastime even as he was getting ready.
3. I stopped studying and concentrated on getting fit. I went for morning runs or walks whenever I had free time.
4. Several family events, including weddings and birthdays, were attended during the preparation.
5. I fulfilled my daily goal and then used the rest of the time for my interests.

Practice reading, comprehending, and developing the skill of skipping topics.

Abhishek Verma says that the preliminary round is an elimination game. You must gain factual information by reading every issue with objectivity. In preliminary exams, you are presented with four possibilities. To begin with, you need to have strong reading and comprehension abilities for this. Second, you need to be able to rule out choices.

Abhishek stated that coaching is necessary for individuals who have not studied the subjects and have no prior knowledge of them when it comes to preparing through coaching. But there are a lot of study options available today thanks to the internet and other media. The value of coaching has diminished in this circumstance. For those who cannot afford to study in Delhi or Mukherjee Nagar, students from remote, rural, or village locations can also do it online. With this, they are now passing examinations as well.

IPS advice Exam-taking Abhishek Verma

• Knowing what not to read is just as important as knowing what to read.
• The UPSC syllabus is extensive, but there’s not much time. Select the subjects that can be omitted, then.
• Avoid the pitfall of over-experimenting and perusing everything you come across.
• Make sure you read the fewest possible topics to assist you achieve the highest possible grade.

Know the material well; the fundamentals need to be obvious.

First and foremost, carefully review the material, advised Anshuman Raj, a 2019 UPSC passant. What the students must learn is outlined in great depth in the curriculum. The fact that the solution is in front of you is one benefit of the preliminary exam. You must select one of the four options available. Your notions must be clear for that, as occasionally you become confused by the possibilities. Examine past years’ question papers and answer keys. However, it is improper to use them as models and make preparations in accordance with them. Nobody is sure what questions the UPSC will pose later.

Anshuman added that having distinct fundamentals for the preliminary exam is crucial. Your grasp of current events will also be enhanced by doing this. Even if you haven’t studied current events, you can still accurately answer exam questions if the fundamentals of the subject are understood. This happens frequently.

UPSC preliminary test tips from IAS officer Anshuman Raj

• Never omit important sources such as Basic Books, Newspapers, Toppers Notes, and NCERT.
• Prelims can be split into two categories: current affairs and static.
• Our approach ought to be to divide current events and static content 65–35.
• Understanding current events will be simple if the foundations are understood.
• Proceed only after covering each topic individually for the preliminary exam.

Answer exam questions and be aware of when to use guesswork.

In reference to exam preparation, Kartikeya Verma stated that your answer is one of four alternatives provided in the preliminary exam. Finding the right response out of four in this kind of scenario is difficult.

Karthikeya took the UPSC preliminary exam five times and passed each time. This has been his area of strength. For each preliminary exam, he had to complete roughly sixty test sheets. Every question paper from any two coaching institutes was something he used to bring.

• Which inquiries to make?
• Which conjecture will be effective?
• When supposition is completely useless
• Which inquiries ought to be omitted?

Remember these points for the UPSC preliminary exams.

• Complete as many test questions as you can.
• Knowledge of facts is verified. Your facts ought to be obvious in this kind of case.
• You ought to be aware of which questions are optional.

Keep your study methods consistent; it’s crucial to not constantly modify them.

Recalling his undergraduate days, Kumar Sushant—who was selected for the UPSC in 2022—says he used to drift off to sleep during lectures. He felt it was improper to receive coaching for UPSC preparation in such a circumstance. For the UPSC, he therefore conducted his own study.

Speaking of being ready, Sushant explains that the preliminary exam tests your ability to read. Furthermore, you will also be examined on your knowledge of facts. You won’t forget the facts if you get past the fundamentals and proceed with this.

Success can be achieved via preparation based on these principles.

• You should have a straightforward plan for your preparation.
• Create Winners Discuss a source of readiness.
• Keep your preparations consistent.
• Repeating monotonous tasks will lead to success.
• Above all, self-control is essential.
• Pay attention to the important topics.
• Don’t continually alter your approach to studying.
• Continue to examine yourself from time to time.
• Continually have a backup plan prepared.