The UPSC CSE is scheduled to be conducted on 31st May 2020. The Examination, without a whisker of doubt is a tough nut to crack. The sheer amount of competition and the number of aspirants vying for those posts itself describes the whole scenario. For instance, in 2018 alone about 8 lakh aspirants appeared for the exam out of which a mere 10,500 candidates qualified for the mains written exam and all those numbers, just to fill up 780 vacancies….!!!!!!
Due to the tough competition in the Public Services sector, the cut-offs of the UPSC Prelims is revised every year. The Prelims exam with each passing year is increasing in the difficulty level; the paper is becoming more and more dynamic. So to clear the paper, hardwork should be complimented with some smart strategies. Here, have a look at the article as to how you can maximize your UPSC Prelims marks:
- Join a UPSC MOCK Test Series:
Time and again we have stressed a lot on the importance of UPSC Prelims Mock Test Series. The test series by far can prove to be the most important tool in terms of Revisions for the actual exam. They provide you an opportunity to brush up your knowledge on all the relevant subjects mentioned in the syllabus. The best part is that through these tests, you will be able to analyze your strong and weak areas and work on them in the subsequent tests. Join VIAPTS 2020 and test your UPSC Proficiency with us. - Current Affairs Analysis:
Since 2013, UPSC tends to ask more questions based on current affairs with the number of questions from static subjects on the decline. In 2016, almost 55% of the questions were from current affairs. Moreover, the static questions asked in last 2 years were invariantly connected to some current happening of national/international importance. In order to score more in the Prelims exam, you should try and cover up all the current affair details of last 1-1.5 years atleast. Apart from Prelims, these will also help you frame the Mains exam answers as well. Refer to the monthly current affairs from any one source. Do see to it that you revise all the topics which you have studied before the exams. - Most Probable Questions:
After completing any topic of any subject, try and make out a list of questions which you think might be asked in the exams. This way by the end of your preparation you will have a repository of ‘Probable Questions for the Prelims’. The questions might not come in the exam but this may prove very vital to retain the thing you have studied under the particular topic. As such practicing the questions prepared on the daily basis will strengthen your core and basic knowledge. - Previous Year Questions:
The UPSC CSE Previous Year Questions are also important from a practical perspective. Going through the previous year papers, you will get gainful insights in to the demands of UPSC in terms what type of questions, they are asking, which section carries the maximum weightage, which are the areas from which question have been regularly asked. For instance, Space Technology has remained a favorite topic for UPSC as like Buddhism and Jainism. You can always expect questions from these topics. Read and re-read the questions papers and try to identify patterns, if any. These things are sure to boost up your marks in the actual prelims exams. - Revisions and Re-Revisions:
No matter as to how much of the UPSC syllabus you cover, how many hours you study a day, at the end all that matters is how much of the things you can retain in your mind and recall during the actual exam. It all boils down to the revisions you do in the last few weeks leading up to the exam. What do you think, why people say, “Practice makes a man perfect”?
It is because it does. Even if you are able to complete only 70% of the UPSC syllabus within the stipulated time, do revise only that 70%. After all, you only need to clear the Prelims Exam and not top it. The marks obtained in the Prelims are not added in the Final Merit List. Revisions should be at the top of your priority list.
Hard work coupled with smart strategy can be the solution to crack any competitive exam. You need to be highly motivated and dedicated in your preparations in the face of anything. Once you have decided to become a Bureaucrat, you need to have a firm belief in yourself and your preparations.
To sum up it, stay away from any sort of negativities. Consider each attempt as your last and just give in your best shot. Sometimes, it does happen that things don’t go as planned but dare not lose hope. Take a step back, analyze your mistake, smile over it and carry on. If not for today, success will definitely follow you the next time. Civil Servants must possess the attribute of perseverance and what better way could it be done than starting from today?
