Top Ways to Make the Best Out of Your Civil Service Preparation
Top Ways to Make the Best Out of Your Civil Service Preparation
Qualifying for the UPSC exam on the first attempt is the dream of every aspirant. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is the body that conducts the Civil Services Examination every year to select candidates for various positions in the public sector. The competition is tough, and the exam requires a lot of hard work and dedication. However, adhering to certain right strategies and approaches can help you in clearing the exam on the very first attempt. There are also certain micro factors including daily life habits that facilitate your preparation tactics. Read this blog to know more about the civil services examination, how to ace it, and how important it is to solve civil services last year papers.
Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus
The first and foremost step to cracking the UPSC exam is to understand its pattern and syllabus thoroughly. The exam comprises three stages- Prelims, Mains, and Interview. The Preliminary exam consists of two papers with sections of General Studies Paper 1 and 2, also known as the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT). The Mains exam comprises nine papers including essay writing, General Studies I to IV, Optional I and II, along with two language papers. The interview is the last stage of the exam. By understanding the exam pattern thoroughly you can plan your preparation as per your strong and weak points.
Plan Your Preparation
The second step and most crucial step in facilitating the upcoming preparation journey is to plan your study routine. You have to make a study timetable and stay consistent with it. You can divide your time amongst different subjects and allocate more time to the concepts that you find difficult. Revision can help you in grasping the topics in a more productive way. You can get UPSC last year question paper online or offline and solve those for papers. Regular mock tests are a great way to help you understand the exam pattern and improve your time management skills.
Read Newspaper and Current Affairs
Current affairs as the most weighted section play a crucial role in the UPSC examination evaluation. Adapt the habit of reading newspapers on a daily basis and keep yourself updated with the latest events and news happening in the country and around the globe. You can also refer to magazines that have current affairs-worthy texts, including Yojana, Kurukshetra, and Frontline. These will help you to grasp an in-depth understanding of current affairs topics.
Choose Your Optional Subject Wisely
The UPSC exam comprises two optional papers. Thus choosing the right optional subject can elevate your chances of clearing the exam by shedding a significant impact on your grades. Opt for a subject of your interest, and also have a good understanding of it. You need to check if the subject has less burden and a good scoring potential and is relevant to the exam. Optional subjects can be a game changer in your scores.
Improve Your Writing Skills
The Mains exam pattern is split into essays and answers writing papers that are designed to test the candidates’ writing skills. You can Improve your writing skills by practicing essays, and writing topics and answers. Structure plays a vital role in crafting your answers properly and presenting them in a concise manner. It is advised not to use jargon and technical terms that are not commonly known.
Basic Lifestyle Changes That can Elevate Your Preparation Strategy
- Wake Up Early
Mornings are the best time to rejuvenate your learning capacity. Waking up early is a great way to start your day in a productive manner.
- Get Enough Sleep
You must sleep at the right time as it helps in the regular functioning of your brain. Learning is a dynamic process that requires you to be healthy and energetic.
- Don’t Rely on Technology Too Much
Too much dependence on technology can lead to the consumption of misinformation which further hinders your preparation prospects. It is essential to stick to a reliable source and avoid an overflow of information.
- Maintain your Strengths and Work on your Weaknesses
After identifying the strengths and weaknesses it is important to work harder to overcome the weak points. You can allocate more time to such subjects and topics. Don’t ignore the strengths, it is essential to balance both components by nurturing the strengths and working on the weaknesses.
Wrapping Up!
The above-mentioned tips and information might help you in improving your preparation prospects. It is vital to adhere to these for better results. Apart from these, Civil services last year papers can assist you regarding the type of questions that come in the exam. You can find the UPSC Last Year Question Paper via any reliable platform online or offline and start practicing.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What optional subject is the most scoring?
It depends upon your strengths, if you are good at a particular subject then you might be able to score well with lesser effort. Although, philosophy is considered to be the easiest as its syllabus is lesser than others.
- What is the best reliable source providing UPSC’s previous year’s question papers?
You can find previous years’ question paper sets either on the web or in the form of paperbacks at bookshops.
- What should you begin with, offline coaching or online coaching?
The online preparation world is witnessing advancements and rapid updates, nevertheless, the choice of coaching depends on your preferences. If you are pursuing full-time college or you are a working professional it is advisable to opt for online coaching as it would serve your convenience.
- Which newspaper should you read as an aspirant?
The Hindu is the answer to this question. This newspaper serves all the newsworthy articles and editorials.
Lucas Noah is a tech-savvy writer with a solid academic foundation, holding a Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) degree. His expertise in the IT field has paved the way for a flourishing writing career, where he currently contributes to the online presence... Read more
