UPSC Prelims Preparation Strategy - Dos and Don'ts

UPSC Preparation | Dos and Don'ts | Chetan Bharat Learning

Although preparing for the UPSC Prelims can be challenging, success is possible with the appropriate plan, direction, and commitment.  Chetan Bharat Learning, a leading provider of UPSC coaching in Chandigarh, understands the challenges that aspirants face. We'll go over the dos and don'ts of UPSC Prelims preparation in this blog post to help you get through this crucial part of your path to becoming a civil servant.

Dos: 

 

Revise, Revise, and Revise: No matter what subject or topic you are studying, make sure to revise and recall so that you do not lose marks in those topics. Without sufficient revision, you will most likely bring more confusion into the exam hall and wind up with a greater negative result, undoing all of your hard work.

 

Make a distinction between facts and concepts: In recent years, the UPSC prelims in key topics have grown more conceptual. Examine the previous 4-5 years' question papers and create a judgement of the types of questions asked on each subject. For example, in Polity, you do not need to memorise the names of previous Presidents, Election Commissioners, and so on (Questions used to be asked about them, but not anymore). The Economy paper is now both conceptually and numerically strong. So focus on learning the fundamentals. Make an evaluation of all subjects. If your preparation does not correspond to the exam pattern, you will be wasting time.

 

Space out your current affairs study: Many students make the error of picking up current affairs books in the final few weeks in an attempt to finish. The reality is that there will be an overload of knowledge, and your memory may not be able to handle the rapid strain. So, starting today, devote a few hours to current events, and remember to review on a regular basis. Do not be concerned if you are unable to complete all current affairs. What you can, study and revise. The same is true for map work: set aside a modest amount of time each day for it and keep revising.

 

Practise a lot of test papers: Regardless of your level of preparation, pick up some test series booklets and attempt them. This will allow you to measure your level of preparation, your ability to finish on time, and the kind of basic errors you make, such as incorrectly reading the questions or alternatives, among other things.

 

Make a pattern to be most active during exam hours: In the last weeks before the exam, ensure that you are studying or practising with strong concentration in the two slots of 9am-12pm and 2pm-5pm. Your brain will adapt to being most active during such times.

 

Check out the place before the exam: You (or someone accompanying you) must personally visit the exam venue once before the exam day to ensure that there are no surprises on the day of the exam. You'll also learn about the optimal means of transportation. Also, if you plan on taking a cab, keep in mind that there will be a high demand for cabs, so allow for a 10-15 minute buffer.

 

Arrive at the venue early: Be sure to arrive at the location 45 to 60 minutes before the appointed time. The last-minute hurry and anxiety to get to the event may impair your concentration.

 

Dont's

 

Don't be concerned: the paper is the same for everyone. Believe in your preparation and offer your all. Any nervousness you feel before or during the exam will detract from your performance. To find peace of mind, close your eyes, block out everything, and take deep breaths for a minute. Do not be alarmed if the paper appears difficult at first glance and you believe you know nothing about it. Keep calm and go through the paper question by question; you'll find plenty of questions to answer. 

 

Do not consider yourself unprepared or underprepared: Your preparation is an objective reality that cannot be altered on exam day. Once you've decided to give the paper, don't think about your preparation. Concentrate just on what you know and make an intelligent attempt at the paper.


 

Do not lose momentum leading up to the exam: You must concentrate and study as much as possible in the days preceding the exam. The mental state prior to the exam is critical.

 

Do not put off filling out OMR sheets: Students sometimes overlook the fact that filling out OMR sheets not only takes time but is also the most significant portion of the prelims. If you don't want to resort to the OMR sheet after every question, fill it out at least every 45-50 minutes. This will not only ensure that you do not lose marks for not filling out the OMR page, but it will also help you prepare your paper better towards the finish. Also, while filling out the OMR page, be careful to mentally read out the number of questions; serial filling without looking at the question numbers could result in a major disaster. 

 

Make no mistakes on the attendance sheet: During the exam, you will be required to fill out an attendance sheet that includes circles. It simply takes 1-2 minutes if you are very careful. Although the exam centres will assist you if you make a mistake, it will not only cost you time but will also increase your anxiety. It is extremely typical to witness students committing errors on exam sheets. So exercise extreme caution.

 

Do not leave any questions unanswered before considering your options: Make a point of reading through all of the questions and options at least once. There will always be 2-3 questions that you can answer just by carefully reading the questions and options. You will be able to remove 2-3 choices even with limited information.

 

Do not over-attempt: Never assume that you must attempt a set amount of questions. After attempting the paper, you will be able to make a mental judgement of its difficulty. If the paper appears to be difficult and you have done well in your preparation, tackling roughly 70 questions (in paper-I) may be sufficient. So, once again, there is no set amount, but don't feel obligated to attempt 90-100 questions just because some toppers did.

 

Conclusion

It might be challenging but worthwhile to study for the UPSC Prelims. Your chances of success can be improved by adhering to the dos and don'ts outlined in this blog and seeking the advice of professionals at Chetan Bharat Learning. To pass the UPSC Prelims and realise your dream of working for the government, keep in mind that perseverance, dedication, and the appropriate strategy are the keys. Chetan Bharat Learning is one of the most trusted platforms for the preparation of the UPSC Exam. Chetan Bharat provides the best UPSC offline Coaching in Chandigarh. Chetan Bharat Learning will be with you every step of the way as you begin your preparation, so start out strong. 

 

Read more about the Preparing & Revising Current Affairs for Prelims Exam