The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the most challenging competitive exam in the country, the Civil Services Examination. The UPSC exam is conducted in three stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Personal Interview.
Every year lakhs of candidates appear for the challenging UPSC civil services exam, but only some succeed in cracking the exam and getting the final selection. The UPSC exam requires hard work, dedication, and intelligent preparation strategies to crack this exam.
This blog will focus on tips and tricks to help you crack the UPSC exam.
Helpful Tips to Crack the UPSC Exam
● Create a Study Plan
Another important thing is creating a well-structured study plan. It is crucial to cover the entire syllabus, revise and practice regularly, and manage time effectively. One can divide the syllabus into small topics and allocate time for each case separately. One can make a daily, weekly, and monthly schedule and stick to it. But ensure to allocate more time to the issues that require more attention or are difficult for you. It is essential to give equal importance to all subjects and topics.
● Reading Newspaper Daily
Reading newspapers is one of the most significant aspects of UPSC civil services exam preparation. It will help you stay updated with current affairs and increase your knowledge of various subjects. One should habitually read at least one newspaper daily, preferably The Hindu or The Indian Express. One can also make notes of critical news, events, and issues and revise them regularly.
● Practice Writing
Writing practice is essential to the UPSC exam, as it helps you express your ideas and thoughts clearly and concisely. Practice writing essays regularly, answers to previous year’s question papers almost daily, and mock tests. Analyze your writing skills and identify the areas that need improvement. One should write in a simple and easy-to-understand language. The focus should be on the quality of the content, clarity of expression, and relevance of the answer.
● Refer to Standard Books
Referring to classic books is also essential to understand the concepts and topics in-depth. It is an inseparable part of the UPSC preparation. Make a concise list of books covering the entire syllabus, read them thoroughly, and revise them regularly. Some of the most recommended books for the UPSC exam are:
- Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
- Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh
- Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania
- India’s Struggle for Independence book by Bipin Chandra
- Environment and Ecology by Shankar IAS
- NCERT books (Class VI to XII) for History, Geography, Polity, Science, and Economics
● Solve Previous Year’s Papers
Furthermore, solving previous year’s question papers is crucial to understanding the exam pattern and type of questions asked and improving your time management skills. Nothing can replace solving PYQs. It also plays a vital role in helping you identify the areas needing more attention. It would be best to try translating as many previous year’s papers as possible and analyzing your performance. Identify your strengths and weaknesses from them and work on them accordingly.
● Join a Coaching Institute
Joining a coaching institute can help you in a variety of ways. It can provide guidance, study materials, and access to experienced faculty. However, it is not mandatory to join a coaching institute, as self-study can also help you crack the UPSC exam. If you choose to enter a coaching institute, research before selecting one. Check the things such as track record, faculty, study materials, and student reviews before deciding.
● Understanding the Exam Pattern
Before starting the preparation, the first and foremost thing to consider is understanding its exam pattern, syllabus, and marking scheme. The UPSC Preliminary Examination consists of General Studies Paper-I and General Studies Paper-II (CSAT). Both these papers are of objective type and carry 200 marks each, including negative markings for the wrong answer.
The Main Examination consists of nine papers: Paper-A (Indian Language), Paper-B (English), Essay, General Studies I, General Studies II, General Studies III, General Studies IV, Optional Paper I, and Optional Paper II.
The Personal Interview, the last stage of the UPSC exam, carries 275 marks. It is also essential to know the syllabus of the exam; if you are planning to give the exam in 2023, it is crucial to know the UPSC syllabus 2023.
● Make use of technology.
Technology can be a beneficial tool in your preparation journey. Many apps and websites offer free-of-cost study material, current affairs, and mock tests. Use them to your advantage.
● Stay motivated
Cracking the UPSC exam demands a lot of hard work and dedication. It’s essential to stay motivated throughout the preparation journey. Set minimal goals and reward yourself when you achieve them.
● Stay healthy
Lastly, taking care of your mental and physical health is crucial. Eat healthy food, do exercise regularly, and get enough sleep. A healthy body and mind are essential to success in any competitive exam.
Conclusion
Cracking the UPSC exam requires hard work, dedication, and planning. Follow these tips and tricks to make your preparation smoother, more effective, and more efficient. Always remember that success only comes to those who work hard for it and never give up in life.
FAQs
Q: Is coaching mandatory for UPSC preparation?
A: It should be clear that coaching is not necessary for UPSC preparation, but it can be beneficial for those who need proper guidance and support in their preparation. However, self-study and self-motivation can also lead to cracking the UPSC exam.
Q: How long does preparing for the Civil Services Examination take?
A: The duration of the preparation for this Examination varies from person to person, depending on factors like their prior knowledge and understanding of the subjects, the amount of time they can dedicate to preparation, and also their ability to grasp the concepts. But generally, it takes 1-2 years of dedicated practice to crack the UPSC exam.
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