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MindIT

Wednesday, 21 July 2021 | Vinay Kumar GB

The UPSC Civil Services Exam is listed as one of the toughest processes in the world. However, following a personalised strategy, students can adopt a four-months plan to ensure guaranteed results not only in the upcoming Prelims, but also in securing the desired All India Rank!

Step 1: Core Strategy

Studies must focus on completion of core syllabus, coupled with thorough revisions, and practice of MCQs and answer-writing. Sample strategy for various categories of students.

Yet to complete revision of basics:  Aim for 2022 attempt by completing revision of Optional by August, attempting Optional Test Series by December, revision of GS, and starting answer-writing in August.

Basics done, but no answer-writing: Start writing 1-2 GS and 2 Optional answers every day till August. Solve at least 50 GS and 10-20 CSAT MCQs daily and gradually increase it to 100+ by August and 200+ by September. Write 4-5 full length GS + Optional tests during weekends.

Good in answer-writing, but poor in Prelims test: Focus on multiple revisions of static part and solving at least 100 MCQs daily. Reserve some time on weekends for answer-writing, especially Essay & Ethics.

Not good in either Prelims or mains answer-writing: Revise static portion multiple times. Solve quiz compilations and practise ethics and essay while preparing small notes for all Mains topics.

Good in GS, but poor in optional: Devote four-five hours for Optional till August and rest of the day for Prelims. Practise 10-12 previous years' Mains Optional papers till August and focus on Prelims from August 15.

Done with Optional, poor with Prelims and Mains GS: Write two GS answers daily and previous year Ethics questions till mid-August. Solve and revise Prelims mocks.

Not good at anything so far: Divide your day into Optional and GS Prelims. Solve Prelims mocks right from Day 1.

Momentum is lost due to Covid: Begin with immediate revision of notes and solving Prelims Tests. Attempt intense 14-15 hours of preparation right from today.

Step 2: Current Affairs

Follow the monthly current affairs (CA) and quiz compilations. One-month compilations must be covered in three-four days ensuring 3-4 revisions of all CA compilations by September. Complete quiz compilations from January 2020 to September 2021. Read books that have question compilations before the exam.

Step 3: Prelims Scores

Solving the last 20 years of UPSC segregated (subject-wise) questions at least two-three times will boost your confidence. Revise static syllabus from question banks. Every week attempt two-three full-length mocks and revise their synopsis.

Intense MCQ practice coupled with multiple revisions of basics is your sure shot way to success!

Step 4: Essay & Ethics

Reserve some time for essay and ethics preparation on the weekends (till August). Watch essay perspective videos, prepare a fact and data sheet, solve previous years' questions and write at least two essays every weekend till August.

Step 5: Optional

Revise all parts of the syllabus before prelims. Practise previous year questions asked by UPSC (at least 5 years).

Step 6: Confidence

The most important thing is consistency! We should know how to pick ourselves up after failures and continue with our efforts without giving up. Stop worrying about your competition.

Your state of mind can play a crucial role in determining your performance on the day of the exam. Always stay relaxed.

The writer is Vinay Kumar GB, Founder-director, InsightsIAS and author with Oxford University Press

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