Tips for succeeding in UPSC civil services exam

The UPSC civil services exam is one of the most competitive exams in India. Every year, lakhs of students appear for the exam with the hope of getting selected for a government job. While there is no sure-shot formula for success in this exam, there are certain tips and tricks that can help you improve your chances of clearing it.

In this blog post, we will discuss some preparation and examination tips that will help you boost your performance in the UPSC civil services exam. We will also talk about what you should do after the exam, regardless of whether you clear it or not.

 

Preparation tips for the UPSC civil services exam

 

» Creating a study plan

The first step to preparing for the UPSC civil services exam is to create a study plan. This plan should be tailored to your individual needs and goals. It should include a daily schedule of what you will study, as well as when you will take breaks and review what you have learned.

Creating a study plan can seem daunting, but there are many resources available to help you get started. One great way to create a study plan is to use an online tool like My Study Life. This tool allows you to input your classes, assignments, and exams, and then creates a personalized schedule for you. You can also use this tool to set goals and track your progress.

Another important part of creating a study plan is setting aside time for practice tests. These tests will not only help you gauge your understanding of the material, but also give you valuable experience with the format of the UPSC civil services exam. There are many practice tests available online, as well as in print form from local stores or libraries.

 

» Read newspapers regularly

In addition to studying specific subject matter, it is also important to keep up with current events by reading newspapers regularly. Not only will this help you be more informed about what is happening in the world around you, but it will also give you practice with reading comprehension and critical thinking skills. Additionally, many questions on the UPSC civil services exam are based on current events. By reading newspapers regularly, you can stay up-to-date on current events and be better prepared for these types of questions on the exam.

There are many ways to access newspapers without having to buy a physical copy every day. Many news organizations offer digital subscriptions that allow you to read articles online or through a mobile app. You can also often find free copies of newspapers at local libraries or coffee shops.

 

» Focus on NCERT books

One of the best ways to prepare for the UPSC civil services exam is to focus on NCERT books. NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) books are designed specifically for Indian students and cover a wide range of topics. They are also known for being well-written and easy to understand.

In addition to NCERT books, there are also many other study materials available that can be helpful in preparing for the UPSC civil services exam. However, it is important to use these materials in addition to, not instead of, NCERT books. This will ensure that you have a well-rounded understanding of the material and will be better prepared for the exam.

 

» Practice writing essays and answers

A large portion of the UPSC civil services exam is essay-based, so it is important to practice writing essays and answers. There are many resources available to help you with this, including practice questions and sample essays. Additionally, there are often essay competitions held by local organizations or schools that can give you valuable experience in writing essays under time pressure.

Practicing writing essays and answers will not only help you be better prepared for the UPSC civil services exam, but it will also improve your writing skills in general. This is an important skill that can be beneficial in many different aspects of your life.

 

» Take mock tests

One of the best ways to prepare for the UPSC civil services exam is to take mock tests. These tests are designed to simulate the real exam and can be very helpful in identifying your strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, taking mock tests can help you get a feel for the exam format and timing, which can be very important on test day.

There are many different sources of mock tests, including online resources and print resources from local stores or libraries. It is important to make sure that you are using high-quality mock tests that accurately reflect the format and difficulty level of the real UPSC civil services exam

 

Tips for taking the UPSC civil services exam

 

» Time management

One of the most important things to keep in mind while taking the UPSC civil services exam is time management. You will be given 3 hours to complete the written exam, and it is important that you use your time wisely.

 

Here are some tips for managing your time during the exam:

• Read the instructions carefully before starting the exam. This will help you understand how much time you need to spend on each question.


• Pace yourself and budget your time accordingly. Do not spend too much time on one question if there are other questions that you can answer more easily.


• If you get stuck on a question, move on, and come back to it later. It is better to attempt all the questions than to spend too much time on one question and not have enough time for the others.


• Keep an eye on the clock so that you do not run out of time.

 

» Staying focused

It is also important to stay focused while taking the UPSC civil services exam. With so much material to cover, it is easy to lose focus and start daydreaming or thinking about other things.

 

Here are some tips for staying focused during the exam:

• Take breaks often so that your mind does not wander too far off track. Get up and stretch or take a walk around the room every 20 minutes or so.


• Focus on one question at a time and do not think about anything else until you have finished that question.


• Eliminate distractions by turning off your phone, putting away any notes or books, and closing your eyes if necessary


• Try not to think about what will happen after the exam; just focus on doing your best in the moment.

 

Tips for after the UPSC civil services exam

» Evaluating your performance

After you have taken the UPSC civil services exam, it is important to take some time to evaluate your performance. This will help you to identify your strengths and weaknesses, and to make a plan for how to improve for next time.

One way to evaluate your performance is to go through all of the questions that you got wrong, and to try to understand why you got them wrong. Was it because you didn’t know the material? Or was it because you ran out of time? Or was it something else entirely? Once you have identified the reason why you got a question wrong, you can make a plan to address that issue in your preparation for next time.

Another way to evaluate your performance is to ask someone who has already gone through the process – such as a friend or family member who has taken the exam – for their feedback. They may be able to give you some insights that you hadn’t considered before.

Finally, it is also helpful to read through the comments section of websites like clearIAS or Mrunal, where people who have already taken the exam share their experiences and advice. This can give you a better idea of what others have found helpful in their preparation, and what kinds of things you should be focusing on.

 

» Learning from your mistakes

Once you have evaluated your performance on the UPSC civil services exam, it is important to learn from your mistakes so that you can do better next time. One way to do this is by making a study plan that specifically addresses the areas where you struggled on the exam. For example, if you find that you need more practice with essay writing, then make sure to include more essay-writing exercises in your study plan going forward.

It is also helpful to talk to people who have already been through the process and who can offer advice based on their own experiences. Asking questions on forums like Quora or Reddit can be a good way to get started, but it is also worth talking to friends or family members who have taken the exam themselves. They may be able to give you some insights into what worked well for them in their own preparation, and what didn’t work so well.

Finally, remember that everyone makes mistakes – even those who eventually go on to pass the UPSC civil services exam! The important thing is not dwelling on your mistakes but instead learning from them so that you can do better next time around.

The UPSC civil services exam is one of the most competitive exams in India. Every year, lakhs of students appear for the exam with the hope of getting selected for a government job. While there is no sure-shot formula for success, there are certain things that can help you increase your chances of clearing the exam. These include preparing well, focusing on the right resources, practicing regularly and managing your time and stress levels effectively. Most importantly, don't get disheartened if you don't clear the exam in your first attempt. Learn from your mistakes and keep trying until you succeed.