5 Amazing suggestions for students who are attempting UPSC for the 2nd time

Cracking the Civil Services examination in one attempt is well-nigh impossible. The IAS exam organised by the UPSC or the Union Public Service Commission in India is regarded as the toughest competitive exam in the country. The odds are made even more difficult by the fact that 4 out of every 5 Indians want a career in civil service of the nation. And indeed it is a prolific career, with the security of a government job, and the satisfaction of serving your own country in whichever way possible. Not getting through on the first attempt, however, is no reason to give up this golden opportunity. The way to go about it is through renewed vigour and vigilance for the second attempt.

The Civil Services Examination is conducted in two rounds by the UPSC answer key and the Main rounds. In 2017, seven lakh candidates appeared for the examination and only a handful qualified for the main exam. The percentage of people making it through is a dismal figure. The examination has certain statuettes in place about the number of times a person can take the exam and a limited age group as well. If you continue to be eligible and are motivated enough to be doggedly chasing a career in the service of the nation, there is nothing that should stop you from option to take the examination a second, or even a third time.

While you prepare to sit for the exam a second time, here are 5 suggestions to help you in your task:

1. Understand what went wrong

In your second attempt, you have an opportunity for self-improvement, and you are in some wayfared better than the freshers taking the exam for the first time. This is because you already have a first-hand experience of the exam, which you can analyse to figure out what went wrong and went about the whole thing differently. Identifying any mistakes you might have made the first time around, and putting the knowledge to good use and not repeating the same mistakes can go a long way in improving yourself. The urge to improve yourself must govern your headspace as you opt to take the exam a second time.

2. Choose optional subject correctly

Often candidates are confused about which subject to take up for the optional paper in the Civil Service exam. Many are misguided into taking up a paper that is rumoured to be more scoring, even when you might not have enough knowledge about the subject. As a national service exam, merely banking on a basic understanding of a subject is not practical, for you are expected to have an in-depth knowledge of the paper you choose. It is better to opt for the subject that you pursued your higher studies in, in order to be sufficiently prepared. This will also reduce the time of preparation required, for you already know the subject of your choosing extensively. This is a key point where many people go wrong. Choose the subject you know and let your knowledge shine through.

3. More detailed preparations

Appearing for the second time you owe it to yourself to pursue a more detailed process of studying for the UPSC exam. While you may have been previouslyguided to leave certain topics entirely in your preparation, you must have realized that it does not work. Hundred percent coverage of the prescribed is required, of the syllabus set aside for the IAS exam. Prepare and revise every topic multiple times before you sit for the exam. The degree of emphasis you put on each topic is your decision.

4. A more disciplined approach

To prepare everything as discussed in the previous point, one must have a much more disciplined approach to the process of studying. Having appeared before, you know that the UPSC is like no other exam you have taken before this. To crack it one needs a timetable and enough self-discipline to see it through and stick to the regime for a methodical preparation that will take you forward. In fact, you might have to double up on your discipline and do away with flax.

5. Channel your determination

Rejection can be difficult for anyone. But rejection in the face of hard work is even worse to bear. In your second attempt, channel the dejection you felt the previous time and turn it into determination for your studies this time around. Put in all your hard work with renewed energy this year. For a renewed result with greater chances of success.

Brush up on your skills and polish them well so that the second attempt yields the result that you know you deserve. Keep these points in mind and go about your preparation on a routine basis.