Strategy to crack IAS Mains

The UPSC Civil Services is one of the toughest exams in India. It is also one of the most noble and prestigious occupations that give every future civil servant the opportunity to bring change in the society.Preparations for the Civil Services Mains Exam should start along with those of Preliminary exam. This is because there is much common ground for study, and there is little time for the mains exam if one waits for the results of the Preliminaries. It is a long haul and preparations should be done with persistence, over nine months to a year.

What is required to get the post?

•Devoted study
•Good writing style
•To the Point Approach
•Basic command over English and Aptitude
•Good grasp over current affairs
•Healthy competitions and feedbacks…. i.e. critical self assessment
•Quality material and guidance
•Patience and Self confidence.

When to start the prelims preparation? (for the next year’s Preliminary exam in August, followed by Mains)

•One should start preparation around seventh months prior to the exam.
•If you are going to prepare immediately after graduation, then don’t waste time, start immediately after your final exam.
•If you are going to study while working, it is possible but starts earliest. Don’t delay to start otherwise you will experience time crunch later.
•If you are preparing during graduation, generalized plan cannot be suggested, so discuss personally with us to evolve an individual plan.

How one can start preparation?

If you have joined Synergy, just follow the curriculum of the batch, you will reach the destination.If you are starting on your own, to begin with follow the initial steps…..

•Analysis of previous question papers
•Understanding of Syllabus
•Reading of basic study material
•Start writing... easy questions

How to select the optional subject?This is very important decision. Fortunately in the new format GS is much more important. So don’t take this decision at the beginning. First start preparing for GS and then after some time take this decision.

Because in four GS papers you will be introduced to variety of optional subjects like History, Geography, Public Administration, Political Science and Sociology. This will help you to determine your inclination to a particular subject. Every subject has its own demand (i.e. thinking pattern, writing style, presentation techniques etc). Your personality should suit to it.

Following are some basic criteria…

•Interest and understanding in the subject (about which you will come to know when you study for GS Mains)
•Analysis of the syllabus and previous years’ question papers of the shortlisted subjects
•Writing style and presentation techniques suitable for that particular optional (about which you will know once you start writing for GS and essay)
•Thinking Pattern expected for a particular optional (you will come to know about yours after you prepare for GS.)
•Availability of study material
•Availability of guidance
•Weightage of optional in GS
•Graduation background
•Apart from this, some give importance to the length of the syllabus…. Which is an unfound criterion.

Mantra strategiesWhile preparing for GS Mains, you will be also preparing for History, Geography, Public Administration, Political Science, Sociology etc. It will help you in deciding your interest in a particular optional subject properly.

Rather than selecting an optional without having knowledge of other subjects or without knowing your own writing and presentation styles and thinking patterns, it is better to delay this decision. It will prove more informed and rational decision afterwards.This opportunity has been presented by the new pattern, so avail it. Preparing for the exam requires a lot of concerted hard work and efforts.And the following tips could be very useful for you:Plan your study A solid study plan is a must while preparing for any exam and it’s even more crucial when you are preparing for the IAS exam. Study plan should be flexible and effective to suit your learning style and pace. And it is important to set realistic goals so that you can achieve maximum result in a given period.

Selecting the right books The quality of preparation for any exam depends to a great extent on the books you have selected. For getting yourself ready for one of the toughest competitive exams in the world, it is imperative that you choose the right books. When you pick the right useful books you are not required to read multiple books to gather information. Refer books or magazines for more detailed information on particular topics or sections.

In-depth subject knowledge Knowing in-depth knowledge about the various subjects in the General Studies or Optional paper is very critical for cracking the Civil Services Main exam. Getting yourself thorough with the subjects enable you tackle the exam with ease. Aspiring candidates need to have the basic concepts of every subject clear.

Current affairs Current affairs have always played a major role in Civil Services Main exam. In recent years a lot of questions are included from major happenings in India and around the world. A candidate must keep himself/herself abreast with current developments in Politics, Economy, Finance, Arts & Literature, Social Issues, International Developments, Entertainment, Sports and more. Only individuals who knows what goes around the world stand a better chance of serving the people better.

Work hard and smart When you are thinking to crack one of the toughest exams, you need to work hard and smart. Our educational system from our early years has taught us to study hard but if you look at the results closely, it’s not just enough. Preparing for a difficult exam like IAS, one need to work smart as well.

Working smart means reading selective topics in details, making notes of important points while reading, following exam question patterns, taking mock/sample tests regularly, improving speed, keeping track of current affairs in the national and international arena and constructing answers thoughtfully in subjective papers.

The syllabus of Civil Services Main exam is vast and reading all topics in different subjects will not deliver the desired result for the candidates. Selective reading The syllabus for IAS Main is vast and if you plan to crack the exam by doing detailed study for each and every subjects and topics, it’s not going to work.Candidates need to judge what are important and which topics need more focus. And studying the important topics thoroughly will help them to perform better at the exam.

The same technique has to be followed while reading news topics, magazines and other reference books. Also understanding the question patterns from previous papers is very important, as it will give you an idea of what kind of questions may be asked.Solve previous question papers To be successful in the Civil Services Main exam, one has to thoroughly understand question patterns from previous question papers.

Aspiring candidates can do in-depth study in certain popular topics which are frequently asked in previous years. Don’t completely neglect compulsory papers Oftentimes candidates score high marks in the General Studies and Optional papers but fail to score Pass Marks in the qualifying papers – Modern Indian Languages and English. Candidates need to at least study to certain extent to get the qualifying marks in these Compulsory papers.