How You Should Start Your Preparation for UPSC?
When students start their preparation for UPSC, there are several questions pop up in their mind. How to start, where to go, what to read, when to prepare etc. These questions are quite obvious and it’s also normal to have such queries. There are various platforms to guide the beginners.
There are plenty of examples for both early beginners, who started their preparation in their early graduation and late runners, who started it after reaching their second half of the 20s. So it’s all about your dedication and hard work which can make you to reach your goal. So pull up your socks and start working harder for your dream job. In this article, we have discussed the detailed module to start your preparation of UPSC.
- Know the Basics
When you are starting for UPSC preparation, know the basics. Go for the latest syllabus updated by the UPSC. Understanding of syllabus is very important. Check the examination pattern and the dates.
Understanding of syllabus will help you for better analysis of previous year question paper. Previous year question papers hold the key to success. So syllabus understanding is the must.
- Choose the Right Books
Studying right material is essential. In initial days’ students collect books and mound it around them. This only makes you more confused, rather content. This ultimately results in chaos. So start carefully with books. Go for NCERT books from class 9th to 12th. This will help you to develop a knowledge base. Go for only standard books, which will help you to develop an analysing ability.
These books not only will help you for prelims but for mains and interview too. So go for standard reading material, which includes monthly magazines and notes.
Maximize your revision, while minimizing your source. This will help you to confuse less and score more.
- How to Read Newspaper
Reading the newspaper and getting updated about the world is mandatory for UPSC aspirants. After checking the previous year question paper, you must be known to the portions of the newspaper which are needed to be covered.
Make a habit to read the newspaper daily. Keep a journal to write down the important news. Don’t stop there itself, but make a regular revision. Questions from Current affairs play a pivotal role in IAS exam. So keep updated with the newspaper to score more.
- Importance of Mock-test
There is a saying, Practice Makes You Perfect. The mock test is like the net practice for you before facing the real match i.e. IAS Exam. The more you practice, it will make you more comfortable with the examination. It is advisable for the aspirants to go for mock tests after 3-4 months of initial preparation.
Mock tests will help you to analyse your potential and also will help you to recognize your strong and weak points. Practice the mock tests along with the previous year question papers. This will help you to cross-check your preparation.
- Revision is Must
Revision is the key to the success. Keep your source limited and revise maximum. This will reduce the chances of error and will maximise your ability to score high. Revise your notes for subjects and for current affairs.
Start your revision for prelims before 30 to 45 days before the prelims and 20-30 days before the mains examination. Do revision religiously.
- Role of coaching class
During initial days of preparation, proper guidance is quite essential, because many aspirants lack sufficient information and support.
So coaching’s come as a saviour for the students. They provide better guidance and make you aware of current trends. So it’ll be easy for you to prepare well.
- Self-Study is Must
Teachers can only be your torchbearers; you have to walk on the guided path. So you have to be sincere towards your preparation. Be honest with yourself and do hard work. You should dedicate 7-8 hours to self-study on daily basis.
The self-study doesn’t mean memorizing the information but to analyse and efficiently reproducing it on your paper. The self-study consists of understanding the subject, practicing mock tests, and doing the revision.
While doing self-study, you may encounter doubts in the subject, clear it immediately with your concerned mentor or from your peers. This will be helpful for you.
- Concentration is the Essence of Hard Work
You have to overcome all your distractions during your preparation. In this digital era, there are ample of opportunities to distract you from your path. Social Media such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter serves as the medium of communication as well as the reason of distraction. So use them judiciously. Let them help you in your preparation but not let them make you deviate.
These are the small tips to make you confident in your preparation. Be sincere, work hard. Start with a positive note; you will end at a positive result.
This is a Guest Post by Anish, Director at neostencil.com.