Pub: October 18, 2024
The journey to your dream service starts with the Preliminary exam, and with the evolving nature of the exam, the Prelims have come to represent the most challenging stage for aspirants. Here are a few pointers regarding the Prelims examination from my perspective:
The Prelims is not about the quantity of books read but the quality of your content. Ensure conceptual clarity on all basic topics, such as economics and geography.
Do not see the Prelims and Mains as separate entities; rather, view them as a continuous spectrum that requires integrated preparation.
Ensure a gradual shift from Mains and optional preparation to full Prelims mode, in line with the iPTS schedule. For those whose Mains and optional preparation is not yet complete, or for first-timers, you can continue your studies side by side until February and then devote your efforts fully to the Prelims.
In my current attempt, I had barely two weeks for Prelims preparation, during which I relied solely on PYQs to familiarize myself with the examiner’s thinking and language (I had done the same in my first attempt). This approach helped me clear the Prelims in such a short time. PYQs highlight key areas and focus points, allowing you to avoid unnecessary content. Ensure you familiarize yourself with all options and questions asked in previous years.
Once merely a silent killer, the CSAT has become a significant challenge over the last few years. So, give the CSAT the respect it deserves, no matter how proficient you are in math. Always remember: the more questions you attempt, the greater your chances of qualification. Therefore, time management is crucial to maximize attempts. Aim to attempt between 45-50 questions to stay on the safer side and accommodate potential negatives from comprehension. Maximize attempts in Quant and reasoning to secure sure-shot marks.
I attribute my entire Prelims solving skill to the iPTS tests and strategy sessions, which helped develop my approach to Prelims questions. Always remember that you are competing against yourself, not anyone else, and the main goal should be to improve from the previous test. Never let your test scores affect your morale; this process requires patience and will ultimately yield results. Trust yourself, your institute, and your mentors. The PTS is designed to help you cover your syllabus systematically and to help you overcome fear while calibrating your time management skills for the actual exam. You can sweat as much in practice so that you do not bleed in the battlefield. Don’t worry about mistakes in tests; ensure you never repeat them. Attend the discussions, analyze your performance with the answer key within two days, and discuss your mistakes with your mentor. Never skip a test, as it’s always a disservice to miss one.
The vastness of the syllabus requires you to develop smart revision strategies, such as tables, maps, and flowcharts, which will ease your preparation in the days leading up to the actual Prelims.
Ultimately, your training to be an officer starts the day you decide to appear for the CSE. The UPSC wants to see the officer in you who is ready to face and conquer any challenge. Embrace an officer mindset to tackle all uncertainties in the upcoming months, which will culminate in your name appearing in the coveted PDF 1½ years later.