Takeaways from Civil Services (Mains) 2015 for the future

Globe

Hi all,

Exams are over now. Lets put our two cents about the process- personal learning, question trends, utility of coaching and other points that can aid to our preparation. I will start with my take aways-

- Be a thorough reader. Don't ignore political debates or constitutional arguments in Parliament. In Sociology they asked about Muslim Personal law board stand on Islamic reforms.
- Watch Rajya Sabha religiously. Read Indian Express as significantly as The Hindu.
- Mains test series is just for your personal satisfaction. Don't spend too much time chasing it or boasting about good performance there. We tend to focus on getting the art of good writing but the content is always the King. Bad content alone spoils the answer. Developing a perspective is crucial.
- Don't leave the non traditional topics. Analysis of all the question reveals as substantial weightage on things we generally skip.

I guess looking at the optional papers, UPSC wants all optional to be equally scoring. Anyway that is not a general trend. UPSC can throw surprises.

Please add your observations too.

Ivan_TheTerrible

- Try to cover the entire syllabus of CSE( of GS and of your Optional ) mentioned in the Employment News ......because UPSC is now asking the questions from anywhere and any topic of the syllabus..

- Current Affairs are indispensable , may or may not be for the Prelims , but definitely for the Mains Exam....So one should try to cover the Current affairs of the Last 1 to 1 and Half Years ..

- Try to maintain a very fast writing speed ( now pls don't start that Quality v/s Quantity debate , we all know it very well )

- At least 2 revisions are quite necessary, before the Mains Exam ....

- I drew many diagrams in all the GS papers ( even in those questions , in which it is not required ) ........So at your own risk , one can also draw diagrams and flowcharts ..

indianbabu

I didn't take any test series. The lag was clearly felt.. I felt very handicapped in finishing papers. In GS 1 I could complete only 15 questions, though picked up later.

It is absolutely essential one writes atleast for 15 days before the exam for 6 hours atleast. And answer writing practice for all the current based issues was needed I guess.

And the ideological change at centre is visible through papers, UCC, ISIS in India, Dalit case study, which UPSC used to avoid earlier I guess.

For Psychology optional, Pathak sirs classes were very helpful. Both in Paper 1 and paper 2.

sabfixhai

Write tests regularly that helps in maintaining the tempo . try analysing those papers after every test . write essays . I didn't practice even a single essay . don't peak before the exam keep your full energy for the mains exam.

Optional can only be prepared by writing tests, just reading books or material does not help.

portobello

rajyasabhatv discussions and debates have become indispensable for Gs paper 2, 3 . You wud find answer to every single question asked in GS 2, 3. Big picture ( Girish sir is back to work), India's World for IR and foreign policy ( nothing beats this for IR and foreign policy), special reports, law of the land, and few more if u can watch , earlier they used to bring nazariya..those reports were excellent. All these videos are available on youtube.. it helped in GS 1, for geography and society part too... And those having geography... go through their special reports, based on geography.. and yes, writing practice is must... you have to write from word go...

WalterMitty

rajyasabhatv discussions and debates have become indispensable for Gs paper 2, 3 . You wud find answer to every single question asked in GS 2, 3. Big picture ( Girish sir is back to work), India's World for IR and foreign policy ( nothing beats this for IR and foreign policy), special reports, law of the land, and few more if u can watch , earlier they used to bring nazariya..those reports were excellent. All these videos are available on youtube.. it helped in GS 1, for geography and society part too... And those having geography... go through their special reports, based on geography.. and yes, writing practice is must... you have to write from word go...

were one can find special reports >>

NFAK

My learning...

If you are staying in a hotel for the exams, please do not take one near the main road. You will not be able to sleep properly and perform.

ankit_222

Get the details of news discussions in detail. Surface exploration will not fetch you good marks.
Follow a few good sources and follow them consistently.
Revise, revise, revise.

Optionals are critical, finish optional course before prelims.

And follow news items upto 2 weeks before mains.

portobello

rajyasabhatv discussions and debates have become indispensable for Gs paper 2, 3 . You wud find answer to every single question asked in GS 2, 3. Big picture ( Girish sir is back to work), India's World for IR and foreign policy ( nothing beats this for IR and foreign policy), special reports, law of the land, and few more if u can watch , earlier they used to bring nazariya..those reports were excellent. All these videos are available on youtube.. it helped in GS 1, for geography and society part too... And those having geography... go through their special reports, based on geography.. and yes, writing practice is must... you have to write from word go...

were one can find special reports >>

kgips

many points covered above, will add a few more.
-Follow PRS, read yojna and kurukshetra .
-Read up on the new govt. policies / missions/ schemes thoroughly(200 words) as and when they launch.
-for optional- solve previous 10-15 years questions thoroughly, not just reading.
-Think about topics, make ur own points and discuss those points with other candidates.
- Do back, neck, forearm and shoulder strengthening exercises regularly.
One advice for during and before exam- heart beat rises rapidly and performance drops, so practice breathing exercise regularly so body remains in control during exam.

ragy380

Read extensively but relevant and restricted
Practise answer writing