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Why should one join a test series for PRELIMS , paper - 1?

edited September 2014 in Miscellaneous
One of my friends just pointed out to me that return on investments on test series is low . Thus joining a test series may not be that helpful . So I was taken aback because the same thought made me averse from spending my hard earned cash on test series .

In my last 2 attempts i never joined any test series and faced the dark side. [ 2013 = 215 , 2014 = 180 approx ] Now i have understood the value of test series. The test series are not meant to give you the actual questions that may be asked in the CSE-Prelims. Test series , actually show you , how well prepared are you at the moment. In case you are scoring low in the tests it means you are not vigilant enough and need to put in more efforts.

Let me show this by an example. Recently Garo hills was in news , right ? Because some militants killed some people.
Now in the first test of insight test series ( Insights please don't sue me for violating IPR, in fact this might give a boost to your business) here is a question :

With reference to Garo Hills and people living there, consider the following statements,
1. It is one of the earliest places in India where agriculture was practiced
2. The society is matrilineal
3. Rice is the main food of Garo people
Which of the above given statements is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 Only
b) 2 and 3 Only
c) 1 and 3 Only
d) All


Hope most of you can answer it ! But for those who cannot , this is how UPSC frames questions from news. Now this question shows us the dimensions that we had to keep in mind while reading the garo news. So after this test , we will become more cautious.

Only reading is not enough . we need to test our selves regularly.

Everyone has a different line of thought . There are many teachers out there who are very experienced and who will frame questions in their own way . If we solve their papers we will be exposed new ways of thinking and new knowledge. So one should definitely join a test series.

Now it's up to you , whether you want to join a test series or not .

However spending 6000 for some of us would really be too much . ( Please don't ridicule me ) Many of us studied in colleges where hostel fee for whole semester was 6,000. and many of us think 5 times before buying a book costing 500 INR and not everyone of us has a smartphone. Everyone is not privileged enough .
But this economical constraint should not hinder one from joining any test series. Please talk to someone who has subscribed, share test series or come up with any other method which is ethical too . But no matter what please join a test series.

To the privileged ones , please pay for the test series. Those organizing test series are human beings too , they have a stomach, they too have a family. They are not making test series for the sake of charity. Kindly recognize their efforts and pay for what you use . Be a responsible citizen and help in running the wheels of society by giving also ( not only by taking ).

P.S. I am neither any agent of any test series nor am I getting any special credits by asking everyone to join test series . I am just a common unemployed ambitious guy who has ended up wasted his two attempts ( and couldn't even go past prelims) due to the lack of proper guidance. So I don't want others to do the same mistake that I did ( if they at all want to do , do some other mistake). I wish I had known the importance of joining a test series earlier.

All of us must do something to make to this society a better place and help each other in some way or the other . This post is just anattept in that direction .

Genuine criticism & suggestions are welcomed. If admin makes this thread an announcement , it would be a welcome step too .

Thanks.

Comments

  • @roshhan I do agree with you that one should certainly be aware of his/her level of preparation and the level of competition. I was pretty confident of clearing the prelims this time(2014 - 1st attempt). But I screwed up :(( Perhaps I had no idea what I was up against! I might invest in a test series next year. I would invite more feedback from members :-??
  • Every guy who failed has a lesson to tell. You can also tell everyone here, what strategy you followed and where you lacked or what went wrong , so that we can improve ourselves . We would like to listen from you .
    @ravisk02
  • @roshhan I agree with your point. Test series are not meant to guess the actual questions that will appear in Prelims. This is something which is simply not possible given the almost limitless scope of Prelims syllabus and the dynamic pattern of the exam.

    What this helps is to test our preparation in the sense have we covered all the important topics or not. It also helps in time management and also boosts our confidence before the D day.
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