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@nandana- I'm sorry if I seem nosy, but what do you think could have led to you getting low marks? I'm only asking because Alka Sirohi is generally seen as a moderate chair, often supportive and someone who goes out of her way to make the candidates comfortable
Before my interview, even I had the same impression of her.
I didn't find her hostile. But still the entire interview had a very uneasy feeling and if i were to sum it up i would say the panel appeared "Indifferent with pre-conceived notions". The reasons for it I dunno.
As for my low marks, I would say I wasn't really asked anything. It was factual (often quiz type) and even today I have a very hard time linking the questions to my profile.
I had no current affairs/opinion related question which was very surprising considering that that big story of the day was the Nexaver verdict which relates very well to my undergrad major as well as some of my past work. So, in all i don't know what the board was looking for.
I did fumble in 2 questions which I think cost me some marks. But even with those two "correct", my score wouldn't have improved much and I would have landed somewhr like 165-170 (which again is a bad score).
So one thing that I can speculate is that *may be* answers that reflect a pro-state bias are preferred. Now in my specific case, coming from the corporate background, my views on what caused the microfinance crisis (of 2011) were slightly different from what I presume is the view of people in administration. So may be a bit of tact is needed to answer questions where you feel that your perspective on a subject is opposed to what the state/authority/administration might hold. The above has been told by a number of aspirants as well so their might be some truth to it. Remember some people tell you to do board specific preparation.
Another thing that i would suggest is that during the interview, do not try to analyze how good/bad you are doing. i think towards the end of my interview even I had turned a bit indifferent as the entire experience was a big let down. I have had very interesting interview experiences in past and upsc interview just didn't match up to that.
When you say prepare, what is reqd. ? Mock interviews or prepare answers to probable questions from DAF and read them again and again ..
I am outside India so little difficult to attend mock interviews(though will try one) but how do you suggest I should prepare?
By prepare I mean:
1) Read a lot of interview transcripts to see the kind of questions that are asked. Glean a list of broad topics from them and prepare yourself to speak on such topics. Chances are that you already know them broadly but ask yourself if you can provide a crisp one-liner for each. Know all established perspectives on the topics as well as formulate your own opinion.
2) Take a print of your DAF and look at each work carefully. Now for each word think what all possible questions (both static as well those related to current happenings) can be asked. Also think from a "sarkari" perspective (i.e. a person who is in govt systems, what he might think wen he comes across a word). Read up (and may be make small notes of facts/figures nos) of such probable questions. To give an example (that i read in one interview transcript), the guys hobby was whistling and from that the board picked up the Whistle blowers's bill. So make all such random associations and prepare.
3) Ask others (pref people who have some idea of upsc interview) to suggest probable interview questions based strictly on your DAF (or rather summary sheet). The problem is we are so "connected" with our profiles that it is sometimes difficult to get a detached view. It is quite likely that what you consider as important in your profile may not be so perceived by the board. So very important to get impression of others.
4) As for the mocks, don't fret much over them. Try to attend a maximum of two mocks but even if you don't you will be fine. And in any case do not do them very close to your interview. Also the utility of mock depends on where you take it and I dont think there is any single name on which people agree. Managing your cool is what matters and for that one doesn't necessarily doesn't need mocks. In my case, I had quit job in June 2012 and by April 2013 (i.e. my interview time), I was a bit rusty so I should have attended a mock just to iron that out (this full time preparation often puts you in a lull ). You seem to be currently working and so it might not be needed. However, if you find time, there is no harm in attending one. But again, exercise discretion on what feedback to accept and what to refuse from the mocks.
@nandana , ma'm this is my first UPSC interview and bit tense about it. Majorly because of Mech engg, which i dont remember any concepts, Secondly, factual questions and preparing them, My hobbies are: Teaching and Blogging ,and im working in NTPC
keeping this brief background, let me know probable questions that might be asked
@this2willpass : If only I knew the probable questions! Read a few transcripts from past years and you would automatically know what to prepare. As for a mech engg working with ntpc, it would be suicidal for you to not revise basic concepts. If not any thing, at least revise some basic thermo and flu dynamics.
2. Ask people to PM you if they have the same hobby.
3. Make a group of 2-3 people based on the same hobby. You may have a different group for different hobbies. This will help us prepare each hobby in a very good manner.
4. The same can be done for preparing home state, district, optional, in fact virtually every entry in your Summary sheet.
In fact I am looking for at least 1 person who shares the hobbies I have listed down. - Cooking - Diary Writing - Listening to Class ic Hindi songs - Interest Areas : Cyber Security , Web Technologies
So kindly PM me if you have any of these hobbies and interest areas.
hi frnds i just enquired in VisionIAS about their interview programm they are charging 6000 INR ...which i find on a higher side ...can anyone provide me a feedback about visionias interview programm...and is it really better than other institute like samkalp and vajiram for this extra money
hi frnds i just enquired in VisionIAS about their interview programm they are charging 6000 INR ...which i find on a higher side ...can anyone provide me a feedback about visionias interview programm...and is it really better than other institute like samkalp and vajiram for this extra money
Thanks
Everyone I've asked puts things in this order- Samkalp, Visionias and Vajiram. My personal experience with visionias is limited to their test series, which I found excellent. They are very professional and methodical. I'm joining all three for the interview, as I have little interview experience otherwise.
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Comments
I didn't find her hostile. But still the entire interview had a very uneasy feeling and if i were to sum it up i would say the panel appeared "Indifferent with pre-conceived notions". The reasons for it I dunno.
As for my low marks, I would say I wasn't really asked anything. It was factual (often quiz type) and even today I have a very hard time linking the questions to my profile.
I had no current affairs/opinion related question which was very surprising considering that that big story of the day was the Nexaver verdict which relates very well to my undergrad major as well as some of my past work. So, in all i don't know what the board was looking for.
I did fumble in 2 questions which I think cost me some marks. But even with those two "correct", my score wouldn't have improved much and I would have landed somewhr like 165-170 (which again is a bad score).
So one thing that I can speculate is that *may be* answers that reflect a pro-state bias are preferred. Now in my specific case, coming from the corporate background, my views on what caused the microfinance crisis (of 2011) were slightly different from what I presume is the view of people in administration. So may be a bit of tact is needed to answer questions where you feel that your perspective on a subject is opposed to what the state/authority/administration might hold. The above has been told by a number of aspirants as well so their might be some truth to it. Remember some people tell you to do board specific preparation.
Another thing that i would suggest is that during the interview, do not try to analyze how good/bad you are doing. i think towards the end of my interview even I had turned a bit indifferent as the entire experience was a big let down. I have had very interesting interview experiences in past and upsc interview just didn't match up to that.
1) Read a lot of interview transcripts to see the kind of questions that are asked. Glean a list of broad topics from them and prepare yourself to speak on such topics. Chances are that you already know them broadly but ask yourself if you can provide a crisp one-liner for each. Know all established perspectives on the topics as well as formulate your own opinion.
2) Take a print of your DAF and look at each work carefully. Now for each word think what all possible questions (both static as well those related to current happenings) can be asked. Also think from a "sarkari" perspective (i.e. a person who is in govt systems, what he might think wen he comes across a word). Read up (and may be make small notes of facts/figures nos) of such probable questions. To give an example (that i read in one interview transcript), the guys hobby was whistling and from that the board picked up the Whistle blowers's bill. So make all such random associations and prepare.
3) Ask others (pref people who have some idea of upsc interview) to suggest probable interview questions based strictly on your DAF (or rather summary sheet). The problem is we are so "connected" with our profiles that it is sometimes difficult to get a detached view. It is quite likely that what you consider as important in your profile may not be so perceived by the board. So very important to get impression of others.
4) As for the mocks, don't fret much over them. Try to attend a maximum of two mocks but even if you don't you will be fine. And in any case do not do them very close to your interview. Also the utility of mock depends on where you take it and I dont think there is any single name on which people agree. Managing your cool is what matters and for that one doesn't necessarily doesn't need mocks. In my case, I had quit job in June 2012 and by April 2013 (i.e. my interview time), I was a bit rusty so I should have attended a mock just to iron that out (this full time preparation often puts you in a lull
Majorly because of Mech engg, which i dont remember any concepts,
Secondly, factual questions and preparing them,
My hobbies are: Teaching and Blogging ,and im working in NTPC
keeping this brief background, let me know probable questions that might be asked
thanking you
Read a few transcripts from past years and you would automatically know what to prepare.
As for a mech engg working with ntpc, it would be suicidal for you to not revise basic concepts. If not any thing, at least revise some basic thermo and flu dynamics.
1. List down your hobbies.
2. Ask people to PM you if they have the same hobby.
3. Make a group of 2-3 people based on the same hobby. You may have a different group for different hobbies. This will help us prepare each hobby in a very good manner.
4. The same can be done for preparing home state, district, optional, in fact virtually every entry in your Summary sheet.
In fact I am looking for at least 1 person who shares the hobbies I have listed down.
- Cooking
- Diary Writing
- Listening to Class ic Hindi songs
- Interest Areas : Cyber Security , Web Technologies
So kindly PM me if you have any of these hobbies and interest areas.
Thanks
I am not aware of any extra features that Vision IAS is offering that it commands such a high premium.