Mains 2016 – Getting the Most out of You & Last Minute Tips

The one thing that separates us – the homo sapiens – from all other species is that while humans have a “history”, the history of all other species is merely read as evolutionary biology.

Which is why you do not have a history of trees. Or dogs. Or cats. All that we know is dogs evolved from wolves.

But humans ? We have departed far from what our biology destined us to be, to create a history for ourselves.

And history is created by individuals. Like you and me.

While the destiny of all other species is guided by its DNA, we have accomplished feats far greater than our biological destiny – which was to hunt, forage, and survive. Like other apes.

That brings us to the grand conclusion – we can drastically change the course of our lives with what we choose to do. If you don’t like things around you – like your address, or your current sitting position – you are uniquely positioned to change it. Imagine, what if a tree doesn’t like its address?

You could begin that, right now, right at this moment, by even a simple act like just cleaning your glasses  – and the world will suddenly look a little brighter.

Trust me, it works. 100% for all people who wear glasses 🙂

So while you embark on your most important mission starting this week, I would like to share some thoughts.

Be the sparkling light. Not the spent fuel.

This may not be helpful if this is your first Mains. Because then, you must already be brimming with energy. You should be.

But a lot of our friends are writing their not-first Mains this year. Some of them have secured an interview call more than once before – and some of them are in services too.

But both I and they know, that knowing is not enough. Translating knowledge into words in a limited time frame  and limited world limit is a different ballgame.

And I could tell you that the most important component of this act is – energy and ethusiasm, not knowledge – which is why all knowing people don’t make it.

But those who write a good paper with all their energy do.

Just like David beat Goliath.

Underdogs win.

So do not be like spent fuel. Or burnt coal –  ( which can burn again and again, but with much lesser calorific value each time ).

Be ignited instead. And write a good paper.

When you are in the examination hall, give your 110% to the paper in front of you – WITH.ALL.YOUR.ENERGY. And that will do half the job.

Remember that preparation levels won’t matter eventually. If you think you only prepared for 3 months, look at this guy. So what you have done is sufficient to write a good paper, if you really give it your best shot :

  • even when your hands are hurting
  • even when your shoulder is hurting
  • even when you feel, like last mains, this mains isn’t going to get you a top rank.
  • even when it is the second paper of the day and if you have lost all your energy and enthusiasm.

Don’t let the fatigue of having written earlier Mains or having written a dozen tests in past 2 weeks get you.

Write with all the energy of a million dreams you and your close ones have had for you getting into the IAS. Its worth it. You know it

Complete the Paper – a radical approach

You already know this. You just don’t know how to do it. So here are some practical tips. Do this only if completing paper is a problem with you. ( People with fast handwriting can choose to ignore this part. Really) This is how to do it.

( Also, watch this video on introducing the answer – will help save lot of time )

Tell your mind that the first few questions shouldn’t exceed 2 pages.

Or 15 minutes. Do not write 3 page answers to first 5 questions in 90 minutes and one page answers in the rest. That won’t cut it. Write uniform length answers – as far as possible. Let it not appear that you have only half attempted the last questions because of lack of time.

Its better to have 2 page answers in each question rather than to have 3 page answers in first 10 questions and half page answers in another 5 questions and leaving out 5 questions.

After every 30 minutes, leave the question you are currently on,

and move to the next question. Lets face it. If you are slow, and don’t want to leave 6+ questions, you may have to do this. for questions where you have competed one page, you wind it up after every 30 minutes in under 2-3 minutes, so that you don’t miss out on easy questions which may be at the end.

By winding up I mean, writing the exact points asked and forgoing pleasantries.

Don’t write more when you know less.

Its common to see candidates write more in questions they know less. To convince the examiner that they don’t know less.

For example, there is a question in culture you have no clue about.

Write what you know and move on. I could see in the ForumIAS Open Test, that brilliant candidates ended up writing longer answers in tough questions that they had no clue about. Don’t do that. Don’t be those brilliant candidate.

Write what is asked, not what you know

This is repeatative. And obvious. And probably wastes your time at this juncture. I mean you know this.

But this is the single biggest reason to explain the discrepancy between your awesome paper and poor marks – and best paper getting least marks.

UPSC marking has evolved from time to time. There was a time when long answers were rewarded. Then there came a time, when long answers were seen to be penalised. In last 2-3 years, it has been most rewarding to write point wise and not deviate form the topic. Relevance to the question asked is the most important criteria these years.

So focus on what is asked. Read again what the question asks. Read twice, maybe – but read well.

And if at all, you know something really well which is brilliant, and badly want to tell the examiner , but you know that this isnt what has been asked – here is what to do  – put that in a small diagram or a flow chart. Thats all.

Motivate yourself. Get into the zone.

No matter what I tell you, the coming week isn’t going to be just another day. Not because of the significance of the exam – but because of the whole schedule. You wake up at 6 AM and rush to the center, especially guys with Rohini / Noida Center. This isn’t what you had been doing for the last few weeks or  months.

Which is why I told you to do an Open Test and get used to it. At least once.

Keep yourself motivated and hydrated.

If you have written n number of Mains and think that “is saal bhi kuchh hona jana hai nahi“, try being afraid. Fear is the biggest motivator.

If you are already afraid ( which is different from anxious, there is a difference ), keep calm and focus.

And if you are anxious, read on.

Make List of Things to Do – Stop the flipping mind

The next few days – spread over the examination, cannot be days of random activities. They have to be a set of pre-defined activities. Especially if you are anxious. Make a list of To Do things – for the next day or even a week – and just follow along. Strike through when you have achieved something. I cannot emphasise more on the significance of this.

This is especially true if you have some parts of the syllabus left – especially the optional subjects. Keep a list of things to do – including last minute revisions,so that you do not forget the important things because of lack of time.

This helps in two ways

  • First, it helps you focus on the important things. Without a To Do List, you are likely to flip from one book to another- or one www to another
  • Second, you can really ensure covering small topics, which you may have left for last minute – especially some of those topics, that you think do need a last minute revision. Last minute revision helps especially in the Optionals. So don’t be misguided by someone who says don’t do last minute studies – at least for the Optionals.

Lastly,

When people said Civil Services tough, this was what they were talking about. Spending a week under pressure, trying not to feel the pressure and doing your best. Studying was the easier thing to do, perhaps. Living these days look much tougher.

Remember, this is the last leg of your journey. While I know this is the time, when you feel the need to sleep, rest and get distracted with  poker, TV series and what not – more than usual times – note that you will have plenty of time for all of this once the exam is over.

This exam will bring the best out in you, only if you are willing to give your best. I cannot emphasise more.

Most adversities are opportunities. It is just that we don’t know at that time.

So hold on – and run the last lap – as best as you can – and success will be yours.

And for those of our friends, for whom poetry is inspiration , here are a few lines

प्रासादों के कनकाभ शिखर,
होते कबूतरों के ही घर,
महलों में गरुड़ ना होता है,
कंचन पर कभी न सोता है.
रहता वह कहीं पहाड़ों में,
शैलों की फटी दरारों में.

अमृत क्लेश का पिए बिना,
आताप अंधड़ में जिए बिना,
वह पुरुष नही कहला सकता,
विघ्नों को नही हिला सकता.

“उड़ते जो झंझावतों में,
पीते सो वारी प्रपातो में,
सारा आकाश अयन जिनका,
विषधर भुजंग भोजन जिनका,
वे ही फानिबंध छुड़ाते हैं,
धरती का हृदय जुड़ाते हैं|

Here is wishing all our ForumIAS Friends who are writing Mains this year, the very best!

May this be your last Mains 🙂

Until Next time,

With ❤ ,

Neyawn


Comments

34 responses to “Mains 2016 – Getting the Most out of You & Last Minute Tips”

  1. Hi ma’m Congo…
    pls share ur art n culture..
    as well as diagram written notes…
    my id is : neelsoni27@gmail.com

  2. These last minute tips have been extremely helpful during pre and i am sure will be a great help during mains as well. Thanks bro, for these.
    More Power to you !

  3. DrKingSchultz Avatar
    DrKingSchultz

    Thanks. 🙂

  4. Strongking Avatar
    Strongking

    Neyawn ! I want ur help in interview prep for this year selection making it final one!! And yes ,Thanks for such motivation ! 🙂

  5. ForumIAS Avatar
    ForumIAS

    Acha hoga. All the best 🙂

  6. Drop Out Avatar
    Drop Out

    Majaa aa gya.. Thanks.
    Essay tomorrow. First Attempt. Without glasses. 🙂

  7. Haha, @vidyarthi_mishra:disqus Be ignited 🙂

    Its about seeing good in others 🙂

  8. Thanks a lot man….Great writeup

  9. ForumIAS Avatar
    ForumIAS

    Good luck for mains.

  10. ayan hazarika Avatar
    ayan hazarika

    Thanks for the last minute motivation!!! You always come at appropriate time… your motivation helped me in prelims..I;m sure it will help me in Mains too… thanks again 🙂

  11. ForumIAS Avatar
    ForumIAS

    🙂 Thanks.

  12. ForumIAS Avatar
    ForumIAS

    Good luck.

  13. thank you for this article.much needed 🙂

  14. ForumIAS Avatar
    ForumIAS

    Thanks! Good luck.

  15. The Dark Prince Avatar
    The Dark Prince

    Geared up for 2k17

  16. raag_darbari Avatar
    raag_darbari

    रवि जी, बहुत-बहुत धन्यवाद इस प्रेणादायी लेख के लिए ! ओपन टेस्ट के मॉडल आंसर नहीं दिए गए,बस यही एक कसक रह गयी !

  17. Vidyarthi Mishra Avatar
    Vidyarthi Mishra

    Wow! I don’t know about others, but you have a streak in you @Neyawn. You should be hired as the ‘Best Motivational Person At the Best Time’ 🙂 Brilliant article as always…and yes, May this be the last Mains resulting in success that everyone desires…Good luck to everyone.

  18. ForumIAS Avatar
    ForumIAS

    🙂

  19. ForumIAS Avatar
    ForumIAS

    Thanks 🙂

  20. Motivating ?

  21. Those who are writing mains this year better get selected this very time only and go out of the competition.

  22. batman_returns38 Avatar
    batman_returns38

    Though I will give mains in 2017, this article is very good and give boost to preparation….

  23. Thanks. It’s really appreciated.

  24. Captain America Avatar
    Captain America

    Good one.. 😀
    Well, still waiting for MGP 2017 & Marathon 2017 update.. 🙂

  25. Great 🙂
    You are a hero 🙂

  26. Plus, use your existing knowledge to frame answers. Studying isnt the key. Do make a list and cover topics you deem important – knowing exactly 5-6 things about them. *Thats all*

  27. I know you @panem. All you have to do is to make sure you do so well in GS and Essay that Optionals do not trouble you – that is – if Optionals do not perform.

    You have everything it takes. All you need is a little luck ( sigh )

    Best wishes!

  28. Haha ! Bests , @forumias-482b4b31a9310f6d589eda6822b29975:disqus 🙂

    I am gifting you a book you can carry to the academy 🙂
    Let the Mains get over! Do well!

  29. This is my last attempt. I know that I have studied hard and written tests well enough. But these last days I haven’t been able to study. I’m worried that I won’t be able to write well because of that.

  30. U know neyawn..everything that u say gives me an idea for essay introductions 😀 “thing that separate humans from other species is that we have a “history” ” 😀

  31. Soumya Anand Avatar
    Soumya Anand

    Got it. Thanks 🙂

  32. If 2-3 questions you miss are the ones you don;t know the answer to, stick to your existing approach. The wind up after 30 minutes is good for those who tend to miss 5-6+ questions. Or those who miss questions that they know the answers to – but cant write because of lack of time.

    That can be dangerous.

    Bests! 🙂

  33. Soumya Anand Avatar
    Soumya Anand

    If you’ve been averaging attempts of 17-18 questions, is the exam energy enough to reach 20? Or does it need a new approach or just ‘winding up’?

  34. Captain America Avatar
    Captain America

    Not giving mains this year, but feel boosted.. 🙂

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