So, a few hundred of you came today to write the Test. It was not a normal day. ForumIAS has a Test Series and we see people walk in and walk by – thanks to the “flexible” coaching  culture that makes discipline, timeliness  punctuality and qualities of strong will power go for a toss – in favour of – kitne question fasein – how many questions came in UPSC?

On Friday it was different.

Since the SFG would only select 100 students, people looked a little afraid. Unlike a regular test series day where everyone would get a rank – and even a bad rank – was acceptable, today people looked under pressure.

Also, since this event and initiative is near-free,  as a student you know you cannot be deviant, indisciplined, late or demanding – unlike a course where you have paid heavy fees, and have a sense of entitlement and service delivery – even if you are not studying.

Today, after many years, we saw people afraid. Afraid of not making it. Exactly the kind of feeling we have after the actual exam.

Primarily because the SFG Open Test would select some and eliminate some, much like UPSC prelims would.

( The good part is we are five months from Prelims, and even if you don’t make it, you can study hard and change your destiny in five months )

This should, sadly be, a feeling one should have everytime one does not perform well. Maybe because of high number of attempts, or past failure, you become numb to poor performance.

 We had a number of phone calls coming – from senior IAS officers in State and Central government (who follow the forum because their wards are writing the paper)- and recently selected old Forum Members who are now senior officers in their respective state cadres  – the price we pay for being a big social network.

( ForumIAS’s first moderator @robinolds and co-founder @bikerguy are posted as SP and SDM of Malkangiri, Odisha. They do not know this fact though. Just a fun fact 🙂 If you are around, you can go and see them 🙂  )

First, no matter what Test you write, which Test Series you join always give your 110%. Do not create a work / study culture of mediocrity. Because when you shall have the benefit of hindsight, and when you will be able to look back at it from a point in future – you will realise, that what you become – will greatly depend on such habits and cultures you form.

 Second, we spent the night doing a lot of manual work. Almost 50% of people have not filled OMR correctly. And the machine rejected them.

This is surprising , but if you look closely – it may not be surprising at all.

We can explain.

99% of the candidates who appeared had not cleared Prelims before. 90% of them had flunked the prelims more than 2 times before.

The average candidates’ OMR sheet was full of errors. Like having a zero, but darkening 1. Etcetera

There are several possibilities why this is happening

The third statement, if you observe closely, most closely resembles what happened. Most candidates had not cleared Prelims and had OMR sheet full of errors. It is likely that they have been doing the same mistake in UPSC in past attempts as well, but are not aware of it. They anyway have not been clearing the exam – and they have no way of knowing what happened.

Because UPSC does not provide a snapshot of their OMR sheet.

Secondly, they also just buy paper from the market and read answers, or worse – solve it on non-standard performa – such as blank paper or using ticks – whereas in UPSC , you only get marks if you darken the bubble right.

Or, they are saving money by doing online Test Series, practicing clicking.

And that perhaps explains – why a lot of good people , with good preparation – do not clear Prelims annually.

So, if any of you are doing this, let this be an eye opening post for you. Make sure you invest in an OMR sheet , and do practise in the right format.

Make sure you are in the habit of putting correct bubbles – including the roll number.

And remember you CANNOT make a correction – even with a whitener once you have made an error. We have the machine now, Whats gone is gone!

See this :

So stop just solving papers casually – that is the right approach for people who have cleared Prelims before, if you have not – sign up for any competitive Test Series and treat your ranks seriously – or even as warning signals.

And no, please do not take comments on Forum seriously when someone says – I was getting 30 marks in Forum Test just 1 week before Prelims, but in Prelims I got 130. That does not happen. ( That may happen if the candidate improved was getting 30 marks 4-5 months before the exam , and scaled up)

Save a year instead. Make a wise decision in 2018.

P.S.  The candidates selected for the program will be informed by email starting today evening. Those who do not join within 24 hours of email / SMS , we will release their seats to people behind them in the queue.

P.S. 2 : The first Week Test is on Indian Polity ( Full Week ) + November Current Affairs . You can start preparing thoroughly for it from now onwards. Chapters to do first – FR, DPSP, F.Duty on Day 1.

First Week Schedule. Please note that we are dealing with candidates who have not cleared Prelims 2-3 times before, thereby affirming that those candidates may have weak resolve and lose passion / deviate easily.

The arrangement of chapters is done to ensure that important chapters and topics are covered first , so that even if they lose track, they should be in a good position.

The kind of chapter listing we would give to our siblings, if he /she came two months before the exam – saying he wants to clear Prelims. The approach here is not of typical coaching – the DO EVERYTHING approach- but rather do what is more important.

 -with vital observations from @neyawn