Sir I am enrolled in MGP Cohort batch and wanted to know whether I should continue writing the tests which I haven’t (Since I missed a lot of them when they were rolled out) or should I focus on theory right now?
Please write whatever tests you have. In case you do not have content, my suggestion is that you see the questions – and list the “topics” and not the questions itself, then prepare the topics and then attemt the test. The purpose of test series should not only be answer writing, but also content building. Also have some objective rules like say you will study at least 12 – 18 hours before a test ( if you are not a fresher ) and upto 30 hours ( if you are a fresher ) before a test. People who write 8-10 tests = people who have written 30 hours of test and even if they have objectively studied like 12 hours per test, that is 120 hours of studies , which transforms a person in itself. That itself is a lot of improvement.
Not that, a resource crisis is here 🙂 Honestly, too many suugestions pouring in. Have to make sure that any such plan does not interfare with other programs, and at the same time has to serve a purpose/ solve a problem. Should not become just another program.
Well we have seen 70 days as a new low. So keep that number in mind.
Abhi
4 years ago
I am graduating this year 2021(exams in june-july) . I was preparing for 2021 prelims as my first attempt with final year . But preparation was very haphazard , I read many things but no revision or tests or writing practice etc were planned.
Did GS coaching in 2019 in my 2nd year college (went to class wrote dictation and came back to room and never revised )
Did optional class in 2020( made notes , but wrote zero test and also have not done RATIFICATION of notes , only note making for every topic and understanding is done)
Mains GS ( no essay written, no ethics answer written, no GS test written , But As I attended in coaching in 2019—- I am just aware of —- okay social issue me esa kuch hai , ok IR me esa sab hai —- ethics me yeh hai etc but again no ratification or learning of topics is done ! Never revised GS mains topics after coaching in 2019
Prelims ( read standard books ~2 times and attempted few sectional tests, scored less and found that I was guessing unknown Qs (tukka) right but making mistakes in static nd basic due to lack of revision)
SO WITH THIS LEVEL OF PREP. Should I prepare for 2021 or attempt in 2022 that is after graduation in July!!????
For 2021 I am only afraid that even if i clear prelims given the extra time, what about mains (in ~2 months gap) and if flunked in mains then again less time to work on GS ,optional , answer writing etc for 2022.I wasted march-april also in this dilemma but can’t afford to delay decision now kindly help !!??
DIPIN SIR’s student ?♂️
Achiever 2021
4 years ago
Sir thanks a lot for this video! I cleared prelims last year (3rd attempt) but wasn’t well prepared for Mains. Want to focus on GS and optional both since my preparation isn’t strong (content building and answer writing). But doing both everyday i.e. giving half day to GS and half to optional it seems I am going too slow. Should I complete one thing at a time? Like you also mentioned?
That is a choice you will have to make. Some of my students do a subject for 2-3 days and do another for 3 days. It is easier to finish something off studying day and night rather than half of this and half of that.
RAVI VARMAN
4 years ago
Thank you so much sir
lakshmi
4 years ago
Hi sir,can u tell some suggestions to working professionals (working 9-10hrs a day),my mains and prelims preparation both are poor as of now.Am current affairs and csat student in forum.After prelims got postponed many ias academies have come up with suggestions but no one considered working professionals.
You will have to make time for at least 4- 5.5 hours of studies a day. Most of the working people I know who have cracked the exam have been either waking up at 4AM and studying till 8AM or been the ones studying till 12-1AM . For working professionals, you have lesser time which means lesser social inetractions, phone calls and what not.
I know of only one strategy to crack the exam. Do the basic books 5-8 times. Do PYQ thoroughly and so at least one good test series well. And when you say you have “read” laxmikant, you have to answer the questions from there. Otherwise you end up becoming one of those officers who dont read the file and attend meetings giving generic answers.
Post-Mains Strategy Session by Mr. Ayush Sinha | ForumIAS
Stay Ahead in Your UPSC Journey!
Just a few details to keep you updated with free compilations, test papers, and strategy materials from ForumIAS. You’ll get instant access to this download and more resources like it.
🎯 Join 50,000+ aspirants who download and learn with ForumIAS every week!
Sir I am enrolled in MGP Cohort batch and wanted to know whether I should continue writing the tests which I haven’t (Since I missed a lot of them when they were rolled out) or should I focus on theory right now?
Please write whatever tests you have. In case you do not have content, my suggestion is that you see the questions – and list the “topics” and not the questions itself, then prepare the topics and then attemt the test. The purpose of test series should not only be answer writing, but also content building. Also have some objective rules like say you will study at least 12 – 18 hours before a test ( if you are not a fresher ) and upto 30 hours ( if you are a fresher ) before a test. People who write 8-10 tests = people who have written 30 hours of test and even if they have objectively studied like 12 hours per test, that is 120 hours of studies , which transforms a person in itself. That itself is a lot of improvement.
Neywan sirjee aaj apka resource curse hogaya ?
Not that, a resource crisis is here 🙂 Honestly, too many suugestions pouring in. Have to make sure that any such plan does not interfare with other programs, and at the same time has to serve a purpose/ solve a problem. Should not become just another program.
What will be the minimum time UPSC give for mains?
Well we have seen 70 days as a new low. So keep that number in mind.
I am graduating this year 2021(exams in june-july) . I was preparing for 2021 prelims as my first attempt with final year . But preparation was very haphazard , I read many things but no revision or tests or writing practice etc were planned.
Did GS coaching in 2019 in my 2nd year college (went to class wrote dictation and came back to room and never revised )
Did optional class in 2020( made notes , but wrote zero test and also have not done RATIFICATION of notes , only note making for every topic and understanding is done)
Mains GS ( no essay written, no ethics answer written, no GS test written , But As I attended in coaching in 2019—- I am just aware of —- okay social issue me esa kuch hai , ok IR me esa sab hai —- ethics me yeh hai etc but again no ratification or learning of topics is done ! Never revised GS mains topics after coaching in 2019
Prelims ( read standard books ~2 times and attempted few sectional tests, scored less and found that I was guessing unknown Qs (tukka) right but making mistakes in static nd basic due to lack of revision)
SO WITH THIS LEVEL OF PREP. Should I prepare for 2021 or attempt in 2022 that is after graduation in July!!????
For 2021 I am only afraid that even if i clear prelims given the extra time, what about mains (in ~2 months gap) and if flunked in mains then again less time to work on GS ,optional , answer writing etc for 2022.I wasted march-april also in this dilemma but can’t afford to delay decision now kindly help !!??
DIPIN SIR’s student ?♂️
Sir thanks a lot for this video! I cleared prelims last year (3rd attempt) but wasn’t well prepared for Mains. Want to focus on GS and optional both since my preparation isn’t strong (content building and answer writing). But doing both everyday i.e. giving half day to GS and half to optional it seems I am going too slow. Should I complete one thing at a time? Like you also mentioned?
That is a choice you will have to make. Some of my students do a subject for 2-3 days and do another for 3 days. It is easier to finish something off studying day and night rather than half of this and half of that.
Thank you so much sir
Hi sir,can u tell some suggestions to working professionals (working 9-10hrs a day),my mains and prelims preparation both are poor as of now.Am current affairs and csat student in forum.After prelims got postponed many ias academies have come up with suggestions but no one considered working professionals.
You will have to make time for at least 4- 5.5 hours of studies a day. Most of the working people I know who have cracked the exam have been either waking up at 4AM and studying till 8AM or been the ones studying till 12-1AM . For working professionals, you have lesser time which means lesser social inetractions, phone calls and what not.
I know of only one strategy to crack the exam. Do the basic books 5-8 times. Do PYQ thoroughly and so at least one good test series well. And when you say you have “read” laxmikant, you have to answer the questions from there. Otherwise you end up becoming one of those officers who dont read the file and attend meetings giving generic answers.