Mains 2019 Preparation and Discussion Thread

@vamsidharr2013625If preparing for future attempts is not an issue, then startups no doubt are a lucrative option. Btw how has been your upsc journey so far ?

@nikhilrai0827880Absolutely loved learning everything I did and meeting the people I did, in the process. But found that the exam has lots of idiosyncracies unique to it. A lot of advice and one is not necessarily sure exactly what is expected to score well. I've known other people from say IIM Bangalore ( Where the students as you know are extremely padhalu kism ke) and my college who couldn't clear prelims in 3-4 attempts. Amazing leveller, in that sense.

@nikhilrai0827880How about you? How was your experience? You know your difficulty will be to convince your potential recruiters that studying further for this exam will not affect your performance at work. Not many UPSC aspirants in the formal private sector for there to be a precedence.

@vamsidharr2013625didn't clear 2018 pre, which definitely was a blow to my ego, and kind of humbled me. Regarding the issue of convincing recruiters, haven't found a sound answer yet. Completely relying on contacts seems to be the only solution.

@nikhilrai0827880Haha I got 120 in 2018 pre and absolutely abysmal marks in the mains, which did the trick.

In non start up formal organisations, contacts can get you shortlisted to the interview stage, even final round, but you'll find practical people aage. I'd recomment you to not tell them that you're still preparing. Just tell them you wanted to give only 2/3 attempts, gave your best shot and now back to career. What you do in your private time is none of their business and you can study when not working. Or come up with your own story, your call.

You did a good thing by wanting to study for this. It's not a crime at any rate. Don't let the results (hoping for the best of course) bog you down and affect your confidence. Stay postive and happy!At least you still have qualifications and work ex to fall back on.

vvvikas0078212 .

@vamsidharr2013625Never tell ur employer about future upsc attempts if you are in private sector.

@vvvikas0078212Agreed brother, that's what I suggested to him. ( In case it wasn't clear, I said don't lie about the past attempts/sabbatical and don't need to tell them about future attempts)

@vamsidharr2013625right. Have exactly the same plan. Formally, I am saying that I do not plan to give future attempts because I want to settle down and all. But, I think everyone knows that usually one keeps trying till the end.
Also, what what's your advice on how to maximize mains score ? What, in your opinion, worked and didn't work in your last attempt?

vvvikas0078212 .

@nikhilrai0827880Last attempt ka toh score ane pe hi pta chalega. My optional remained weak, which I should have addressed during earlier phase of my preparation. GS more or less was satisfactory.

@nikhilrai0827880I amreallynot the best person to advise you on maximising mains score. I'd rather keep my mouth shut in that respect. But as someone said, and from observing my failures, simplicity, neat handwriting and lack of unnecessary fundae usually pays off ( This too can easily change based on the evaluator ). I honestly have no advice, nor am I qualified to give it. Hmu if you wanna discuss global macro trading strategies, I'm your man lol

@vvvikas0078212Haan exactly. Anywho I'm not a major poster on this forum, and I'll get back to doing that.

Good luck everyone!!

@vamsidharr2013625hehe.. Alright! All the best for the result.

Shubz .

@Nalandai dnt think they will allow for classes so early...u can approach them for mains copy evaluation....met a guy who used to evaluate ans copies,they gave him 600 rs per copy

corrigible_87 .

@vamsidharr2013625
Yes, you are right!
The main difficulty is approaching alumni network, after isolating for years. ‘Alumni network’ becomes ‘Alumni phobia’

anonymous .

@vamsidharr2013625
I know one of my seniors, he qualified for neuro surgery ( super specialisation) but could not clear prelims in 4 attempt. CSE is altogether a different ball game

Mirage .

@Nalandagood to know that others too have started with hitler

dancingminion .

@nikhilrai0827880said inMains 2019 Preparation and Discussion Thread:

@dancingminionfacing exactly the same issue, despite having iit and iim degree and two years of workex in Paytm. Got just 3 interview calls in last 2 months. Everyone gets disinterested as soon as they hear of gap.
Planning to use my contacts after mains result (as before result, even contacts will be reluctant to help because they would not want their referral to leave job in 5-6 months in case we clear everything).
Regarding explanation, I am honestly telling the upsc reason, as other bluffs will most probably be caught in interview etc
Anyone with better ideas can help here..

same here man!!
I think as soon as recruiters hear about UPSC, they automatically assume that the candidate is a flight risk. Also they assume that the candidate's performance won't be good, since they will be giving further attempts.
So, I am thinking of skipping this whole UPSC thing from my resume and mentioning that I took the break due to personal reasons.

Ravs .

My dear candidates,

On a scale from 1 to 10.

What was the difficulty level of last year's GS

& What is the difficulty level of this year's GS.

Chacha420s .

@Ravs7.5 and 8.5

Chacha420s .