UPSC CSE 2025 Related Discussion
As I couldn't find a group for everyday target tracking for cse'25 aspirants, here is one I created.
Ah I remember we met. How is work then ? You know sometimes I feel that you are working too hard on the job compared to other aspirants. If needed , take a sabbatical, go full throttle.
Stress at the workplace has reduced a bit.
Yes, I have been working too hard on this job.
Last Mains was an eye-opening experience, though I think I improved in GS (353 to 381 (1: 93; 2: 93; 3:80 ; 4:115) [still not enough]) but the shock of performing poorly in Essay and Optional was something which made me rethink fundamental aspects of my preparation (Given the fact that I had worked very hard for these two specifically, a terrible fall in Essay from 126 to 86, and my continuing low score in GS2, although I had scored 112 in my 1st attempt).
For prep, I took your advice regarding changing my optional and I have taken a break to work on those points properly (in addition to GS).
So yes the progress is slow. For now, I will just stick to your advice and I will be back to the exam cycle soon. :)
We need to sit and talk then. This 350 to 380 isn’t an improvement. You can’t have that slow progress.
I am not sure how much you will understand me. Look there are people who have scored 360-380 types for 5 mains, and then they have crossed that 420-430 barrier. I am talking about 7th , 8th attempt people- not from gen category - who felt they could never get that much - and then they did.check For 3 things
1. Are you updating your content for gs2 and 3 by taking some classes
2. are you reading new books / content ( not base level mass coaching that may aid in prelims )
3. Do you have a writing legibility problem
4. as a last resort are you integrating current affairs from newspaper.
Do this and you will shoot upwards 450+
Yes surely I will come to meet you again.
I have realised that -
1. Optional was not working for me as I couldn't balance it with GS. I was extremely good at maths all through out (getting olympiad medals, state trophy, perfect 10 in Maths-related subject in college) but in UPSC, I could never get the balance right. This made me change my optional and I took your advice on starting with Opt Foundation course (which I did not do for Maths because of my arrogance and sense of complacency).
2. The brutal truth is that getting 280+ in Opt and 420+ in GS with a 110+ Essay score is non-negotiable. If the score dips in any area, you would have to compensate it with a higher score in other areas. If not in Mains then the pressure on interview marks grows. So yes, the score of 381 is not an improvement in the real sense.
3. Honestly, 3 continuous Mains on self-prep mode has exhausted me a lot. I have taken some time off to recharge and give one last try. It's not that I am not doing anything, I am preparing my optional.
4. I had never utilized the Oct, Nov, Dec months and due to that, I always got stuck in that Pre-Mains cycle. I broke that cycle this time.
5. Due to personal reasons, I can't give CSE 2026 too.
On the checklist-
1. I have not joined any classes for GS2 and 3 yet. It's difficult to squeeze in time for it after office hours (giving more time to Opt for now). But yes, I will get enrolled for them. I do not want to overburden myself with three things and end up with nothing.
2. No. I had done a lot of reading in my UG days but after a certain point of time, I realised that the content I have to read and prepare 'must be' PYQ-based. So even if something is new, I am mostly sticking to coaching magazines & IE for dynamic content and revising my notes for the static content. For leisure, I do like watching documentaries and reading non-fiction books.
3. No, I do not have writing legibility problem. Well in real-life too, I have learnt calligraphy. :)
4. On integrating current affairs from newspaper, I have strictly kept it PYQ and mock-based for now.
I feel that my lack of mock practice is the culprit here. 'Knowing' and 'implementing' are two different things.
I remember you had asked me a question on inflation and I gave you an unstructured answer. That's how you gauged I lacked mock practice and I remember you asked me how many tests I wrote when I enrolled in MGP and I said a number which made you say-
Listen Ted, I am saying this again but UPSC is a conventional exam. Ghisai karni hoti hai and you have not done that.
I have done some course correction to that extent but I have to give more time which is why I am planning to take a sabbatical soon.
On a break from exams.
mango,happySisyphus
Ah I remember we met. How is work then ? You know sometimes I feel that you are working too hard on the job compared to other aspirants. If needed , take a sabbatical, go full throttle.
Stress at the workplace has reduced a bit.
Yes, I have been working too hard on this job.
Last Mains was an eye-opening experience, though I think I improved in GS (353 to 381 (1: 93; 2: 93; 3:80 ; 4:115) [still not enough]) but the shock of performing poorly in Essay and Optional was something which made me rethink fundamental aspects of my preparation (Given the fact that I had worked very hard for these two specifically, a terrible fall in Essay from 126 to 86, and my continuing low score in GS2, although I had scored 112 in my 1st attempt).
For prep, I took your advice regarding changing my optional and I have taken a break to work on those points properly (in addition to GS).
So yes the progress is slow. For now, I will just stick to your advice and I will be back to the exam cycle soon. :)
We need to sit and talk then. This 350 to 380 isn’t an improvement. You can’t have that slow progress.
I am not sure how much you will understand me. Look there are people who have scored 360-380 types for 5 mains, and then they have crossed that 420-430 barrier. I am talking about 7th , 8th attempt people- not from gen category - who felt they could never get that much - and then they did.check For 3 things
1. Are you updating your content for gs2 and 3 by taking some classes
2. are you reading new books / content ( not base level mass coaching that may aid in prelims )
3. Do you have a writing legibility problem
4. as a last resort are you integrating current affairs from newspaper.
Do this and you will shoot upwards 450+
Yes surely I will come to meet you again.
I have realised that -
1. Optional was not working for me as I couldn't balance it with GS. I was extremely good at maths all through out (getting olympiad medals, state trophy, perfect 10 in Maths-related subject in college) but in UPSC, I could never get the balance right. This made me change my optional and I took your advice on starting with Opt Foundation course (which I did not do for Maths because of my arrogance and sense of complacency).
2. The brutal truth is that getting 280+ in Opt and 420+ in GS with a 110+ Essay score is non-negotiable. If the score dips in any area, you would have to compensate it with a higher score in other areas. If not in Mains then the pressure on interview marks grows. So yes, the score of 381 is not an improvement in the real sense.
3. Honestly, 3 continuous Mains on self-prep mode has exhausted me a lot. I have taken some time off to recharge and give one last try. It's not that I am not doing anything, I am preparing my optional.
4. I had never utilized the Oct, Nov, Dec months and due to that, I always got stuck in that Pre-Mains cycle. I broke that cycle this time.
5. Due to personal reasons, I can't give CSE 2026 too.
On the checklist-
1. I have not joined any classes for GS2 and 3 yet. It's difficult to squeeze in time for it after office hours (giving more time to Opt for now). But yes, I will get enrolled for them. I do not want to overburden myself with three things and end up with nothing.
2. No. I had done a lot of reading in my UG days but after a certain point of time, I realised that the content I have to read and prepare 'must be' PYQ-based. So even if something is new, I am mostly sticking to coaching magazines & IE for dynamic content and revising my notes for the static content. For leisure, I do like watching documentaries and reading non-fiction books.
3. No, I do not have writing legibility problem. Well in real-life too, I have learnt calligraphy. :)
4. On integrating current affairs from newspaper, I have strictly kept it PYQ and mock-based for now.
I feel that my lack of mock practice is the culprit here. 'Knowing' and 'implementing' are two different things.
I remember you had asked me a question on inflation and I gave you an unstructured answer. That's how you gauged I lacked mock practice and I remember you asked me how many tests I wrote when I enrolled in MGP and I said a number which made you say-
Listen Ted, I am saying this again but UPSC is a conventional exam. Ghisai karni hoti hai and you have not done that.
I have done some course correction to that extent but I have to give more time which is why I am planning to take a sabbatical soon.
You will get through this time 🙌
tedmosby,Did #1 and 3. Today -Did #1. Today -Did #1 and #3. Today -Did #1, rest remain. Same targets for today.Moping over. Back to work. Today -
1. GS 3 notes
2. Optional notes
3. CA
1. GS 3 notes2. Optional notes
1. GS 3 notes2. Optional notes3. CA
1. GS 3 notes2. GS revision3. CA (if time permits)
All done. Today -
1. GS 3 notes
2. GS revision
#1 done. Same targets for today.Did #1 and 3. Today -Did #1. Today -Did #1 and #3. Today -Did #1, rest remain. Same targets for today.Moping over. Back to work. Today -
1. GS 3 notes
2. Optional notes
3. CA
1. GS 3 notes2. Optional notes
1. GS 3 notes2. Optional notes3. CA
1. GS 3 notes2. GS revision3. CA (if time permits)All done. Today -
1. GS 3 notes
2. GS revision
Write your comment…
