hey@Neyawn i would be attempting my first attempt in 2025, doing a foundational course (at a different online institute) includes weekly (pre tests+ answer writting sessions) and a part of MGP+ cohort 10, started preparing in feb 2024 with college (currently in the final year) trying to finish the syllabus by jan end, and plan to attempt the 2024 mains as a full length test in the first (and second) weekend of feb 2025 and then attempt the pre 2024 full length (GS+CSAT). Haven't seen the papers, but glanced through them and seen the distribution of marks (for taking in stress in the subject promotional to marks), havent done in depth analysis to the themes or questions. Should i do them now as practise or keep them as FLTs in feb?
Some questions, IDK if this is the right place for them
What is the level of the entrance exam for SFG Level 1?
Is there any way I can access past entrance test papers for reference?
How much time should I set aside for SFG entrance prep?
Additionally, if I hope to join SFG starting December 7, and need to take out some time before that for entrance test prep, how do I utilise my time beginning now?
Thanks.
hii, where did you get the information for SFG 2025, i tried finding it but couldn't is there a different portal / site for it?
Few inputs from my end.
1. Whatever you are doing, do it well. Developing poor study ethics / habits in foundational year is what gets most people stuck in exam loop, or exhaust attempts. In short, try to excel academically. You need not be topping, but be robust with what you are doing. This is not going to be easy.
2. Focus on finishing your MGP tests. About 30% questions in the commission may have questions on which you may not be aware of all dimensions or even the major dimensions. Hitting them now, and geting demotivated is not going to help. Answer the PYQs which you can answer and note down the ones you cannnot, if at all.
3. Do not do any Mains prep in Feb, if you have not cleared Prelims before. Give prelims 5 months time. You will have people saying, I gave 5 months and cleared prelims, but my mains was not prepared, and its my 3rd attempt. What lesson you pick up from this line is important. The person is finding mains tough not because he gave 5 months to prelims, but because he didn't give mains the time it needed in the 3 years. This was easy to understand in the hindsight but sometimes difficult to fathome when seen from the windscreen.
Thankyou for the response, consider this as an accountability/seeking reform measure (post 12 days of progress)
Background - Final year student at IIT Delhi (B.Tech in Biotechnology), 8 months into the prep done with : -
Polity, Economy, Geography (World Map, Indian, Physical, Human), (Morden, World, PI) History.
Optional - Philosophy (about 60% done), test series starts from 13th Oct.
Enviorment 33% done - mostly pre centric mapping (national parks TR,BR etc.) (10/30)
Mains centric topics - governance (3/12), DM(3/7), Society and SJ (2/19), IR (2/21)
Topics Remaining
A&C, Ancient and Medivieal Hist, IS, and Ethics.
Done includes watching lectures, making notes for revision (and pre centric mapping in geo), weekly pre tests and daily Prelims - PYQs/Practise MCQs, and a few answers written (each)
- Using MGP as Revision and for reading the books (more on that in the problems section)
1) Goals and Tracking -
I try for
Bi weekly tests - on for Prelims (usually weds evening) and one for mains (sunday)
Prelims mock - only to identify the weak areas and write it on the notebook cover for better revision later.
about 2 lectures daily - one optional (philosophy) and one GS (about 5hrs a day - mostly watch the lectures in 2x/1.5x, but making notes, and sometimes thinking within the lectures consumes about the same time as of the duration)
Newspaper - a signature for consistency - have been following daily since June (after 4 months into the prep) and started with forum CA quiz recently (2-3 weeks)
Answer writing - did a DAW program with Sunya for GS2 in July, and started with MGP in August.
reading before sleep is for self - helps me sleep better. Spill over of targets is allowed (other than read before sleep)
i) a good/decent week - 
ii) a below average week due to college work (733/732 are course codes)
2) Ended up analysing the questions because came across some very oddly specific questions - (Cite four examples of NGOs, Briefly discuss any three such technologies, etc.) To better accommodate value addition from news papers such as : - 
The antimony example. (Have divided the keywords from the syllabus to collect unique points, form any source i get outside of course material.)
3) In the best case scenario - syllabus (watching lectures) gets over by jan 26 and attempting a full length mains test (most prolly the 2024 mains) in a time and place bound manner GS on 1st weekend (31 jan, 1 and 2 of Feb) and optional and compulsory language on (8th and 9th of Feb) and then shift to pre centric mindset (revise all the weak topics written on the notebook covers), start revising current affairs from the magzines, and daily pre tests, etc. (i am not sure what all is included but will try to do all that i can)
Problems Arising
Prep Related :-
1) Books - Haven't read any books from cover to cover (hoping to read a few topics (if not all) with MGP and pre centric books such as Laxmikant and Spectrum for revision before pre (Having trust on my teachers that they have taught me all the important stuff and the books are for revision and reference)
2) Mains PYQs - haven't exclusively alloted time to solve Mains PYQs rn (in the pre to mains period the plan is to only do PYQs, Tests, Value addition and Revision.)
3) Syllabus v/s Frequency of tests - Almost every week have to make a choice between completing the syllabus (lectures) or revise notes/ read a new topic to give MGP tests - mostly end up watching the lectures (because the are easy), and convince myself to give tests the next day with full energy.
Have attempted 3 HLTs till now (September was a college exam and assignments month thereby the tests have piled up)
HLT1 - 45.5/125 (rank 250/1500 ig) - couldn't give it in one go (did 5+3+3) had to look up notes for specific article numbers etc.
HLT2 - 42.5/125 (rank 600/1500 ig) - gave it in one go too 2hrs and 20 mins to complete.
HLT4 - yet to submit. (Also coudnt complete in one go had some new topics that i had to read up)
Prelims objective tests don't give me much sweat - can consistently score about 50-60% in revision tests and 70-80% in freshly read topics.
4) Current Affair magsines - not reading any now (relying solely on newspapers) plan to read them in pre prep period.
Strategic issues
1) Unplanned college interventions - Usually the reason for spillover of goals (MGP tests and pilling up of lectures which makes me watch lectures on sunday the dedicated day for Tests) (and 2nd)
2) Sleep routine - no consistent sleep routine - usually try to follow a biphasic (4am - 8am and 2pm-6pm) sleep routine (works good for the productivity) but somedays due to extra work the cycle keeps changing and it becomes tough to be accountable on what goals are achieved for which day.
any feedback/suggestions (any red or green flags) that you can spot or anything that i shall incorporate to omit out the unnecessary or prioritise doing (mostly between completing the syllabus v/s the frequency of tests)
any advice from the experienced peeps (not limited to) @Neyawn @tedmosby @GaneshGaitonde @Rashmirathi would be really helpful. Thanks in advance.
Arre IIT Delhi! We would have crossed paths ig. I was there in IITD library during the one week break between GS and Maths Opt during Mains 2024.
Anyways, what you have done is extremely good. Please feel free to personally message me, we can have a small gmeet session on this because I cannot type out everything here.
Ohh we would have definitely, the library is my second home
- typing this from the library (love this place).
Hello Bhai, the reason I took time to reply is I couldn't understand what your queries were exactly. Still, I will give my take
1. Not reading reference book : Why do you have so much trust on your teachers? Jab basic book se Q ayega, to teachers bolenge padhke jana tha. There is no alternative to basic books. If others are reading, you need to do that too. Throw your class notes for prelims in garbage, but not the basic books. Classes will only help you develop analytical abilities & familiarity. Uske beyond content absorption from basic books as per PYQ is your responsibility.
Also people prepare PYQ based notes. That's also your responsibility when you enter the prelims phase. In this prep, most things you'll have to do by yourself.
If you're thinking that Jee ki tarah teacher covers everything, you'll get a very rude shock soon as you enter prelims phase. You've the responsibility to analyse PYQs and see from where Q is being asked. I don't think many teachers in UPSC industry do that kind of work especially for Prelims. For Mains, they are usually thorough
2. You've addressed your Mains PYQ problem yourself. But my Q is, note making needs to be done right now. Okay? And your notes must be able to answer ALMOST all PYQs especially in Internal security, Disaster management . How do you plan to do that post prelims? Please make sure that is answered.
3. I didn't understand the Q or problem here
4. Theek hai, if you're planning to read them later. It's fine
Strategic
1. Can't do anything about college interventions. You'll have to work harder later when it's done or before
2. I am unable to understand the Q here. Please re write if you can?
hii, i apologise for the framing they were not like questions 1 2 3, they are mostly problems related to the things i am currently doing/not doing, they arise out of the routine that i follow.
2) was mostly based on the frequency of tests i should give right now ( as the foundation has not yet been completed the amount of lectures done for a particular subject are written above), and i mostly find myself struggling every week when its time to give the tests (especially writting MGP tests), the lectures (mostly optional and mains related topics keep piling up).
1) I plan to read the basic book but couldn't find the right fit for them in my current schedule, thereby plan to read them once the lectures are over i.e by jan 26 (afterwards only book reading, tests and value addition)
the question is only the last line, if theres something i should omit from the schedule, and accommodate something else/ and red flags etc.
i hope it is better framed now.
Few inputs from my end.
1. Whatever you are doing, do it well. Developing poor study ethics / habits in foundational year is what gets most people stuck in exam loop, or exhaust attempts. In short, try to excel academically. You need not be topping, but be robust with what you are doing. This is not going to be easy.
2. Focus on finishing your MGP tests. About 30% questions in the commission may have questions on which you may not be aware of all dimensions or even the major dimensions. Hitting them now, and geting demotivated is not going to help. Answer the PYQs which you can answer and note down the ones you cannnot, if at all.
3. Do not do any Mains prep in Feb, if you have not cleared Prelims before. Give prelims 5 months time. You will have people saying, I gave 5 months and cleared prelims, but my mains was not prepared, and its my 3rd attempt. What lesson you pick up from this line is important. The person is finding mains tough not because he gave 5 months to prelims, but because he didn't give mains the time it needed in the 3 years. This was easy to understand in the hindsight but sometimes difficult to fathome when seen from the windscreen.
Thankyou for the response, consider this as an accountability/seeking reform measure (post 12 days of progress)
Background - Final year student at IIT Delhi (B.Tech in Biotechnology), 8 months into the prep done with : -Polity, Economy, Geography (World Map, Indian, Physical, Human), (Morden, World, PI) History.
Optional - Philosophy (about 60% done), test series starts from 13th Oct.
Enviorment 33% done - mostly pre centric mapping (national parks TR,BR etc.) (10/30)
Mains centric topics - governance (3/12), DM(3/7), Society and SJ (2/19), IR (2/21)
Topics Remaining
A&C, Ancient and Medivieal Hist, IS, and Ethics.
Done includes watching lectures, making notes for revision (and pre centric mapping in geo), weekly pre tests and daily Prelims - PYQs/Practise MCQs, and a few answers written (each)
- Using MGP as Revision and for reading the books (more on that in the problems section)
1) Goals and Tracking -I try for
Bi weekly tests - on for Prelims (usually weds evening) and one for mains (sunday)
Prelims mock - only to identify the weak areas and write it on the notebook cover for better revision later.about 2 lectures daily - one optional (philosophy) and one GS (about 5hrs a day - mostly watch the lectures in 2x/1.5x, but making notes, and sometimes thinking within the lectures consumes about the same time as of the duration)
Newspaper - a signature for consistency - have been following daily since June (after 4 months into the prep) and started with forum CA quiz recently (2-3 weeks)
Answer writing - did a DAW program with Sunya for GS2 in July, and started with MGP in August.reading before sleep is for self - helps me sleep better. Spill over of targets is allowed (other than read before sleep)
i) a good/decent week -
ii) a below average week due to college work (733/732 are course codes)
2) Ended up analysing the questions because came across some very oddly specific questions - (Cite four examples of NGOs, Briefly discuss any three such technologies, etc.) To better accommodate value addition from news papers such as : -
The antimony example. (Have divided the keywords from the syllabus to collect unique points, form any source i get outside of course material.)
3) In the best case scenario - syllabus (watching lectures) gets over by jan 26 and attempting a full length mains test (most prolly the 2024 mains) in a time and place bound manner GS on 1st weekend (31 jan, 1 and 2 of Feb) and optional and compulsory language on (8th and 9th of Feb) and then shift to pre centric mindset (revise all the weak topics written on the notebook covers), start revising current affairs from the magzines, and daily pre tests, etc. (i am not sure what all is included but will try to do all that i can)
Problems ArisingPrep Related :-
1) Books - Haven't read any books from cover to cover (hoping to read a few topics (if not all) with MGP and pre centric books such as Laxmikant and Spectrum for revision before pre (Having trust on my teachers that they have taught me all the important stuff and the books are for revision and reference)
2) Mains PYQs - haven't exclusively alloted time to solve Mains PYQs rn (in the pre to mains period the plan is to only do PYQs, Tests, Value addition and Revision.)
3) Syllabus v/s Frequency of tests - Almost every week have to make a choice between completing the syllabus (lectures) or revise notes/ read a new topic to give MGP tests - mostly end up watching the lectures (because the are easy), and convince myself to give tests the next day with full energy.
Have attempted 3 HLTs till now (September was a college exam and assignments month thereby the tests have piled up)
HLT1 - 45.5/125 (rank 250/1500 ig) - couldn't give it in one go (did 5+3+3) had to look up notes for specific article numbers etc.
HLT2 - 42.5/125 (rank 600/1500 ig) - gave it in one go too 2hrs and 20 mins to complete.
HLT4 - yet to submit. (Also coudnt complete in one go had some new topics that i had to read up)
Prelims objective tests don't give me much sweat - can consistently score about 50-60% in revision tests and 70-80% in freshly read topics.
4) Current Affair magsines - not reading any now (relying solely on newspapers) plan to read them in pre prep period.
Strategic issues
1) Unplanned college interventions - Usually the reason for spillover of goals (MGP tests and pilling up of lectures which makes me watch lectures on sunday the dedicated day for Tests) (and 2nd)
2) Sleep routine - no consistent sleep routine - usually try to follow a biphasic (4am - 8am and 2pm-6pm) sleep routine (works good for the productivity) but somedays due to extra work the cycle keeps changing and it becomes tough to be accountable on what goals are achieved for which day.
any feedback/suggestions (any red or green flags) that you can spot or anything that i shall incorporate to omit out the unnecessary or prioritise doing (mostly between completing the syllabus v/s the frequency of tests)
any advice from the experienced peeps (not limited to) @Neyawn @tedmosby @GaneshGaitonde @Rashmirathi would be really helpful. Thanks in advance.
You are sorted. There will be a struggle, but that will make you. It is supposed to be that way. A bit chaotic.
Thanks.
Update -
Modified the goals list
- Added 10 PYQs daily - atleast brainstorming and theme sorting thanks to@tedmosby for directing how to
- Starting next week - 3 tests (1 Optional 1 MGP 1 Prelims - mock) (not considring them as evaluation but a part of learing process - better way to revise (active recall)
Priority remains syllabus completion, but need to get out of comfort zone and test the limit(s) , thanks@GaneshGaitonde @Neyawn @Rashmirathi
Inability to achieve the monthly targets leads to negative emotions, disrupts studies, and ultimately leads to chaos in my brain.
The idea is to just study, and hopefully not feel the same by the end of this month : )
declaring targets on the community helps, so here we are
3 Nov (only env)
1 BD
2 Intl conven
3 Eco
4 Poll - notes n answers
itne bol bacchan ke baad couldn't do anything, will try again
4 Nov
1 BD
2 int conv
3 Eco
completed 1, 2 & 3 not done
today
1 class rev
2 enlight & socialism
1 done, 2 not done
today
1 soc class complete, is - read
2 topic 1 opt
didn't do
targets for today
1 society
2 topic 1
1- 80% done, 2 no
today
1 society, is - ans, notes for all
2 topic 1
1 done, 2 confused
today
1 ethics - full
2 topic 2 - FR, brit - least
well, you inspire me so heres my past 4 weeks of progress
Still struggling to juggle around with tests and lectures. lets see, if posting weekly progress here could stop me from spilling over the targets to the next week.
@happySisyphus You manage this sheet all by yourself or is someone else guiding you?Btw keep posting them, it’s motivating to see consistent fellow aspirants.
Yeah i do it myself, its nothing just colour coding the goals on excel, the goals have been formulated and accumulated from topper talks and guidance from senior fellow aspirants. I keep updating them from time to time depending upon weaknesses and requirements.
Like the PYQ one i added after talking to tedmosby.
well heres an update after 2 weeks (of procrastination)
previous 2 weeks have been the last weeks of semester with exams assignments and finishing off the bachelors project.
Haven't written a test (or an answer in the past 4 weeks), and have not solved the CA quiz of the past 2-3 weeks as well. Newspaper reading has slagged a bit due to travel and college work load.
looking back at jee times i have started feeling that i am not practising enough(application of knowledge - active recall best way of remembering). - mostly watching lectures and reading newspapers consistently.
now that the semester is almost over gotta cash in the last week of November and December being a vacation month - get done with most of the foundations and finish off the backlog tests and quizzes (will upload a detailed list of goals in the beginning of the month)
heres a list of things that keep me going (atleast to maintain the streak and do the bare minimum)
- watching foundational lectures.
- practising MCQs (this was 2 weeks back)
- learning spanish
- playing wordle.
well now that we know of what has to be done
- give tests
- practise a little more (consistency compounds)
- follow the schedule.
Excited for december - lets see where it takes us.
well heres an update after 2 weeks (of procrastination)
previous 2 weeks have been the last weeks of semester with exams assignments and finishing off the bachelors project.
Haven't written a test (or an answer in the past 4 weeks), and have not solved the CA quiz of the past 2-3 weeks as well. Newspaper reading has slagged a bit due to travel and college work load.
looking back at jee times i have started feeling that i am not practising enough(application of knowledge - active recall best way of remembering). - mostly watching lectures and reading newspapers consistently.
now that the semester is almost over gotta cash in the last week of November and December being a vacation month - get done with most of the foundations and finish off the backlog tests and quizzes (will upload a detailed list of goals in the beginning of the month)
heres a list of things that keep me going (atleast to maintain the streak and do the bare minimum)
- watching foundational lectures.
- practising MCQs (this was 2 weeks back)
- learning spanish
- playing wordle.
well now that we know of what has to be done
- give tests
- practise a little more (consistency compounds)
- follow the schedule.
Excited for december - lets see where it takes us.
well well, a week into December, and it was the placement week (which I intended not to sit for, but the surroundings forced me to give two interviews - I loved the experience (they didn't) also didn't take anyone (maybe I am the monolith of bad luck :p ))
Updates on the journey - mid week but got done with 2 mains tests (both optional) heres the plan to finish the tests and attempt a full length mains in the first week of Feb
lectures have been cut short - skipping the foundational lectures of IR and IS, for IS going with the PYQ centric approach, almost done with the optional (about 24 hrs of lectures remain)
Target for Dec - Complete - Optional, Ethics (to start giving tests by jan), and the tests mentioned above. (and maybe small gs topics of DM and IS
Jan - is for Society and IR (if DM and IS spill over), finish all the remaining test of ethics essay and optional.
Feb - 1st week Full length mains, and shift to pre from 2nd week, revise and join SFG level 2 (i really wanna go give offline tests but lets see if the college circumstances allow)
The progress of last two weeks
well heres an update after 2 weeks (of procrastination)
previous 2 weeks have been the last weeks of semester with exams assignments and finishing off the bachelors project.
Haven't written a test (or an answer in the past 4 weeks), and have not solved the CA quiz of the past 2-3 weeks as well. Newspaper reading has slagged a bit due to travel and college work load.
looking back at jee times i have started feeling that i am not practising enough(application of knowledge - active recall best way of remembering). - mostly watching lectures and reading newspapers consistently.
now that the semester is almost over gotta cash in the last week of November and December being a vacation month - get done with most of the foundations and finish off the backlog tests and quizzes (will upload a detailed list of goals in the beginning of the month)
heres a list of things that keep me going (atleast to maintain the streak and do the bare minimum)
- watching foundational lectures.
- practising MCQs (this was 2 weeks back)
- learning spanish
- playing wordle.
well now that we know of what has to be done
- give tests
- practise a little more (consistency compounds)
- follow the schedule.
Excited for december - lets see where it takes us.
well well, a week into December, and it was the placement week (which I intended not to sit for, but the surroundings forced me to give two interviews - I loved the experience (they didn't) also didn't take anyone (maybe I am the monolith of bad luck :p ))
Updates on the journey - mid week but got done with 2 mains tests (both optional) heres the plan to finish the tests and attempt a full length mains in the first week of Feb
lectures have been cut short - skipping the foundational lectures of IR and IS, for IS going with the PYQ centric approach, almost done with the optional (about 24 hrs of lectures remain)
Target for Dec - Complete - Optional, Ethics (to start giving tests by jan), and the tests mentioned above. (and maybe small gs topics of DM and IS
Jan - is for Society and IR (if DM and IS spill over), finish all the remaining test of ethics essay and optional.
Feb - 1st week Full length mains, and shift to pre from 2nd week, revise and join SFG level 2 (i really wanna go give offline tests but lets see if the college circumstances allow)
The progress of last two weeks
'if possible' sfg level 1 bhi kar hi lo. If not @ 7 am then at 7 pm. But don't miss out on prelims prep during dec/jan. Start prelims asap. Well ngl I'm projecting my final year/ first attempt experience on you. Baki its up to you. Best wishes ~ from someone who once was a clueless lil kido.
valar dohaeris.
I would have loved to, but already so many tests to give - MGP, Optional, Ethics, Essay (all marked above) therfore not joining any test series now, however the process has been integral of prelims and mains ever since the start because the foundational course was like it (Mapping in terms of geo and env and pre centric weekly tests - sometimes two pre tests a week)
Still practising about 20 mcqs a day for past topics, and 10 daily current affairs mcqs
and i feel a little confident about my objective approach and MCQ solving ablity thereby skipping the level 1.
Thanks for the advice tho.
well heres an update after 2 weeks (of procrastination)
previous 2 weeks have been the last weeks of semester with exams assignments and finishing off the bachelors project.
Haven't written a test (or an answer in the past 4 weeks), and have not solved the CA quiz of the past 2-3 weeks as well. Newspaper reading has slagged a bit due to travel and college work load.
looking back at jee times i have started feeling that i am not practising enough(application of knowledge - active recall best way of remembering). - mostly watching lectures and reading newspapers consistently.
now that the semester is almost over gotta cash in the last week of November and December being a vacation month - get done with most of the foundations and finish off the backlog tests and quizzes (will upload a detailed list of goals in the beginning of the month)
heres a list of things that keep me going (atleast to maintain the streak and do the bare minimum)
- watching foundational lectures.
- practising MCQs (this was 2 weeks back)
- learning spanish
- playing wordle.
well now that we know of what has to be done
- give tests
- practise a little more (consistency compounds)
- follow the schedule.
Excited for december - lets see where it takes us.
well well, a week into December, and it was the placement week (which I intended not to sit for, but the surroundings forced me to give two interviews - I loved the experience (they didn't) also didn't take anyone (maybe I am the monolith of bad luck :p ))
Updates on the journey - mid week but got done with 2 mains tests (both optional) heres the plan to finish the tests and attempt a full length mains in the first week of Feb
lectures have been cut short - skipping the foundational lectures of IR and IS, for IS going with the PYQ centric approach, almost done with the optional (about 24 hrs of lectures remain)
Target for Dec - Complete - Optional, Ethics (to start giving tests by jan), and the tests mentioned above. (and maybe small gs topics of DM and IS
Jan - is for Society and IR (if DM and IS spill over), finish all the remaining test of ethics essay and optional.
Feb - 1st week Full length mains, and shift to pre from 2nd week, revise and join SFG level 2 (i really wanna go give offline tests but lets see if the college circumstances allow)
The progress of last two weeks
'if possible' sfg level 1 bhi kar hi lo. If not @ 7 am then at 7 pm. But don't miss out on prelims prep during dec/jan. Start prelims asap. Well ngl I'm projecting my final year/ first attempt experience on you. Baki its up to you. Best wishes ~ from someone who once was a clueless lil kido.
valar dohaeris.
I would have loved to, but already so many tests to give - MGP, Optional, Ethics, Essay (all marked above) therfore not joining any test series now, however the process has been integral of prelims and mains ever since the start because the foundational course was like it (Mapping in terms of geo and env and pre centric weekly tests - sometimes two pre tests a week)
Still practising about 20 mcqs a day for past topics, and 10 daily current affairs mcqs
and i feel a little confident about my objective approach and MCQ solving ablity thereby skipping the level 1.
Thanks for the advice tho.
now that the thought has been inoculated, can skip the 20 mcq part and join SFG level 1 to get a kickstart for the day at 7 am with 50 mcqs but kinda confused if ill be able to manage time and energy.
Hello Bhai, the reason I took time to reply is I couldn't understand what your queries were exactly. Still, I will give my take
1. Not reading reference book : Why do you have so much trust on your teachers? Jab basic book se Q ayega, to teachers bolenge padhke jana tha. There is no alternative to basic books. If others are reading, you need to do that too. Throw your class notes for prelims in garbage, but not the basic books. Classes will only help you develop analytical abilities & familiarity. Uske beyond content absorption from basic books as per PYQ is your responsibility.
Also people prepare PYQ based notes. That's also your responsibility when you enter the prelims phase. In this prep, most things you'll have to do by yourself.
If you're thinking that Jee ki tarah teacher covers everything, you'll get a very rude shock soon as you enter prelims phase. You've the responsibility to analyse PYQs and see from where Q is being asked. I don't think many teachers in UPSC industry do that kind of work especially for Prelims. For Mains, they are usually thorough
2. You've addressed your Mains PYQ problem yourself. But my Q is, note making needs to be done right now. Okay? And your notes must be able to answer ALMOST all PYQs especially in Internal security, Disaster management . How do you plan to do that post prelims? Please make sure that is answered.
3. I didn't understand the Q or problem here
4. Theek hai, if you're planning to read them later. It's fine
Strategic
1. Can't do anything about college interventions. You'll have to work harder later when it's done or before
2. I am unable to understand the Q here. Please re write if you can?
I come back to this post often. Keeps giving me reality checks.
Previous few weeks have been rough.
Got annihilated in the SFG entrance test (15 correct 21 incorrect) - it was't in the planned events but decided to give (arrived 15 mins late at the centre and first time filling the omr so got stressed out on time - made a few silly mistakes, but thats for some other day to blame. - got into the programme border line.
Got HLT7 checked the next day scored 49.5/125 - rank 100/1000 got a sense of relief that not very off the track, maybe i was in the mains mindset therefore couldn't score in a prelims paper. Gave the feedback that i wanted a little critical feedback to improve and identify weak areas.
also had given HLT6 on the same day (which had gone better according to me) but again got obliterated, scored 35.5/125 - rank 700/900 almost cried on the feedback apologised for asking a critical feedback - but realised this is what is needed.
Fuck up now to perform the best during the D-Day.
Decided to shift to karol bagh - kinda excited to join SFG offline give tests everyday at 7 - i dont intend to specifically study for the tests, these are mostly to identify weak areas and give special emphasis on them during the level 2 - i would have shifted to pure prelims centric prep.
Stil trying to Finish all the Tests heres the update list.
Its kinda hard to be stoic to tests and not take them to heart - but thats what we aim for identify your weaknesses work on them and keep improving
The Hegel TRIAD method hitting me hard with the anti-thesis(es) but anyways heres the progress for the past two weeks.
also have changed the format of tracking goals - now its a mixture of fixed time slots as well as goals (tracking them qualitatively and quantitatively)
Grateful to the community for all the advice - we thrive towards getting better. always.
Back after sometime, been some unproductive and half-hearted work weeks. Only happy to have done 3 tests of targeted 4.
Here's this week's update for accountability. See you all next week.
I'm extremely excited for the SFG. Anyone who's perviously done it and can give me tips on how to best utilise it? I'll be doing it online (RLG). @AdiTea @Mango_Person @happySisyphus
we are in the same boat buddy. its my first time too.
Hello Bhai, the reason I took time to reply is I couldn't understand what your queries were exactly. Still, I will give my take
1. Not reading reference book : Why do you have so much trust on your teachers? Jab basic book se Q ayega, to teachers bolenge padhke jana tha. There is no alternative to basic books. If others are reading, you need to do that too. Throw your class notes for prelims in garbage, but not the basic books. Classes will only help you develop analytical abilities & familiarity. Uske beyond content absorption from basic books as per PYQ is your responsibility.
Also people prepare PYQ based notes. That's also your responsibility when you enter the prelims phase. In this prep, most things you'll have to do by yourself.
If you're thinking that Jee ki tarah teacher covers everything, you'll get a very rude shock soon as you enter prelims phase. You've the responsibility to analyse PYQs and see from where Q is being asked. I don't think many teachers in UPSC industry do that kind of work especially for Prelims. For Mains, they are usually thorough
2. You've addressed your Mains PYQ problem yourself. But my Q is, note making needs to be done right now. Okay? And your notes must be able to answer ALMOST all PYQs especially in Internal security, Disaster management . How do you plan to do that post prelims? Please make sure that is answered.
3. I didn't understand the Q or problem here
4. Theek hai, if you're planning to read them later. It's fine
Strategic
1. Can't do anything about college interventions. You'll have to work harder later when it's done or before
2. I am unable to understand the Q here. Please re write if you can?
I come back to this post often. Keeps giving me reality checks.
Previous few weeks have been rough.
Got annihilated in the SFG entrance test (15 correct 21 incorrect) - it was't in the planned events but decided to give (arrived 15 mins late at the centre and first time filling the omr so got stressed out on time - made a few silly mistakes, but thats for some other day to blame. - got into the programme border line.
Got HLT7 checked the next day scored 49.5/125 - rank 100/1000 got a sense of relief that not very off the track, maybe i was in the mains mindset therefore couldn't score in a prelims paper. Gave the feedback that i wanted a little critical feedback to improve and identify weak areas.
also had given HLT6 on the same day (which had gone better according to me) but again got obliterated, scored 35.5/125 - rank 700/900 almost cried on the feedback apologised for asking a critical feedback - but realised this is what is needed.
Fuck up now to perform the best during the D-Day.
Decided to shift to karol bagh - kinda excited to join SFG offline give tests everyday at 7 - i dont intend to specifically study for the tests, these are mostly to identify weak areas and give special emphasis on them during the level 2 - i would have shifted to pure prelims centric prep.
Stil trying to Finish all the Tests heres the update list.
Its kinda hard to be stoic to tests and not take them to heart - but thats what we aim for identify your weaknesses work on them and keep improving
The Hegel TRIAD method hitting me hard with the anti-thesis(es) but anyways heres the progress for the past two weeks.
also have changed the format of tracking goals - now its a mixture of fixed time slots as well as goals (tracking them qualitatively and quantitatively)
Grateful to the community for all the advice - we thrive towards getting better. always.
Karol Bagh mai Kahan? Let’s meet 24th ko during sfg orientation. Tere room ke darshan bhi kara dena (#nohomo) And good decision w taking sfg. You were dicey earlier na, remember there’s no point being mains ready if we mess up prelims. Pura saal wait karna padtha hai fir.
abhi tak ghar final nahi kara, 24th ko hi karunga maybe, par ha lets meet. Offline tests and log hi ek major reason tha shift hone ka. Koi recommendation for house hunting?
Hello Bhai, the reason I took time to reply is I couldn't understand what your queries were exactly. Still, I will give my take
1. Not reading reference book : Why do you have so much trust on your teachers? Jab basic book se Q ayega, to teachers bolenge padhke jana tha. There is no alternative to basic books. If others are reading, you need to do that too. Throw your class notes for prelims in garbage, but not the basic books. Classes will only help you develop analytical abilities & familiarity. Uske beyond content absorption from basic books as per PYQ is your responsibility.
Also people prepare PYQ based notes. That's also your responsibility when you enter the prelims phase. In this prep, most things you'll have to do by yourself.
If you're thinking that Jee ki tarah teacher covers everything, you'll get a very rude shock soon as you enter prelims phase. You've the responsibility to analyse PYQs and see from where Q is being asked. I don't think many teachers in UPSC industry do that kind of work especially for Prelims. For Mains, they are usually thorough
2. You've addressed your Mains PYQ problem yourself. But my Q is, note making needs to be done right now. Okay? And your notes must be able to answer ALMOST all PYQs especially in Internal security, Disaster management . How do you plan to do that post prelims? Please make sure that is answered.
3. I didn't understand the Q or problem here
4. Theek hai, if you're planning to read them later. It's fine
Strategic
1. Can't do anything about college interventions. You'll have to work harder later when it's done or before
2. I am unable to understand the Q here. Please re write if you can?
I come back to this post often. Keeps giving me reality checks.
Previous few weeks have been rough.
Got annihilated in the SFG entrance test (15 correct 21 incorrect) - it was't in the planned events but decided to give (arrived 15 mins late at the centre and first time filling the omr so got stressed out on time - made a few silly mistakes, but thats for some other day to blame. - got into the programme border line.
Got HLT7 checked the next day scored 49.5/125 - rank 100/1000 got a sense of relief that not very off the track, maybe i was in the mains mindset therefore couldn't score in a prelims paper. Gave the feedback that i wanted a little critical feedback to improve and identify weak areas.
also had given HLT6 on the same day (which had gone better according to me) but again got obliterated, scored 35.5/125 - rank 700/900 almost cried on the feedback apologised for asking a critical feedback - but realised this is what is needed.
Fuck up now to perform the best during the D-Day.
Decided to shift to karol bagh - kinda excited to join SFG offline give tests everyday at 7 - i dont intend to specifically study for the tests, these are mostly to identify weak areas and give special emphasis on them during the level 2 - i would have shifted to pure prelims centric prep.
Stil trying to Finish all the Tests heres the update list.
Its kinda hard to be stoic to tests and not take them to heart - but thats what we aim for identify your weaknesses work on them and keep improving
The Hegel TRIAD method hitting me hard with the anti-thesis(es) but anyways heres the progress for the past two weeks.
also have changed the format of tracking goals - now its a mixture of fixed time slots as well as goals (tracking them qualitatively and quantitatively)
Grateful to the community for all the advice - we thrive towards getting better. always.
well well long time no see. ngl karol bagh has kept me on my heels, couldn't find the motivation to post reality checks, but cheers to the anonymity.
The sleep has decreased thanks to@Neyawn 's SFG orientation (+the ranks in the tests). Wasn't able to keep stoic and attempt them test raw footed to mostly focus on finishing the Mains tests (so added a slot to study for the SFGs) a basic revision to not make silly mistakes that bring the morale down.
I feel this was required- maybe my objective answering skills are not as strong as i thought them to be thanks@DancingMaster to recommend joining the tests now - had to find the right balance between pre and mains as it will be my first pre.
Heres the progress for for them (the goal was to identify weak points - turns out everything is weak)
Gonna be all in from mid feb - definitely getting into the top 100 in level 2 ain't gonna stop before that happens (for now priority is still completing the remaining topics and MGP+optional tests). also the feeling of offline tests and filling up the omr at 7 in the morning is totally worth it.
They are consuming me from the core bhai 😭, the stamina is catching up for the full mains stimulator in the first week of feb (gonna attempt two optional paper tommorow)
After the mains paper evaluation i some times feel like this is my escape mechanism and i am not preparing for anything properly - "Not scoring in SFGs cause preparing for the Mains tets" bla bla but unable to score in them too. I feel like maybe i am fooling around/not made for this - but have to shut up the evil enemy (myself) by studying more so we good.
all rant aside heres the progress for the past three weeks
ngl the pressure here and seeing people study on 1st jan was motivating (i thought i was gonna be the only one in the library) but yes.
The decision to shift here is making a lot of sense (atleast it has in the past two weeks, maybe for short term myopic view) the avenues for physical activites are less so might harm in the long run but we'll figure out. like we always have .
ONE LAST LAP,
FLY You Fool!
@happySisyphus,Are you able to complete those MGP tests within the time frame? Do you write them in one go or refer to the notes in between?
I glance through the questions once, and then revise my notes framing answers in my mind and then try to give in a time bound manner in one go HLT4 and 5 (eco tests) i was not able to give in one go rest in one sitting but mostly 30 mins above time (HLT 6 and 7 were completed in time limit)
well long time no see? long time no see.
Hows the prep going? i don't know lets see. - Kinda slaggy focus these days due to forcing my self to stick to the morning routine. (my body keeps going back to the night routine i don't know how)
Currently troubled cause wasn't able to do enough for mains heres the update on those tests.
the main struggle is to finish 4 sectionals of optional paper 2 (done with 4 sectionals of paper 1)
Mentor recommends doing ethics and essays sunday to sunday along with prelims prep cause he thinks the score in sfg was decent enough.
so speaking in terms of data@Rashmirathi,i come here to seek advice again.
Polity - was without revison + few chapters read from laxmikant - scope for a lot of improvement afte reading it.
Economy - was reading mains material + whatever i could recall. (concepts clear - scope of improvement after precentric revision.)
Env, Geography, SnT - did kinda fair prep for them - revising notes + books (about 2-3 hrs per day) (slight improvemnt posible after cover to cover reading of sources)
History - Weakness, not that much - kinda fair with the ideas of mains and flow but have to organise prelims centric facts. wasn't able to revise before tests (fell sick) (only place to go is up)
so thats about it from the past 50 days of Sfgs, sustained through the program (ofc would have if i had to say my one strength it would be consistency.) 800 people remain in the offline with the odd 2300 starting - percentile almost remains same about 50-60% (barring few anomalies).
Started this as just the practise of MCQs with no revision or reading stuff (about the first 7-8tests) - soon added a slot just before sleeping to revise notes of the topic as much as possible - improved the overall marks (about 2hrs of study for them per day)
Really wanna prepare for mains till end of feb - the confidence is kinda back for pre because the recent tests were of logical domain (SnT and Geography), but maybe thats not how@DancingMaster or@Neyawn would advice for the first attempt.
Target for pre -
1) Attempt Full length paper 2017-2024 - identify heuristics and themes
2) read the standard books cover to cover
3) Make Quick Revision notes
4) Current Affairs - Mentor recommends PT365 (due to time constrain and as I have read newspaper about consistently from june 2024 so majorly revision) + i would be solving the current affairs MCQs (monthly compliations of insights) - realised its better to learn through them.
yeah thats about the changes in the routine for prelims.
For remaining mains -
1) got about 10 lect of society and social justice to cover (haven't watched them since jan 20 because had to complete tests) by feb end.
2) Finish 4 Optional papers (by feb end)
3) Maybe write few essays on mentors recommendation (Sunday to sunday) - wrote 1 yet scored among the top 20 so not bad - kinda confident of writing skills.
4) Brain storm few ans (about 2-3 per day) and maybe write 1 - kinda fearing ans writing cause the tests have started again taking more time than allotted + brain fog while brain storming. (about 30 mins per day to keep in touch?)
i keep going back to kanishak sirs topper talk - kinda feel similar to him (ofc won't be able to score 370 in opt but about the objective and statistics based approach)
what say friends and senior players should i take the mains prep along? or its time for full fledged prelims? based on data above feelings ofc - to go by feeling i want to do mains, need a 3rd person pov on the scene.
the 89 days in between and about some many tests remaining i feel scared.
This was taking a lot of mental space so had to dump to get back to focus. Looking forward to advice.
PS -@Fairyflu @AdiTea @mango all good? where the consistent postings of targets at?
heres my prev few weeks
also where the forest people at? started using this recently its kinda fun (just to be clear this is not full true picture - i dont use my phone anyways so i sometimes forget starting it or closing it + i don't believe in the number of hours theory for me its more of things completed therefore excel, but yeah using this cause its cute + helps in rebound.)
"In the midst of chaos chase light" (statistics in my case)
Its community update time. - all drained from previous week of college assignments and presentation (Karol bagh parabola my prof calls it) physically drained due to travel, mentally and emotionally drained due to health problems of family (i don't know if this is a place to dump that so lets keep it for later)
To begin with heres the prev 3 weeks of progress
a litlle dissapointed of not being able to save 500 rs by one ques in sfg ent (scored 65.33 the cutoff was 68) 50 hi aajate yaar isse achha to 😭 anyways the grind shall continue so lets aim for saving this next month.
SFG progress as of now seems fair target was top 100 but hovering around 250 so lets rely on consistency and the process play its part.
Coming back to the starting line - i feel like i keep getting lucky in the tests and i dont deserve the marks i have been getting because the people around me have studied much more yet are scoring less.
Attempted the PYQs - excluded the qs i knew ans from before or counted them as i attemepted them when i saw for the first time in sfg or elsewhere (if i got something wrong before i counted it as a -ve) with a target for myself as the forest cutoff.
need to go till 2015, and about the FLTs attempted 2 as of yet
Forum AI-0 - scored 93.33 (54/19) got into time trouble wasn't able to attempt more questions felt the paper was easy and could have scored about 110 easily. yet convinced myself that i dont deserve this score as i might have scored because of familiarity with Forum questions and mindset due to SFG.
Insights AI - 1 - this was something to bring me to the ground scored 63.67 (45/40) manged the time a lil better but still got a place to improve.
So in the self doubt tantrum we chase more data points to cut shot the standard deviation of confidence hyperbola. lmk if you guys are attempting any full length open mocks would love to have someone to compete with.
+ the full length are being saved by SnT and Env mostly because of familiarity with them due to my background (JEE and Biotechnology) so the scope of improvement in polity and history is still a lot.
ps - i have an eye out for@DancingMaster and@Fairyflu since sfg L1 the aim is to get ahead in the weekly/monthly ranking in L2😤 (all healthy competition tho)
and the mind is still a little scared about the mains prep but has accepted the situation and lets go cash in aur aptitude for the MCQs.
To end with -
"Statistics don't lie like the emotions do." and
"Outwork your self doubt" are the quotes i remind myself in the times of need, throwing it out there if it helps.
Acing ka toh pata nahi, every test exposes a new blind spot :p
Plan to give one FLT every Sunday till mid April, then 2/week till 10th/11th May. It’s hard to find the ideal balance between giving enough FLTs for practice but not overdoing it by writing too many. Let’s see how things go.
How’s everyone else doing? Kaise chal rahe hai mocks?@DancingMaster @AdiTea @happySisyphus
well not much to give as a community update this time. Preps going about the same with some bad days coming to say hii.
sfg is going decent, accomplished the last week's target i think its time to change the benchmark now@DancingMaster 😛 (to be fair environment is my subject and the margin was not very large so the battle continues :p)
heres the update : -
FLTs - i don't know they have become my escape ( imean the are fun i know i should be revising and reading books but every 2nd day i go give a FLT (another benefit of shifting to karol bagh, any day you can find a coaching having an open test)
The performance is kinda mid :-
Next Ias totaly anhilated me - that game so many lessons on how to solve very tough and lenghty paper.
Vajiram was meh won't be attempting their open mocks in the future.
Abhyass is coming thats the next battle ground 🫵🏻. Rest the experiment is on to know weak and strong areas.
Current weakness and scope for improvement : -
1) Mapping - Straight up +10 marks bhai, i attempt all the map questions because i am familiar with all the places had done mapping back in August iirc. A revision and updating latest places and we good to go.
2) Polity - Factual part (FLTs which ask core bare act expetions have to revise this been a long time since last revisit)
3) Defence - Science overall is strong have to get done with the basics of defence tho (+2 to +4)
4) IR - the institutions are killing me 😭 (Insights FLT ask 15qs from IR every time and thats adding to the knowldge base but have to do it once from PT)
5) CA - this above average due to consistent Newspaper reading (have to do PTs tho i feel sleepy every time i open them)
yeah so thats about it for now, kinda trying to get myself to attempt less Qs but the heart doesn't agree.
PS : - got a book on answer writting (Unmazed by Sirivennela IPS (Author)) so thats where the fridays and saturday evening slot goes. A good read for someone who is a little scared for mains. Sometimes i also brush up some topics of my optional during these slots because no SFG the next day (mostly socio political philosophy (also helps in polity ideologies Qs).
Community update time? ohh the ride has become like running in between some resurrected mammoths (istg science is going wild these days) anyways update on performance? was feeling a bit stuck past few days cause of FLT score (it was 93.33 in forum simulator 0 and 84 in previous sunday's sunya open)
Came over the feeling with over all statistics because the sunya's test was about similar to abhyass and anubhav in terms of data length facts and tricky nature so that makes it an 30 mark jump (54/57 in abhyass and anubhav) so the stress related to prelims performance is dormant but gets coupled with the college last week sometimes (ye abhi tak khatam kyu nahi ho rha yaar ab to de do degree 😭)
Its the last week so assignments presentations and stuff have left me drained + sfg in the morning every day which my offline friends here don't let me miss (so a perfect 34/34 score for attempting them 😛) About the quantified marks in them? well they have been a surprise for me too
a top 100 rank in polity week and a top 10 rank in science? damn boy good cover up but geography and env mapping revision + history basic mistakes still provide a scope for improvement.
Overall FLTs :-
Also fair progress due to static revision during SFG
Places improved : -
1) Polity - didn't do laxmikant went for the bare act straight (after class notes ofc) - +10 marks in mock bhai fr didn't expect such a clutch
2) Familiarity with History - its no more the see and leave zone (above average familiarity with the question and topics help me get a 2-3 question edge compared to previous mocks)
3) Factual science - covered up the space/defence factual portion so thats again 1-2 questions.
Still scope for improvement?
1) Mapping - same old cry attempting them all due to familiarity but not updated or revised in long (this is the first thing to do in may after college work gets done) about 5-8 marks improvable.
2) Geo,Eco,Env (sfg first month subject revision) - how did i get two fiscal deficit questions wrong in two papers in a row 😭 lagging in revision need to pick that up.
The body is not supporting anymore + mental residue of college backlogs get me overwhelmed when triggered, i remember@GaneshGaitonde 's advice (can't do anything about it you'll either have to work hard earlier or after its over) that gets me back on track to finish whatever's in the hand.
30 days to go?
Here are the previous weeks learning to end with
"Invest your enegy in the positive obligation to improve that always yields better results than negative obligations to remove" (i get back to this thought whenever i try to eliminate distractions - my father's words - Focus so hard on your work that distractions fade without trying)
and also the thought - ternary equilibrium between Hard work, Self-confidence and Optimism (i.e to control the controllable) is gonna get you though past your hurdles.
Hey@Neyawn will there be a post mains session?
Hey everyone!
How was Mains 2025?
Kuch toh likh diya, baaki Bhagwan bharose :p
How did it go for you @happySisyphus ?
Ahhh Mains - one of a kind experience. Chaotic 89 days of preperation - High on adrenaline low on sleep.
The performance was decently good. I still get reminded of the adrenaline for finishing the papers. Dreams at night of last 5 mins remaining.
Content wise I keep getting flashes of value additions and dimensions for the Qs everytime i read something - Mostly in GS and Essay.
Optional and Essay were good - Did better than my expectations in optional and just about my expectations in essay. Got lucky in essay as the supreme art of war one was taught by air2 2024 in her session and I had a slight memory of it.
GS were about average - Could have done better in few Qs. The interlinkages about something new are realised everyday, thats the thing about subjective papers the amount of time given to think about the answers is directly proportional to its quality.
Had more expectations from GS4 due to the amount of time invested but underperformed a little.
Hoping that it was to the best of my abilities in those 3 Hours for all the papers.
