Civil Services Mains 2020 Results: In or Out ? Way ahead, gratitude and Pain

RegistaniOonthsaid

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Luffysaid

@RegistaniOonth he is not that one just talked to sarthak prashar

Oh! thats brutal.... Hopw he might be doing fine..his anxiety and the way he was writing that day was quite scary!

GOT8said

@SunnyParashar Bhai...can u share the socio notes or strategy...

This one was my 2nd Mains with socio... but failed

I have my notes derived from sangwan, Tugramanshu, Upendra sir, selected Haralambous, PYQs solutions,  Test series solutions and some  google

I dont want to fail again..  please suggest some way forward...

i have not written the test but solely depend on revision multiple of times..

Thnx in advance for your suggestion

if want to see i can share my notes

Sankozasaid

SunnyParasharsaid

Last year I was in a similar situtation with no idea what to do.Abhi pata nahi mere marks nahi aaye hain but 1 thing I realized is that people focus excessively on tests and ans writing.What I believe actually helps is not how many tests u write(I have'nt written even a single prelims test and still managed to clear pre both times,this time wrote 1 optional tests and 0 gs tests-but read topper copies) but how many times 1 has revised before exams.Last year I could'nt do well not because of tests but because of failure to recall in exam due to lack of revision.

I believe the open secret is to revise entire gs course in the last 1 month before exam which no topper tells,no coaching tells nobody tells.I read saurabh dixit article on forum and l believe his 1 line sums up the entire prep-If u have'nt read anything tests and ans writing can't save one.Last year also I focused only on revising optional and scored decent there despite writing 0 tests.

Yeh koi kyun nahi bolta hai ki pura course 3 baar revise karo pre and mains ke beech main jahan last revision last 1 month mein hona chahiye.Agar kuch mugged up hai to apne aap jaldi recall hoga exam mein aur paper pura hoga.

I have written 2 mains and even secured interview call this time but I still can't figure out how ans writing helps.If one has internalised something,know how to write intro and conclu,has mugged up data and articles and sdg and arc and punchi one will write that in exam.How will ans writing change anything.It is beyond me.Isliye I to believe mug up 4-5 times entire syllabus and one can write things in exam with decent content and even finish paper.

Baaki abhi marks to nahi aaye hain.Isliye I don't know how much of it is true.Maybe all of it is false and I may be shooting in dark.But this is the change I made between these 2 attempts and result changed to positive.I believe ans writing is a hoax created by coaching to earn money.Nobody knows who check the copies,vision test questions are nowhere close to upsc questions.Agar test series ke question repeat ho jab to fayda ho,wo to hota nahi hai.Vision puchta hai ways to save water,upsc specifically puchti hai storage.How does ans writing helps.Only if 1 has issue in finishing papers 1 should go for tests else one should focus solely on finishin course and mugging it up 4-5 times.

If one has'nt revised laxmikanth 5 days before gs 2 one will not be able to recall articles and judgements.If I have'nt read nolan(which I did'nt last year)I can't figure out how writing tests could help.

All of this is my guess.Baaki aage dekho marks kitne aate hain aur kya hota hai.Best of luck to all of us.Hospital se aane ke baad pehla kaam yahi kiya hai.Best of luck again

I wish I could agree with you on this! 

I did exactly what you described for this mains. No answer writing at all, barley a couple of questions here and there. (This was my second mains btw and I had done only 8 FLTs for last mains too)

My main focus was only on revision, revision and more revision. I did reproduce all the articles, reports and data wherever I could. Like I mentioned Article for the speaker in GS2 and revenue neutral rate in GST compensation issue in GS3. Also, I believe these are not isolated examples. In most questions,I thinkI did quote some data relevant to the question. Atleast this is true of most of the 80 GS questions. 

But alas, I failed to qualify. 

Now the reasons for failure could be many:

1. Bad optional (philosophy) performance. Agreed paper 1 was a bouncer but I think paper 2 was good and more than enough to compensate.

2. Essay is the culprit but to be honest, I think both of my essays were good enough to atleast get average marks. 

3. Perhaps GS papers weren’t as good as I think they were. Or there are people better than me who mugged up more than I did. Also, I barely do diagrams. Never got the hang of it. Could this be the reason? 

4. My handwriting sucks. Perhaps this is why!? I know there are rankers who have bad writing but perhaps there were the exception and exceptions don’t disprove the rule that handwriting matters a lot. 

If you guys can throw some light on what could be the possible reasons for failure, I would really appreciate it. 

I’m at wit’s end right now. Have no clue on how to proceed. I barely have any motivation left in me. Zero discipline to study too. 

SunnyParasharsaid

Any insider info of interview postponment?They removed the notice now.It was initially on the website

musksaid

SunnyParasharsaid

Any idea of interviews?

Any idea of Prelims?? Telegram pe kya bol rhe hai log?

DramaticAdmiralsaid

CSE Interviews postponed too

DramaticAdmiralsaid

@SunnyParashar https://www.upsc.gov.in/highlight Can you see it here?

musksaid

SunnyParasharsaid

DramaticAdmiralsaid

CSE Interviews postponed too

I can't see it on website?

https://www.upsc.gov.in/content/press-release-april-19-2021

SunnyParasharsaid

musksaid

SunnyParasharsaid

DramaticAdmiralsaid

CSE Interviews postponed too

I can't see it on website?

https://www.upsc.gov.in/content/press-release-april-19-2021

Showing error

Celebornsaid

@SunnyParashar Unfortunately he didn't clear. I don't know if he's active here on the forum currently.

SergioRamossaid

Everyone wants a piece of UPSC pie.
Devdutt Patnaik Bhau with a new book on Culture!

PursuitofHappynesssaid

@SunnyParashar I think your are talking about Neha Bhosle ma'am blog on csewiki from mumbai. She seems to be genuine girl as she has also put comprehensive strategy on prelims+ mains. I feel as she was preparing for 3 years she must have been able to cover sources she mentioned. She had later joined shankar ias for socio na?

Don't think she will be one among putting manipulated strategy after results.

kalzysaid

@SunnyParashar Please throw some light on need to revamp notes. I also have Sociology optional.

TabsAndChordssaid

SunnyParasharsaid

I have a query:

Today, I was going through Rank 15 sociology's strategy. After reading her strategy,I almost felt like a dwarf in front of whatever she has done for sociology.But when I saw her marks I realized that she got similar marks as mine in pap 2 and not much more in pap 1(where I had misinterpreted 2 20 markers).

Now my query is do toppers always do what they tell or all this talk comes after getting a rank,I believed its humanely impossible to retain so much in the exam whatever she wrote.How can one do so much?If people do so much should'nt they be getting 300 marks and not marks similar to mortals like me.

This query is being written purely out of anxiety.Should I start remaking my optional notes again?How do people follow so many sources and still able to retain so much?Should this free time be used in making optional notes again again

i saw her notes and started doubting on my notes . how did she read so many books and then made notes at one place and remembered them ?

palindrome7said

@necromancer : just checked now, UPSC 61st Annual report for 2010-2011. 2009 Final results were declared on May 6th, 2010.

https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/61Annual%20Report%202010-11%20Eng.pdf

But I see where this date 9/06/2010 might have come from. I believe this is the date on which they published marks. Screenshot here. 

Sherkhan1428said

A genuine doubt !

Many Australian Cricketers have pulled out of the IPL. Even Ashwin has gone home to be with family. And we have statements like these from cricketers like Andrew Tye and Adam Zampa :

“Looking at it from an Indian point of view, how are these companies and franchises spending so much money, and the government, on the IPL when there’s people not being able to get accepted into hospital?"

"Someone who has a family member on death bed doesn’t care about cricket."

Now if this were an ethics case study...or an interview question...How do you defend this ? Or for that matter, How do you attack this ? Is it really right for the IPL to take place amidst such gloom and doom ? Or are they just "doing their jobs?" I mean I have too many questions. I even had an argument with my brother (a die hard cricket fanatic) who I must say has graduated with flying colors from the "Whatsapp university."

But you guys are different. How to form an opinion on this ?

Itachisaid

Sherkhan1428said

A genuine doubt !

Many Australian Cricketers have pulled out of the IPL. Even Ashwin has gone home to be with family. And we have statements like these from cricketers like Andrew Tye and Adam Zampa :

“Looking at it from an Indian point of view, how are these companies and franchises spending so much money, and the government, on the IPL when there’s people not being able to get accepted into hospital?"

"Someone who has a family member on death bed doesn’t care about cricket."

Now if this were an ethics case study...or an interview question...How do you defend this ? Or for that matter, How do you attack this ? Is it really right for the IPL to take place amidst such gloom and doom ? Or are they just "doing their jobs?" I mean I have too many questions. I even had an argument with my brother who gave some meaningless arguments. 

But you guys are different. How to form an opinion on this ?

BCCI stand-  how does cancellation of ipl help corona crisis??.....

we can have debate on above point...

but apart from entertainment...This years ipl is important from India's perspective... because we have a T20 world cup this year and the team that will play will be majorly decided on the basis of ipl performance.

also after ipl as far as i know we don't have any t20i with any other country....we would be busy with world test championship and then a tour with england....hence ipl will decide who will play in t20 worldcup....which will be played in India....( of course if the corona situation is not worse then)....hence ipl is necessary apart from mental positivity part...

also should the worldcup be postponed like Olympics again??.... that is another debate... 

so playing ipl can be considered as duty...maybe???.. correct me if i am wrong...

Hououin_Kyoumasaid

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SunnyParasharsaid

@Inselberg Hmm.But you did test series right.

What was the case there?At how many satisfactory questions does vision gives a 100.

About test series, I always have genuine doubts. 

As I flunked prelims 2020, got the evaluator's job at one of the reputed coaching.  Issues with test series are first they have standard marks for answer like no to 6+ for 10 marker and no 8+ to 15 marker. Also as there were two stages for evaluation (atleast where I worked), I was the first one to evaluate and there was another person to verify some things, so no way I could have given marks as I wanted. And the recency bias of one copy changes the perspective about other's answer drastically.

for an avg answer I would give 3.5/4 then after going through 3-4 copies I usually can't decide what to be considered as avg answer. Why to give 3.5 not 4 and why not 4.5 and so on.  in this process some great answer gets just above avg marks and some below avg gets undeserving marks.  It is basically a flawedexercise. (My feelings were same when I used to give Vision tests for 2019 mains, where they would give 3 marks for some random last minute answer and for a good answer by any means just 3.5 )

Don't know how it works for others but atleast these are my experiences.

Also if in UPSC we see marks like 140+ it means good answers can be rewarded like 8/10 or 12/15. 

But one thing is for sure standout copies can't be ignored, it is hard to give any suggestions to them. There were some aspirants I knew would clear mains and most of them did (among the copies I evaluated)

Also the wholesomeness of answer can be sensed when one finishes the conclusion. The only issue remains in some questions where either miss some part of the answer or fail to understand the question properly. 

PS: Baaki to UPSC jaaney

  

mahi2501said

Got some respite today after UPSC Mains debacle.

Cleared RBI PHASE 2.

Inselbergsaid

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SunnyParasharsaid

Hououin_Kyoumasaid

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SunnyParasharsaid

@Inselberg Hmm.But you did test series right.

What was the case there?At how many satisfactory questions does vision gives a 100.

About test series, I always have genuine doubts. 

As I flunked prelims 2020, got the evaluator's job at one of the reputed coaching.  Issues with test series are first they have standard marks for answer like no to 6+ for 10 marker and no 8+ to 15 marker. Also as there were two stages for evaluation (atleast where I worked), I was the first one to evaluate and there was another person to verify some things, so no way I could have given marks as I wanted. And the recency bias of one copy changes the perspective about other's answer drastically.

for an avg answer I would give 3.5/4 then after going through 3-4 copies I usually can't decide what to be considered as avg answer. Why to give 3.5 not 4 and why not 4.5 and so on.  in this process some great answer gets just above avg marks and some below avg gets undeserving marks.  It is basically a flawedexercise. (My feelings were same when I used to give Vision tests for 2019 mains, where they would give 3 marks for some random last minute answer and for a good answer by any means just 3.5 )

Don't know how it works for others but atleast these are my experiences.

Also if in UPSC we see marks like 140+ it means good answers can be rewarded like 8/10 or 12/15. 

But one thing is for sure standout copies can't be ignored, it is hard to give any suggestions to them. There were some aspirants I knew would clear mains and most of them did (among the copies I evaluated)

Also the wholesomeness of answer can be sensed when one finishes the conclusion. The only issue remains in some questions where either miss some part of the answer or fail to understand the question properly. 

PS: Baaki to UPSC jaaney

  

Hmm.

So those people who cleared mains(among the best copies you checked) how many answers they answered satisfactorily in a test.10-12, 14 or 16 answers?This is because I see on mrunal people always telling they did 10-12 answers satisfactorily and still they manage to score in 420-450 range in gs.

Thanks for the insight.

Could you please a post of link for the same? Who has said so?

Steph_Currysaid

Can someone please recommend any Ethics test series with decent evaluation based on your experience?

Thank You. 

D503said

what would be considered average score in gs2 this year

Patootiesaid

I think the time is ripe for an oft repeated IIT joke. 

How do you tell if someone went to an IIT?

Don’t worry, they’ll tell you. :P

Patootiesaid

SunnyParasharsaid

Patootiesaid

I think the time is ripe for an oft repeated IIT joke. 

How do you tell if someone went to an IIT?

Don’t worry, they’ll tell you. :P

People will tell they went to iit.But won't tell that they got into it with 1 lakh rank(if you know what i mean) when I missed it despite getting 10678 rank.

Similarly people advised me last year about writing mains answer because they had got 750s rank.When marks came I had more marks than them,but I did'nt get interview call(if you know what I mean)

Anyways,frustration of abhilash in episode 5 sitting on that tea shop was genuine.Many feel the same way.

If you know what I mean.Anyways there is no point in discussing things I can't change.Best of luck to all of us.

1 thing I realized here is that people will discuss very high intelluctual things.Tell you that they xyz rank or have done pqr things.They put you down.

But when you do background check you come to know you knew much more than them,had better marks than them.

Thanks and bye.Don't curse me now.Had I known this gyaan some 2 months back I would have been much more calm now.

It was eye opening 2 months here.

Thanks @Noleisgoat for all you have done.

Peace and amen

Mate congrats on your interview call and all, but by “if you know what I mean”, you are putting down the achievements of reserved candidates. You are basically doing what you accuse others of doing. Failure is a tough pill to swallow, but there are a great number of lessons for you if you manage to swallow it with grace.

whatonlysaid

Some points I noted down that kept coming up in different topics. The plan was to use them wherever I needed a point or two more as a last resort.

1. Encourage people’s engagement - CBOs, SHGs, PRI

2. Strengthen legislative and regulatory framework

3. Use technology: AI, ML

4. For legislation, refer to Law Commission 

5. UDHR, SDG, DPSP

6. Portal has been launched (true for most things)

7. Urban-rural angle

8. Any tech ->digital divide

9. Any tech ->privacy, security, data sovereignty

10. Build skills

11. Grievance redressal mechanisms

12. Challenge - Lack of research

13. Projects ->Land acquisition problems

14. Economy ->investor confidence will be affected

15. Develop standard operating procedures

16. Agriculture, infra ->land records digitisation

17. Social issues ->collect detailed data

18. Local language for communications

19. Reduce GST for sector 

20. Challenge - weak regulation

21. Problem with program: cost overruns

I started doing this only towards the end, so the list can be much longer!

peterparkersaid

SunnyParasharsaid

whatonlysaid

Some points I noted down that kept coming up in different topics. The plan was to use them wherever I needed a point or two more as a last resort.

1. Encourage people’s engagement - CBOs, SHGs, PRI

2. Strengthen legislative and regulatory framework

3. Use technology: AI, ML

4. For legislation, refer to Law Commission 

5. UDHR, SDG, DPSP

6. Portal has been launched (true for most things)

7. Urban-rural angle

8. Any tech ->digital divide

9. Any tech ->privacy, security, data sovereignty

10. Build skills

11. Grievance redressal mechanisms

12. Challenge - Lack of research

13. Projects ->Land acquisition problems

14. Economy ->investor confidence will be affected

15. Develop standard operating procedures

16. Agriculture, infra ->land records digitisation

17. Social issues ->collect detailed data

18. Local language for communications

19. Reduce GST for sector 

20. Challenge - weak regulation

21. Problem with program: cost overruns

I started doing this only towards the end, so the list can be much longer!

Seeing the way you study and the sources you mention,I wonder how I even managed to clear pre let alone mains.

I have been anti thesis of what neywan here on any coaching or an odeal aspirant would suggest.

0 tests,0 answers written(a.k.a no answer writing.Just got guidance from mother),0 pre tests,left ancient and medievel history,left world history,left post independence.Did only ncerts for geography(Heard pmfias for the 1st time today).Don't know what is vision vam.0 diagram,0 hub and spoke.

Have'nt seen any mrunal lecture

Have'nt seen The Hindu since end of 2019.

2 test written for optional,nothing else.0 essays written.

Have'nt seen any coaching material for optional.

I wonder Should I leave interview prep and start prep from scratch again .

Strange things happen.

Dekho kya hota hai.

No offence mate. But why are you so unsure of yourselves most of the times? U did clear mains. People with more intensive strategies couldnt. Have some faith in yourself.  

How will you attempt interview with this attitude? Please bring some positivity. 🙂

whatonlysaid

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SunnyParasharsaid

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whatonlysaid

Some points I noted down that kept coming up in different topics. The plan was to use them wherever I needed a point or two more as a last resort.

1. Encourage people’s engagement - CBOs, SHGs, PRI

2. Strengthen legislative and regulatory framework

3. Use technology: AI, ML

4. For legislation, refer to Law Commission 

5. UDHR, SDG, DPSP

6. Portal has been launched (true for most things)

7. Urban-rural angle

8. Any tech ->digital divide

9. Any tech ->privacy, security, data sovereignty

10. Build skills

11. Grievance redressal mechanisms

12. Challenge - Lack of research

13. Projects ->Land acquisition problems

14. Economy ->investor confidence will be affected

15. Develop standard operating procedures

16. Agriculture, infra ->land records digitisation

17. Social issues ->collect detailed data

18. Local language for communications

19. Reduce GST for sector 

20. Challenge - weak regulation

21. Problem with program: cost overruns

I started doing this only towards the end, so the list can be much longer!

Seeing the way you study and the sources you mention,I wonder how I even managed to clear pre let alone mains.

I have been anti thesis of what neywan here on any coaching or an odeal aspirant would suggest.

0 tests,0 answers written(a.k.a no answer writing.Just got guidance from mother),0 pre tests,left ancient and medievel history,left world history,left post independence.Did only ncerts for geography(Heard pmfias for the 1st time today).Don't know what is vision vam.0 diagram,0 hub and spoke.

Have'nt seen any mrunal lecture

Have'nt seen The Hindu since end of 2019.

2 test written for optional,nothing else.0 essays written.

Have'nt seen any coaching material for optional.

I wonder Should I leave interview prep and start prep from scratch again .

Strange things happen.

Dekho kya hota hai.

If you've managed to come so far without doing any of these standard things, you must have something really original and effective in your arsenal. I can't even imagine how you managed to pass prelims without giving mocks. If you were confident enough to do it your own way, and your confidence was rewarded in the results, there's no reason to stop now. All the best for the interview :) whatever worked until now should work there too if you let it. Please don't lose any hope now after having come so far. You've earned your achievement. And I forgot to mention I did not end up using any of those points in the actual exam 😛

farzicodersaid

nerdfightersaid

peterparkersaid

Can a group be made for weekly essay practice and reviewing?

I know there are lot of issues involved while forming such groups. But, if there is any such group or you people are interested in forming such a group, do add me. Or should I join a test series to improve my essay writing ? 

Your reviews on any essay test series that you people joined..?

Yes. We should. Count me in me if you decide to start something.

Hey, I am also interested. If others who are interested agree, we can start today itself from 3:00-4:30 (1 essay per week). Submit by 5. Read others answers by 6 and discussions/peer reviews for 1~1.5 hrs after that.

What do you say ? Also, I think it will be feasible to keep size of group slightly small (<=7~8)

DeekshitaPsaid

SunnyParasharsaid

farzicodersaid

nerdfightersaid

peterparkersaid

Can a group be made for weekly essay practice and reviewing?

I know there are lot of issues involved while forming such groups. But, if there is any such group or you people are interested in forming such a group, do add me. Or should I join a test series to improve my essay writing ? 

Your reviews on any essay test series that you people joined..?

Yes. We should. Count me in me if you decide to start something.

Hey, I am also interested. If others who are interested agree, we can start today itself from 3:00-4:30 (1 essay per week). Submit by 5. Read others answers by 6 and discussions/peer reviews for 1~1.5 hrs after that.

What do you say ? Also, I think it will be feasible to keep size of group slightly small (<=7~8)

Follow my strategy.

Don't write any essay.Just see topper copies.In this way you will be original in the exam and originality is rewarded.

Go in exam with a blank mind as if you have'nt studied anything.

When you make frameworks,write essays beforehand trust me you lose out(I lost out last year due to this).

This year I went with a blank mind.0 essays written.

And in exam in ships essay I could start with macauly real life story,quoted recent corona examples,gandhi sins,namaste london film and could conclude with another poem made on the spot in exam.

In patriarchy essay,again could invent a poem on the spot in the exam about patriarchy being not visible still being present,could quote gargi,razia sultana.Write about deepika padukone and indira gandhi and other usual stuff like data,policies and could divide essay using subheadings like Lighting Candles of equality.Concluded with a nehru quote.

All of this could be done as mind was'nt occupied by advises or frameworks.

Wrote whatever I felt and in whatever way I felt was right.

Although marks are still not out,I am hopeful of atleast scoring above average if not the topmost marks.

Thanks.

I honestly don’t have the confidence to do something like this. Personally, I work best when I have some pre-meditated idea of what I intend to write and basically reproduce a version of that in the exam hall. This sort of spontaneity is quite unnerving

DramaticAdmiralsaid

@SunnyParashar What did you eat today? Exuding so much confidence

Aquamansaid

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SunnyParasharsaid

DeekshitaPsaid

SunnyParasharsaid

farzicodersaid

nerdfightersaid

peterparkersaid

Can a group be made for weekly essay practice and reviewing?

I know there are lot of issues involved while forming such groups. But, if there is any such group or you people are interested in forming such a group, do add me. Or should I join a test series to improve my essay writing ? 

Your reviews on any essay test series that you people joined..?

Yes. We should. Count me in me if you decide to start something.

Hey, I am also interested. If others who are interested agree, we can start today itself from 3:00-4:30 (1 essay per week). Submit by 5. Read others answers by 6 and discussions/peer reviews for 1~1.5 hrs after that.

What do you say ? Also, I think it will be feasible to keep size of group slightly small (<=7~8)

Follow my strategy.

Don't write any essay.Just see topper copies.In this way you will be original in the exam and originality is rewarded.

Go in exam with a blank mind as if you have'nt studied anything.

When you make frameworks,write essays beforehand trust me you lose out(I lost out last year due to this).

This year I went with a blank mind.0 essays written.

And in exam in ships essay I could start with macauly real life story,quoted recent corona examples,gandhi sins,namaste london film and could conclude with another poem made on the spot in exam.

In patriarchy essay,again could invent a poem on the spot in the exam about patriarchy being not visible still being present,could quote gargi,razia sultana.Write about deepika padukone and indira gandhi and other usual stuff like data,policies and could divide essay using subheadings like Lighting Candles of equality.Concluded with a nehru quote.

All of this could be done as mind was'nt occupied by advises or frameworks.

Wrote whatever I felt and in whatever way I felt was right.

Although marks are still not out,I am hopeful of atleast scoring above average if not the topmost marks.

Thanks.

I honestly don’t have the confidence to do something like this. Personally, I work best when I have some pre-meditated idea of what I intend to write and basically reproduce a version of that in the exam hall. This sort of spontaneity is quite unnerving

Not only in essay.I did this this in all gs papers and even optional.0 answers written.

Even in pre I wrote 0 pre tests.

I had decided f**k all coachings,all toppers advises as they led to my downfall in last attempt.

I decided I would write whatever I feel in whatever way I feel in the exam in all the 7 papers and even in pre.

Thanks to rishab pant and his coach.

Dekho kya hota hai.

@SunnyParashar what did you even do then? If not in this attempt you might have written answers in the earlier attempts right?

Patootiesaid

SunnyParasharsaid

DeekshitaPsaid

SunnyParasharsaid

farzicodersaid

nerdfightersaid

peterparkersaid

Can a group be made for weekly essay practice and reviewing?

I know there are lot of issues involved while forming such groups. But, if there is any such group or you people are interested in forming such a group, do add me. Or should I join a test series to improve my essay writing ? 

Your reviews on any essay test series that you people joined..?

Yes. We should. Count me in me if you decide to start something.

Hey, I am also interested. If others who are interested agree, we can start today itself from 3:00-4:30 (1 essay per week). Submit by 5. Read others answers by 6 and discussions/peer reviews for 1~1.5 hrs after that.

What do you say ? Also, I think it will be feasible to keep size of group slightly small (<=7~8)

Follow my strategy.

Don't write any essay.Just see topper copies.In this way you will be original in the exam and originality is rewarded.

Go in exam with a blank mind as if you have'nt studied anything.

When you make frameworks,write essays beforehand trust me you lose out(I lost out last year due to this).

This year I went with a blank mind.0 essays written.

And in exam in ships essay I could start with macauly real life story,quoted recent corona examples,gandhi sins,namaste london film and could conclude with another poem made on the spot in exam.

In patriarchy essay,again could invent a poem on the spot in the exam about patriarchy being not visible still being present,could quote gargi,razia sultana.Write about deepika padukone and indira gandhi and other usual stuff like data,policies and could divide essay using subheadings like Lighting Candles of equality.Concluded with a nehru quote.

All of this could be done as mind was'nt occupied by advises or frameworks.

Wrote whatever I felt and in whatever way I felt was right.

Although marks are still not out,I am hopeful of atleast scoring above average if not the topmost marks.

Thanks.

I honestly don’t have the confidence to do something like this. Personally, I work best when I have some pre-meditated idea of what I intend to write and basically reproduce a version of that in the exam hall. This sort of spontaneity is quite unnerving

Not only in essay.I did this this in all gs papers and even optional.0 answers written.

Even in pre I wrote 0 pre tests.

I had decided f**k all coachings,all toppers advises as they led to my downfall in last attempt.

I decided I would write whatever I feel in whatever way I feel in the exam in all the 7 papers and even in pre.

Thanks to rishab pant and his coach.

Dekho kya hota hai.

Congrats on clearing, but I feel not practicing either essay or answer writing or mocks for prelims is far from ideal for the average aspirant. Rather, I would say it’s a recipe for disaster. However, I agree with you that falling into a rut or being extremely rigid in answer writing can be dangerous as well. I think practice helps one to identify their own strengths and weaknesses and mould their answers accordingly. It is true that most coaching classes have a model for everything which they try to shove down your throat. That is probably because it is an average Joe safe approach. If one has a good understanding of this exam and of themselves, they’ll know how best to utilise the feedback from coaching institutes. Sometimes, it might be to accept the advice wholeheartedly. Sometimes, it might be to accept parts of the advice. Sometimes, it would be to reject it altogether. Either way, way too many people have passed and failed in this exam for us to say that there is a correct approach that will work for everyone. 

There is so much about your approach that I don’t agree with. Yet, you cleared the exam using it and I’m happy that you did. Good luck for your interview. :)

Aquamansaid

@SunnyParashar  no your approach for mains sounds logical as you make handwritten notes, so i am assuming you make it in a format you write the answers so u are done with the structuring aspect of answer writing. Also I believe you have written mains before so u have a hang of this exam. I struggle to complete the paper + I make online notes so answer writing becomes a must for me. In the end, everyone's goal is the same but each one is at a different level, so the means ought to be different one can't generalize 

Aquamansaid

@SunnyParashar And also what was your strategy for prelims?

Bepopsaid

@SunnyParashar Did you have socio optional by chance? If yes can you tell in brief what you did?

Ajatashatrusaid

@SunnyParashar I followed your strategy for prelims, except solved some PYQ. But for mains mugging up word for word takes a lot of time right? Did you do mains 365. I also think your strategy is right but it took me a lot of time for mains.

Ajatashatrusaid

@SunnyParashar and how many times did you revise your handwritten notes?

Neyawnsaid

This will be very useful. Because MP does tell the whole thing like a story, and it makes for good foundation. Just that it takes time. But once you do it, you know things like a pro. I may have deleted my comment because I thought me stepping in sometimes stalls the good conversation which is not at all the intention :)

I love the book myself. They are my favourite apart from a ten year collection of Economic Surveys :)

PursuitofHappynesssaid

» show previous quotes

SunnyParasharsaid

Aquamansaid

@SunnyParashar And also what was your strategy for prelims?

Mugged up vision monthly by heart.Mugged up insights daily ca and daily quiz by heart.Revise them and all the standard books 15 days before exam.

Did you take hard copy of monthlies and revised like maniac as u say? and for this mains from which month you would read monthlies??

Mains 365 also have monthly content only.. Would it be wrong to go for mains365 in your  view or you think they skip imp themes>?

Neyawnsaid

SunnyParasharsaid

Neyawnsaid

This will be very useful. Because MP does tell the whole thing like a story, and it makes for good foundation. Just that it takes time. But once you do it, you know things like a pro. I may have deleted my comment because I thought me stepping in sometimes stalls the good conversation which is not at all the intention :)

I love the book myself. They are my favourite apart from a ten year collection of Economic Surveys :)

@Neyawn.Please comment on the ongoing discussion.

I seem to have done everything different to everyone else.

Do you know anyone who cleared exam with this approach

Thank you for the encouragement :) Sometimes I feel like a Neanderthal on the forum itself :)

P.S. I am happy that you did admit that you revised like crazy. Some people would be following you advice . When we are an aspirant, we have an aspirant bias - that is - we assume that everyone know and reads as much as we do - without knowing that a lot of people will mix and match five advices - taking the minimum from each - and don’t write answer , test series because you said , won’t revise because some topper said he didn’t get the time , won’t do basic books because they read somewhere that I didn’t get time to do basic books and only solved test papers ( some people do that ) and ends up doing nothing .

Then when you clear the exam, what gets highlighted in a popular video that you did nothing and yet cleared , without highlighting the replacement things you did :P

Also, I met an old man seeking guidance from him over my own career. I told him I am creative, innovating :P bit bad at routine work and fare badly on x,y,z parameters ( which are important for success in any way of life ) and I said - yet I am managing to do fine - he said - you are doing fine not because of the bad qualities of not doing routine work or having x,y, a but despite it .

A year later when I read a book - what got you here won’t get you there - I saw the same principles repeat, so stay a little cautious. 

dwightschrutesaid

SunnyParasharsaid

DeekshitaPsaid

SunnyParasharsaid

farzicodersaid

nerdfightersaid

peterparkersaid

Can a group be made for weekly essay practice and reviewing?

I know there are lot of issues involved while forming such groups. But, if there is any such group or you people are interested in forming such a group, do add me. Or should I join a test series to improve my essay writing ? 

Your reviews on any essay test series that you people joined..?

Yes. We should. Count me in me if you decide to start something.

Hey, I am also interested. If others who are interested agree, we can start today itself from 3:00-4:30 (1 essay per week). Submit by 5. Read others answers by 6 and discussions/peer reviews for 1~1.5 hrs after that.

What do you say ? Also, I think it will be feasible to keep size of group slightly small (<=7~8)

Follow my strategy.

Don't write any essay.Just see topper copies.In this way you will be original in the exam and originality is rewarded.

Go in exam with a blank mind as if you have'nt studied anything.

When you make frameworks,write essays beforehand trust me you lose out(I lost out last year due to this).

This year I went with a blank mind.0 essays written.

And in exam in ships essay I could start with macauly real life story,quoted recent corona examples,gandhi sins,namaste london film and could conclude with another poem made on the spot in exam.

In patriarchy essay,again could invent a poem on the spot in the exam about patriarchy being not visible still being present,could quote gargi,razia sultana.Write about deepika padukone and indira gandhi and other usual stuff like data,policies and could divide essay using subheadings like Lighting Candles of equality.Concluded with a nehru quote.

All of this could be done as mind was'nt occupied by advises or frameworks.

Wrote whatever I felt and in whatever way I felt was right.

Although marks are still not out,I am hopeful of atleast scoring above average if not the topmost marks.

Thanks.

I honestly don’t have the confidence to do something like this. Personally, I work best when I have some pre-meditated idea of what I intend to write and basically reproduce a version of that in the exam hall. This sort of spontaneity is quite unnerving

Not only in essay.I did this this in all gs papers and even optional.0 answers written.

Even in pre I wrote 0 pre tests.

I had decided f**k all coachings,all toppers advises as they led to my downfall in last attempt.

I decided I would write whatever I feel in whatever way I feel in the exam in all the 7 papers and even in pre.

Thanks to rishab pant and his coach.

Dekho kya hota hai.

Man I hope you make it because that'll open up a whole new dimension of preparing for this exam. Personally, I'd be sh*tting bricks if the first time I write an answer is when I'm sitting for Mains. But obviously you're comfortable with it and I feel once we know whatworks for us then preparation becomes easier. 

On a side note, I saw your optional is Socio. I'd be very thankful if you could dm me your strategy for it in brief. Cheers! 

Ajatashatrusaid

So in general people go for multiple readings or mugging up?

D503said

 aajkal vomit krne wale question aarhe hai kya upsc me. Mujhe toh bhut analytical lagte.

nerdfightersaid

» show previous quotes

mehuifssaid

Ajatashatrusaid

So in general people go for multiple readings or mugging up?

Isn't multiple readings done to mug up?

Actually reading multiple times does not help you in mugging up. Mugging up can be done best only with active recall. You may not call it active recall but if you are great at mugging up, you are most probably active recalling in some form. 

There are two different things: One isrecognizingand one isknowing. Multiple reading helps us recognize the things more. There is a chapter in the book"Make it Stick"called 'Avoiding Illusions of Knowing". It argues that multiple reading only gives us illusion of reading. But in reality, we are just getting more and more familiar with the text and not the underlying context, ideas and concepts. What I mean is that suppose you read a Shakespearean sonnet multiple times, it doesn't mean you understand it better. You may understand it better, that is a different thing. But most often what happens is that you become more familiar with how that sonnet sounds, its words, its language etc. You get familiar with the language, not the underlying ideas. 

Call it mugging up or whatever, But you will be able to regurgitate a data, a specific quote, a line, keywords, etc. only when you employ the technique of active recall in some form. This can be achieved by testing more. Asking yourself questions & answering them yourself & repeating till you get it exactly right, reviewing Flashcards, drawing Mind Maps without referring to the source.  

nerdfightersaid

Luffysaid

@nerdfighter you should make a blog on how to use anki for upsc . i have seen you use it on daily basis.

I have deleted so many flashcards multiple times. I don't want to evangelize it before I get the method right. There are so many questions to address. Why should you use a flashcard? When should you use it? Earlier when I started using it, I used to make a lot of prelims purposes, then I realized prelims is not about knowing. It is also great for an optional like mine i.e. PSIR where you have to quote scholars and quotes. Then, I started using it mostly for mains, data, quotes, etc. If I feel I have a grip on it & I think this is the way to go, I'll write a post on my existing blog.  But I am not very sure about it myself at this point.  

nerdfightersaid

SunnyParasharsaid

nerdfightersaid

mehuifssaid

Ajatashatrusaid

So in general people go for multiple readings or mugging up?

Isn't multiple readings done to mug up?

Actually reading multiple times does not help you in mugging up. Mugging up can be done best only with active recall. You may not call it active recall but if you are great at mugging up, you are most probably active recalling in some form. 

There are two different things: One isrecognizingand one isknowing. Multiple reading helps us recognize the things more. There is a chapter in the book"Make it Stick"called 'Avoiding Illusions of Knowing". It argues that multiple reading only gives us illusion of reading. But in reality, we are just getting more and more familiar with the text and not the underlying context, ideas and concepts. What I mean is that suppose you read a Shakespearean sonnet multiple times, it doesn't mean you understand it better. You may understand it better, that is a different thing. But most often what happens is that you become more familiar with how that sonnet sounds, its words, its language etc. You get familiar with the language, not the underlying ideas. 

Call it mugging up or whatever, But you will be able to regurgitate a data, a specific quote, a line, keywords, etc. only when you employ the technique of active recall in some form. This can be achieved by testing more. Asking yourself questions & answering them yourself & repeating till you get it exactly right, reviewing Flashcards, drawing Mind Maps without referring to the source.  

Yes this is what I do.

I sit, read things loudly,mug it up.Hide the answer with my hand and try to say aloud the answer again.

Will do this for question 1-5,then 6-10 then 1-10 then 11-15, then 1-15 then 16-20 and then 1-20.

In this way each question gets revised 4 times in 1 sitting of 2-3 hours.

Maybe that explains why don'nt forget things I have read once and maybe that also explains why am I not left with any time to write answers.Its like we used to do in class 5th or 6th.

Thanks@nerdfighter for putting it in words.

I meant the same thing but was'nt able to explain it in words

I am trying this for my PSIR optional. I've seen that I know stuff. Like, I can take a class on Plato but I kindda fail when writing an answer on Plato especially in the time limit. So, some kind of mugging up is important, I feel. Like, if you have some quote or some lines on tip of your tongue, the engine doesn't need a lot of time studying. Less of thinking on the time of actual writing.

Still this is what I am trying. Let's see if this what I stick to in the long term.

Luffysaid

@SunnyParashar me too

Inselbergsaid

SunnyParasharsaid

» show previous quotes» show previous quotes» show previous quotes

DeekshitaPsaid

SunnyParasharsaid

farzicodersaid

nerdfightersaid

peterparkersaid

Can a group be made for weekly essay practice and reviewing?

I know there are lot of issues involved while forming such groups. But, if there is any such group or you people are interested in forming such a group, do add me. Or should I join a test series to improve my essay writing ? 

Your reviews on any essay test series that you people joined..?

Yes. We should. Count me in me if you decide to start something.

Hey, I am also interested. If others who are interested agree, we can start today itself from 3:00-4:30 (1 essay per week). Submit by 5. Read others answers by 6 and discussions/peer reviews for 1~1.5 hrs after that.

What do you say ? Also, I think it will be feasible to keep size of group slightly small (<=7~8)

Follow my strategy.

Don't write any essay.Just see topper copies.In this way you will be original in the exam and originality is rewarded.

Go in exam with a blank mind as if you have'nt studied anything.

When you make frameworks,write essays beforehand trust me you lose out(I lost out last year due to this).

This year I went with a blank mind.0 essays written.

And in exam in ships essay I could start with macauly real life story,quoted recent corona examples,gandhi sins,namaste london film and could conclude with another poem made on the spot in exam.

In patriarchy essay,again could invent a poem on the spot in the exam about patriarchy being not visible still being present,could quote gargi,razia sultana.Write about deepika padukone and indira gandhi and other usual stuff like data,policies and could divide essay using subheadings like Lighting Candles of equality.Concluded with a nehru quote.

All of this could be done as mind was'nt occupied by advises or frameworks.

Wrote whatever I felt and in whatever way I felt was right.

Although marks are still not out,I am hopeful of atleast scoring above average if not the topmost marks.

Thanks.

I honestly don’t have the confidence to do something like this. Personally, I work best when I have some pre-meditated idea of what I intend to write and basically reproduce a version of that in the exam hall. This sort of spontaneity is quite unnerving

Not only in essay.I did this this in all gs papers and even optional.0 answers written.

Even in pre I wrote 0 pre tests.

I had decided f**k all coachings,all toppers advises as they led to my downfall in last attempt.

I decided I would write whatever I feel in whatever way I feel in the exam in all the 7 papers and even in pre.

Thanks to rishab pant and his coach.

Dekho kya hota hai.

Bhai, for all the good suggestions that you have given, I feel compelled to point out some problematic ones as well. I do this not to discredit your hard work or even your strategy, as you said, we don't know yet. You might end up with a single digit rank or even outside the merit list. Although, probability is in favor of the latter for each interview appearing candidate :) But I really wish that you achieve the former :) Your hard work of making hand written notes, mugging them and going through these long committee reports must've helped in scoring big in mains. 

I am doing this for other aspirants who are reading this thread. 2k views and hardly 30 contributors, so in the interest of this silent audience. The claim is not really accurate of writing 0 test, 0 essays, 0 answers. I understand that perhaps you are referring to not writing any test series. But, but, we have to be very careful with our words. You already had experience of one mains. Mains 2019. Which I am sure you must have analyzed and learnt from your past mistakes. This is important to highlight. 

So, for others who are reading this, guys, it is not advisable to venture unprepared into mains examination. You don't compulsorily need to write any xyz coaching test series ofcourse :) But one must be well versed with UPSC PYQs and better get your answers verified by someone experienced. Just to know that you are on the right track.

Also, I want to highlight what Rishabh Pant said recently in a post match - "With experience I have learnt that there is nothing called as play your natural game. One needs to play according to the situation." 

Practice is important to know how to react in different situations. Also Sunny might have done his struggles to reach the right sources, but following a test series can help a beginner in course correction in terms of targeting one's energy especially when there is abundance of coaching material, toppers, their strategies, their material, their notes, every year. 

Nevertheless, his advices are really valuable. Originality is rewarded big time (experienced this myself) ; revision should be one's utmost priority ; some things you have to mug up, no alternative to this exists ; Intro and conclusion if prepared in advance for broader topics will help in saving crucial appox 15 mins in each paper. 

Cheers@SunnyParashar just wanted to give a clearer picture of what I understood that you wanted to convey.  

Mastersaid

@SunnyParashar You don't trust the people who told you that IAS,IPS,IFS,IRS(IT),IRS(C&CE) (ONLY?) are better than RBI-grade B? It seems a well researched set of services:D Btw it's fantastic service in terms of Salary, perks, residence and work life balance. Grab it!

Caesarsaid

@zombieland theek hua bhai, total random