November 20, 2024   Academy | Blog  | Community  | Our Philosophy
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Failing very badly in competitive exams

I’ve got nice percentages in boards and all those subjective exams and was also ranked 3rd during graduation but I’ve somehow not been able to figure out the right way to crack competitive exams, people with much lesser knowledge seem to crack them and with much lesser efforts. No matter how hard I study I keep failing…… can someone share the solution.  

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6 comments

You have not given a lot of details based on which one can answer.

1.4k views

Sorry. I gave the prelims last year (serious attempt) and I could score only in the 50s. Even before this during the JEE days I could never score good in any of the mock tests while all my friends scored much higher in tests and ultimately succeeded. 

All this while I've tried all sorts of classes but nothing seems to work. I mean I can rote learn the facts but somehow in the paper the hard work doesn't reflect.

Did not have the courage to enroll in the sfg program because it's tough to see failures everyday.

1.4k views
Marks matter less. 
I want to ask 2 things.
1. How is your IQ?
(IQ means, how quickly you grasp new concepts, your mathematical ability, how are you at chess , your speed etc)
2. Do you revise? Tell me
how do you study?
Neyawn,sangramnangare1gmail_com_1400829497
1.7k views

Hmm I get it,

1) Average IQ, it takes a lot of time to absorb new concepts and actual interlinking happens much later and most of the times either someone has to explain it or some question has to explicitly mention it before I get to understand theactual logic behind it. Pretty bad at chess, and logical reasoning stuff. Improvement can happen but then it's too much efforts. 

2) I tend to focus more on theory than practicing MCQs because I've this inherent feeling that if the theory part is clear then I'll be able to solve all the questions. So, I keep revising the notes and books over and over again. But this method is clearly not working out.

Gameon,
1.7k views
@Siebzehn Okay. Please read full.
Look brother, to be an IAS officer, we need to have a good IQ. It almost, is a must. 
And when I say good, it means really good.
This is the reason why we see mostly IIT graduates and AIIMS Graduates clearing this exam frequently, every year.
Unfortunately, IQ is fixed genetically, and at best it can be optimised to your own fixed potential, but it can not be improved(Most scientific studies say that)
Its pure luck and lottery. Those who are born geniuses. didn’t choose their genes in their mother’s womb. They got it by fluke.
Those who aren’t geniuses, didn’t choose to be so as well. Its luck and not in our control.

But the good news is, IAS is not IIT JEE. Neither it has only 1-2 attempts.
So there are higher chances, that you can compensate for your average IQ with more hardwork than in IIT JEE. Thats not possible in IIT at all, but here still there is some possibility.
Remember this , you will have to work a lot harder than others, and for longer time, consistently, to be able to be even in their competition ( This will be tough)
Also, optimise your intelligence. Do CSAT daily, with timer. Play chess. Yog and Dhyana, daily for 30 minutes.
Even some workout may help you.
It will surely take some 2-2.5 hours daily for you to do this, but trust me this will help. You can adjust what you need to do to optimise your intelligence according to your own comfort, but do something at least. 

2. Regarding your method of preparation,
your ideas are good for an ideal situation .
But for an exam like UPSC, where all geniuses are after it like hungry wolves and where everyone is doing everything they can to beat you, you will have to plan your method of preparation better.
No matter how much you study theory, it will be very difficult to clear prelims, if you have not solved at least 8000 UPSC like MCQs and their solutions. You also have to revise those solutions multiple times.
This I am saying, in addition to your complete coverage of the static and current part, that too revised multiple times.
So will be your mains preparation. Read good, make notes, revise indefinitely, write indefinitely, expect 0.
Unless you practice THE real life exam environment so much, that EXAM starts running in your blood, UPSC will keep eluding you.
and YES, never compare yourself to others.
Never say “He did it without solving MCQs or without revision or with less revision”
They can do it with no MCQs and Revision, but you can not.
Everyone is different. One size doesn’t fit all. Don’t compare. Work on yourself.
Work very very very hard, optimise your brain, do smart study, and do it consistently (never miss it even for a day, come what may)
and yes, expect 0 in return. There is still a good chance that you may succeed or may not succeed, even after doing so much.
You can do your Karm only. Result is not in your hands.
All the best.


MagnetWalker,sangramnangare1gmail_com_1400829497and2 otherslike this
1.4k views
@Gameon Thank you so much for explaining it elaborately. After reading it twice, things have started to make sense and I can finally see some light around and a direction to move in. I will get rid of this comparison mindset and re-attempt this examination with a fresh perspective. Thanks again :)


Gameon,
1.4k views
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