How manageable mains is after prelims?
I have joined MGP and writing tests regularly.But somehow not able to manage gs optional etc everything.
Also i want to give 6 months to prelims this time(failed 2 pre..1 not prepared 1 bit prepared)
@neywan and others.
If i gurantee you that I will clear this pre,then can you gurantee me that mains is manageable after pre(i will study for mains till November any how)
@sjerngal How to cover Peripheral topics like Society, IR, Governance, S&T for mains? It is necessary to read static books or notes for it or we can rely on CA and compilations?
Only Ias prahar, and do value addition from MGP,
Same question I had asked from my frd. Nydia waikhom ( air 180) last year, she suggested me the sane thing.
Ashutoshgupta,
Can people who have written mains suggest how to speed up my writing speed? (Takes me 9-10 mins for 10 markers and almost 15 mins for 15 markers)
I have always been a slow writer and never had really tried to write faster. Should just writing regularly be enough to speed my writing ?
Taking mains this year?
Can people who have written mains suggest how to speed up my writing speed? (Takes me 9-10 mins for 10 markers and almost 15 mins for 15 markers)
I have always been a slow writer and never had really tried to write faster. Should just writing regularly be enough to speed my writing ?
Taking mains this year?
No, for 2023
Can people who have written mains suggest how to speed up my writing speed? (Takes me 9-10 mins for 10 markers and almost 15 mins for 15 markers)
I have always been a slow writer and never had really tried to write faster. Should just writing regularly be enough to speed my writing ?
So basically it takes you 4 hours to write the full paper instead of 3. But this is 1 year before the actual exams. You have sufficient time to experiment. Things that improve speed:
1. Time taken to think the answer should be negligible as you come closer to the exam, you will improve with preparation.
2. Presentation - Diagrams/flowcharts/tables reduce time as you write less
3. Try Pilot v5, UB157s, UB200 pens to increase speed.
4. Focus on content till Prelims 2023. I can say with confidence that most of people who complete the actual exam don't complete the practice tests.
5. Check topper copies for Point#2.
Good luck!
@LuckyKat i am still taking 3hr 30mins to complete paper with mains hardly one month away are there any specific tips to increase speed in this short time?and to what extent does changing pen make a difference in time
3 suggestions for you@mvp
1. Even a 5% increase in speed would mean 1 extra question (2.5 pages out of 50) - I would share my own example - I started writing GS1 with UB 157s but it was not "gliding" the paper quality offered. It took my 9 minutes to write my first answer and I changed it to UB200 after 1st question coming down to the desired time. Doesn't hurt to experiment.
2. Not every question will be completed in the desired time of 7 and 10 minutes - The questions you know will take 6 and 9 minutes and the questions where you have to do "creative writing" will take 9 and 12. So a good strategy would be to "circle" the question for later where you know you will be doing this creative writing so that you don't end up taking 10 and 15 minutes in the flow. This also means that those who know 16 questions well - take about 2:45 to complete the paper and use rest of the time to underline. Not to forget 3-5 minutes are gone in filling up the OMR and showing documents - so keep them out on the table for minimum questioning.
3. The paper is distributed 3-4 minutes in advance where you can't write - use this time to read one full ethics case study in GS4 and to fully understand Q16 to Q20 in GS1-3 as you will be stressed by the time you reach these questions in the end. DON'T WASTE THIS TIME in looking at faces of other aspirants or "taking a feel" of the paper by reading all questions. It is the same for everyone.
These will surely help. Good luck!
@mvp @abracadabra been a left handed slow writer as well. My first mains I couldn’t complete the paper but this mains in 2021 I managed to complete all papers comfortably. What worked:
1. Reduce the time you take to think. Revise till things are on your tips
2. Changed my pen. I used a V5 in 2020, but this time I switched to a rorito fantaflow which glides on the paper and gives you a dark ink flow till the end. Also it has a thick nib which means you end up having to write lesser
3. Worked on handwriting and speed on a daily basis. I would do 1.5 hour tests and time with a watch to write in 7 minutes. I would switch to the next answer after 7 minutes irrespective of whether I’ve completed or not. After missing for a couple days I managed to get to my target. Timing and practising is crucial.
If you have notes ready for your optional, ethics and a decent part of GS, then mains after prelims is fairly manageable..
This would be a wise suggestion
When you do MGP or any other test series, try to close those subjects.
For instance if you are doing GS Paper2, write a tests, and solve all PYQs and make short notes of 70-80 topics.
You should be able to say that I have done at least 70-80% of the paper, and rest I will refine after prelims.
Also, do not discount the fact that here the choice is not between. Full prelims + full Mains vs full prelims and some Mains.
The choice is between good prelims and some Mains vs good Mains and no prelims.
I am no knight. Do not call me Sir|Philosophy behind ForumIAS
If you have notes ready for your optional, ethics and a decent part of GS, then mains after prelims is fairly manageable..This would be a wise suggestion
When you do MGP or any other test series, try to close those subjects.
For instance if you are doing GS Paper2, write a tests, and solve all PYQs and make short notes of 70-80 topics.
You should be able to say that I have done at least 70-80% of the paper, and rest I will refine after prelims.
Also, do not discount the fact that here the choice is not between. Full prelims + full Mains vs full prelims and some Mains.
The choice is between good prelims and some Mains vs good Mains and no prelims.
Wonderful✨😍 sir🙏
@LetsGetThisBread did you get the call for interview?
Yes
In my humble opinion, management of anything external has a pre-condition of self-awareness and managing your own weaknesses/strengths first. The reason of everyone having a different strategy is this self-awareness which leads to them taking different decisions` according to their own unique individuality. Since you have time, spend some time on this aspect necessarily. UPSC is ekam sat viparah bahuda vedanti, many paths lead to it, but you must be committed to your own path with iron-determination.
Well said
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