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)
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
@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.
@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!
@Neyawn what's the difference between good and some mains?Is good prelims and some mains acceptable combo for getting close to any rank?
That is always better than good mains and no prelims.
Also do not ignore the exam calendar. Prelims should be given dedicated time before Prelims, for it's preparation.
Most people study for prelims - as strange as it may sound - after prelims. And for Mains - after Mains.
I am no knight. Do not call me Sir|Philosophy behind ForumIAS
@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.
@Neyawn Would it be wise to complete notes first and then write all the tests ?I had joined mgp+ in june 2022 , but had been able to write 3/10 tests only...Though with complete preparation.can i keep December for tests?short notes are difficult to form when the notes themselves are being created , how to go about it?
We will need an issue based preparation for Mains. You will take eons to finish everything first and then write a test.
Tests help to set the locus and focus of yoir preparation. The big problem with "study everything first" and then write a test is that after studying everything, you realise that there is a big gap between what you were studying and what is the demand of the examination.
Instead of this use test series as a content building thing. If i were you, i would take a look at the questions and make a note of "topics" from which questions are aksed in a test and then prepare them, and then write tests , for the first few tests of each paper, just to get the hang of what is to be prepared. Someone writing 4 tests with 80 issues a month being prepared is anyway ahead of the competition.
On the other hand, some people seeking over perfection ( such as i want to top my tests ( and not upsc mains )) keep studying forever thinking that once they have finished things they will write tests - mostly that day never comes
I am no knight. Do not call me Sir|Philosophy behind ForumIAS
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!
@sjerngal @Neyawn @LetsGetThisBread
Internalising the mains notes fully should be my focus or making them?
Is it fine if i make notes for mains with decent understanding of them leaving the internalising thing for pre mains gap?
Yes that’s completely fine. Just make sure you’re not reading your notes for the first time. But anyway if you’ve made decent notes, there won’t be much conceptual stuff to internalise, just factual things. Also you’d be surprised but your pre knowledge will also help you with mains in terms of examples, data etc. so after doing pre, if you have your notes made for mains then internalising it won’t take too much time.
@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?
For Society, the red book is wonderful.
I am no knight. Do not call me Sir|Philosophy behind ForumIAS
Follow my 2 free initiatives-for prelims
1. 666 series - 6 minutes daily video with pdf-will cover entire g's static in 2-3 months.. Launching from 15 Sept
2. Ghatna series - free coverage of entire subject ghatnachakra in 2-3 hours
3. National monthly current affairs in 30 minutes video-for prelims
My entire focus is to ensure selection in prelims.. So that aspirant shift to Delhi for mains after prelims selection only..
Telegram channel started.. Website coming in 1 week..
DM,Alchemist_123@sjerngal @Neyawn @LetsGetThisBread
Internalising the mains notes fully should be my focus or making them?
Is it fine if i make notes for mains with decent understanding of them leaving the internalising thing for pre mains gap?
Yes that’s completely fine. Just make sure you’re not reading your notes for the first time. But anyway if you’ve made decent notes, there won’t be much conceptual stuff to internalise, just factual things. Also you’d be surprised but your pre knowledge will also help you with mains in terms of examples, data etc. so after going pre, if you have your note made for mains then internalising it won’t take too much time.
Exactly+1
mintea9,mintea9,
Ashutoshgupta,@sjerngal @Neyawn @LetsGetThisBread
Internalising the mains notes fully should be my focus or making them?
Is it fine if i make notes for mains with decent understanding of them leaving the internalising thing for pre mains gap?
mintea9,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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