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Mains 2021 Post result Thread: What went wrong and way forward.

The thread will be a one stop place to discuss the probable things that went wrong in mains exam and ways to rectify them. 

sonder,Just_relentlessand48 otherslike this
88.7k views

139 comments

@Celeborn can you tell me which questions came from IE explained? Because I completely rely on Hindu


S400 (explained article in Nov 2021), Green Grid (Nov 2021), WHO Air Quality Guidelines (Oct 2021), V shaped recovery (Sept 2021, Dec 2021), COP26 (Nov 2021), NFSA (Mar 2021)

These are the ones I could find. I googled for The Hindu also. These can be found even there in either the explained pages or opinion pages. However I don't have a subscription so couldn't read the full articles. I'm trusting the needed info is there. 

To read such paid articles, you can use https://12ft.io/ after opening this, just paste url of article. It works for most of the websites including hindu, Economist. 

GaneshGaitonde,GaryVeeand24 otherslike this
8.1k views
Deleted
@rebellion I feel 2 months may be enough to clear prelims considering seats have increased and cut off may go down. The next 11 days can be utilized for Optional which can give a major boost after prelims. 

I am not sure about it thus if anyone thinks otherwise please give your opinion. 
Jammu,rebellion
6.5k views
what should i do? if i start prelims prep fully then i think after prelims my situation would be same as previous mains and i would be stuck in prelims-mains cycle without having relevant notes on mains topic along with value addition, and less answer writing practice. but if i concentrate on mains improvement i am afraid whether i would be able to clear prelims with adequate difference so that i am not in 2 minds after prelims. the uncertainty in prelims is a big confidence killer even if you have qualified it earlier

prelims me lag jao. 

mains me jinka hua h unko bhi nai malum kaise hua h

unless you are very sure on what to improvise in mains, wasting crucial prelims time is suicide

GKJ,Jammuand1 otherslike this
6.4k views
Announcing this.
GaryVee,nerdslayerand4 otherslike this
5.8k views
How do you guys plan on approaching the next two months? Only prelims or some mains value add?
My fear of prelims is not letting me do mains portions even though I know I must do some of it atleast.

I think we have good window this time before mains…all of june, july, august and then half sept so i feel there will be sufficient time. Given the nature of prelims I’m going all in for it next two months because first order of things is to write mains again in sept and I’ve once paid already by taking prelims for granted 


Per Aspera 

Ad Astra

GaryVee,chamomileand6 otherslike this
5.8k views
@Celeborn can you tell me which questions came from IE explained? Because I completely rely on Hindu


S400 (explained article in Nov 2021), Green Grid (Nov 2021), WHO Air Quality Guidelines (Oct 2021), V shaped recovery (Sept 2021, Dec 2021), COP26 (Nov 2021), NFSA (Mar 2021)

These are the ones I could find. I googled for The Hindu also. These can be found even there in either the explained pages or opinion pages. However I don't have a subscription so couldn't read the full articles. I'm trusting the needed info is there. 

To read such paid articles, you can use https://12ft.io/ after opening this, just paste url of article. It works for most of the websites including hindu, Economist. 

Thanks! This is a lifesaver :D

Spock,Foucault1and3 otherslike this
5.6k views
@Foucault1 Thanks a lot 


Foucault1,Jammuand1 otherslike this
5.6k views

This was my second attempt and second mains which I couldn't clear. I am still facing issues regarding time management. I was never able to complete mock tests on time.Although I almost completed the actual papers but I feel I could have increased atleast 10 marks in each GS paper simply by devoting sufficient time for the 10 markers through which I had to rush because of my poor time management. Anybody who has faced similar issues in the past and were able to overcome it?



Alpha_Romeo,nerdslayerand3 otherslike this
5.5k views

This was my second attempt, second mains although my test series scores across GS papers and essay were decent still couldn't make it through this time also. Here's what I think might have gone wrong:

    - Compromising on static topics and not preparing them well

    - Due to poor time management missed two 15 markers in GS 1 paper 

    - Not incorporating novel/certain unique ways of presentation or innovative content in answers 

    - Possibly devoting less time to GS 4 prep -->lacking use of ethical terms & examples in answers on the final day

Focusing now on prelims with the hope that if I get the chance of writing mains again will come back stronger at it!

GaryVee,nerdslayerand7 otherslike this
5.3k views
For the next 10 days,which is the best source to practice answer writing, PYQs/ Questions from some mock tests/TLP?
nerdslayer,Jammu
5.4k views
Is skipping an attempt a prudent idea, given that a 25 Years old full time aspirant has flunked three mains miserably and only two attempts are left. DM is also open for discussion at length.
ThePhenom,Kapiushonand4 otherslike this
5k views

This was my second attempt and second mains which I couldn't clear. I am still facing issues regarding time management. I was never able to complete mock tests on time.Although I almost completed the actual papers but I feel I could have increased atleast 10 marks in each GS paper simply by devoting sufficient time for the 10 markers through which I had to rush because of my poor time management. Anybody who has faced similar issues in the past and were able to overcome it?



Not sure how much this will help you, but I exceeded my time on every mock except the very last set of tests I took. The main thing I changed was writing questions in a particular order so that I was able to track my time. Tracking 7/11 minutes on a clock is pretty hard to do, so I had a 20-20 minute split. Every 20 minutes, I would finish 3 10-markers or 2 15-markers.

Keeping track 20 minutes at a time is pretty easy. There's always other orders to write questions, but create a time split up so you can keep track of every few questions. That way you don't overshoot your time much. Doesn't work for optional though.


nerdslayer,Undineand2 otherslike this
4.9k views

I haven’t made any mains specific notes for Gs as yet 

does anyone know how to go about this 

I can’t just pick up a newspaper and start making notes. I used to do that long back and those notes are redundant and not holistic.

I was able to answer questions and all of them 

that’s the reason I’m unable to know why notes are imp. 

What am I missing here. 

Also if notes are to be made , when is the time?!

nerdslayer,Undineand1 otherslike this
4.8k views

I haven’t made any mains specific notes for Gs as yet 

does anyone know how to go about this 

I can’t just pick up a newspaper and start making notes. I used to do that long back and those notes are redundant and not holistic.

I was able to answer questions and all of them 

that’s the reason I’m unable to know why notes are imp. 

What am I missing here. 

Also if notes are to be made , when is the time?!

Hi dost, for GS notes, i recommend onlyias prahaar, i also did it only for this mains post prelims, i figured making gs specific mains notes is helpful exercise. We should be having crisp and relevant point topic wise ready in mind. 

We can write anyway otherwise as well, but that is ‘creative writing’ what forum calls it and i have done twice earlier. Time to make notes - i am very uncertain. I did it post prelims 2021. Took considerable time but not very much disappointing exercise.

dalpha,MichaelScarnand3 otherslike this
4.6k views

The weather inside is really bad. If that wasn't enough, it's deteriorating even further in all aspects of life - personal, academic, financial, emotional, familial and what not.



It might rain. Heavily.

ssver2,GaryVeeand18 otherslike this
6.4k views

Couple of weeks ago, I was personally going through bad times on personal and emotional front. 

I made a checkpoint list and reviewed it on daily basis before bed time. I took out multiple print outs and used to mark / unmark on daily basis and so maintained a Diary. It turns out to be a good exercise consuming less time and yielding incremental results. I am not done with all the points yet, but there has been considerable improvement towards Atmanirbharta. 

Attaching screenshot for Community use. List is not exhaustive but personalised. Points are made after reading and watching considerable articles and videos. 



ssver2,KatnissEverdeenand30 otherslike this
5.8k views

The weather inside is really bad. If that wasn't enough, it's deteriorating even further in all aspects of life - personal, academic, financial, emotional, familial and what not.



It's about to rain. Heavily.

I feel you buddy....you're not alone...people like us...we can get through this....waqt hi hai...badal jayega


Per Aspera 

Ad Astra

ssver2,chamomileand15 otherslike this
5.6k views

After 3 mains failure, I have learnt many lessons of UPSC and beyond in a hard way

Way forward as I have observed and will follow in next attempt

1. Understanding, internalising knowledge

2. Multiple and regular revisions

3. Short consolidated notes making

4. Regular answer writing practice

All steps are essential and that too in the proper chronology

Overall be it study or anything else in life , we have to follow a proactive approach

Taking lessons from book '7 habits of highly effective people' , we should work towards becoming an effective person not just being efficient


ssver2,GaryVeeand4 otherslike this
3.6k views

1st step is the most important in upsc preparation

Rattafication doesn't work in pressure cooker situation of actual exam

I have felt that this is the reason few aspirants sail through without giving any mocks or any answer writing practice


3.6k views

Jammusaid

I haven’t made any mains specific notes for Gs as yet 

does anyone know how to go about this 

I can’t just pick up a newspaper and start making notes. I used to do that long back and those notes are redundant and not holistic.

I was able to answer questions and all of them 

that’s the reason I’m unable to know why notes are imp. 

What am I missing here. 

Also if notes are to be made , when is the time?!

Hi dost, for GS notes, i recommend onlyias prahaar, i also did it only for this mains post prelims, i figured making gs specific mains notes is helpful exercise. We should be having crisp and relevant point topic wise ready in mind. 

We can write anyway otherwise as well, but that is ‘creative writing’ what forum calls it and i have done twice earlier. Time to make notes - i am very uncertain. I did it post prelims 2021. Took considerable time but not very much disappointing exercise.

thanks bhai

mera kya h kuch bhi streamline nai h 

notes hain nai abhi sirf prelims ka kar rha hu uske baad ho gaya toh mains me is baar mocks zaada dunga is baar 10-12 die the kam hain ye

apne aap muje lag rha h cheeje line me aajayengi

sjerngal,Jammu
3.4k views
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