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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
90.7k views

139 comments

No matches foundhurts more this time. I was very confident, even started light interview preparation too, alas!


I felt I had consciously identified mistakes from my last time and worked on them. Like :


In GS

1. I have revision friendly notes for substantial portion of syllabus.

2. I was part of AWFG, I wrote it deligently, made notes of WYSY, I also Worte MGP, added content from it to enrich my notes

4. Worked on writing neat and clean paper.

5. We, me and my friend, prepared a list of Hot topics, and yes questions came from it.


In optional

1. Exclusive map, diagram, enrichement focus.

2. Revised well, decently utilized those 5 days.

3. Wrote best optional paper 1 till now.

4. Most importantly, I was confident about optional preparation, this was something new!


Ab itna sab hone ke baad lagta hai ho hi jaana chahiye, Par nahi huwa!

I don't know where I messed up or what went wrong, par nahi huwa. However, when I look back, In actual exam there were unsatisfactory areas like :

1. GS 3 paper especially Sci tech and environment questions (WHO guidelines, S400, COP 26, blue LED)

2. I wrote first three case studies very poorly, I mean, it felt like I was writing the same thing again again.

3. I missed out on geography questions in paper 1. It used to be a scoring zone for me. But this time around, I knew I messed them up in the exam hall itself.


Going forward, I am a bit clueless. Things will get more clearer as marks get disclosed.Tab tak ke liye phir se wahi SFG lagana hai..

Bajrang Lonikar,ssver2and18 otherslike this
7.8k views
Until the marks are out, it's really difficult to point out what actually went wrong. It could be the optional. It could be ethics or essay. It could also be a loss of 10 marks across all papers. If I try to point out some obvious chinks in my armour, it would be a lack of revision and answer writing practice. 

Other probable candidates could be:

(1) I attempted the last five 10-markers in 20-30 minutes in GS1-GS3

(2) Not much innovation in answers (I did make 2-3 diagrams each in GS2 and GS3 though)

(3) Although I could attempt questions like change in GDP methodology and Blue LED well, what may have gone against me were the generic questions (which constituted the majority of questions). It's very difficult to differentiate your answers from others' in these questions. Merely answering them is not enough, you have to do a little extra. Which I didn't.

(4) I couldn't practise a single essay. I had so much to do in GS and optional (which was still incomplete) that I couldn't take out the time to do it. Besides, I had got 119 in essay in 2020 despite a botched-up 2nd essay. So, I thought if I manage both essays well, I would be able to get at least an average score. Again, I don't know if it's actually the essay paper that threw me out of the list, but it is a possibility.

(5) I couldn't manage time well in ethics paper. Left half a case study and attempted 2 more in haste. 

(6) After prelims, I wasted too much time on insignificant or less significant topics like Post-Independence History.

Now I only have two more attempts. Prelims is not a cakewalk either. 

Also, I am afraid whether even after working on the mistakes listed above (doing more revisions and answer writing, for example), would that be enough? I don't have the space to make mistakes now. 

Anyway, we don't have much choice here, do we? We were aware of the risks when we jumped in. 

I listened to the interviews of candidates who cleared CSE in their later attempts (4th or more) and I could see that most of them had faced such a roller coaster ride. Nupur Goyal alternated between reaching the interview stage only to fail in the subsequent prelims. This cycle continued until she secured AIR-11 in her last attempt. Varjeet Walia wrote the exam in his 3rd attempt to improve his rank only to find his name missing from the Final List, despite working extensively on the weaknesses that he had identified. But, he again wrote the exam next year and secured AIR-42 in his 4th attempt. You might be aware of Vijay Wardhan Saraswat (Yo Yo Choti Singh)'s journey as well. We can find solace in company at least.

I don't think it's a good idea to drastically change my Mains strategy without looking at the marksheet. So, I would be working on my optional for two weeks or so and after that my sole focus would be on prelims. 

The only way to get over the anxiety and uneasiness is to get involved in a routine. If we waste the few remaining days in March, we would regret it. 

Let's not stop before we are forced to.

P.S. Sorry for the long post. Also, feel free to reach out in DMs if you need somebody to talk to. I am always available. :blush:


P - 6 | M - 4 | I - 0 | Psychology |
ssver2,EiChanand25 otherslike this
7.8k views

Hey Friends.


It is so heartening to see you all dissect, even if probabilistically, what went wrong with your attempt.


It was my last attempt. I have written 4 mains. Never qualified mains. I work in the state services at a good post. I have also been in the top 3 of another exam held by UPSC.


Honestly I am a little surprised that i couldn't pass this time. Because i worked on all aspects of my weaknesses. I will have to wait for my marks for a conclusive answer to my situation.




My observations:


1.For small topics across GS, I made small notes and had data/case studies etc ready. This helps


2. For essay, I had quotes, good lines, data mugged up. I also had practised most of themes asked in previous years. Both my attempted questions in essay were attempted before exam.


3. In all GS i ended up working around 5 ten markers in last 25 minutes, sometimes less.


4. Optional 1 was fucked up due to Covid. I had hardly been able to revise. Plus exam day i was very groggy due to medicines.


5. Marks left: Around 40 in GS. 15 in optional.


6. Handwriting bad ( but legible) for 50 marks in each paper


On the plus side:


1. All answers were structured. With clear sub headings.


2. Gave examples in GS. In GS4 all 10 markers had quotes appropriate to the question. Also diagrams in case studies. Use of ethical jargon and philosophical aspects


3. Opposed to my poor performance in optional 1, optional 2 was my best paper in this mains and across all my mains including my GS papers. I gave examples from Econ survey and from recent books in optional 2 (Philo)


On balance i suspect that my optional performance in paper 1 was horrible. 


My only wish is that i should have missed narrowly. At least i should get a consolation that my efforts were in the correct direction.

ssver2,EiChanand26 otherslike this
7.5k views
@Foucault1 not working for EPW?


5.3k views

Hi friends, wanted to share something. Yesterday I joined back my Aerobics classes and it has brought considerable improvement from a bad state and mood otherwise. I have had sleepless nights, but yesternight was a sound sleep, so would be the tonight.

I would urge you all to please engage in constructive physical exercises. Sweat the negative vibes, breath the good oxygen. It will do wonders.

I have also changed my seat in library, it has refreshed my study pattern.

Previously, I have spent seasons in bad phases post Mains results. This time, we shall not repeat it. We have no time either. If any of my other friends here have found something significant for speedier recovery, please share.

ssver2,GaneshGaitondeand19 otherslike this
6.2k views

Jammusaid

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.

Thank you for reaching out personally, i have considered all suggestions and made pointers, i will take the decision in a week’s time : )


EiChan,pyadavand3 otherslike this
4.7k views

2 months from now, same cycle.


LIFE IS UPHILL.

GaryVee,MichaelScarn
4.6k views

Hey Friends.


It is so heartening to see you all dissect, even if probabilistically, what went wrong with your attempt.


It was my last attempt. I have written 4 mains. Never qualified mains. I work in the state services at a good post. I have also been in the top 3 of another exam held by UPSC.


Honestly I am a little surprised that i couldn't pass this time. Because i worked on all aspects of my weaknesses. I will have to wait for my marks for a conclusive answer to my situation.




My observations:


1.For small topics across GS, I made small notes and had data/case studies etc ready. This helps


2. For essay, I had quotes, good lines, data mugged up. I also had practised most of themes asked in previous years. Both my attempted questions in essay were attempted before exam.


3. In all GS i ended up working around 5 ten markers in last 25 minutes, sometimes less.


4. Optional 1 was fucked up due to Covid. I had hardly been able to revise. Plus exam day i was very groggy due to medicines.


5. Marks left: Around 40 in GS. 15 in optional.


6. Handwriting bad ( but legible) for 50 marks in each paper


On the plus side:


1. All answers were structured. With clear sub headings.


2. Gave examples in GS. In GS4 all 10 markers had quotes appropriate to the question. Also diagrams in case studies. Use of ethical jargon and philosophical aspects


3. Opposed to my poor performance in optional 1, optional 2 was my best paper in this mains and across all my mains including my GS papers. I gave examples from Econ survey and from recent books in optional 2 (Philo)


On balance i suspect that my optional performance in paper 1 was horrible. 


My only wish is that i should have missed narrowly. At least i should get a consolation that my efforts were in the correct direction.

Respect👍

4.6k views
@Hayagreeva Bhai.... if one wrote more than prescribed limit (e.g. 150 and 250 words)... then he/she will be penalized in Mains ? Please answer


4.6k views

GOT8said

@Hayagreeva Bhai.... if one wrote more than prescribed limit (e.g. 150 and 250 words)... then he/she will be penalized in Mains ? Please answer


isme rank 13 ka yeh kehna h ki sare questions me word limit exceed kardo 

5 marks katenge lekin overall zaada milega

this is for optional

Jammu,
4.3k views
@Capedcrusader1 what for GS? 


4.4k views

This time, There is a gap of 102 days between prelims and mains. If we cancel out 10-12 days worth of not studying due to various reasons(taking extreme end) , we have a solid 3 month study gap for mains. 

Marks aren't out yet, but, if a person is less than 25-30 marks away from the cutoff this time, can he/she get a bump of around 100 marks in those 3 months if studied diligently? 

GaryVee,chamomileand6 otherslike this
4.6k views
For comparison, last year it was only 88 days total. 
Jammu,
4.5k views

GOT8said

@Capedcrusader1 what for GS? 


i dont know bro

something tells me he would have gone ahead with this strategy in gs too

4.2k views

This time, There is a gap of 102 days between prelims and mains. If we cancel out 10-12 days worth of not studying due to various reasons(taking extreme end) , we have a solid 3 month study gap for mains. 

Marks aren't out yet, but, if a person is less than 25-30 marks away from the cutoff this time, can he/she get a bump of around 100 marks in those 3 months if studied diligently? 

i think time management is the key. waste it on useless material and its over. also one needs to know beforehand as to what one will do in the future based on atleast realizing if not working on the weaknesses now. 

Muffin,Jammu
4.2k views
@SergioRamos I do not know exactly what this bias is called ?? But you are assuming yourself to be perfect and diligent student(like meena of kota factory between prelims and mains) . It will backfire , itna drastic change is not possible 

10-12 days toh seedha uppcs ke liye chale jayenge ; rest high and low moods ko bhi account main lo


rebellion,
4.2k views

EiChansaid

@SergioRamos I do not know exactly what this bias is called ?? But you are assuming yourself to be perfect and diligent student(like meena of kota factory between prelims and mains) . It will backfire , itna drastic change is not possible 


bhai is logic se toh nikal chuka ye exam

nerdslayer,Jammu
4.2k views

This time, There is a gap of 102 days between prelims and mains. If we cancel out 10-12 days worth of not studying due to various reasons(taking extreme end) , we have a solid 3 month study gap for mains. 

Marks aren't out yet, but, if a person is less than 25-30 marks away from the cutoff this time, can he/she get a bump of around 100 marks in those 3 months if studied diligently? 

I consider bump of 100 marks from (cutoff - 30 marks) as scoring 800+ in Mains, considering Mains 2020 marks as base. Around 100 students scored 800+. 10 scored 850+.

I feel this is indeed doable for a diligent student, provided one is aware before hand regarding one’s shortcomings and has considerable time to work on it. 102 days is good enough, if everything goes positive. But if one is not aware where one is going wrong, then 200 days would also not solve the purpose.

nerdslayer,KV17and2 otherslike this
4k views
@Foucault1 not working for EPW?


It doesn't work in case of epw. 

rebellion,
3.9k views
@GOT8Words, you write in exam, are precious commodity. They are limited by space and time constraints. Being said that, exceeding by 10 20 words isn't a big issue in some question. Unless you do it excessively, like writing twice the limit, you are good to go.
MichaelScarn,
3.7k views
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