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👍
