[Official] ForumIAS SFG 2021 - Level 1 Details and Important Updates
Important Update : LIVE Session for SFG 2021 - Level 1 General Discussion and Way Forward - 19th January 2021 at 4:00 PM. (Click Here)
To check the instructions on how to write SFG 2021 - Test 1 :
Important Dates:
Date of Entrance Test 2 - 3rd January 2021 (10:00 AM to 11:00 AM)
End Date Registration for Entrance Test 2 – 2nd January 2021 | 5 PM
Please click on the link for instructions regarding attempting the Entrance test.
Result of Entrance Test 2 –4th January 2021
Commencement Date of SFG Level 1 – 7th January 2021
Syllabus of SFG Entrance Test - Candidates can expect 30 questions equally distributed across History, Polity, Economy, Environment and Geography. Further 15 questions will from Current Affairs of October, November and December months and 5 questions from CSAT.
SFG Level 1 Calendar: https://go.forumias.com/sfg21-calender
SFG – How it works
- Select Focus Group (SFG) is a small group of students who are selected by ForumIAS every year for coaching them to clear the UPSC Prelims Examination. Every single candidate selected and retained consistently in the group with Top ranks has cleared the Prelims examination in the past.
- 100 Students will be selected for the Select Focus Group, through the SFG Entrance Test, who will be required to report at 7 AM every day 6 days a week to write an hour-long test based on a pre-planned syllabus, followed by a discussion on the same.
- Candidates who are unable to make it to the SFG, will be maintained in a Reserve List, who can also write the tests. Candidates who couldn't clear the cutoff and are unable to make it into both SFG and RLG can register for the 2nd Entrance Test
- Tests are conducted daily and results are provided within 8 hours of test with Name and Rank list for candidates and parents to evaluate their daily performance. On the basis of rankles, about 50% of bottom performing students from SFG are migrated to the reserve list on a weekly basis, and an equal number of students from reserve list (RLG) are moved into SFG.
- The decision of the management in this regard is final and not subject to dispute. Please note that this migration is done not keeping in mind the overall merit list but moving away bottom 50% from SFG and picking up an equal number of people from RLG.
- Thus those who may be getting more than RLG students, but are bottom 50 in SFG will be moved to RLG.
- Every month, the bottom 20% or so non-performing students are eliminated from the program to maintain the quality of competition.
- All candidates writing the CSE 2021 are eligible to apply for the entrance test.
This year we introduce some changes as to how we conduct the SFG exam. Please note that changes that we bring are always in response to the examination pattern, the student feedback and our own learning with respect to how to best enable a serious candidate to clear the exam
Covid 19 Update:Keeping in mind the Covid situation, SFG – 1 entrance Test and the SFG program will be conducted in the online mode only for the year 2021. SFG – Level 2 may be conducted offline as per government guidelines and this decision will be taken at a later date.
This year SFG will be conducted in two levels as below:
SFG Level 1 (Foundation)
The SFG Level 1 is for beginners, freshers, first-timers, or simply those who have not cleared the Prelims examination ever before. The objective of the SFG Level 1 Program is three things
- Students know the basic books and basic concepts back and forth
- Students complete coverage of the syllabus through self-study
- Students are thorough with previous years papers
- Students develop the discipline and time management skills that are needed to clear the exam
The SFG Level 1 Tests will have book based / text-based / notes-based tests. By the end of SFG Level 1, you can expect that your coverage of the syllabus is complete, and you have done previous years questions well.
SFG Level 2 (Advanced)
SFG Level 2 is for people who have completed the reading and revision of the basic books and are now ready to take on the exam. The objective of the SFG Level 2 is as below
- Developing problem-solving skills for solving analytical, conceptual and thought based questions.
- Developing skills to solve questions based on the application of the reading that they have done for Level 1
- Mastering the art of handling questions from unknown areas and applying concepts from their wider reading which is relevant for the Civil Services Prelims Examination.
- Developing time management skills, and being through with the syllabus
- Providing a reliable, time-bound framework for revision just before the examination.
Current Affairs:
SFG Level 1 will provide coverage of current affairs from January 2020 to November 2020.
SFG Level 2 will have complete current affairs relevant for the Prelims examination 2021 integrated into the course.
CSAT:
CSAT tests will be integrated with SFG Level 2. There will be no CSAT tests in SFG level 1.
Application Procedure
- Admission to the SFG and RLG are based on the rank of the candidate in the merit list of the SFG Entrance Test. Students can apply for the program by registering for the Entrance Test by paying a fee of Rs. 500+ GST. Candidates can register by visitinghttp://academy.forumias.com
- The candidate must appear for the entrance test on the designated date and time, subsequent to which he/she will be admitted to the Select Group or the Reserve List.
- The candidate must pay the monthly fee as per the group he/she is allocated.
Note: Admissions to the SFG / RLG Group will only be on the basis of merit position of the candidate in the entrance test. Entrance Test will be held on 23rd December 2020. Candidates must register for the SFG Entrance Test by visiting the website http://academy.forumias.com before12 PM, December 22nd.
No admission will be granted to the candidate without appearing for the Entrance Test.
Fee Structure and Details:
- The course duration is of about two months and fees is charged on a monthly basis. Fees for the full duration of the program cannot be paid at one go.
For students selected in SFG- Rs. 1300 + GST (18%) per month. For Payment,Click Here.
For students selected in RLG- Rs. 1900 + GST (18%) per month. For Payment,Click Here.
- Fees are to be paid once the candidate is selected for the program. A fee of Rs. 118 is to be paid additionally for the I-Card by all students.
Wishing you Success,
Always
ForumIAS Academy
as a suggestion - DISABLE THE COPY OPTION for exam questions and words now onwards, pretty self explanatory for a competitive exam.
brilliant suggestion!
Copy that@forumiasacademy
- While I don't agree wholeheartedly with the language used by the person who posted the original comment, the fact is that the program is more expensive than the previous one. Pointing that out isn't incorrect.
- I do understand the rationale behind increasing the fees, and I have no qualms about paying it, because it's worth it and I can afford it.
- Your comment was pretty belittling. You could've easily made your point without making it sound like the other person's opinion doesn't matter
Peace.
I have nothing against Forum IAS or the SFG initiative.
But, 2360 rs per month for online test is not done. It is in no means - "FAIR". And, the whole idea of segregation and difference in fees based on 'dubious online test' is harsher on those who gave it on their own. This was a major lacunae in your ill thought program.
Also, don't try to portray an institute as "Divine" or indulged in "holy work", the whole of ORN is running rat business and teachers, test series makers, brokers, photocopiers are all just playing their role to get as much money as possible.
All I am asking is from the student's community to unite and ask Forum IAS to lower the fees to 1000 rs for both SFG and RLG. You can take those "300 students who could not make it" to recover your losses.
And I will take you as hostage not because I have paid 500rs but because you earn because of students like me who put their money in your hands.
Scored 65.3 marks.
@forumiasacademy (or anyone who have earlier used this platform) can you please suggest the best way to make optimum use of this opportunity.
Thanks for guidance.
jack_Sparrow,Oasis
Luna Lovegood,@riyabnsl02 SFG?- write tests regularly (as per schedule)- evaluate performance daily- improveAlso, you can get in touch with ForumIAS for mentorship as well. Ayush sir is very approachable (you can write to them via emails). SFG is a brilliant platform if used correctly.All the best.
How exactly ? Direct e-mail to Ayush sir?
@forumiasacademy this is my humble request that the institute releases the rank list with marks so that all can evaluate ourselves. Also, See by how many marks I have missed the sfg list.
Thank you
@FORUM IAS,
The differentiating element in SFG and RLG do not seems to work in the online mode as people can easily cheat just to get into SFG every month, to get an economic advantage compared to the rest.
You people have re-conducted the test so that nobody is disadvantaged, but looking at the bigger picture, the criterion lets down morale of the hardworking and deserving students.
So I kindly request FORUM IAS to rethink on their decision to form 2 separate groups divided economically rather than on basis of merit. I suggest that PLEASE KEEP A SINGLE GROUP, and if it is too uneconomical to maintain the initiative then increase the fee marginally. ( anything between the two extremes of 1550 and 2360 )
Hoping that you would create a level playing ground for all your students!!
Thanks for hearing me out.
@forumiasacademy Thank you for inviting me to RLG program. I have some clarification before I would take a step ahead.
1. There's some ambiguity regarding this online tests and there are some who took wrong means to attend the test. After these happenings, is there still difference in SFG and RLG?
2. After a crash on 1st day test, the 2nd day's test also started with a delay. Since I reside in rural area I don't have very high speed internet like that of Delhi or some other metros. But I'm sure that I have enough speed to write an exam/watch a YouTube video without buffering. Point is will I be able to get uninterrupted tests from tomorrow?
P.S. : Please answer this query considering 100s and 1000s of genuine
maggiie,Shravan
Genuine doubt. Please clearify if your team reads this comment.
If a student shall be paying the fees of RLG for 1 month (4 weeks) but you say there will be weekly shuffling. What if the RLG student studies well and enters SFG at week 2 or 3 , then he will be paying 1000rs more to a disadvantage right?
The 'neccesity' to perform well in the entrace is taken care by the significant fee of 500rs , so the extra 1000rs is like a punishment for not performing well in the entrance itself?
Mariposa27,
» hide previous quotesCouldn't give test today due to technical issues, yet again. And now you have published results. Good going@forumiasacademy ! I need my money back.
Please do not spread untruth. Apart from 25-30 students, nearly everyone has written the Test. We ahev seen the logging time for the users and the time they spent. Tech issues, yes we had it. Was it resolved quickly, and on time? Yes it was.
so isnt it possible that I was among those 20-30 people?? Come on , forum ias , have some empathy!! How can you reject the complaint so bluntly!! So disappointed!!! I have raised the ticket on academy platform and attached screenshot to prove my point. Go on, check that before accusing me of spreading 'untruth'.
@ForumIAS-Academy Given the highly skewed result, I think the whole concept of RLG and SFG in an online medium is flawed. A better option would be to have only one course with same fees structure. That would ensure a greater honesty among the students and a fair evaluation of of performance. Right now with this method, Forum IAS is clearly rewarding dishonesty.
I personally think honesty can be maintained only in offline medium of test.
They have 2 different batches to ensure we have a healthy competitive spirit amongst us. The purpose of this program will be defeated if they merge the batches.
About the high fees, i think it should be charged as per the shuffling i.e weekly basis. Otherwise someone would pay more and not have any incentive to study hard and enter the low fee zone for a month as they are charging on monthly basis.
I hope@forumiasacademy addresses this before 5PM today
I saw the payment link for both SFG and RLG ..Even though I am not selected for SFG but I can pay directly to the SFG ..
So it means RLG student can also pay for sfg in the given link.
Or without giving entrance test what if we pay direct to SFG in the given link...
I have selected for RLG so ( RLG FEE 2400~ + ENTRANCE FEE 500= TOTAL FEE ~2900 ) for one month
maggiie,
Dear Team @FORUM IAS,
Greetings.
Glad to know that you are conducting SFG 2.0 for which I wrote test on 12th July, 2020 and 13th July, 2020. For a moment I checked your basis for separating SFG from RLG. Well! Not so "Thoughtful" distinction.
You have had many flaws just at the start of this program.
- Flaws in your test schedule of 12th July. I successfully submitted the test( 'but many could not as server hanged') but I was informed to give the test on 13th July as well. Wait. I was informed around6:00 pm on 13th Julythat even those who have given the test on 12th July are supposed to give on 13th July at 8:00 pmas well. (what if we are out for some reason/could not check email etc.)
- No Transparency from Your side. You cannot just blame the students to be truthful and fair. You have got some responsibility too. Moreover "server hanged" when we submitted the test on 13th July as well.(we don't know whether marks we received are fair or not)
- Now coming to the Hot Topic of Fee Structure. Yes distinction between SFG and RLG purely on Fee Structure hasno basisat all. There will be dubious activities throughout the test series just to pay"Less amount" for the next month as well. HenceRanking has no meaning. Rank list will not do justice to our performance.
- Since there is less time to pay the Fee for SFG 2.0, all requests/feedback will be ignored. But surely this time there is more negative energy against FORUM IAS than ever. This will backfire in future too.
But what can FORUM IAS do now ?
- Remove the fee distinctionnow itself and refund those who paid more.
- You cancompensate the feefor the next month if you decide it to be the same for everyone. (i.e those who paid more due to RLG can be asked to pay less for the next month.) But You have to inform it to us beforehand.
- Remove the distinctionbetween SFG and RLG . It will surely promote competitiveness.
- You cannot just give excuses such as paying rents, employees' salaries etc. Your sources of Income are way more than us. Put yourself in our shoes.
SFG 1.0 program had more merits than demerits. This time it reversed i.e Demerits outweigh Merits.
When so many people are giving you feedback, you should pay heed to them. It benefits in the longer run.
We all are waiting for your prompt and encouraging response.
Thanks!.
Ankur
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