Dear All,
Prelims 2021 results are out . Click here to read more
https://blog.forumias.com/update-upsc-cse-prelims-2021-result-declared/
This page is not only to congratulate those who made it through th first round, but as a community to share what worked for them and what did not.
If you have made it, share what worked for you. If you have not made it, share what you missed.
Together, we are there for each other.
With this we close the the previous thread on Prelims 2021, which is nearing a million views.
https://forumias.com/post/detail/Prelims-2021-paper-discussion-1633845800
- root
reading old ncert is imperative, there might be few outliers who will end up clearing the pre without reading them but the utility of the basic books can never be discounted. roi of rs sharma was>laxmikanth in 2021, it will remain the same for a couple of years more.
which questions came from rs sharma!!
mitakshara illtutmish pargana... had read chausath yogini somehere in the ncerts I suppose, nizmat was also in ncerts bhavbhuti was in tn ....however internet has to be used extensively as well, internet is infinite but atleast ncerts helps to define the boundary for us.
ps: in real exam envt all the knowledge can go for a toss, i was only able to mark illtutmish and 64 yogini correctly ,pargana i read incorrectly
If anyone can give some inputs, please do.
I am slightly confused since I have missed by a narrow margin. There were no major mistakes which I made during my preparation but just a few which I honestly know.
If I back my plan, I would be consolidating stuff and joining SFGs as and when it starts in early 2022.
Or should I think of joining something like forum's Eklavya batch which is more closely guided long drawn programme?
If anyone can kindly share anything from experience or otherwise.
Muffin,I'm trying to analyze my mistakes and looking for advice on which additional sources to cover. Any suggestions/feedback are welcome.
Economy:
I did sriram and ncerts 11, 12 but still couldn't answer question like lender of last resort (this was clearly there in ncert-12). So the fix is to reread ncerts with more focus on exact meaning for even obvious terms and phrases. Other mistakes were FDI and UCB (was covered in vision magazines but didn't had enough confidence to mark).
Polity:
Did only laxmikanth and correctly answered most except a few controversial ones like separation of power, article 14. Also couldn't get the current affairs based ones correct like judicial custody, parole, devi lal. Will try to cover NCERTs this time (would appreciate suggestion on this one) and more IE explained articles.
S&T: hadn't done PYQ earlier than 2015 so will cover all years this time plus more biotech focus from all NCERTs
Geography: did all NCERTs but couldn't solve the rivers and ocean-temp questions - any suggestions on where to cover these?
Envt: did only shankar but it didn't help much. Got most correct except a few ones like permaculture.
ancient/medieval history - had done only TN 11 and 6,7,8 NCERT and it served me well (like burzahom, broach, harsha, etc) except pargana ques (from ncert) so not sure if NCERT is still needed
modern india - spectrum worked well except 1919 act women ques (laxmikanth and spectrum created khichdi in my mind for these acts so need to consolidate these)
art & culture - did only ncert 11 and buddhism/jainism - feels like culture might return next year so looking for suggestions here for which sources to cover
I attempted only 70 this time and after this analysis, I strongly feel that should have done at least 80 where I had some gut feelin
In for 3rd CSE Mains and 2nd IFoS Mains.
@Neyawn, please suggest something for those who are getting stuck at mains stage.
1) Is your answer easy to read for the examiner via-a-via your competitors . Write down the steps you have taken to address this
2) Are you able to break questions into parts and sub parts and address each part, using the words of the question in your answer
3) If you have time crunch problem in exam, can you make up for it through well practiced flow charts and disagrees ?
If you are looking for an Interview call this should do it.
I am no knight. Do not call me Sir
@Neyawn this was my second prelims and I couldn’t make it. I don’t know how. Feeling completely hopeless and directionless. If you could help me out, it would be great. Have Sent you a message as well.
quasiwin,
In for 3rd CSE Mains and 2nd IFoS Mains.
@Neyawn, please suggest something for those who are getting stuck at mains stage.
1) Is your answer easy to read for the examiner via-a-via your competitors . Write down the steps you have taken to address this
2) Are you able to break questions into parts and sub parts and address each part, using the words of the question in your answer
3) If you have time crunch problem in exam, can you make up for it through well practiced flow charts and disagrees ?
If you are looking for an Interview call this should do it.
1. clear separation of intro - body parts - conclusion. short sentences, underline keywords, subheadings; enumerate short points in a single sentence separated by comma/semicolons etc. now the steps to achieve this would be?
If anyone can give some inputs, please do.
I am slightly confused since I have missed by a narrow margin. There were no major mistakes which I made during my preparation but just a few which I honestly know.
If I back my plan, I would be consolidating stuff and joining SFGs as and when it starts in early 2022.
Or should I think of joining something like forum's Eklavya batch which is more closely guided long drawn programme?
If anyone can kindly share anything from experience or otherwise.
I checked with the ForumIAS team today, it seems that Eklavya cohorts are now closed for people who will give the 2022 attempt. Cohorts 4 and 5 are only for 2023.
Philosopher94,Muffin
In. Was scoring around 80s with the early keys. Best case (using Google and mix & match various keys for ambiguous questions) was 90. So, surprised.
What I think worked - strictly adhered to@Neyawn 's advice of revising static multiple times and focussing on PYQs in the run up to the exam.
Also, didn't hesitate to go with first instincts in areas of strength, especially S&T and Geo/Environment.
@Neyawn Thankyou for giving me confidence when i was confused i was getting 95-105 and you told me to continue preparation and i did so....Thanks a lot guruji
Neyawn,Akbar_Birbal@Neyawn Sir pls check your messages
Archand,
Mariposa27,
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