Dear Students,
As we enter the 3rd year of SFG – Select Focus Group – one of our most innovative programs for successfully cracking the Prelims Examination. Based on your feedback, we continuously innovate and update our programs, keeping in mind the dynamic nature of the Civil Services Examination, the rising standards of Civil Services preparation, and increasing competition – partly because of capacity development and fast-paced self-learning programs like SFG.
Important Updates:
Note: Please subscribe to the "SFG 2021 - Level 1 & 2" channel for all the updates related to SFG 2021.
https://forumias.com/channel/SFG-2021-7th-Jan
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Updates #15
SFG-2021 || Level 2 || Month 1 || Ranklist and Payment Link
Candidates are required to pay the fee by 28th April, for SFG and RLG as per the below rank list.
Ranklist for 1st Month: CLICK HERE
Payment for SFG Renewal (2nd Month): Rs. 1300 + GST (18%) per month
Payment for RLG Renewal (2nd Month): Rs. 1900 + GST (18%) per month
From 28th April candidates who have not paid the renewal fee, will be removed from the course.
After 29th April, fees will not be accepted on any ground whatsoever. Students will be removed from the course permanently.
It is likely that if you do not renew on time, you will miss a few tests. Also, after a few tests, you will not be allowed to join, because it defeats the whole purpose of (a) doing a program completely and (b) inculcating discipline.
We hope you understand.
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Updates #14
Prelims 2021 Reorientation Sessions for SFG Students
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Update #13
All India Open Test - Simulator 0: Instructions
Timings : 07:00 AM to 09:00 AM
- How to write the Test? To check the instructions, Click Here
- You can write the Test at the designated slot. If you are unable to write the test at the designated slot, you can write it anytime after 02:30 PM (April 11).
- Solutions and Video discussion will be uploaded by 9 PM on 11th April.
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Update #12
TheAll India Open Simulator Test 0 will be conducted at 7 AMon Sunday for SFG Students. This will be a part of the SFG Test. Its score will be taken into account for determining SFG and RLG for the Daily / Weekly / Monthly Rankings. You can write the Test, just the way you attempt your SFG Tests.
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Update #11
Application SFG Level 2- 2021 Doubtful questions/ Report an Error
Please fill the following form in order to report questions in which you have doubt of an error in the question or the solutions. If found valid, we will issue a corrigendum and also inform you of the same.
Click Here to fill the form.
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Update #10
Instructions for attempting the SFG tests-https://go.forumias.com/325
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Update #9
Info: SFG Level 2 to be conducted online until further notice.
As the Covid numbers are on the rise again and government restrictions are being imposed in various places, we have decided to conduct SFG Level 2 in Online Mode until further notice so that your health and the health of your family members is not put at risk.
If you have any queries, you can reach out to us at helpdesk@forumias.academy.
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Update #8
Results for SFG Level 2 Entrance Test 2 has been declared, please check your respective mails for the same.
Payment for students selected in SFG - Rs. 1300 + GST (18%) per month
Payment for students selected in RLG - Rs. 1900 + GST (18%) per month
Note: SFG 2021 - Level 2 will be starting from 31st March 2021
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Updates #7
Date of Entrance Test 2 - 21st March 2021, 10:00 AM - Concluded
The SFG 2021 Level 2 tests will be held in ONLINE MODE. If the situation improves by 22nd March and the Government allows the functioning of coaching institutions, the course will be available in OFFLINE MODE as well.
The Entrance Exam will be held on 21st March in online mode
The test will be conducted in Online mode at 10 AM in the morning.
Please click on the link for instructions regarding attempting the test.
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Updates #6
SFG Level 2.0 will include CSAT tests along with GS and Current Affairs Test, as requested by candidates.
It is expected that you prepare for it in advance instead of waiting for the day of the test. In SFG Level 1, we expected you to read the books for the first time, if you are a fresher - plus we have the luxury of time as well ( 5 months + ) In SFG level 2, we expect you to have read the books and should be using the plan as a revision plan.
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The detailed exam plan for SFG 2021 - Level 2 is now available.
You can see the detailed plan - https://go.forumias.com/sfglevel2-calender
Commencement Date of SFG Level 2 – 31st March 2021
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Updates #3
Updates #2
Result of Entrance Test – 2nd March 2021, 5 PM
Updates #1
Date of Entrance Test 1 -28th February 2021, 10:00 AM - Concluded
The test will be conducted in Online mode at 10 AM in the morning.
Please click on the link for instructions regarding attempting the test.
Note:The test will close at 11:00 AM
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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 7AM 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.
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.
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 visiting https://go.forumias.com/280.
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 28th Feb. Candidates must register for the SFG Entrance Test by visiting https://go.forumias.com/280. 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 are 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 students selected in RLG - Rs. 1900 + GST (18%) per month
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.
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Wishing You Success,
Always,
ForumIAS Academy
@forumiasacademy @root dear team,my exam went well and I was expecting a really good score.I’m not in the list while the people scoring negative are? Kindly look into it as after preparing seeing such instances does not I still confidence.
From when does the month start for the purpose of payment? As the course will start from 22nd March, shall we consider the month to start from then only?@forumiasacademy
@UK01 Thank you so much!
Hi Team, I was very sure of joining online SFG (have received goof feedback, but only for offline mode), but now I am having some second thoughts (Reasons mentioned below). I gave the entrance test, and scored 73.98. My rank was 182. Was really expecting to get into the SFG, but the cut-off was 79+.
Reasons for second thoughts.
1. As far as I know, the uniqueness of SFG is its inbuilt ability to foster discipline. This claim is being challenged by having a look at thehigh cut-offsin the online mode. Top score is beyond 95 (This is unconvincing and too far-fetched)
2. I checked few rank lists ofonline SFG level 1, just so that I can be sure that such high scores are exceptions only in case of entrance tests. But to my surprise I found few students consistentlyscoring a perfect 100.This indicates only two things. Either the aspirants are so well-prepared that they cannot miss even one question, or else, they areusing unfair means.In my opinion, if the case is former, the student would not need the SFG, as (s)he is already so perfectly well-prepared.
3. What I feel is this disincentivises people to strive to get into the top 100 spot, because of the inherent belief of the system being unfair with the people writing the test honestly.
4. What is more, the whole competitive systemincentivisespeople to use unfair means to remain into the SFG. This might be to save a few bucks (as the price is lower for top 100) or also to remove the fear of being kicked out of SFG due to low scores.
5. Inlong term,if students in top 100 do not actually make it through the prelims, this mightreduce the credibilityof the SFG programme.
My apprehensions are based on the fact that use of unfair means cannot create a healthy competition environment, which is the underlying sole of SFG.
The above mentioned points are my own analysis, and is not intended to hurt anyone. This is just for the reforms into one of the good prelims preparation programmes, so that
Before I invest my money into the programme, I would want to know from the@forumiasacademyteamwhat are the steps they are planning to take to stop the use of unfair means.I know they have mentioned in the instructions that theycan debarstudents practising unfair means,but is it being implemented???
As@hrishabh mentioned above I have a similar score & rank in the entrance test. As far as the entrance test goes, I knew the online test would 'promote' cheating considering the two different fees for sfg & rlg & still there are people who didn't cheat & ended up being in rlg despite good enough scores.I had joined SFG last year as well & was consistently in sfg group in that.The offline program of sfg is quite good but the online one I am afraid doesn't serve the same purpose for majority of the candidates I think.
Hence, 1 request - that sfg, if possible be conducted offline and 1 suggestion - If its still going to be an online process then there is no point of having 2 groups (sfg & rlg) with different fees...It would be better to have a single group.
@forumiasacademy @root @hrishabh @FC completely agree!!
Have been trying to convey the same to the team since long.
We request you to commence a separate offline batch please.
@Babayega
I had joined last year's sfg which was half offline & half online process (owing to COVID)... the marks do shoot up unusually high during the online phase...which was even acknowledged by the team.
For people not in Delhi, the online process is a boon but for those of us here in Delhi...the process of waking up early to go to centre & writing the test in an exam environment takes away the casualness that comes with ticking options online at home. This is my personal opinion & echoed by many of my friends who didn't join this year's online sfg for it being online.
So it's just a request to Forum to conduct an offline batch if possible.
Hello team,
There is government clearance for offline classes to continue. And some offline classes have started indeed.
I would request you all to please make necessary arrangment for offline test( Please increase no of center if possible).
But kindly start SFG level 2 in offline mode. Coming to center and appearing for exam is differnt experience. it is much better than screen exam. I faced this issue in 2020 attempt.
I have full faith in your attempt and If you try u will make sure that it start in offline mode.
Thanks.
Hi,
Can anyone please enlighten me on how many tests are there in total for SFG1 and SFG2 phase? Couldnot find detailed schedule for both
@forumiasacademy what is expected date for 2nd test for SFG ?