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SFG 2024 Level-2 Program starting 4th March 2024

ForumIAS Academy
SFG 2024 Level-2 | Program starting 4th March 2024

Update 4: 21/03/2024:  Daily study plan of SFG 2024 Level-2(UPDATED):-CLICK HERE


Update 3: 04/03/2024: Application SFG 2024 - Level 2 Doubtful questions/ Report an Error Click Here


Update 2: 01/03/2024: Important instructions and Centers details for SFG 2024 Level-2: Click Here


Update 1: 15/02/2024: SFG 2024 Level 2 will commence from 4th March 2024. Find Study Plan  HERE


SFG 2024 Level-2 is starting from4th March 2024. The Entrance Test-2 for the Program will be conducted on 25th February 2024 at 9:30 AM. SFG is a Test-Based Comprehensive Preparation Program for Prelims. It is different from other Prelims Test Series as it requires you to take daily tests (5 days in a week) and provides you daily feedback through the ranking system.


SFG papers pattern have undergone changes in terms of quality of question asked as per the demand of the paper. But in last two years, with paper being more unpredictable and CSAT playing an important role we are bringing in few changes that are mentioned below: 


CSAT in every paper: Instead of giving out CSAT as a different paper and handing out the choice for student to write CSAT, this year the CSAT will be part of each paper (5 Questions). We will not be doing any negative marking for CSAT to ensure everybody is encouraged to attempt this question without a hesitation in mind.


Inclusion of Simulators in SFG Level 2: There will no full-length tests, nor will there be any change in the fee structure.It is recommended that students take write at least 8 Simulators. It is recommended but not binding on SFG students. Students may enrol for it separately.


In Level 2 the focus will be upon-

  • Covering all the standard books of different subjects as the primary source and supplementing it with few other questions from the secondary source mentioned in the timetable
  • Along with the static portion we will be comprehensively covering the relevant Current Affairs portion.
  • Each Test will have at least 5 CSAT questions based on the syllabus mentioned which would help in ensuring regular practice of CSAT questions.
  • The pattern, difficulty level and quality of the questions which will be similar to UPSC CSE Prelims Examination Paper.
  • Developing analytical acumen through interlinked and multi-dimensional questions.
  • Developing the art of solving Prelims examination questions.
  • Helping the aspirants in consolidating and revising their knowledge acquired during their course of preparation.

What is Select Focus Group / SFG and 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. Almost all  candidates selected, and retained consistently in the group has cleared the Prelims examination in the past including Rank 1 Ishita Kishore and Rank 4 Smriti in CSE 2022
  • Top 100 Students from Offline mode will be selected for the Select Focus Group (SFG) and the rest who clear the cut-off of the Entrance Test will be selected for Reserve List Group (RLG), who will be required to report at 7AM everyday 6 days a week to write an hour long test based on a pre-planned syllabus , followed by discussion on the same, at no additional cost.
  • Candidates who are unable to make it to the SFG, will be maintained in a Reserve List, who can also write the tests, but will not be allowed to take classes.
  • Tests are conducted daily and results are provided within 12 hours of test with Name and Rank list for candidates and parents to evaluate their daily performance. On the basis of ranks, 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 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 10% or so non-performing students are eliminated from the program to maintain the quality of competition.
  • All candidates writing the CSE 2024 are eligible to apply for the entrance test.

Application Procedure and Fee Structure & Details:  

  • The program will commence from 4th March   2024, admissions to which will be entrance test based. The Entrance Test-2will be conducted on 25th Feb. 2024.  The results of the Entrance Test will be announced by 8 PM on 27th Feb. 2024.
  • 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.
  • Candidates can register by visiting  https://academy.forumias.com/sfg/ . 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 Focus Group or the Reserve List Group.
  • SFG will be conducted in both online and offline mode. In online mode, students will invariably be part of the RLG and not SFG.
  • 100 students will be selected for SFG. The remaining students will be selected for RLG. The rank list of online and offline students will be published separately. 
  • 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.
  • Candidates selected for SFG will have to pay a monthly fee of Rs. (2000 + GST) and those in the reserve list will have to pay a monthly fee of Rs. (2500 + GST). Fees are to be paid once the candidate is selected for the program. A fee of Rs. 30 is to be paid additionally for a physical I-Card by all Offline students.

Important Dates and Updates: 

  • SFG 2024 Official Noticeboard: https://forumias.com/blog/sfg/
  • Daily study plan of SFG 2024 Level-2:Click Here
  • Entrance Test-2 for the Program: 25th Feb. 2024 at 9:30 AM
  • SFG Program Starts: 4th March 2024 | 7 AM
  • Important instructions and Centers details for SFG 2024 Level-2: Click Here

Please Note:

  • If you have any clash with any other exam, you will get an opportunity to write the second entrance exam. Only those students will have the opportunity to write the specific entrance who will email other exam hall ticket to farej@flaviant.com.
  • SFG will be conducted in both online and offline mode. In online mode, students will invariably be part of the RLG and not SFG.
  • The tests will be supplemented with comprehensive discussions.

Here are some updates with respect to the SFG 2024 Level-2 Entrance Test:

  • The duration of the test will be 1 hour. It will have both GS and CSAT questions.
  • There will be 50 questions. For every correct question, there will be 2 marks, and for incorrect questions, there will be a negative marking of -0.67
  • It is expected that candidates will have gone through the basic books and are aware of the concepts across different subjects.
  • For GS part, you can expect a judicious mix of questions from Polity (10 Questions), Economy (9 Questions), Indian History and Art & Culture (9 Questions) and Geography (6 Questions). For Current Affairs (6 Questions), questions will be asked from the last 3 months i.e., October, November and December 2023.
  • For CSAT part, a total of 10 questions from Reading Comprehension, Reasoning, and Aptitude will be asked. The previous year's UPSC CSE question paper of CSAT since 2015 can be used as a reference point for preparing these topics.
  • The entrance test will check the aspirant’s problem-solving aptitude within the provided time.

Note: Admissions to the SFG / RLG Group will only be on the basis of the merit position of the candidate in the entrance test.  

No admission will be granted to the candidate without appearing for the Entrance Test. 

jack_Sparrow,curious_kidand36 otherslike this
336.3k views

397 comments

@Neyawn 

Sir the SFG 2 was rescheduled because of the postponement of CSE prelims. Currently 3 days per week are off, instead of previously planned 2 days. Two days were sufficient for revision, simulator tests, etc.

The current 3 continuous days off breaks the momentum and the targeted preparation. Instead of giving one extra day off,

1. SFG can be rescheduled to previous plan and additional mix syllabus tests can be added in last 1-2 weeks or

2. Current 4 days SFG and mix (revision) test of last 1-2 week syllabus can be scheduled on Friday.

Because of the current scheme, the 3 non- SFG days are not as productive as the 4 SFG days in a week.

Kindly consider this.

Mukzy,Risky_Raoand12 otherslike this
7.2k views
Considering I am an online student, I will anyways be in RLG, since I am already enrolled in the current RLG for SFG1 for both months, why do I again have to give the entrance for SFG2 and pay the entrance test fee again? 


Tarzann,Iosephusand11 otherslike this
151.5k views
Sir, Where should check for rank list of sfg test 1(today's) ?
Osho,JARVIS2and8 otherslike this
12k views

Sir, 
I would like to share my observations from my previous two experiences with the UPSC prelims, during which I successfully cleared both exams, all thanks to You (Ayush Sir) & SFG.

1. I suggest allocating an adequate and balanced number of tests to subjects such as Environment, S&T and miscellaneous topics like World Mapping, International Relations based conflicts, multilateral bodies, and Economic Survey. For example, with a total of 45-50 tests(assumption), there should be a minimum of 8-9 tests for Environment, 5-6 for S&T, and 3-4 for miscellaneous topics.

2. There is a noticeable trend of UPSC shifting away from core Modern History. Since 2019, they have asked fewer questions in this area. Therefore, I propose limiting the number of papers dedicated to Modern History to 4-5, rather than the 8 currently scheduled for Level 1.

3.To better align SFG with the true nature of UPSC exams, questions in Polity should go beyond the scope of the Laxmikant book. Indian polity is a vast subject, it encompasses much more than what the book offers. 

4. Questions based on Current Affairs should cover a minimum of the past two years. We should not confine ourselves to a narrow window of 365 days, as UPSC clearly considers a broader timeframe while framing questions. 

5. If possible from your end, do consider to increase the number of questions to 60 (50 + 10 CSAT). This as per me, will be the perfect amalgamation of GS + CSAT .

These are my suggestions, and I hope they will be taken into consideration. Thank you, as always, for your support & guidance.


DM,Mukzyand8 otherslike this
7.3k views
Now day's sfg schedule becoming  volatile like indian politics where everyday we have to cross check our leaders are in same party or not  😂😁


Chd1996,baba07and6 otherslike this
6.7k views
CSAT test should be seperate from the regular GS tests so students can properly judge their CSAT strategy as per the real exam. The logic that many students don't give CSAT tests is unsatisfactory. It's their loss. Please consider this genuine and serious request.
Mukzy,Professor Gellarand6 otherslike this
16.2k views

Please keep atleast sfg of 5 days week and add some extra test in days u kept holiday.@Neyawn 

1.Initially when asked reason for having low number of test forum cited reason of lack of time.

2.Then now we have extra time so some additional test should be added .

3.last year SFG had 50 test this year only 42 test 

4.We can understand there might be some extra cost forum has to bear but it's subsidize program as forum says.

5.So not having some additional test bcz of financial considerations should not be primary reason

6.I have spoke to atleast 5 friends of mine some  are in SFG and some are in RLG all have same opinion that no. Of test shall be increased instead of extra off.

7.it will asloable to do justice with subjects like economy and polity whoes test have been not adequate.

8.U can think of including FLT if possible with some additional money if financially not viable. 



 



AryaStark,Mukzyand5 otherslike this
5.7k views

@farejul when will you provide sfg level 2 schedule

Mukzy,shubham12345and5 otherslike this
10.8k views

I feel the plan is perfect incorporating all the suggestions. Being in this UPSC journey from last 7 years, I genuinely feel all the changes made are well balanced and gives us space for preparing CSAT/CA and giving FLTs on Sunday. SFG L1 made me realize what all mistakes I did in last 7 years and all geared up for L2 now. Kudos to the ForumIAS team. 

Neyawn,DMand4 otherslike this
5.1k views

farejulsaid

B_B_PARMARsaid

Why did result not published on site by which we can take a comparative idea like entrance test of level 1 & all tests of level 1 ???

We have received requests from students that they don't want their details to be published in the SFG level 2 results because of privacy concerns. So,  we are going to follow the earlier policy of mailing the results of SFG Level 2 Entrance exam personally to the students.

Wow! Forumias's consideration for privacy of students could match the importance given to privacy in European countries. Such a weird reason for not releasing the answer key and ranklist - I wonder what harm would it bring to the "students privacy" if the list is made public. And how did forumias decide as to which request would be given primacy - if some students want it private then there are many of us who also want it to be released. 800 Rs+ for an entrance test! I thought only UPSC was unreasonable but everyone is just the same.

d0esn0tmatter,MagnetWalkerand4 otherslike this
4.2k views
At least release the schedule; registration ends tomorrow, and how can we decide whether it will give me enough time for my other plans or not if we don't have the schedule? If we see the schedule, we can plan accordingly.
BattingBaba,Aditya_Mishraand3 otherslike this
7.5k views
As pressure of exam building up forum shall think about Prepon the last last to Friday itself so that we all become free to plan revision accordingly... what others thinking ??? 
Mukzy,Tarzannand3 otherslike this
3.7k views
@farejul Sir, Please requesting to at least release the question paper along with correct answer, so that i can check my mistakes, I have noted down what questions and i got correct and wrong, but please requesting at least questions so that i can correct where I went wrong. 


Aditya_Mishra,NPoojaand3 otherslike this
10.2k views
Provide the rank list so that we can compare with the highest scorer 
MagnetWalker,DevanamPiyaPiyadasiand3 otherslike this
5.3k views
@farejul Sir, keeping the right to privacy in mind please publish the result with roll numbers. Do not share the names as done by UPSC but at least we deserve to know the ranks and marks of participants. Also, please provide the answer keys so that we understand our mistakes and learn from the test, which is the main purpose of any test. Also, we paid ₹826 for a single entrance test for which we haven’t been provided the answer key as well as the result in transparent manner, it doesn’t feel fair.


MoorkhDuryodhan,Risky_Raoand3 otherslike this
4.6k views

ShubhamNaringesaid

@farejul will there be any change regarding publishing results for SFG 2 or it will be same as level 1 ??? 


Same as level 1. Only this year for L1,  we had published selection result with names of the entrance test for L1. However, some students feel that their names should not be disclosed if they have not made it.

However, once you have joined the program, daily results will be declared with partial roll number and names as was being done before.

DM,darkHorse9and3 otherslike this
6.5k views
@ForumIAS-Academy Still waiting for the updates regarding 

1. Calender/StudyPlan of Level 2

2. Is Simulator part of L2 SFG in the same fees ? Or extra fees ?

3. Shifting of L2 entrance dates to 18th feb as on 17th many including Yours truly have CSIR CASE exam. 


shubham12345,yhprumand3 otherslike this
10.6k views

Tarzannsaid

@Neyawn 

Sir the SFG 2 was rescheduled because of the postponement of CSE prelims. Currently 3 days per week are off, instead of previously planned 2 days. Two days were sufficient for revision, simulator tests, etc.

The current 3 continuous days off breaks the momentum and the targeted preparation. Instead of giving one extra day off,

1. SFG can be rescheduled to previous plan and additional mix syllabus tests can be added in last 1-2 weeks or

2. Current 4 days SFG and mix (revision) test of last 1-2 week syllabus can be scheduled on Friday.

Because of the current scheme, the 3 non- SFG days are not as productive as the 4 SFG days in a week.

Kindly consider this.

+1 it breaks the momentum, can we please stick to the original plan.

pypankj,ThePrinceand2 otherslike this
6.2k views

Tarzannsaid

@Neyawn 

Sir the SFG 2 was rescheduled because of the postponement of CSE prelims. Currently 3 days per week are off, instead of previously planned 2 days. Two days were sufficient for revision, simulator tests, etc.

The current 3 continuous days off breaks the momentum and the targeted preparation. Instead of giving one extra day off,

1. SFG can be rescheduled to previous plan and additional mix syllabus tests can be added in last 1-2 weeks or

2. Current 4 days SFG and mix (revision) test of last 1-2 week syllabus can be scheduled on Friday.

Because of the current scheme, the 3 non- SFG days are not as productive as the 4 SFG days in a week.

Kindly consider this.

Yes please ! Finishing the syllabus on 2nd May would also do the work. Please make it 5 days. Requesting the team to please consider the request.

pypankj,Tarzannand2 otherslike this
5.9k views
Hello team , Can we have tests 5 days per week unlike the updated schedule where tests are conducted only 4 days per week? It will be helpful since we will get more time for revisions and full length tests later if tests get over by May 2nd like the previous schedule. 
d0esn0tmatter,Tarzannand2 otherslike this
5.1k views
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