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SFG 2024 : Questions For A Veteran

Hello folks, have heard a lot about the SFG program of Forum. A lot many had only relied on this to pass the Prelims paper, along with the reading and revision bit although.
It's my first time this year with this prog, and I have signed up for it. Would any veteran, or any, who has won against the 7 AM chills and appeared for the tests consistently, and also passed (or not) the Prelims paper, let me know how did you use this program to your advantage, and fullest potential?

- Had it been quite helpful in tackling the 2023 Prelims as well?

- Did you do any other test series alongside, or later?

Thank you

Iam_,themightycapand5 otherslike this
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10 comments

I have been part of sfg for three years ,been consistent throughout the program ,also been able to clear both cse and forest twice and GS cutoff everytime although could not clear csat once 
Neyawn,UK01and6 otherslike this
3.8k views

Regarding 2023 prelims it was really helpful for me ,but it depends on focusing on the whole process as it moulds us by the end of process .( By it i mean is what matters is learning from each test and making progress and to be at your peak on D-Day like Australia did yesterday) 

Regarding totally relying on sfg ,i solved only FLTS from the market apart from sfg ,also enrolled for simulators 

Neyawn,UK01and3 otherslike this
3.8k views
@Rashmirathi Thank you very much for the response. In the Level 1, did you dedicate the whole day to the SFG i.e the test, analysis and revision for the next day or kept a part apart for other studies as well? I mean, did it allow? 
Also, the Australia was apt but quite painful :')
All the best! :)



@themightycap 

3.5k views
@Rashmirathi Thank you very much for the response. In the Level 1, did you dedicate the whole day to the SFG i.e the test, analysis and revision for the next day or kept a part apart for other studies as well? I mean, did it allow? 
Also, the Australia was apt but quite painful :')
All the best! :)


When i did it for first time ,i used to dedicate the whole day ,after that attempt it became easy for me (only used to dedicate some hours) 

I know it’s painful (Australia thing) but that’s reality as  being topper of xyz test series or test doesn’t matter on that day if you are not at your best  on D-day and are not able to give 100%

DM,Iam_and4 otherslike this
3.7k views

For current affairs, did you follow the forum monthly magazine or other magazine like vision's? As per the schedule, 1-month monthly magazine has to be completed in 2 days. How did you complete it? Is there any sort of demarcation like first half of topics for day 1 and remaining for day 2. Also how did you make shortnotes? Kindly share the tips and techniques which you have learnt over the years to use the time efficiently.@Rashmirathi

3.4k views

For current affairs, did you follow the forum monthly magazine or other magazine like vision's? As per the schedule, 1-month monthly magazine has to be completed in 2 days. How did you complete it? Is there any sort of demarcation like first half of topics for day 1 and remaining for day 2. Also how did you make shortnotes? Kindly share the tips and techniques which you have learnt over the years to use the time efficiently.@Rashmirathi

Earlier forum used to have factly (monthly magazine) ,which was short and crisp very good from prelims point of view so referred that for 2021 attempt (now I don’t know) . In later attempts mostly relied on newspaper only and directly attempted current affairs questions ( as after certain time in this preparation you realise that current affairs are not that much current) and if I didn’t know any questions i made sure to refer to solution.

Regarding shortnotes - i have never made any ( that doesn’t mean you should also follow me ) ,i used to revise directly from questions paper only 

For efficient time utilisation I still remember a very beautiful rule shared by@Neyawn sir that within half  hour of waking you should be on your  study table  ,also prepare your next day before going to bed ( it should be very objective) 

UK01,sch3615and4 otherslike this
3.3k views

For current affairs, did you follow the forum monthly magazine or other magazine like vision's? As per the schedule, 1-month monthly magazine has to be completed in 2 days. How did you complete it? Is there any sort of demarcation like first half of topics for day 1 and remaining for day 2. Also how did you make shortnotes? Kindly share the tips and techniques which you have learnt over the years to use the time efficiently.@Rashmirathi

Earlier forum used to have factly (monthly magazine) ,which was short and crisp very good from prelims point of view so referred that for 2021 attempt (now I don’t know) . In later attempts mostly relied on newspaper only and directly attempted current affairs questions ( as after certain time in this preparation you realise that current affairs are not that much current) and if I didn’t know any questions i made sure to refer to solution.

Regarding shortnotes - i have never made any ( that doesn’t mean you should also follow me ) ,i used to revise directly from questions paper only 

For efficient time utilisation I still remember a very beautiful rule shared by@Neyawn sir that within half  hour of waking you should be on your  study table  ,also prepare your next day before going to bed ( it should be very objective) 

We got a legal notice from fact checking website factly that they own the trademark.

We are thinking of doing something similar for prelims this year. Open to suggestions.

How was IFoS? Theek theek ya give up ho gaya?


I am no knight. Do not call me Sir|Philosophy behind ForumIAS

Tarzann,
2.7k views

Hi, so I cleared 2023 prelims and IFoS cut off. A different perspective than the ones given above. 

I joined a regional weekly test series for prelims in December 2022 and joined the first month SFG Level 2 to see what the hype was all about. 

I actually ended up quitting SFG after a month as it wasn't my cup of tea. Had joined in online mode and staring at a screen everyday at 7 am in the morning was not my thing and coupled with weekly tests that I had, I got a burnout . So wouldn't really recommend it in the online mode. 

But what one needs is a method to stay accountable, could be weekly or daily, SFG or no SFG. That will help you cover the syllabus and when your rank goes down you will study out of fear/guilt if not nothing else. 

One month of SFG however did help me to gauge my preparation levels, and scores above 60 meant that I was in the game. What I would recommend is to try and stay in the top 10% of students in a fairly large sample size of 500 odd students (in an institute whose material you won't have read much). Rational is that your score might get inflated if you say read vision CA magazine and then solve their prelims test series. You won't be getting those many direct hits in the examination. 

Another observation that I had in the weekly test series was when the second batch of tests began in January (ie. the mains given people started writing them) my ranks started to plummet. So the real competition would be people who have cleared prelims before/written mains. 

Iam_,DancingMasterand1 otherslike this
2.5k views

My expectation from you when you do SFG level 1 is that at least your books should be coloured and covered. You know the important nooks and corners of the syllabus. Sometimes people realise the level of competition for the very first time when they do SFG.

It's especially useful if you have flunked prelims like 3-4 times. It's EoL season is NPA right now, and if you google the names, you should be able to locate at least 15-20 semcted candidates from the penultimate service in SFG selected list.

It isn't magic. It's just about the competition and discipline.


I am no knight. Do not call me Sir|Philosophy behind ForumIAS

DM,CristianoRonaldoand14 otherslike this
2.2k views
@Neyawn Thank you for the unexpected cameo, and the input! Shall try my best :)



@themightycap 

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