The UPSC exam, one of India’s most prestigious exams, is held annually to recruit some of the most intelligent, creative, and knowledgeable people to some of the most coveted government posts. Each year, thousands of candidates apply and only a handful are selected to take up these coveted positions. What does it take, you ask? Hard work, dedication, and endless hours spent poring over books, newspapers, and UPSC previous year paper.
What Is The Exam Like?
The UPSC exam is an intense journey that requires consistent hard work and unflinching belief in your own self. The UPSC syllabus, like every year, is vast and intimidating, however, it isn’t impossible to conquer. In order to understand how to prepare for this exam, let us first gain some insight into what the exam is like.
The UPSC exam is held in three phases, each more daunting than the last.
- The Prelims- The prelims are the very first screening step. This exam includes two General Studies tests that include everything from International affairs to Finance and Environmental Policy. Pretty much anything under the sun can be asked in this exam and it is also what decides whether or not you move on to the next stage.
- The Mains- The mains, is a longer exam that includes a more descriptive pattern. While General Knowledge is a crucial part of it, the mains also take into account your creativity and prowess over languages. This is the one to beat! If you’ve made it this far, you may just be able to make it all the way through.
- The Interview- The final phase of the UPSC selection is the interview or the personality test. At this stage, a candidate is screened for their personality type, mental ability, and other traits that are required of people holding high offices in the government.
How To Prepare For The UPSC Exam?
Sure, crushing the UPSC exam is no mean feat, but with the right resources and guidance, and consistent effort, it is possible. Read on, for some helpful tips to make your UPSC dream come true.
- Check your eligibility- The first thing to check is whether you are eligible to appear for the UPSC exam at all. Every year, the government announces the eligibility criteria for various categories. This includes minimum age, maximum age, nationality, domicile status, etc. Before applying for the exam, you must ascertain whether you meet the mentioned criteria.
- Know the syllabus- Once you have applied for the exam, get to know the syllabus. It is a vast syllabus and can become overwhelming at a later stage. Take this time to organize yourself and deal with the syllabus in smaller chunks.
- Schedule- It is always recommended to make a timetable to help you stay on track. But we’ll go one step further and say that you need to also schedule your breaks. In the sea of information that candidates need to internalize, they often forget to take healthy breaks. This can cause burn-outs.
- Study each topic regularly- Don’t just jump in and try to finish off one subject in a day. Pick up topics from each subject and study them every day. This will keep your mind from being bored with similar information and give it practice on how to jump from one subject to another.
- Revise- Revise the difficult topics often. There is no shame in going back to the books to check facts. Revision is what will really drive the point home.
- Practice- Take time to practice mock tests and solve previous year’s papers. BYJU’s exam prep offers enough study material and experienced mentors to guide you through this journey. It’s ok to get some help!
The UPSC aspirants’ journey is not an easy one, and having encouraging, positive people around you is important. Get mentors and study partners who will lift you up. The rest is up to you and your own persistence.
