There are better starters than me, but I’m a strong finisher. – Usain Bolt.
Of course, well begun is half done. But only half!
And that too may not be the case with many. Most of the aspirants get into the exam mood only in the last 30 days before UPSC prelims. If they have right strategies, the efforts in the final lap would be enough to edge past the competition. On the contrary, those early starters, who go into the over-relaxed mood may not sail through. It’s equally important not to panic at the last minute, as that will affect your productivity.
The last-30 days can be a game changer. In this post, we discuss the tips and strategies to boost your UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Exam score in the final 30 days before the exam.
1. Attempt previous year UPSC questions in a timed environment with negative marking
What should be done to avoid panic at exam hall? Do rehearsal of the same.
And the best source of actual exam rehearsal is previous year UPSC questions.
Extra tip: Always learn the solutions should be based on official UPSC answer key; otherwise you will by-heart lot many errors present in other keys.
2. Take ClearIAS mock tests for IAS Prelims
Our advice would be to take as many quality mock tests as possible. Having said that, don’t go the extreme end and run behind all. Your time is limited. Invest only in right resources. Once you familiar with previous year UPSC question papers, you would be able to judge UPSC standards. Enroll for a mock test series which is close to UPSC standards.
3. Get some more books; yes really!
There is still time to invest in books. If you feel lacking in any area (Eg: Culture or Economics), buy/borrow the recommended books for the same. You don’t need to compromise on anything. The value of your one year is much more than the price of 1-2 books. Go for the actual exam in full confidence without any feeling of under-preparation. Also, all the books will be useful for the UPSC main exam as well.
Many questions will come directly/indirectly from NCERTs. And if you have time constraints to revise the government sources like PIB, India Year Book, Yojana, Kurukshetra, Budget, Economic Survey etc, at-least make sure that you take
our latest current affairs test, which will cover the most important topics.
4. Revise the notes you made already for IAS Prelims
In the last month, it’s always advisable not to learn from too many new sources (unless you are totally stuck/feel under-prepared with the present source). If you have read Indian Polity by Laxmikanth once, then in the last month, it’s better not to start reading Indian Polity by D.D. Basu. Just stick to the same source and revise the same. Make quick to read notes, about confusing points. This would be useful in the last 2-3 days before Prelims.
5. Stop material collection, sit and learn!
In the online age, there is no shortage of materials – online and offline. Each of your hard-drive may have hundreds of GigaBytes of study materials (which you may not refer at all!). A lot many will be there in Google Drive or Telegram. Materials will keep on coming. Learn to limit the sources to a quality-few. Otherwise you may feel over-burdened. Also, the notion that there are too much to finish may not let you sleep peacefully.
