4 Top tips to crack IAS- Prelims

The three most important things required to do well in any exam are dedication, determination and devotion. You should be sincerely devoted towards your goal, be determined to achieve it and work for it with sheer dedication. However, Civil Service Examinations like IAS-Prelims require added efforts, more than that required for any other exam. For full curriculum of exam, refer our previous post on UPSC changes. Here are certain useful tips that will help you get success in IAS-Prelims.

Proper Guidance

The syllabus for Civil Service Exams is huge and comprehensive therefore, it is not possible to study it all while preparing for the prelims. Proper Guidance is essential to do selective studies. Consulting the candidates who have cleared successfully in the past helps you gain insight on how to go about it. Also, you can take some help from the coaching classes; they can help you with the right study material and provide you with effective study schedules. You can even refer past years’ question papers as they are of great help to choose between relevant and irrelevant topics.

Making Notes

Making notes while studying will help you to have concise and to-the-point content, this can be referred just before the examination day. This will help you save time and have a glance at all the important topics quickly.

Stay Updated

For the General Studies section, you need to be abreast with current happenings in the nation, for which it is advised that you regularly read newspapers. If not the newspaper then at least listen to Radio Channels that broadcast news, like All India Radio; or watch TV news channels.

Regularly Evaluate

Practice is the key to every task humanly possible. Do not listen to those who say, you at least need three to four revisions to clear the exams otherwise don’t expect positive results. Such talks will break your self-confidence and play with your head, thereby, posing as a hindrance between you and your success. Of course, it is always better to have a good practice and as many revisions possible but if you are lagging behind don’t worry. It’s the time for action, not reaction, study as much as you can in whatever time you have and believe in yourself that you will clear.

It is seen that all the top rankers always say one thing that it is important to have the correct frame of mind during the exams. Be positive about the exams and don’t try to guess your results before time. A fearful and tensed mind cannot think clearly. So, you will suffer in the exam where your analytical capabilities and acumen will be tested. Apart from your efforts, success also depends on how you think. Meditation and Yoga can help you keep stress under control and think calmly; they also help to improve concentration.

Time management is another important area which needs attention. Decide what you should be attempting first and allot appropriate time for each question. Before appearing for the prelim, try and do some mock tests to have an idea about your timing and performance. Remember; practice as much as you can.