Without a doubt, the UPSC, or civil services exam, is the most prestigious exam in the world. Every year, only a small percentage of the thousands of students who apply for the exam succeed in their ultimate goal of passing this prestigious exam. However, in this article, we will discuss “What should one do to improve after giving an attempt in the UPSC?”
There could be specific reasons for failing the exam on the first or second attempt. Assume, for example, that:
- There might be a lack of sufficient content preparation.
- The questions’ criteria were not understood properly.
- Managing the time during the exam was poorly done.
- Maybe average grades were received in the scoring area like the optional subject.
Let’s take a quick look at some of the potential solutions to these issues:
To execute the plan extensively
Given the extensive curriculum and fierce competition, your preparation must be thorough and efficient. The exam’s structure must be fully grasped and managed by you. For instance, one should be well-versed in the subtopics of the syllabus, the nature of the questions posed, and the current state of affairs. Please review the curriculum and questions from prior years several times to comprehend and recognize everything. As part of your study strategy, take notes on every subject covered in the curriculum and supplement them with current events. For instance, you could combine brief notes on current events with notes on concepts like communalism, regionalism, and secularism in GS-1.
Additionally, you must be able to write on each subject covered in the curriculum for one page (150 words), with a focus on current events.
Beware of the Questions
Choose a few questions from last year’s papers and read them several times to see how well you can recognize the requirements. To determine if there are any restrictions on your ability to recognize the key components of a topic, discuss it with your peers. Many students rush through the exam and completely miss 2-3 questions. Last but not least, try to practice as many papers as you can by setting a time limit that will eventually help you improve, even if you are in a complete rush.
Manage the Timings Adequately
You might have failed in the past for a variety of reasons. But this time, be cautious. that nothing is overlooked. Attempt to better manage your timing. You should be able to answer at least 17–18 questions on each GS exam and nearly all of the questions on the optional paper if you prepared well for the test. You’ll need to keep a record of your time to complete them so that you don’t forget any tasks. With more practice, this is something that is easily improvable.
Practice the Answer writing activity
Since you have already taken the UPSC exam and will take it again, it is important for you to understand the significance of delivering answers in a proper format. The first stage is to construct your response using a proper structure that relates to the question’s criteria, while keeping basic aspects in mind such as (discussion, comment, etc.). To improve the visual appeal of your response, address each component under a separate subheading.
Self-Practice: Begin by writing a summary of newspaper editorials. It will allow you to assess your ability to express yourself and continuously improve. You can also respond to questions posed by teachers, previous UPSC papers, or questions posed by any online source or mock tests. If you did not do this in your previous attempt, you must do so now.
Practice the Test Series: Once you’ve finished practicing your answers, you can enroll in a test series program to receive feedback from a variety of experts on your content and presentation. It will also help you manage your time so that you become accustomed to finishing your paper before the deadline.