Utkarsh Dwivedi AIR-5 UPSC CSE 2021
Optional - Political Science and International Relations (314 Marks)
SOME TIPS YOU CAN USE IN MAINS ANSWER WRITING
An aspirant should focus on three organs of answer while writing answers in mains i.e Intro Body and Conclusion
A good intro can fetch you maximum marks.
One should write the soul of answer in introduction so that an invigilator can have a rough idea about the student’s perecption
Here an example could be cited. A question related to solar energy in mains exam can be started by “ Pure Secure and Sure” that were used by PM Modi while inaugurating largest solar power plant of Asia.
One should always adopt innovative methods in writing intro to an answer
There are several standadrd ways of introduction while writing answers define, start with fact data, and write gist in comprehensive manner
A new way of writing intro could be connecting current affairs in intro
The locus and focus approach is another manner of writing intro in which locus means locte situation, and focus the importance and significance of situation an intro should be like a movie trailer that could have a large impact on invigilator’s mind.
The body of answer should be intellectual and thematic
The Conclusion of an answer should be Glocal i.e it should comprise both Global and Local dimensions
There should be more emphasis on India centric approach and views.
For inclucating skill to write better conclusion the newspaper editorials ending could be of huge importance as it will teach you to write a better intro of an answer.
Besides the above points the points mentioned below also have a great value
For clearing exam in first attempt : self belief is important, first attempt should be given with full vigour
Be happy and light minded
Make story and play with pnemonics
Devide the whole preparation in small segments
Seek help from technology
Smartness in choosing topics from various sources
Association and dissociation method
Take the positive approach and don't bother from the views of others
Rural students are more aware of ground realities that can be better utilised in answer writing
🛑🛑Prelims Strategy
A) Static
Static forms core of Prelims. Around minimum 55-60 questions comes from static area. Static covers your basic books (NCERTs etc) and classroom notes. There should not be generally more that one source for the same topic.
Many questions have been asked from history in last few years. So I think, no areas/subjects can be ignored. UPSC knows what all are there in basic books like spectrum, ShankarIAS (Environment) etc. so many questions are now asked outside these books as well. I would recommend to develop conceptual understanding from these sources and apply your mind to do intelligent guessing in exam.
Also one should see the trend and analyse PYQs to know which topics to focus more. For example many questions are now coming from pictures and glossary of new NCERTs History (class 11th and 12th). I covered Bhakti Sufi movement and Buddhism and Jainism in detail as generally every year UPSC has asked questions from these areas.
B) Current Affairs
Current has to be read with static part. I used PT365 along with google and online sources (Will share it). 1 year of CAs is enough. If one is covering monthly magazine of one year then there is no need to read PT 365. Also one source is enough, no need to follow Current affairs of two coaching institutes. Current Affairs (PT 365/magazine) of environment, Science and Tech and economy are important. Use GOOGLE to broaden your knowledge and gain extra knowledge.
C) Extra Sources
Few topics like maps, environment, reports, International organisations, schemes etc requires further reading. Different sources can be used to cover this. (will share it in a pdf)
D) Mock Tests
One should give both sectional as well as full length tests. One can give sectional tests of any one coaching institute and Full length tests of 3-4 coaching institutes. In my opinion one should give minimum 30-40 tests. Just by decreasing blunders and increasing efficiency in attempting paper, one can increase 20 marks.
1) It is important to give almost 20 tests in last 1 month. Avoid giving tests in last 1 week.
2) Giving 1 test daily, one month prior to prelims helps a lot. It helped me to get used to test and pressure environment. Also I practiced attempting around 20-25 questions in last 10 minutes after reading questions twice in 1st and 2nd iteration. As the real prelims paper would feel always lengthy than mocks, so practice to perform like Dhoni, attempting more questions while maintaining accuracy.
3) Analysis of test is as important as giving tests. See in which areas you are making mistakes.
4) I decided how to give my real prelims paper based upon my performance in these mock tests. Like when to start bubbling (at 1:35hrs), how many iterations to use (3), how many questions to attempt (90-95), which questions to leave (questions in history as it was my weak area) etc etc.
Covering static portion well, limiting current affairs, revising the same thing many times, doing less blunder and improving intelligent guessing are important to improve one’s chance to clear Prelims.
Best wishes !!
#Prelims 2023 #Prelims 2023