TipTop : ‘Always follow the syllabus’

AK MISHRA shares tips on how students can ace UPSC exams

All young and dynamic minds are heading for UPSC Civil services examination 2019. Some will have their first attempt and some will make another try but there are certain guidelines to be followed everytime one plan to appear.

• Following the curriculum: One of the biggest mistakes the aspirants commit is not to follow the syllabus given by the UPSC. Most of the students start their preparation without referring to the syllabus and within no time find themselves in ‘no progress zone’. Though the topics may be vast, but not completely unlimited. CSE aspirants need to break this myth as this may prove fatal in the long run costing you with time, money, energy and resource. In their course of preparation, consider the UPSC syllabus as your roadmap to start with and continue referring it at all points of preparation.
• Don’t miss to go through previous years  question papers: Aspirants do not realise that the previous year papers can help them prepare in accordance with the latest trend followed by the UPSC. While preparing, refer to previous years after each step in order to co-relate with the topics finished, as this is a good indicator of whether you are moving in the right direction or not.
• Choosing up relevant books: Flooding the room completely with UPSC preparation books does not always land you in success. For effective preparation, choose handpicked books that are genuinely relevant.  The NCERT books up to Class XII are a good source of knowledge to initiate steadily.
• Master writing skills: The mains exams is the criteria for the selection process that includes writing essays. One lacking in writing skills may not be well efficient in clearing the selection process. The aspirants should be well equipped with facts and wisdom, fluent flow of knowledge in a very precise and skillful manner. Being one of the toughest task, if not rectified on time, failure is guaranteed. nWay of choosing optional paper: Aspirants opt for the optional paper based on the subject scores and marking trends, length and extent of the curriculum and subject that covers almost the GS paper. Optional paper should be chosen smartly in such a way that it should also suit the aspirant’s interest and inclination towards it.
• Not perceiving the bottomline of the newspapers: If the newspapers and the magazines are not understood about ‘what and how to read’, the results will yield low in the long run. A newspaper has three segments from preparation point of view — events (that gives facts and figures), issues (provides views and reviews that helps in developing an individuals understanding and opinion on contemporary subjects.) and gossips. So, a thorough reading and understanding of concept is important
• Circumventing regular reviewing: To retain the information stored during the preparation it is necessary to revise consistently. There has to be a very well maintained cohesion between what you read and revise. Video lectures, subject audios and group discussions can prove to be a blessing for an aspirant of UPSC CSE.

The writer is Founder & Director, Chanakya IAS Academy