How to Stay on the Right Track While Preparing for the IAS Exam
Preparing for the Indian Administrative Services (IAS) exam can be a challenging and bumpy journey. Many aspirants face the struggle of staying on track and effectively utilizing their time. Drawing from personal experiences and insights, this article aims to provide effective strategies for navigating the preparation journey, ensuring you are on the correct path towards success.
The Importance of Being Proactive in Your Preparation
My first experience with the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination (CSE) in 2016 was not without its challenges. At the time, I enrolled in two coaching institutes to assist in my preparation. One provided General Studies (GS) classes from 7 AM to 9:30 AM, spanning 10 months, and the other covered Options from 10 AM to 12 PM, for a duration of 4 months. Each class was held 7 days a week for GS and 6 days a week for Options. Despite the structured schedule, staying on track and revising adequately was a constant challenge.
After my first attempt, I realized the necessity of taking control of my own preparation. Instead of solely relying on attending classes, I had to allocate time for self-study. The realization that I had not effectively tracked my progress led me to devise a more effective strategy. I printed copies of the syllabus, placing one on the wall, one in my bag, and one on my bed. This helped me divide my time and allocate it strategically to different sections of the syllabus.
Using the Syllabus as a Guide
With the syllabus as my guide, I decided to cover each part comprehensively. For instance, I allocated a month to the Ethics Paper 4, making sure to cover all relevant keywords. Following the advice of some toppers, I started Googling each keyword to gain a deeper understanding. By doing this for each keyword in the syllabus, I was able to cover the entire syllabus in 30 days. This approach was further refined to cover 360 degrees of each keyword, ensuring no aspect was left unattended.
Utilizing previous years’ question papers (PYQs) was another crucial step in gauging my progress. I leveraged both Preliminary (Prelims) and Main Examination (Mains) PYQs to assess my preparation level. This strategy involved using the syllabus and PYQs to stay on track with my preparation.
The Essential Role of Mentorship and Continuous Assessment
Overall, the experience highlighted the importance of being proactive and diligent in preparation. The lack of mentorship during my preparation journey was a significant challenge. Many aspirants, such as 95% according to my observations, find themselves engrossed in new information, social media, and worrying about competition, often missing out on basic, effective strategies. This is akin to “seeing the tree while missing the forest.”
To stay on track, it is essential to set aside 30 minutes every week to analyze the progress made and the areas that need more attention. By back-calculating the number of days left for both Prelims and Mains, you can adjust your speed accordingly. Ensuring consistency and comprehensive coverage of the syllabus is key to success.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
As my name is Suryansh Sodhani, and I share answers on Quora to assist UPSC and other government exam aspirants, I understand the challenges you might face. If you need further guidance, feel free to visit my Quora profile or reach out via message. I am more than happy to connect and assist you in your journey.
Wishing you all the best in your preparations!