UPSC Prelims Strategy 2021

UPSC Prelims Strategy 2021: UPSC Prelims 2021 is scheduled on 10 October 2021. So, 25 days are left for the first leg of civil services examination. The vastness of the syllabus, uncertainty of the question paper and the pressure of the 2-hour performance makes the paper, unquestionably, arduous.

You already are well aware with UPSC Prelims Syllabus. If not, you can check out UPSC Prelims syllabus subject wise here. In this article, we will discuss what all things are important in this last phase of examination, important topics for UPSC Prelims 2021, and how not to get carried away with anything that does not help to clear the exam.

Let’s dive into the following points of the UPSC Prelims Strategy 2021 that could guide you in these last 25 days.

Stick to plan: Remember failing to plan is planning to fail. Make a revision plan, if not made until now. Make it on paper and stick it somewhere you could see now and then. The plan should be such that you do not miss any portion of the syllabus and give weighted focus to each one of them.

Stop going gaga over new materials now: Many aspirants waste their final time running after materials. You will get attracted towards the title of the coaching institute magazines but do not fall prey to them. It will serve no purpose. Have limited resources. Revise them as much as you can.

Start memorizing: UPSC asks many debatable questions in prelims. However, it also asks some direct questions. For example, you might find questions from congress president, congress session, list of governor general, socio-religious organisations, fundamental rights, wetlands, among others. These are some topics from where direct question is asked by UPSC. These are the ‘either you know or you don’t’ type questions. Make sure you mark them right.

Current Affairs: The relevance of this section is important year-by-year. You can see its importance from UPSC Prelims Trends Analysis. Many of the questions asked in the question paper finds it trail in a current event. By now, you would have covered your one-year current affairs. Make sure you revise them properly. UPSC has started asking conceptual questions from current affairs, for example, implication of GST, implication of Chabahar port, among others. Make sure you have both factual knowledge and conceptual clarity about all the issues.

Prioritize things: This is THE most important part of preparation. Prioritize your topics. For example, it is known that the questions asked from polity and modern history are much more than those from science and technology. So, there is no point in giving equal focus to them. It is what we meant above, where we said to give ‘weighted focus’.

Assess yourself: With every passing year, the importance of mock tests is increasing. Start solving test series, if you have not done until now. Those who have already solved the tests, revise them well and those who have not, solve at least 15 full length tests and revise them properly. Test series helps you in knowing your grey areas. Remember to have conceptual clarity in whatever section you are reading.

Do NOT ignore CSAT: We have seen many aspirants crumble in this paper. Even those from some of the prestigious institutions of our country. Some of them even cleared the GS cut-off. These cases are tot because the paper is tough, but because they were too relaxed with this paper. Solve at least 2-3 past year papers. If you are scoring around 100, you can mark yourself safe in this paper. However, if you are scoring below 90 marks, solve mocks and increase your marks. In no case, you should leave this paper unprepared.

Circadian Rhythm: Last but not least, synchronize your daily routine to the exam day. If you are giving mock tests, try to attempt them at the exam time. It will help you normalize the pressure on the day of the examination. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day!