UPSC is one of the most competitive exams. The UPSC Civil Services Examination is divided into three stages, which are Preliminary, Main, and Personal Interview. Every year, millions of applicants appear for this highly competitive exam.
1. NOT FOLLOWING THE CURRICULUM
2. MISSING TO GO THROUGH PREVIOUS YEARS
Aspirants do not realize that the previous year's 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.
3. PILING UP IRRELEVANT BOOKS
4. NOT GETTING BAISC REFERENCE
5. LACK OF WRITING SKILLS
6. WAY OF CHOOSING OPTIONAL PAPER
7. NOT PERCEIVING THE BOTTOM LINE OF THE NEWSPAPERS
8. IMPROPER SWOT ANALYSIS
SWOT analysis is undertaken to identify the internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as external opportunities and threats. As the nature of the UPSC exam demands high dynamism and adaptability, candidates miss analysing their inbuilt strength s and weaknesses along with the posing opportunities and threats.
9. NOT PRIORITIZING THE TASK
10. CIRCUMVENATING REGULAR REVIEWING
To ease the hardships of applicants, experts have shared some of the important pointers or can say mistakes that one should avoid while preparing for these exams.
One of the biggest mistakes the aspirants commit is not following the syllabus given by the UPSC. Many of them start their preparation without referring to the syllabus and within no time find themselves in a 'no progress zone'.Though the topics may be vast, but not completely unlimited.
CSE applicants need to break this myth as this may prove fatal in the long run, costing you time, money, energy, and resources. In their course of preparation, consider the UPSC syllabus as your roadmap to start with and continue referring it at all points of preparation.
Flooding the room completely with UPSC preparation books does not always land you with success. For effective preparation, choose handpicked books that are genuinely relevant. Though there are several marketplaces in the city that are the hub for such book preparation with various authors and publications available, scrutinize books for the relevant book to idealize your preparation.
It is preferable to seek advice from their seniors, experienced mentors, or reliable sources before going for book purchase.
Most of the aspirants do this by going for heavy-weight books instead of getting the basics clear. The NCERT books up to 12 standards are a good source of knowledge to initiate steadily. This is the most atomic-sized mistake that can compel your preparations to fall.
The main exams is the criteria for the selection process that includes writing essays. One lacking writing skills may not be well efficient in clearing the selection process. The aspirant should be well equipped with facts and wisdom, a fluent flow of knowledge in a very precise and skillful manner.
Being one of the toughest tasks, if not rectified on time, failure is guaranteed. Aspirants should focus on exam pattern-oriented writing rigorously rather than blogging to improve writing and typing skills.
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. These insights and estimations can prove fatal during results. The optional paper should be chosen in such a way that it should also suit the aspirants' interest and inclination toward it.
If the newspapers and the magazines do not understandable 'what and how to read', the results will yield low in the long run. A newspaper has three segments from an exam point of view - events (that gives facts and figures), Issues (provides views and reviews that help in developing an individual's understanding and opinion on contemporary subjects.), and gossip.
In addition, articles on various other segments also help aspirants to frame and write well-structured essays. Hence, utilize the newspapers with persistent efforts.
This takes them in the wrong direction during preparation, leading to a loss of tempo and zeal. Aspirants should therefore keep a consistent grip over their strong areas and at least a loose fist over weaker sections.
Improper management of time can lead to undesirable outcomes. As aspirants put years together for UPSC preparation, managing time and prioritizing their work is a must.
Any ambition without a time frame is nothing more than a fantasy. Understand the difference between urgent and important to achieve fruitful benefits.
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' what you have read till date. Video Lectures, Subject Audio, and Group Discussions (Group Study) can prove to be a boon for an aspirant of UPSC CSE.
Tips by: AK Mishra, Founder, and CEO, Chanakya IAS Academy.
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