UPSC IAS Mains exam is called as mother of all Exams because of its quality answer writing skills needed to answer Mains questions. Today, we share some important tips and techniques that would help those who are appearing for Mains this year, and also aspirants who are preparing for 2020.
Successful Tips To crack IAS Mains Exam
UPSC preparation needs more mental and physical strength. You need to ensure that your preparation should be focused and dedicated. Here, we have listed some important tips for Mains exam preparation.
1. Be Aware of Mains Syllabus
You should know all the topics mentioned in the UPSC Mains syllabus. By way of remembering Syllabus topics, you can differentiate the important and irrelevant topics to be covered for Mains exam preparation. Develop a habit of having Mains syllabus on your study table, it will help you to read relevant subject topics.
2. Strike a Balance between GS and Optional Subject
In Mains examination, you should give equal importance to all the papers. Try to balance your GS and Optional subject preparation. Few aspirants focus only on all GS papers and leave optional and vice versa for others. Don’t do that; have a balanced approach.
3. Work on your Answer writing skills
IAS mains exam is all about writing good quality answers. To get good marks in Mains exam, you need to practice a lot of questions. So, try to develop a habit of writing one or two answers on a regular basis to improve your answer writing skills.
4. Stay updated with Current affairs
Be it prelims, Mains or Interview, UPSC gives importance to current issues and events. You should always be updated on all the current issues happening around the world. In Mains exam, GS Paper 2 and 3 questions asked are based on current affairs. Further, current affairs update will be helpful to write your Mains optional subjects.
5. Give equal importance to all questions and topics
Many aspirants cover certain aspects of the syllabus and leave few topics in GS and optional. Always try to cover all topics mentioned in Mains syllabus. It is popularly believed that you should know something about everything mentioned in the syllabus.
Even in the Mains examination hall, give equal importance to all questions and try to answer all the questions given in the paper.
6. Be Aware of UPSC trends
You should be aware of UPSC Mains question trends. For this, you need to refer last 3–4 years mains question paper (both GS and Optional). Once you understand the trend and type of questions asked by UPSC, you can prepare accordingly.
7. Work hard on the Essay section
Develop a habit of writing one essay topic on a weekly basis. Essay paper plays one of the determining factors in the Mains exam. To score well in Essay paper, you need to practice a lot of essays on various topics.
8. Give due importance to Time Management
Time management is very important in UPSC exam preparation. Plan your weekly, monthly and year-long plans in exam preparation with achievable targets. Apart from studies and reading, spend some quality time on extracurricular activities.
9. Stick to selective books and materials
Minimum books and Maximum benefits. You don’t need to read the same subject from different resources. Instead, read the subject topic from one reliable source as many times as possible.
10. Follow a Daily Study Plan
Schedule your daily plan and stick to those plans. It is not necessary you should read 9 to 10 hours on a regular basis. But try to have a study plan and work accordingly, it will guide your exam preparation.
Success never comes easy. One has to work hard to taste it.
