10 KEY TIPS TO EXCEL IN EXAMS FROM IAS TOPPERS-
Every year, the Union Public Service Commission conducts its UPSC Civil Services Exam for the recruitment of IAS, IPS etc. Many aspiring candidates appear in the UPSC Civil Services Examination to fulfill their dream of becoming bureaucrats and serve the nation by joining hands with the Government of India. However, only a handful of candidates get to accomplish their dream while others wait for another year to get selected. Here are some tips from IAS toppers for you to excel and top the UPSC examination-
1. Be Positive and Confident
Before you start for any entrance exam, first, you need to believe in your abilities and keep a positive frame of mind for the preparation of the UPSC exam. Doubting your abilities or keeping a negative approach towards your goal will always lower your confidence and take you away from success. Thus it is important to maintain an optimistic mindset and enjoy the preparation phase of the exam. Attending the best IAS coaching center or UPSC online coaching can help you feel confident.
2. Be Aware With The Important Updates
The Union Public Service Commission releases the UPSC Civil Services Exam notification that covers information related to the availability of online application form, important dates of the exam, availability of admit card and more. It is important to always visit the official website regularly to remain updated about any new information.
3. Stay Well-Informed About UPSC IAS Exam Pattern & Syllabus
An important part of the exam preparation is to stay updated about the exam pattern and syllabus. The UPSC exam can be divided into three stages which are UPSC Prelims, Mains, and Interview. So, it is important for the aspirants preparing for CSE to have complete knowledge of the exam pattern and syllabus, as it will help them to put their efforts in the right direction.
4. Hard Work and Pure Dedication Is the Key to Success
There is one common thing that you can find easily in all IAS toppers and that is Hard work and pure Dedication towards their goal. Most of the IAS toppers admitted that before starting their preparation for the exam they fixed some rules for themselves which they needed to follow on a regular basis, and it helped them to concentrate more on the work and helped them to achieve their dream.
5. Plan Your Preparation Wisely
Being aware of the dates, syllabus, and exam pattern for the UPSC IAS examination, now the task is to plan your preparation schedule wisely. Calculate how much time is left to prepare for the exam and plan accordingly to cover all the topics at least 6 months before the exam. Understand your comfort level in all sections by practicing repeatedly and formulate your strategy according to that only.
6. List Out the Right Study Material
After being aware of preparation tactics, make a note of all the study materials and books that you will need to cover the complete syllabus. Ask for suggestions from seniors and do read NCERT books as many times as possible, as they help clear concepts in easy-to-understand language. After a week, evaluate your weekly performance through tests and correct your flaws.
7. Practice makes a Man Perfect
Regular practice of question papers and mock test papers will help aspirants to analyze their strengths and weaknesses. IAS toppers have admitted that by solving the mock-test papers for both Prelims and Mains they have been able to rectify their mistakes and improve their answer writing skills. More than this, try to resolve any doubt that arises while reading as fast as possible, as it will help you to cross-check your answers within a limited time.
8. Think and Learn out of the Box
For an IAS aspirant, it’s not only important to prepare well for the exam by studying long hours but it is also important to keep an eye on their surroundings. Many IAS toppers claim that their preparation for IAS is not only limited to reading books, but they also need to be updated with the events and activities they are observing in their day to day life. Also, IAS aspirants are advised to play more reasoning quizzes and puzzles to sharpen their brain and creative skills.
9. Newspapers and Authentic Resources Are Your Best Friends
For national-level exams like UPSC, reading newspapers is a must, as it is the power pact source for current issues. UPSC CSE exam gives more preference to the current issues, thus it is important for the candidate to remain well updated about national and international issues. Similarly, aspirants are also advised to always refer to government sources such as AIR News analysis, Yojana Magazine, etc.
10. Make A Habit of Regular Revision
Revision is very important when it comes to IAS exam preparation. With the proper revision structure, you can add value to the already prepared topics. Apart from this, make sure you keep a deadline for yourself and try to stick to this deadline to complete your preparation on time.
Hope these tips help you excel in your UPSC examination and add value to your journey to be a UPSC officer.
Nowadays, practically everything is available online and only takes a click away, including several services like online classes. If you’re considering coaching, academies like Believers IAS Academy, one of the Best IAS Coaching Centre in Bangalore, is a fantastic option for you. Consider this option to reach one step closer to your goal.