This is the first part of the series of Q&A. The other two are in two seperate posts.
Aditi, Jharkhand: Hello Sir, congratulations for reaching your milestone. ********. currently I have started to prepare for these exams and literally have no idea what to study and how to accomplish my goals. Sir please help me out.
Ravi: Thanks a lot. Start with basics books and material which is mentioned by any topper, your friend or senior, teachers etc. Also, start reading newspapers The Hindu and/ or Indianexpress on a daily basis. You may refer to https://ravijainupsc.wordpress.com/prelims/.
Diksha, Jharkhand: Sir i want to know about what ideally must an aspirant do inorder to clear this exam in first attempt or atleast minimise their mistakes ..i want to learn from your experience and avoid them ..my first attempt would be in 2021 and now i have completed ncerts and started my standard books first reading .
Ravi: Ideally, one should be reading the basic books, newspaper and current affairs very religiously, regularly and consistently. One should regularly objectively evaluate oneself with help of test, answer writing etc. One should also be honest to oneself and not cutting slack.
You have started well. Focus on the basic books. And finalize your optional if you haven’t done already.
Devarakonda Naveen, Telangana: Please sir , I started my preparation but I don't know which topics are more imp In mains what to study, what to leave, newspaper analysis like how to find its background is also confusing please help me sir.
Ravi: It’s okay initially that you are not able to find important topics. As you will progress you will realize what is important and what is not. Just believe in yourself. If you are finding it difficult with the newspaper, you may refer to daily newspaper analysis on Insightonindia (https://www.insightsonindia.com/insights-ias-upsc-current-affairs/) or iasbaba (https://iasbaba.com/current-affairs-for-ias-upsc-exams/) or any other daily analysis along with newspaper. I would prefer such kind of article against video analysis.
Ajay, Delhi: How one should start to fetch more marks in essay?
Ravi: “Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.” This is mentioned in syllabus by UPSC. So the demand of the essay is clearly mentioned. One just need to keep this in mind. You may refer to any toppers blog on essay and try to incorporate whatever you think is relevant. I will also write my strategy of how I made improvement in Essay marks. You may write one essay a week and may get peer evaluated. I used to watch Ruchika Bhardwaj’s Mam of NextIAS’s video and follow her strategy.
Taanya, Jharkhand - How to prepare for 140+ marks fetching essays
Ravi: No one can be sure in advance how much one will score, one can only write answers and essay to best of one’s ability. I have wrote something related to essay above and rest I will write in detail what I did.
Nagaraj, Telangana: I was unable to concentrate on books effectively, sitting in front of d books 8-10hrs in a day but productivity was very less,not able to concentrate in Reading more than 30 mins in one go,day dreaming! I gave 1 attempt 2019 upsc pre too not qualified. Can you please suggest me sir/madam,how can I move forward and gave me tips for effective studying.
Ravi: Each one of us faces this problem. The challenge is to overcome this problem. You can do meditation to increase the attention span. You can also minimize distraction by studying a place with minimum interference and your phone far away from you and under silent. For effective study you can also set a realistic target starting of the day and try to evaluate each night. You should also not be bothered much about you not being able to qualify pre in 2019. Most of us don’t do it in 1st attempt.
Jeevansai, Telangana:
1) Is it essential to make notes from newspaper? If yes, "How?".
2) How to make consolidated notes to revise during prelims and mains?
3) How to revise monthly magazines of entire year before prelims and mains?
4) when to start answer writing practice for mains and essay and how?
5) How to handle prelims paper 2 for Arts students?
Ravi:
1) No. It is not essential to make notes. But if you want to make, make short crisp notes and consolidate it topic wise.
2) Notes should be made based on personal need. You should make notes only of those topics you think you would need before exam. Try to find some sample notes of candidates (Shreyans Kumat posted some of last year). I will post mine soon. Refer to those, but don’t copy it, make something of your own.
3) I used to write key points by the side in the same monthly magazine or highlight them and read only those points.
4) Whenever you are conversant with the syllabus you can start writing answers. You can do so by writing daily answer writing on IASBABA (TLP) and evaluate with synopsis and best answer posted.
5) Paper 2 is just qualifying. So focus on your strength and get it write. You can evaluate yourself with previous year question and if required take corrective action.
Shivashankar, Maharashtra - What was your Marks in practice test papers?( mention your test series name eg. VisionIAS)
Ravi::This year I only wrote Vajiram’s free test. I mostly got around 100. I wrote along, with my friends, some of the VisionIAS test as well.
Ayush, Madhya Pradesh - My branch is also E.I. I had this doubt that when we appear for Interview, do we have to prepare for E.I. as significantly as Psychology? Also during your interview, what % would you say your Interview was about Optional?
Ravi: For interview one has to prepare almost all aspects about oneself one can think of. But since EI is not very popular not many question is being asked. But you got to be ready. Whereas Psychology is interesting and all people knows something, so you can expect many questions. 20-30% of my interview would go to Psychology.
Tripurari, Jharkhand – Starting from scratch.
Reena, Jharkhand – Starting from scratch.
Vikas, Jharkhand – Starting from scratch.
Anita, Jharkhand – Starting from scratch.
Rahul, Jharkhand - How to start? Which books to be preffered? What should be the preperation strategy? Should I join coaching or do it self?
Vishwanath, Jharkhand - Related to book/ refences?
Devarsh, Maharashtra - I want to start from scratch for CSE preparation. Appeared ESE so electrical will be my optional. I want to know about strategy to prepare from scratch.
Vishal, Jharkhand - I am preparing for upsc and i am in last year of my graduation please guide me
Ravi: Please refer to https://ravijainupsc.wordpress.com/prelims/.
Divya, Punjab - Please share you notes and strategy. How to start from scratch and answer writing also.
Sanjitha, Andaman & Nicobar Island - 1) How to approach answer writing 2) How to study psychology optinal? 3)How to identify topic related to psychology optional from newspaper?
Ravi: I have already shared something on this topic. Here - https://ravijainupsc.wordpress.com/prelims/ & https://ravijainupsc.wordpress.com/psychology/ . I will share my notes soon.
Ayush, Madhya Pradesh - How did you, while preparing for Psychology and GS, prepared for Essay as well as Prelims? How did you improve upon your weak points?
Ravi: You have to divide your time judicially among all aspects based on your needs. I tried to do objective evaluation through test and answer writing. And whatever gaps where there, I used to seek advice from friends, seniors and peers.
Chinmay, Rajasthan - Jai jinendra Sir. ****. My question is regarding prelims specific that how to get more marks? I practiced lots of test but my score mostly came between 60-80 Marks. I revise 3-4 times but still my marks won't go up. What should I have to do to obtain more marks so that i can clear Prelims cut off? Thank you
Ravi: Since you have read the syllabus sufficient number of times, you need to identify the exact mistake you are doing in solving the test series. If you are doing conceptual questions wrong you need to text again. If its factual mistake, you need to identify if you have read it or not. And in any case identify the reason why. One can improve by identifying your mistake and working on it.
Ashni, Maharashtra -
1)How to use elimination techniques in prelims?
2)What do you recommend, revision through mocks or limited mocks and more content revision? (for prelims)
3) How to do add value to answers in psychology and GS? Specifically, psychology.
4)Did you have to work on improving your optional score and if yes, how did you go about it?
Thank you for the opportunity sir and many congratulations!
Ravi:
1. You could eliminate is exam through smart guess. This comes through exhaustive reading and adequate practice.
2. I think there should be a balance of both. And should be based on your need. If you are not getting questions right which you have already read then you need to focus on revision.
3. I just tried to write answers in simple language, in bullets, giving sufficient examples & illustration, if possible linking it to any concept in Paper 1. Also follow my journey on https://ravijainupsc.wordpress.com/psychology/
4. This I have told in the above link.
Shahnawaz, Bihar - Respeed sir, I would like to whether PD and newspaper is sufficient for essay or I have to refer something else? Sir, my second question is that can you please share your booklist for CSE mains + pre. Thanking in anticipation. Regards
Ravi: I don’t know what PD is. Anyways whatever you are reading in GS, optional and Current Affairs is sufficient for Essay. You can top up with quote, anecdote etc. I have shared my booklist for pre here https://ravijainupsc.wordpress.com/prelims/. For mains I will do it soon. Keep visiting the blog.
Sameer, Jammu & Kashmir - What are the best way to make notes
Vikas, Jharkhand - How did you make your notes?
Ravi: I am assuming that you are asking the tool. The best would be on paper pen. Some people make it on One Note or Evernote. I used to make some on the Microsoft Word of the stuff I read on laptop and take the print out. It totally depends on you and what is best for you.
Akshaya, Odisha - How to make notes concisely i had tried but never been completed even cant cover one topic completely
Ravi: may be because you would have started to make notes in your 1st or 2nd reading, Do it when you are already aware of basic stuff and note down only those thing you are not aware of.
Santosh, Maharashtra - It's very tough to become very selective at the time of such vast information. Can you please give me the rough idea with example how to be so selective and rational in reading (for Pre)
Ravi: Just read the basic books, material and newspaper. And don’t get distracted by sea of information on internet. Keep the source minimum and have confidence.
Santosh, Maharashtra - Can you explain how to cover art and culture while taking in mind the cost benifit of subject in both stage. As I feel very tough and very vast subject with less reward. Regards!
Ravi: I believe you can’t entirely skip any portion. I think just read Nitin Singhania or GK today material would be sufficient. And for pre solve sufficient questions and for mains read a few questions and learn to write general stuff in each questions.
Yusra, Jammu & Kashmir - Answer Writing?
Abhinav, Jammu & Kashmir - Answer Writing?
Vikas, Jharkhand - What is the right way to write answers in mains? Which type of words shoud be used?
Suryadev, Jharkhand - Answer Writing?
Abhishek, Jharkhand - Answer Writing?
Rahul, Jharkhand – Writing
Ravi: I will come out with something soon here - https://ravijainupsc.wordpress.com . Please visit here again.
Seema, Jharakhand - Hello Sir, I am preparing for UPSC, last year couldn't clear prelims, this year going to appear again, my optional subject is public administration. please guide me to write very good answer and best approach to retain what I have read. Simultaneously will give JPSC, suggest books and strategy.
Ravi: Regarding answer writing I would come out with something soon on this blog. For retaining you must read content again and again, use acronym etc. For JPSC experience and booklist - https://ravijainupsc.wordpress.com/jpsc/ .
Roonie, Uttar Pradesh - Respected sir, Please tell about how to study psycho and GS subject. Is it mandatory to go for current affairs. Role played by the VisionIAS monthly magzine? What is crisp strategy to clear in 1 attempt. DO and DON'T ? Note making helps? Interview prep? . Fix and static strategy one can follow to sail? How to cover most of syllabus in 300 days. I am appearing in 2021. Prelim strategy? . Common ques and doubt. NCERT or Standard book? how to start answer writing??
Ravi: I have shared my experience of Pre and Psychology already in the blog https://ravijainupsc.wordpress.com. About Mains journey I will do it soon. Current Affair is the lynchpin of Civil Services Preparation. I mostly followed Vision Material (Pt-365 and Mains 365). I have already shared my experience, if you work hard and is really lucky you will clear in 1st attempt. Note making helped me a lot. I know people who have cleared without a single page of notes. You can cover syllabus in 300 days by working hard consistently. Related to books and answer writing, I have already answered here.
Mohd Ashfaq, Telangana - I have two questions related to Pre 2020
1. I am really really weak in environment portion of UPSC PRELIMS. When i answer the test series or previous questions for environment, i barely get 10% right. The reason is that i did not give enough time for environment in preparation. So, Do i need to worry and start preparing environment now or Shall I keep it aside and continue to revise my other subjects considering the exam in 40 days?
2. For current affairs I have been studying magazines and newspapers. But, when i sit for a test series I get few questions(4-5 in each test) from current topics which i have never heard about in the news papers or magazines. Do I need to worry about it and start preparing Fresh for Current affairs from any other sources? (again considering 40 days for exam)
3. I am confused between two things at this moment. How should i a lot time for test series and revision. I mean, shall i give more time for test series, and try to solve as many as i can (the problem is test series are really tough and whenever i solve one i get across a new topic and i keep studying that. By this i barely have time for revision of what i already studied), or shall I do revision many many times? Or shall I give equal time to both of them?
Ravi:
1. Yes you need to focus on Evironment & Ecology. It’s a very important portion. Try to find out your mistake and focus on those topic.
2. No just revise whatever you have studied. Don’t worry about new stuff you encounter. Learn it. When you face such question in test try to guess it. This would be helpful as in prelims exam also you will see questions which you would have never heard of and you will have to make a smart guess.
3. Have a good balance between the two. Revise everything to your satisfaction. Do it quickly. Every subsequent revision quicker than the previous one. Also solve tests. If you find something new read it from solution don’t do new research and waste time.
Niranjan Kumar, Rajasthan - Sir, I want to prepare for cse 2021 from scratch (I graduated in 2013 B.tech EE after that I did lectureship in 2013-16 & I cleared SSC CGL 17,18 at the level of dv but couldn't make it to final list & many other b,c group exams but couldn't make it to selection bcoz of medical &any other..& at present I am running a navy air force defence academy since I can't prepare full time now guide me how to start preparing for cse21.
Books & senior's notes for analysis sir plz guide me.
Ravi: Start with basic booklist which I have (https://ravijainupsc.wordpress.com/prelims/) or any other successful candidate or your friends or your teacher has mentioned. And gradually you will find your own way. Booklist is mentioned in the above link. Notes will be shared soon.
Ranjit, Maharashtra - 1. When should i join test series? If im preparing for CSE 2021. 2. Need guidance for chemistry optional.
Ravi: Once you have been through the syllabus once or twice. You can join in Jan-Feb 2021, give some test before pre and rest after. I asked a friend he suggested me this - https://nishantyadav1.wordpress.com/category/chemistry/ .
Vishal, Maharashtra - How score more in GS and Interview?
Ravi: By hard work, smart study, consistent, patient and being honest to yourself.
Mridula, Maharashtra - 1. how to prepare optional and whom to take guidance from ? (Psychology)
2. how to keep momentum after many failures, i haven't qualified pre and 2020 will be my 4th attempt?
Ravi: I have shared my optional strategy here https://ravijainupsc.wordpress.com/psychology/ . You can take guidance from anyone your friends, peers, parents, senior or coaching. I know you would feel disheartened from your past experience but believe me every attempt it different attempt and if you are working hard you will find your way sooner or later. There are many people who cleared pre in later attempts and saw themselves in the final result. Wait for your time and work hard.
Sonakshi, Bihar- Respected Sir, sir this is my 5th attempt in upsc and I haven't even qualified prelims till now. When exam is in a months time i need to know what all should I be focusing more on to make my chances bright in prelims. Plus my optional is psychology and need a detailed guidance with respect to sources you followed and how basically you dealt with the answer writing part. Plus if you could advice me what should my approach be for bpsc and jpsc I will be highly obliged. Sir looking for an honest guidance as in past I have been quite misled by people who were know to me and qualified the exam but never as such explained what actually should I be doing. Please guide sir 🙏
Ravi: I know it would be difficult for you because of your past experience but keep the motivation going and have self-confidence and you will soon get fruits of your hardwork. Just keep the basic right – revise whatever you have read and try to solve test to analyse your mistakes and rectify them. I have shared my psychology experience here - https://ravijainupsc.wordpress.com/psychology/ . For BPSC and JPSC refer to https://ravijainupsc.wordpress.com/bpsc/ & https://ravijainupsc.wordpress.com/jpsc/ . Since you are a Psychology student one advice I would give is overcome your Self-serving bias.
Anand, Tamil Nadu - What should be plan to tackle current affairs for working candidate as we are short of hours of study..... How to assimilate all information at one place ....Is that possible to skip newspaper reading and cover from alternate resources? If yes than what could be those resources🙏🙏
Ravi: Thanks for writing to me. But I would not able to tell it from the perspective of working professional and challenges they face. You should refer to experience of someone with similar journey. I would only advise you to keep your sources limited and read the same thing over and over again. This will save your time.
Shruti, Uttar Pradesh: Sir I have problems in concentrating and lack of motivation
Ravi: For concentration - You can do Yoga, Meditation, Take break, avoid distraction, Keep mobile away, less use of social media. For Motivation – Try to talk to your friend and families, take break, watch movies, tv series, play games, work out. Anything other than studies.
Yuga, Andhra Pradesh - Sir, is it possible to clear CSE without coaching ? How to write good essay? I am planning to take maths as optional. Is it good and can you suggest any strategy for maths optional?
Deepak, Jharkhand - Related to book/ refences? (Maths)
Ravi: Yes it is totally possible to clear CSE without coaching. It’s your hard work and some luck will decide if you will clear the exam. Regarding essay, I will post something soon. For Maths, I asked a friend he said this is fairly good http://demystifycse.in/mathematics-as-an-optional-kanishak-kataria-rank-1/ .
Samit, Delhi - I don't know from where to start. How to start answer writing. Is it important to take coaching. I am procrastinating things on future i.e Kal padhengay, mood nahi ho Raha hai, ask nahi..... How to read ncerts from UPSC perspective. How to make and take notes. How to study with intense focus and dedication. How to read standard books. How to read newspaper. How to initiate answer writing. How to design a timetable i.e when to study history,polity,economoy,geography,etc....how to start preparing for psychology optional and what should be my approach for it. How to analyse previous year paper both of optional and gs papers be it of mains or pre. How to study ethics,essay,compulsory language papers. What mistakes to avoid while preparing and on the D day.
Ravi: To start answer writing – just start writing answers. Overcome the mental block. No it is not important to take coaching. If you are procrastinating you are to blame. We all do procrastination, but don’t let it become your habit. Do it now! Every question which you asked above which started with How, you will have to find the answer within, you can only get guidance from someone like me. I would like to suggest that just start studying and you will find your answers. You can’t get all answers beforehand.
Krishna, Bihar - How to develop answer writing skills for GS + Essay? Have covered syllabus but still find difficult to pen it down. Please guide.
Palash, Madhya Pradesh - How and from where to start answer writing?
Ravi: Overcome the mental block and start writing and you will find your way.
Sambit, Odisha - Sir ..many many congratulations sir.. Sir I am not able to maintain "consistency " the daily 8- 9 hrs of study..
Ravi: If you need to study for so many hours and you are not able to. Then you have to find the cause of what is stopping you from maintaining “consistency” and then overcome it. If you are disturbed by people around, seek isolation. If mobile phone is distraction, keep it far off. Identify the cause and work on it.
A Nikhil, Telangana -Sir how should I start my preparation for answer writing , what are the ways to make a concise notes for both Prelims oriented and Mains oriented for final revision.? Also can I know the do's and don'ts for effective prelims and Mains strategy ? How should I plan to cover the syllabus holistically , what all things should I keep in mind while studying and how to approach for tests or a clear schedule?
Ravi: I have already jotted down pre experience here https://ravijainupsc.wordpress.com/prelims/. For mains I would come out with something soon.
Supriya, Bihar - Sir, what was your optional strategy?? About Basic material to answer writing of optional? Pre paper solving technique and which mock test you took for mains and pre general studies as well as for optional????
Ravi: I have wrote in detail about Psychology here - https://ravijainupsc.wordpress.com/psychology/.
Regarding pre I have written here - https://ravijainupsc.wordpress.com/prelims/ .
For pre – I used to follow on my own and with some friends IASBaba daily answer writing, VisionIAS test series. And I used to write the 4 free test by Vajiram & Ravi being given to ex-students.
Manas, Odisha - About medical test, if someone declared temporary unfit in medical test then he or she rejected or not. And medical test report declared after the final result or before. Iam beginner,how to start my preparation
Ravi: if declared temporary unfit, the candidate gets opportunity to appeal. I think its declared a few days after the medical test. Regarding starting from scratch read here - https://ravijainupsc.wordpress.com/prelims/
Prashant, Jharkhand - Sir could you please tell the strategy to clear the mains exam syllabus before prelims.? And also your strategy how you prepared for the exams?? How to begin the preparation for civil services?
Ravi: Complete the optional before. Infact by January – February of the year before Pre. After completing the syllabus common for pre and mains, start studying the mains specific stuff. Rest every experience of me is shared on https://ravijainupsc.wordpress.com/ .
Rahul, Jharkhand - how many months required minimum and complete booklist..
Ravi: That would depend on your speed and dedication. But one year before pre is sufficient to complete pre & mains syllabus adequately.
Sneha, Kerala - Which NCERT is best for preparation? Old or new ?
Ravi: For history old is good. For rest you may refer to new one.
Suraj, Jharkhand - 1) Regarding books- I have gone thru standard books for UPSC, and i have underlined points in them but not have made a separate notes, and often i find difficulty in how to revise the underlined points as there are so many books of different subjects and so much content to revise and remember.
2) polity history are in itself a huge bulky subjects, which all portion is we need to memorize by heart and which all can be taken lightly?
3) how did you prepare the Current Affairs portions in answer writing and how did it helped in answer writing ?
Ravi:
1. The problem you are mentioning is not unique to yourself. This is the problem I too faced. After reading the book again and again you will be able to learn things. And with time and hard work you will find your own way.
2. The syllabus of UPSC is bulky. And I am sure you were aware of when you started your preparation. Now it would be better if you focus of the solution rather than the problem. Regarding learning it by heart. You need to be smart based on your need – pre is a recognition test and Mains is a recall. So you will need only to learn things which you would like to recall in mains. Study smartly.
3. Current affairs is lynchpin of CSE preparation and answers would be incomplete without it. I have shared my experience about pre here https://ravijainupsc.wordpress.com/prelims and about mains I will do it soon.
Ranjit, Odisha - Hello Sir, many many congratulations. My question : You must have gone through many resources, tried many ways for this exam. I give a hypothetical situation that suppose you would have not made it in any of the stages this year and start your preparation from this day for 2021 with all your experience and knowledge then how you would have done it.
Please give a detailed strategy you would follow for everything to get this same or even better rank. Also do not include coaching and not even test series. If possible include alternatives for them. Also give little details of how the day you would spend. Weekly, monthly or long term plan, revision plan etc. Please be kind enough to give it in every detail relevant for this exam.
Sorry for making it long.
You may choose to not answer or give it all.
Thanks a lot for your time.
Ravi: Most of your questions have been answered here on https://ravijainupsc.wordpress.com/prelims.
Regarding planning I was very poor in it. I didn’t have anything on the paper. But I always had a vision about how much I will complete it by when. Like by this month end I will finish the paper 1 of optional. So I will make small goals in my mind about finishing some topics by this week etc. Also, sometimes I would jot this down to keep a track of.
Saumya Bihar - How to best utilise the time between prelims and mains specifically what was the Frequency of tests and revisions that worked for you?
Ravi – I used to read newspaper as topics in news would directly or indirectly appear in the paper. Also, would start studying optional as it is crucial in selection and rank. I would not write too many test. 1-3 tests per GS paper, 1-2 Essay test and 1-5 Optional Test. In addition, I would practice answer writing on my own or with my friends. I would write VisionIAS &/or IASbaba’s TLP.
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