UPSC EXAM: TIPS FOR STAYING CALM AND CONFIDENT

UPSC EXAM: TIPS FOR STAYING CALM AND CONFIDENT

UPSC Civil Services exam is one of the toughest exams of the nation. Every year lots of candidate appear for the UPSC Civil Services Exam but only a handful of them are able to qualify the exam. 

While preparing for any competitive exams including the Civil Services exam the main requirements of a candidate are good guidance, efficient study material, best strategies, a proper schedule, lost of revision and most importantly discipline. These things together accumulate to help you fulfill your dreams. 

Below given are some important tips and strategies you can follow during your exam prep. Also our experts have shared some crucial tips for the aspirants to follow a day before and on the exam day.

Tips to boost your UPSC Preparations-

Here are some tips which will have you form better and effective strategies to boost your UPSC CSE prep.

STEP 1- Understand the Exam Pattern-

One should go through and understand the syllabus in detail. All the compulsory subjects and optional subjects should be understood and then only the candidate must make the choice of the subject which are comparatively easy for the candidate and help in scoring better in the UPSC CSE exam.

STEP 2- Strictly Adhere to the Syllabus

The UPSC exam syllabus is tough and very lengthy. One must stick to the syllabus so that you can complete it on time and also get adequate time for revision. Make a list of important topics, difficult topics and topics you have completed so you know what to study next. Plan your schedule well so you can complete everything on time. Analyze the syllabus properly before starting the preparations.

STEP 3– Choosing an Optional Subject

Once you have analyzed the syllabus rightly choose the optional subject before starting the preparations. It is very necessary to choose an optional subject which is right for you and helps you score better marks. Many candidates do their graduation in fields that they wish to choose their optional subjects in the UPSC exam or even you can choose the subject which you are most familiar to.  Choose a subject which you feel is easy for you and has less syllabus to cover. Many applicants adopt the overlapping technique, in which they select an optional subject that is also a significant component of General Studies. Optional choice should be made correctly as this can boost your marks in the final exam.

STEP 4– Right guidance makes path easier

To succeed in an exam it is necessary that you are guided rightly so that you don’t waste time on unnecessary stuffs and topics. If you are not attending any coaching it is necessary that you find a right guidance whether it is a mentor  or any you tube channel. 

STEP 5– Making Strategies

Once you have read about the detailed syllabus, make strategies and plan on how to start and from where to start. Start finding the necessary reading material, books, newspaper reading should be made a habit, read the magazines for current affairs and general knowledge. The NCERT books should not be ignored. The notes made in Class 11, 12 and graduation level should also be used. Organize everything like books, notebooks, text books, magazines etc. so you they become easy to access.

STEP 6- Making a time table of the daily routine

UPSC exam is a tough exam and requires a great level of preparation. You should make a time table so you can make every day productive and don’t end up wasting your time. You can also make a to-do list for the next day before you go to sleep this will help you work in an organized pattern. Make a list of topics to be done on a particular week so at the end you know what is left and what is done. You can also work in a pattern like difficult topics first and easy topics later or vice- versa, whatever suits you.

Making a time table is not enough; you must adhere to the schedule you have made for yourself. It would certainly be difficult in the starting but once you do it on a regular basis it will become a habit and easy to follow.

Step 7- Make Notes

Making notes of the topics makes it easier to revise and memorize the important points. Make notes of the topics you find difficult so during revision you need not refer to many other books.

STEP 8– PYQs

Analyze PYQs, that is, Previous Year Questions. Analyze the previous year papers thoroughly, practice the questions, make a list of repeated topics or the topics which make the highest weightage and are repeated almost every time. This will help you mould your preparation in the right direction and will help you in working smartly.

STEP 9– Practicing Questions and Answer Writing

You should practice the questions from every topic you read. A proper time should be dedicated to practice the questions daily. This helps in clearing the confusing topics and memorizing important points. 

You should analyze the exam writing pattern followed by UPSC. You must practice writing sample answers and try to use all the information you have gained to answer the questions in the most efficient manner.Compare your answers. Ask someone to judge them. Make improvements if needed. Practice more and more.

Step 10- Attempting Mock Tests

Mock tests are a very important factor that boosts your exam preparation. You can buy test series and mock tests from a renowned institute. Do not skip tests because they help you in analyzing your preparations. These tests help you in keeping a check about your progress. This also helps in limiting the negative marking.

STEP 11- Revision is the KEY

Revision is the key to success. Reading once and covering a topic is not enough until and unless you revise it again and again. The number of times you revise is important but at the same time how well you revise is the most important thing. Revision is the main thing that gives you success in a competitive exam. Make a weekly or daily schedule of topics that are to be revised. The difficult topics should be revised again and again. One must not ignore the easy topics as sometimes those easy topics get ignored and then they create problem while writing the exam. Revision should be done effectively and efficiently.

STEP 12– Interview Preparation

Once you clear the first two phases of the exam then you must start preparing for the last round that is the interview. Be prepared for questions related to your education, the optional subject that you chose. You can even join coaching classes for this as there they have experience panel and they create a perfect environment for practice. Do not take this round lightly. In the interview do not mention anything that you do not have enough information about. Be confident and prepared for each and every question that is asked.

Step13– Discipline and consistency is the Key

For qualifying a competitive exam and even for achieving anything in life discipline is must. One must remain consistent throughout the preparation period. The schedule should be followed in a disciplined manner.

Tips to remain calm and confident while doing UPSC Preparations-

Living a Healthy Lifestyle

During your preparation time it is very important that you are healthy and free from diseases. If unfortunately you suffer from any type of illness it can waste your complete year. So it is necessary to stay fit and healthy. One must take balanced diet and avoid junk food. You can also go for walks as they refresh your mind. You can also practice yoga or simple exercises at home. Self care is also very important.  

Staying motivated and focused

You need to remain motivated throughout the preparation period.  Stay positive and focused during your journey. Don’t let yourself feel bad because of other people who are settled or at a better place then you. People will judge you and make comments which will let you down but you need to ignore them and work on your goal. Listen to motivational speakers when you feel bad. 

Get Sufficient Sleep

It is very necessary to get 7-8 hours of sleep daily. UPSC Civil Services exam preparation at times can be very hectic and stressful. If you do not take proper sleep it can have bad effects on your physical and mental health. Staying up all night preparing for the examination really messes up your sleep schedule. You really need to get proper sleep for better health.

Physical Activity is Necessary

Sitting on a place for longer hours makes you physically very inactive. Preparing for an exam requires you to follow a fixed time table engaging you in studies most of the time. This becomes a bit stressful. To overcome this and keep yourself more active you must indulge in any physical activity like walking, jogging, cycling, yoga etc. Keeping yourself a bit physically active will also increase your concentration and eventually be helpful in your studies.

Take Care of your Diet-

Consume healthy food. You must avoid eating junk and packaged food. Eating heavy, oily and sugary food can make you feel lazy and dizzy. Eating lots of junk food can make you fall ill. Eating healthy food makes your brain active and helps you in working efficiently. Stay hydrated, drink adequate amount of water and avoid cold drinks.

Tips for a Day before the Exam

Below given are some of the tips you must follow on the day before exam-

Collect All the Required Exam Materials a Night Before

Make all the necessary arrangements a day before the examination. For example, you will need a pencil, pen, admit card of UPSC etc. Do not leave these arrangements to the exam day. Make sure everything required is available to you so that you need not rush for anything on the exam day. On the exam day you must be very calm and leaving these things or forgetting anything can make you more anxious. Prepare everything in advance.

Don’t Let Negative Thoughts Rule Your Mind

Your thoughts determine what will really happen so you should always be delusional. In such a situation, if you think to clear the exam, it will motivate you to do better and you will be able to do better. At the same time, negative thoughts affect your studies as well as your performance in the exam. Keep yourself calm if possible try meditation, watch something interesting or listen to soothing music. Do not over think this makes things more stressful. Be extremely positive and delusional.

Be Extremely Delusional

One of the important tips to give the Mains exam stress-free is that along with your studies, you should also imagine your success in your mind. Take the exam confidently and hope for positive results. If you remain positive and think about your success this will make you feel more energized. This imagination works because your body and your mind react accordingly and help you realize this imagination. Your brain makes a connection with the outcome of the visualization and also reinforces it.

Adequate Sleep is Necessary

You are not going to get any benefit from studying by staying awake all night before the exam day. For this, you must get enough sleep. When you have a good sleep before the exam, then your mind becomes completely relaxed. If you stay awake all night, then your mind gets so tired that despite studying during the exam, you cannot remember many things. You can increase your memory, your creativity and your ability even by taking short naps. Taking a sleep of 7-8 hours is very necessary so that you don’t feel dizzy in the exam hall. 

Clear Any Doubt

Don’t keep any kind of doubt in your mind till one day before the exam. Make sure to know the answer from your mentor, so that there is no fear in your mind about this. With this, during the exam, you will be able to answer the questions asked by being stress-free.

Do not study anything new

Believe in yourself. Believe in the fact that whatever you have studied is more than enough. Avoid reading anything new this can make you feel confused. You should stop reading any new topics at least 20 days before exam. Revise as much as possible and a day before exam stop all the revision process. Stay calm, you can just go for a walk or listen soothing music.

Tips for the Exam Day-

Re check all the Required Materials

You must re check if you have kept all the required materials before leaving for the exam centre like pen pencil, other required stationary products, admit card, passport size photograph (if required) etc. Do not forget to take a transparent water bottle with you. 

Dress Accordingly

Read the instructions related to the dress code properly and dress accordingly. Do not wear very fancy and tight outfit. Go with loose and comfortable outfit. You will have to seat for longer period so please wear the clothes that do not make you feel uncomfortable instead wear breathable and light clothes.

Do not skip Breakfast

Don’t make the mistake of skipping breakfast before the exam. Try to eat a more protein diet and stay away from a sugary diet. This will give your body instant energy. It will be better for you to eat something 1 or 2 hours before the examination. Avoid drinking energy drinks or coffee, as it increases anxiety and stress. Drink glucose added water as this will give you energy and hydration. Don’t eat very heavy or oily food. Eat something light as eating oily food makes you feel lazy and dizzy. Avoid overeating. 

Reach on Time

You must reach on time that is mentioned on the admit card. Getting late can cause adverse effects. Being on time also allows you to relax for sometime before you start writing the exam.

Conclusion

A candidate must inculcate positive attitude and mindset which is really very necessary before one starts to prepare for an exam. Self discipline is must. The right guidance and a proper schedule can help a person to crack an examination with flying colors. Along with hard work it is very necessary to do smart work. One must not waste time on unnecessary topics or easy topics. Clearing the UPSC exam is not easy but it is also not impossible. Hard work and dedication can help in achieving every dream in life. Also it is very necessary to keep yourself motivated throughout the journey. If you stay focused and prepare thoroughly you will definitely succeed.  

BE POSITIVE!

BEST WISHES FROM OUR TIME, HOPE YOU ACHIEVE YOUR DREAMS!