Civil Services Exam – Simplified and Demystified - II

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Season 2013

Preparation for Prelims started from 29^th April, I had 27 days with me – with 7 priceless weekends.  With office on weekdays with at least 3 hours travel – I was left with 4 hours on weekdays and at max, 10 hours on weekends. This gave me 150 hours to prepare for prelims.  I prepared a list of topics to be studied and did time allocation to each topic. Be strict in not stretching beyond it. Whatever was covered in that time period was covered and was never allowed to spill beyond the desired limit. The benefit – you are more disciplined in your study and you tend to sideline unnecessary stuffs. 

 #3: Coaching is it required? I have not taken any coaching, not joined any test series. Joined Vajiram for Mock Interview only. Personally, I feel it is matter of analyzing ones own potential, syllabus of Civil Services is fairly simple and can be easily done with self study and a committed group of friends to discuss and share.  

 #4: Is it ever possible to study for 15-16 hours daily? I do not agree. Just sitting in front of book is not studying.  You can genuinely study for a maximum of 7-8 hours a day, which can stretch to 10-12 hours a day in the last leg of preparation. 

 #5:  Law of Diminishing Returns: Focus on things which have higher Return on Investment. Do not waste time on trivial things, which are anyway not going to be asked in examination. 

 #6:  Pareto’s Rule extension 20% of total effort is required to cover 80% of total syllabus. For rest 20% syllabus, you need 80% effort. First put 20% effort to cover 80% and move to next subject, instead of putting in extra effort to study things which may not come. Covering the syllabus broadly at least at surface level, helps you pluck low hanging fruits. 

 Cracking Prelims

First, do an analysis of previous years question papers. Go through them and if possible, try to solve CSAT one in exam like environment.  I was pretty sure of cracking at least 160 in CSAT. Assuming 250 to be a safe bet, 90 -100 was my target in Paper 1.  With a score around 60 in last year’s Prelims, I was sure to raise it, but how much, it was uncertain.  My strength was History, Geography, Economy and to some extent, Science and Tech.  Again as I say, Civil Services Exam is an exam where each and everything that you have studied in your life can be useful. If you have been thorough with your studies during your school time, you should have a good grasp on a number of subjects; you just need a revision to rub off the dust that has settled on them. 

 Analyzing the previous year papers, you will know the distribution of paper roughly. And, prepare your strategy accordingly 

Area	No of Questions (based on 2011 and 2012)	Return on Investment	My proficiency	Strategy for me	Time Allocation (total time 150 hrs)
History & Culture	20	High – Modern India Average – Other Topics	Above Average	Focus on Modern history; quick revision of other topics	30 hours ( 20 hours – Modern and rest 10 – others)
Geography	10-12	High – Logically connected topics; less effort	Average	Get the concepts and brief outline of geography ; discussion with friends	20 hours for basic concepts and 10 hours for Indian geography
Economics	10	Average	High	Not going to study, normal discussion with friends	15 hours ( just basic revision)
Polity	15-20	Above average	Below Average	Study and complete syllabus, as to do not miss low hanging fruits	35 hours ( given my Achilles heel)
Environment & Ecology	20-25	High; small syallbus	Above Average	Study and put effort to cover in depth	30 hrs
Science & Tech	9	Below Average	Average	Not much can be done in such a small time; rely on science concepts learnt in school	10 hours ( just to refresh latest developments)
Current Affairs	10	Low	Low	Not going to study at home; utilise office and travel time	Studied during time outside this quota

Note: This was my assessment card, 2013 altered the paper pattern. Economics weight age went up drastically. 

Based on above data and my understanding, I prepared a matrix – with RoI (return on investment) on one side and My proficiency on other side. Assigned roadmap as to where I am going to spend my 150 hours. 

One mistake I did was to take CSAT for granted and dint practice even a single paper. This costed me 15 marks in Prelims – making silly mistakes in around 6 questions, due to lack of practice. Don’t repeat it. 

#7: Analyze your own strengths and weaknesses. Play on your strengths and put in your minimum effort required to bring weakness to at least neutral level, so that you are not missing sitters. 

For first time takers: Once you know your level in CSAT, by solving previous year question paper. I can divide it into two categories, above 150 and below 150. Prepare your strategy accordingly

•  Category 1 – Above 150: You have potential to score 170+ in CSAT. A fair practice like solving mock test papers – one paper per week for 10 weeks in more than sufficient. This is to just get you into the groove before the exam and you must not get overconfident and make silly mistakes in exam. Do not give more effort than this on CSAT
•  Category 2- Below 150. You seriously need to brush up the basics. There are some shaky foundations in your preparation. You need to put in some extra effort for CSAT, may be 2 hours daily. 

 
 

Civil Services Exam – Simplified and Demystified - I

First of all, let me thank the Almighty, my parents and family, teachers and friends, who have worked selflessly and tirelessly, in shaping up my personality. Sincere and heartfelt thanks to all of you.  

Civil Services Exam’s result comes with a sense of responsibility, to live up to the expectations and uphold the trust that has been placed upon me by UPSC, Indian Government and above all, the citizens of this country. Indian Administrative Services is like a Chakravyuh, and the entrance examination is clearing just the first level. The tougher battles lie ahead – in form of corruption, misuse of power and positions – the battles you will have to fight both internally and externally.

I have received a number of queries from my fellow aspirants, and I intend to write a series of articles to address questions raised by them. I sincerely hope, this will be of immense help to them. To break all myths and simply the things, I want to share my experience – which instilled belief in myself, to take upon the challenge defying the existing perceptions.  

My tryst with Civil Services started in Feb 2012, when out of nowhere, I decided to fill the form. The prelim was scheduled on May 20^th, sandwiched between two exams – FRM on 19^th and CFA on Jun 3^rd. With absolute zero preparation (I did not even know what the format of Prelims is), just the night before I decided to give it a shot. I got up early next morning, got the admit card printed and rushed to exam centre. Paper 1 was GS, questions seemed to be familiar but there was a layer of dust and feeling of rustiness that has come over the years. Paper 2 was cake walk. Came back and checked the scores – was getting about 60 in GS and 160 in CSAT. Next question – how to prepare for mains in 4 months – Mains being in October. Asked my friends who were in routine UPSC preparation, they took me to shops in Mukherjee nagar – where I bought three books – History’s Spectrum for Modern India, Laxmikanth’s Polity and Geography’s NCERT. Then, I went to home for summer vacation post my Summers Internship, tried studying a bit but in vain. Came back to college, was with Finance Society, participated in competitions and assignments – there was no time to study for mains. I thought that I will not compromise with my MBA and will give 100% effort to it. Civil Services can wait for a year and looking at the magnitude of effort needed to clear Mains, and going by the World’s wisdom, I dropped the idea to prepare. “Mains preparation cannot be done in 4 months”. The only good thing I figured out in this 4 month period was – deciding on my optional papers. After careful deliberations and flipping through previous years papers, I decided upon Management and Sociology. Management because, the effort that I put in it will complement in fetching good marks in my MBA exams and placements. Sociology simply because, others were tougher than this paper and at least paper 2 seemed doable without even an iota of preparation.

 Cometh the Mains in October, I had not read even a single page from those three books I purchased, or anywhere. Thought of skipping the exam, was not sure what will I do in exam hall for 3 hours. It was only because of my Mama (he was the only one in my family, who knew I have appeared in Prelims), who persuaded me to sit for Mains – “De do kya jata hai “.  Nevertheless, I decided to give mains. 50% of the question paper of GS1 and GS2 – I did not even know what are they asking or have not heard about it. But, just applied my plain common sense relating it with the basic knowledge in answering those questions.  For eg- I have never ever heard of what this Indus Water Treaty is , but still, answered it using my assumptions and knowledge of Kaveri Dispute, which we regularly read in news. Next paper was essay; here there is no need for specific preparation. A well read person with good analytical and writing skills can score equally good marks. I did fairly well in it and was satisfied with my performance. Next came, Sociology paper, I was writing Civil Services Mains paper in Sociology, without having studied Sociology even once in my life. Again, it was application of common sense with basic understanding that you have developed about society and social conditions. Next in line was management, I was busy in submissions and meeting deadlines in my MBA. Plus, there was a little fatigue and I was not feeling well. In the morning, I had 3-4 vomiting, I was fine enough to give exams, but I preferred to take rest. Why? I thought that I have no chance whatsoever in this exam this year, so no use of taking extra pain and giving the exam. I skipped paper 1, but, went to give paper 2 as condition improved a little after I took medicine. Paper 2 was mostly covering second year syllabus which I was still to read, yet I attempted decently and with conviction.

#1: Use your common sense. UPSC syllabus is all what you have studied during 20 years of your academic life, not just what you study in those 5 months of coaching. 

Next 5 months were wasted in again running in college for marks, submissions and placements. But, mains gave me confidence that at least I can crack this exam if I study.  Post placements in March, I decided that this year I will give the exam with 100% effort and dedication. My college ended on Apr 10 and job joining was from Apr22, and next 10 days in joining formalities and settling down. Hence, I started my formal Civil Services Preparation from 29^th April. Less than 30 days to Prelims, that too along with 3 hrs travel and 10 hours full time job, it was going to be tough task. But, having been there, done that – type feeling, I was pretty sure of clearing it.

In between came the marks of Mains, and it changed my life forever. The marks I scored in Mains 2012 were, 200 in GS, 95 in Essay, Paper 1 Sociology – 50, Paper 2 – Sociology – 127 and Management 2 – 120. Management 1- I was absent.  I was shocked to see my marks. For the first time, I was disappointed. If I had given Management Paper 1, I would have cleared mains. Only bad score was 50 in Sociology, as Paper 1 was theoretical asking questions on Philosophers and theories and I had no idea of them. This took my confidence to next level. If without a day’s preparation, mains can be cracked, 5-6 months preparation can do wonders. Application of your common sense and some basic understanding, when complemented with good and structured writing skills, can fetch you lots of marks. Also, original idea, the non conventional, non coaching institute type answers can fetch you more marks.

# 2: Have faith in your abilities. What world believes may not be true. You are the master of your destiny. Chart your own path, rather than listening to what others’ say. Do not let any negative feeling overshadow your aspirations and commitment.