Immediately after the Prelims…

Any examination in the course of preparing for Civil Services Examinations is a draining experience. We work hard for the examination and try to give our 100% on the day of exam. Hence, it is very much advisable to take rest and get refreshed. We deserve some rest after working so hard!

However, the problem is that this rest sometimes extends beyond a reasonable time and then we lose the rhythm of study. Then it becomes difficult to start study again for Mains. And then we lose valuable time. This adds on to pressure for studying, and in many cases it happens that real study starts only after Prelims results come out. And the overall study gets very haphazard, reducing our probability to qualify Mains.

Hence I would suggest to start studying for Mains as soon as possible after Pre, at least for some time each day rather than totally relaxing. It is a good idea to start with quickly revising the parts of GS which we have read for Prelims. This will reduce time required for studying GS as the concepts are fresh and will also act as warm-up. This will help in maintaining the momentum generated while studying for pre and will also be useful for other exams like MPSC/ Banking/ SSC.

Even in this period of rest, you can do some things which will save your time from future. This time is best to collect all the certificates required to fill Mains form (DAF) – Caste, degree etc. rather than hurrying up at the time of filling up form. This time can also be used to decide on your service and cadre preferences for DAF. If somebody has not even touched optional subject till now, you can devise a strategy for it in this time. Geography and History optional students can start mapping practice. Many students are jittery about the language papers. In this case this is ideal time to solve 2-3 language papers and get familiar with the pattern.

As you start studying, the confusion about test series comes up. I would suggest to join a test series if possible because the Mains examination is all about writing good answers. The main aim of test series should be self-evaluation. Focus on the immediate feedback you yourself get after writing a paper. The evaluator’s feedback is about answers you have written, but self-feedback is about the overall status and quality of study. Using this feedback try to identify weak areas and work on them immediately.

If one is eligible for appearing for Forest Service Mains, this is good time to devise a strategy for it. First of all, think and decide with what intensity you are trying for Forest Service. In case you are willing to give a good try, selection of two technical optionals, allotting time for their study and also focusing on English paper of Forest Service Mains are some of the things that should be done proactively.

Sometimes one may feel doubtful or unsure of clearing prelims. This leads to indecision and we end up doing nothing. I would advise to start preparing for Mains immediately even in this case. UPSC is unpredictable, but it is positively unpredictable too! You have every chance to clear Prelims even if you are not sure about your performance. And even if you don’t get a chance to write Mains this year, this study will make a solid foundation for next attempt.

As almost all of us stop reading newspaper during prelims, it gets a little tough to get back to news papers as the continuity is missing. For this, after the exam we can just go through the online editions of newspapers we read to cover that missing part. This way we can also avoid missing some important news issues.

Friends, to conclude this topic, I would say time management is of immense importance in Civil Services Examinations. If we manage properly whatever time we have, it adds up to the efficiency and productivity. The value of time available goes on increasing exponentially as the examination comes closer. So if there are some things which can eat up your valuable time in future, get them done now, proactively. Remember, ‘one who sweats the most in peace, bleeds the least in war’.