General tips

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Every Civil Services or Judicial Examinations aspirant knows that:

1. There is a lot of stiff competition out there
2. The syllabus for the examinations requires lots of work; and
3. The studies are not just for the exam but very essential for the interview and the actual job itself.

 

It is a common feature to often hear aspirants say that it is impossible to get “finished’ regardless of how many hours you study unless you block out months. For the aspirants still in college, the temptations are in plenty and procrastination common.

 

The first thing that we need to realize is that we are not aiming for perfection. We are looking to gain knowledge about a subject and knowledge how it really works. Perfection should not become an excuse to postpone your attempts at the real thing. We have to look at acquiring required knowledge, learning its application in the correct context and as prepared as we can be in a particular time period, say a year or two in case of Civil Services and 6 months and above for Judicial Exams.

 

TIPS FOR THE PLANNING AND PREPARATION

 

If there was a routine or strategy that helped you, feel free to post it here.

 

1. SET ROUTINES: Once you are studying, you are only studying. No multi tasking is allowed. If you want, select or designate a place and time strictly for studying and accomplishing your weekly targets. Going to this spot, whether it be the public library, a room in your house, it will help you get into the study mode faster. Do take a 5-10 minute break every hour or so to stretch, walk around or visit the rest room. This break is a mental and physical requirement for better retention and recall.

 

2. PREP YOURSELF: You will find reading an outline or index or flipping through the book the night before actual time allotted will make a tedious subject also seem familiar and easy. This can be done 10 minutes before going to bed. If you know what you have to do next, you will not waste precious time deciding what to study or what to do. It will help you focus on the task at hand and not let your attention wander.

 

3. SYLLABUS: Purchase the syllabus prescribed for the exam as soon as you consider giving any competitive exam. It will help you develop familiarity with the subjects as well restrict your in depth-studies. The subjects are very vast and years of study are required to master them fully. Question banks of the exams are also imperative though be careful not to go through all the papers in the beginning. You will have limited full length papers to check your progress with. Thus, read a paper or two at the maximum to familiarize yourself with the pattern of questions, answers expected, etc. A overall look into the syllabus, question papers will help you decide what to study and how. The syllabus copies of all examinations are available at book stores. UPSC syllabus may be found in the blog itself.

 

5. NOTES: Taking notes of the main points will reinforce the information you are hearing now. It will allow you to provide accurate information when you try and recall the classes. Colors used, copies etc will leave a mark in your mind. Many institutes give handouts or PowerPoint presentations. Don’t feel shy to ask them for a copy. Don’t write down everything the teacher or lead says. Write the main points and explanations. When in a class or discussion, let your mind focus on the information and its importance rather than the words. How you hear information and question it will help you develop skills for interview questions. Keep your notes updated remember to leave space for your own comments later. Margins are provided for a reason – use them wisely.

 

6. INTERACT: If you don’t understand a concept, need clarification or you disagree, ask your teacher or group lead during class itself. Else make a note and call your own teachers or elders for clarification after class. 

 

7. REVIEW: Before the week at the institute is over, make sure you review your notes summarily. Where you are in doubt, clarify the same on the last day of the week. This will not only reinforce the information but also make sure tat you do not waste the weekend revising and studying a topic you don’t understand. This summary look should not take more than 15 minutes per subject. 

 

8. REST: You will pressed hard around exam time. Nevertheless, try to sleep at fixed times and for at least 7-8 hours a day during your preparation. This will help prevent fatigue and loss of valuable information in the long run.

 

The above list can be achieved better with the following actions:

 

1. Start time management at the very start of your preparation. Have a plan

of action from the moment you decide to give the exam.

 

2. Have a calendar (weekly, monthly, yearly) with marks for deadlines for subjects/assignments, practice tests, summary study dates, revision dates and other important dates.

 

3. Have a grade or percentage system for the dates you mark. Say for the objective exams in GK set goals set goals like getting at least 60 percent questions right or keep wrong answers below 10 %, etc.

 

4. Make sure your plan of action is do-able. Break deadlines or tasks into smaller, more manageable jobs. 

 

5. Plan enough time for relaxing or simply sitting around in your weekly chart.

 

6. Use “To do” lists. Whether in a copy, diary or a small notepad, write down the tasks to be achieved. At the end of the day, cross out the ones achieved to your satisfaction. This is an important tool to keep a check on your progress and will help you stay on course. 

 

7. This examination has to be your priority. Once decided, your preparation must take preference over any other activity. You can be flexible in your hours but you must meet all your deadlines.

 

8. Reading on a regular basis is essential. In newspapers, The Hindu is the a must read. In case, you wish to read other papers choose one Hindi and one local newspaper. The Hindi newspaper will help you put in data and information in a more succinct manner in the mandatory Hindi papers in most exams.

 

9. Always preview your material and see how you want to progress in a particular subject. Read from different sources. Be aware of the fact that though you may like an author, his perspective may not be giving you an edge. Talk to people and other aspirants and find out the books that have been recommended and why.

 

10. Develop your reading and writing skills. In certain tests, it has been shown that the eyes will run over certain words and presume one context when another was intended. We don’t want you to write the perfect answer to the wrong question. Better reading speed will help you deal with materials faster. The point of fast and neat handwriting is kind of obvious.

 

11. Be sure to relate to question papers and application based logical questions while you study something.

 

12. Assign value to what you have read. If it has figures and is interesting but not usable, throw it out. You cannot put in material because its fun or you remember it. Think pertinent.

 

13. Reviews and revisions are essential. A review once a week and revision once a month of your notes or vice versa is a good idea.

 

14. If possible, write your own notes. Your thoughts and your understanding is unique to you. Experiment and find out a system that works for you. Whether it be writing twice or writing once…Anything that helps you work better and will save time at the time of examinations.

 

15. Invest in a set of markers, color pencils, colored ball pens, post-its. They are handy aids and will serve your purpose well as visual aids. Highlighters will keep your focus away from sentences and on catch phrases and thus, reduce the time spent in subsequent readings. For the interested people, there are many aids available like Tony Buzan’s Mind Maps or following a particular note making formula as in Columbia. Google the same or ask around in your friend circle. I will be posting a few aids on the blog shortly.

 

16. Organize your study place or bag. Have all the material for the week in the bag or at the table. Do not waste time getting up time and again. Studying in small chunks of time works for a lot of people, so try and take breaks instead of non stop studying for 8 to 9 hours.

 

17. Follow your normal routine throughout the year before the paper. Eat right and exercise. Your physical fitness is important in the interview. Sleep

and relax so that you can maintain a 360 degree perspective on your studies and your job eventually.

 

18. Start revision studying and give practice tests a month before the exam dates. Sample question papers is also a good alternative. Get them marked by your teachers or study group friends. Follow-up on your results. Go through the corrected answers to see and discuss where you went wrong so that you can improve.