The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination in three stages – Preliminary, Mains, and Interview. The Preliminary Exam is the first stage of the examination, which consists of two objective-type papers, General Studies Paper-I and General Studies Paper-II (also known as the Civil Services Aptitude Test or CSAT). The Preliminary Exam is a screening test, and only those candidates who qualify for it are eligible to appear for the Mains Exam. In this article, we will discuss a 50-day strategy to prepare for the UPSC Prelims.
week wise 50 day UPSC prelims strategy
Weeks 1-2:
- Go through the UPSC syllabus and understand the exam pattern.
- Make a study plan for the next 50 days.
- Start with the NCERT books of classes 6 to 12 for basic understanding of topics.
- Cover the basic topics of history, geography, polity, economy, and science.
- Read the newspaper daily to keep yourself updated with current affairs.
Weeks 3-4:
- Focus on topics like Indian national movement, modern Indian history, world history, physical geography, Indian geography, and Indian society.
- Make notes of important topics and revise them regularly.
- Solve previous year question papers to understand the exam pattern and types of questions asked.
- Keep revising the NCERT books and current affairs regularly.
Weeks 5-6:
- Focus on topics like Indian polity, Indian economy, and international relations.
- Practice MCQs and mock tests to improve your speed and accuracy.
- Analyze your performance in the mock tests and work on your weak areas.
- Revise the notes and previous year question papers regularly.
Weeks 7-8:
- Revise all the important topics that you have covered so far.
- Practice solving MCQs and mock tests.
- Focus on current affairs of the last 6 months.
- Revise your notes regularly and revise important facts and figures.
Weeks 9-10:
- Focus on revision and practice.
- Solve previous year question papers and mock tests.
- Identify your weak areas and work on improving them.
- Stay calm and confident.
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Day wise UPSC prelims strategy
Day 1-5: Understand the exam pattern and syllabus, and start with the basic NCERT books to build a strong foundation.
Day 6-15: Focus on current affairs and start reading newspapers, magazines, and other reliable sources to keep yourself updated with the latest news and events.
Day 16-25: Start solving previous year question papers and mock tests to understand the type of questions asked in the exam and analyze your performance.
Day 26-35: Focus on revision and cover the remaining topics from the syllabus. Try to revise at least two to three times before the exam.
Day 36-45: Take full-length mock tests and analyze your performance. Work on your weak areas and improve your speed and accuracy.
Day 46-50: Revise the important formulas, concepts, and facts. Take a break from your regular study routine and relax your mind to avoid burnout.
Revision strategy
Preparing for UPSC prelims can be a daunting task, but with a well-planned strategy, you can tackle the vast syllabus with ease. Here is a day-wise strategy for the 50 days leading up to the UPSC prelims exam, covering subjects like history, geography, polity, economy, environment, science and technology, and CSAT. NOTE: PRACTICE CSAT DAILY INCLUDING GS1 SUBJECT
Day 1-5: History
Start with ancient Indian history, covering topics like the Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic Age, Mauryan Empire, and Gupta Empire. Focus on the social, economic, and cultural aspects of these periods.
Day 6-10: History
Move on to medieval Indian history, covering topics like the Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, and the advent of Europeans in India. Focus on the political and cultural aspects of these periods.
Day 11-15: History
Cover modern Indian history, covering topics like the British Raj, Indian National Movement, and post-independence India. Focus on the socio-economic and political aspects of these periods.
Day 16-20: Geography
Begin with physical geography, covering topics like earth’s structure, landforms, climate, and vegetation. Pay special attention to India’s physical geography.
Day 21-25: Geography
Move on to human geography, covering topics like population, migration, urbanization, and regional development. Focus on India’s demographic and economic patterns.
Day 26-30: Polity
Cover the Indian Constitution, focusing on the Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy, and Fundamental Duties. Also, cover the Union and State Government, Parliament, and Judiciary.
Day 31-35: Economy
Begin with basic economic concepts, covering topics like demand and supply, market structures, and national income accounting. Also, cover important sectors like agriculture, industry, and services.
Day 36-40: Economy
Move on to macroeconomics, covering topics like inflation, monetary policy, fiscal policy, and balance of payments. Also, cover India’s economic reforms since 1991.
Day 41-45: Environment
Cover environmental ecology, focusing on the ecosystem, biodiversity, and climate change. Also, cover India’s environmental challenges and initiatives.
Day 46-48: Science and Technology
Cover topics like space technology, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and ICT. Also, cover India’s achievements and initiatives in science and technology.
Day 49-50: CSAT
Practice CSAT papers, covering topics like quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, and comprehension. Also, work on time management and speed.
How to solve and analyze test series?
- Understand the exam pattern: Before starting the test series, it is essential to understand the exam pattern. The UPSC Prelims exam consists of two papers – General Studies I and General Studies II (CSAT). The former has 100 questions while the latter has 80. The duration of each paper is two hours. Knowing the pattern and syllabus of the exam will help you prepare for the test series better.
- Take mock tests: The best way to practice for UPSC Prelims is by taking mock tests. There are numerous online portals and coaching centers that offer test series for UPSC Prelims. These mock tests simulate the real exam environment and help you assess your strengths and weaknesses. Analyze your performance in each mock test and identify the areas where you need to improve.
- Set a time limit: During the actual exam, you have to complete each paper in two hours. Therefore, it is crucial to set a time limit for each mock test. This will help you improve your time management skills and enable you to attempt all the questions in the given time frame.
- Revise regularly: While taking the test series, make a note of the questions that you were unable to answer or answered incorrectly. Revise these topics regularly to strengthen your concepts and avoid repeating the same mistakes in the actual exam.
- Analyze your mistakes: After each mock test, analyze your mistakes and try to understand the reason behind them. It could be due to lack of knowledge, misinterpretation of the question, or careless mistakes. Work on your weaknesses and try to avoid repeating the same mistakes.
Here are some tips on how to analyze the test series for UPSC Prelims
- Understand the Exam Pattern: The first step in analyzing your test series is to understand the exam pattern. The UPSC prelims consist of two papers, General Studies I and II, with 200 marks each. The test series you are taking should be based on this pattern.
- Analyze the Difficulty Level: It is important to analyze the difficulty level of the test series. This will give you an idea of the level of preparation you need to undertake. You can do this by analyzing the cut-off scores and comparing your performance with other test-takers.
- Identify Your Strengths and Weaknesses: Analyze your performance in each subject and identify your strengths and weaknesses. This will help you in devising a strategy to improve your performance.
- Time Management: Analyze the time taken to complete each test. This will help you in improving your time management skills.
- Identify the Topics You Need to Focus On: Analyze the topics that you need to focus on. This will help you in prioritizing your study material.
- Identify the Type of Questions: Analyze the type of questions asked in the test series. This will help you in preparing for the actual exam.
- Analyze the Source of Questions: Analyze the source of the questions asked in the test series. This will give you an idea of the kind of questions you can expect in the actual exam.
- Monitor Your Progress: Keep a record of your progress. This will help you in identifying your areas of improvement.
- Take Feedback: Take feedback from your peers, mentors, or teachers. This will help you in identifying your blind spots.
- Revise and Practice: Revise your weak areas and practice regularly. This will help you in improving your performance.
Analyzing the test series is a crucial aspect of UPSC prelims preparation. By following the ten key points discussed in this essay, you can identify your strengths and weaknesses, devise a strategy, and improve your performance. Remember, consistent practice and hard work are the keys to success in the UPSC exam.
Also practice Environment PYQ
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FAQ
Q: Can I clear the UPSC prelims exam in 50 days of preparation?
Yes, it is possible to clear the UPSC prelims exam with dedicated preparation in 50 days. However, the level of preparation required will be intense and may require significant effort.
Q: What are some tips for effective preparation for the UPSC prelims?
Some tips for effective preparation for the UPSC prelims include creating a study plan, focusing on the fundamentals, revising regularly, practicing previous year question papers, and staying updated with current events.
Q: What are some recommended books for UPSC prelims preparation?
Some recommended books for UPSC prelims preparation include NCERT textbooks for relevant subjects, Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth, Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh, and A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir.
Q: How important is time management during the UPSC prelims?
Time management is crucial during the UPSC prelims as candidates have to answer a large number of questions in a limited amount of time. Practicing previous year question papers and taking mock tests can help improve time management skills.