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How to Prepare for Prelims in 90 Days, Strategy & Tips

PWOnlyIAS May 08, 2024 04:36 1209 0

How to Prepare for Prelims in 90 Days? You may question if you are starting from scratch. Starting the path towards the UPSC preliminary exam needs methodical preparation and meticulous planning.

How to Prepare for Prelims in 90 Days, Strategy & Tips

There are only ninety days left, and if you need a detailed study plan, this blog is for you. So it’s imperative to make a thorough study schedule that covers every topic in the syllabus. This all-inclusive approach will cover both GS Papers 1 and 2, incorporating current events, PYQs, revised NCERT books, and other necessary materials.

An Overview of an UPSC Examination:

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in India administers the UPSC Preliminary Examination, also known as the UPSC Prelims, which is the first phase of the Civil Services Examination. Candidates hoping to join the esteemed Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other central services must pass this exam to be considered.

UPSC Exam Structure:

  • General Studies Paper 1 (GS Paper 1) and General Studies Paper 2 (GS Paper 2), generally referred to as the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT), are the two papers that make up the UPSC Prelims.
  • The two papers are presented in two shifts on the same day.
  • The preliminary test has a total of 400 marks, with each paper carrying 200 points.
  • Each exam has a two-hour duration, making the combined length of the two papers four hours.
  • Candidates must receive at least 33% of the possible points in GS Paper 2 (CSAT), which is qualifying in nature, to be eligible for the Mains test.
  • The candidate’s rank is determined without taking into account the marks they received in GS Paper 2.

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Subject Paper Nature Exam Type Number of Questions Exam Duration Marks
Paper 1 – General Studies Merit Ranking Objective 100 2 Hours 200
Paper 2 – 

General Studies 2

(CSAT)

Qualifying Objective 80 2 Hours 200

Weekly Schedule on How to Prepare for Prelims in 90 Days

We gave careful consideration to How to Prepare for Prelims in 90 Days while creating the weekly schedule. Study sessions with a focus on current events, PYQs, and NCERT book revisions should take place every week:

Week 1-2: NCERT’s, Current Affairs and Reading Comprehension from GS 2

  • GS Paper 1: Begin by focusing on significant national and global current events. For in-depth reporting, consult publications like “The Hindu” or “Indian Express.” You should also think about using online learning platforms like Physics Wallah to get regular updates on current affairs.
  • GS Paper 2: Begin with comprehension exercises, using materials such as R.S. Aggarwal’s “Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning.” Work through sections from past-year question papers (PYQs) to gain a better understanding of the test format and hone your comprehension abilities.
  • Set aside time to go over the NCERT books (Class VI to XII), especially for the history, geography, and polity.
  • To establish a solid foundation, incorporate weekly practice with PYQs and current affairs.

Week 3-4: History from GS 1, Analytical Reasoning from GS 2 and NCERT

  • GS Paper 1: Study about Indian history and the Indian national movement. Use NCERT books and standard textbooks like Bipan Chandra’s “India’s Struggle for Independence” to gain a thorough grasp of the liberation movement.
  • GS Paper 2: Use materials such as M.K. Pandey’s “Analytical Reasoning” to improve your analytical and logical reasoning skills. To improve your problem-solving abilities, practice solving puzzles and questions.
  • Continue going over the Class VI–XII NCERT books, paying particular attention to science and arithmetic.
  • Examine and summarize what you learned in the previous weeks, paying particular attention to your weak points as determined by your self-evaluation and practice exams.

Weeks 5-6: Geography from GS 1 and Problem Solving from GS 2

  • GS Paper 1: Utilizing reference books textbooks like “Fundamentals of Physical Geography” and “India: Physical Environment,” study about both Indian and global geography. Websites such as “Geography and You” provide additional information and up-to-date geographical news.
  • GS Paper 2: Solve case studies from Mukul Pareek’s “Decision Making and Problem Solving” to hone your decision-making abilities. Through group discussions or simulated interviews, concentrate on honing your communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Include current events in your studies and go over last week’s notes again, paying close attention to anything that has happened in geography.
  • To test comprehension and retention, solve PYQs about decision-making and geography.

Weeks 7-8: Polity from GS 1 and Mental Ability Topics From GS 2

  • GS Paper 1: Use NCERT texts and reference books, such as “Indian Polity” by M. Laxmikanth, to study Indian politics and governance systems. Recognize the main points of the Constitution and its most recent amendments.
  • GS Paper 2: To practice general mental capacity exercises, use resources such as R.S. Aggarwal’s “A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning.” To improve cognitive abilities, work through puzzles and logical reasoning exercises.
  • Make time for last-minute edits, and make sure you cover any lingering questions or comprehension gaps by using internet discussion boards and forums as a resource.
  • To determine readiness and pinpoint areas for improvement, answer PYQs about Indian politics and governance.

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Week 9-10: Economics from GS 1 and Data Interpretation from GS 2

  • GS Paper 1: Study topics related to social and economic development, such as “Understanding Economic Development” and “Indian Economic Development,” using NCERT text books.
  • Cover topics from important social indicators, government programs, and economic ideas.
  • GS Paper 2: Utilize materials such as Arun Sharma’s “Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension.” Practice timed activities and simulated exams to increase your accuracy and speed.
  • Examine your notes on current affairs, paying particular attention to recent changes in the social and economic spheres. Use websites such as “PRS India” to gain insights into policy.
  • To reinforce learning and assess concept application, solve PYQs and mock tests on economic and social development issues.

Week 11-12: Ecology and General Science 

  • GS Paper 1: Utilizing NCERT for subjects like “Biology” and “Geography,” cover environmental ecology, biodiversity, and climate change topics from these NCERT’s. Study worldwide endeavors, conservation efforts, and ecological concepts. You can also use reference book Environment by Shankar IAS for in depth coverage.
  • GS Paper 2: Use tools such as Arihant Publications’ “How to Crack the Test of Reasoning” to hone your techniques for answering various kinds of problems. Utilize time management strategies to make the most of your exam time.
  • Participate in debates or group discussions to develop your interpersonal and communication skills. Use resources like “Physics Wallah” to facilitate peer-to-peer learning.
  • To gain experience with exam patterns and curated practice questions, utilize online resources. Complete a final set of practice questions (PYQs) to boost your confidence.

90-Day SMARTER Study Plan

The UPSC CSE Prelims is a difficult test that must be passed strategically. The SMARTER framework is a more intelligent framework that can assist you in reaching your goal. This structure will help you better prepare for your UPSC CSE preliminary. Thus, prepare yourself thoroughly to meet your objectives and ace the test.

S-Specific Objectives: Aim higher than just goodness. Establish precise, topic-specific objectives. Aim for a certain percentage of right answers in each part, and focus on becoming an expert on the difficult and recurring questions. 

M-Measurable: Track your development using numbers; your practice exams serve as set builders. Keep track of how many of the questions in your practice papers you answered correctly. Establish a benchmark and assess your areas of weakness.

A-Achievable: Strive for greatness, but also maintain realism. It’s crucial to push yourself at every turn, so be sure your goals are realistic and within your reach.

R-Relevant: Set sensible priorities. Concentrate on important ideas and topics. Remind yourself not to become mired in unimportant minutiae.

T-Time Bound: Establish a schedule for your objectives. Establish due dates for finishing each topic or segment to make sure your planning is on schedule.

E-Evaluate: One of the most crucial things to do is keep track of your performance. You must evaluate your practice exam, identify your areas of weakness, and modify your study strategy accordingly.

R-Revise: The UPSC CSE Prelims in 60 Days allows you to assess your performance and take appropriate action. Success in the exam depends on revision.

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Conclusion: 

Students who prepare for the UPSC preliminary exam got the solution for How to Prepare for Prelims in 90 Days. An organized 90-day prelims schedule that includes PYQ practice, current affairs integration, NCERT book revisions, and other necessary materials is given in this blog. Through meticulous adherence to this all-encompassing plan, candidates can optimize their chances of passing this demanding test.

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Must Read
NCERT Notes For UPSC UPSC Daily Current Affairs
UPSC Blogs UPSC Daily Editorials
Daily Current Affairs Quiz Daily Main Answer Writing
UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers UPSC Test Series 2024

 

How to Prepare for Prelims in 90 Days FAQs

Make sure you have a fundamental foundation in every subject while concentrating on high-yield topics and areas of personal interest. NCERT books are fundamental sources for thorough coverage of prelims exam.

PYQs are incredibly helpful for preparation as they offer insight into the exam style, question types, and degree of difficulty. They also help with self-evaluation and pinpointing areas that require development.

NCERT books provide an organized method for teaching core ideas in a variety of areas. Use them to gain a thorough understanding and make revisions; add more resources as necessary.

Since current events mirror the dynamic character of the test, they are essential. Combining current affairs with static courses improves comprehension and applicability. It also guarantees comprehensive preparation.

Establish attainable objectives, keep an optimistic outlook, and acknowledge minor accomplishments along the way. Recall your long-term goals and maintain your perspective while seeking help from study groups and inspirational IAS officers.
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Quick Revise Now !
AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD SOON
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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