Every candidate who has taken their prelims preparation seriously has read nearly the same books. The way that people prepare for and attend the exam day, however, makes an impact. The inclusive 15-day preparation schedule to ace the UPSC IAS Civil Services Preliminary test is provided below in this blog.

UPSC Preliminary Exam

Preliminary examinations serve as the prerequisite for the UPSC Civil Service Main Exam. To sit in the UPSC Civil Service Mains Exam, aspirants must pass the preliminary exam. The Civil Service Aptitude Test (CSAT) and General Studies Papers GS 1 and GS 2 are part of the UPSC Prelims exam.

UPSC Prelims Preparation Strategies In The Last 15 Days

Candidates should remain upbeat and optimistic during these practice days because there are not many days left till the preliminary exam. Though one should unwind and concentrate on study and revision, keep in mind that these are really valuable days before the preliminary exams. 

While the General Studies Examination 1 cut-off marks are crucial in determining your advancement to the next round, you may have dedicated most of your preparation to this exam. That being said, the General Studies Paper 2 (CSAT) holds similar significance as it is the qualifying examination. 

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#1 Pay Attention To The Fundamentals:

• Rewrite topics like politics, economy, and modern India where there is greater confidence in the questions being asked given the recent trends. You’ll profit handsomely from this. 
• Examine several sources to gain a greater understanding of basic ideas. Various explanations can occasionally offer a more thorough understanding.
• To debate and reinforce fundamental topics through peer teaching and collaborative learning, think about joining study groups with other aspirants. 
• Make mnemonics or visual aids to help people remember abstract ideas. Retention can be improved by connecting knowledge to vivid images or personal stories.

#2 Practice To Boost Your Confidence:

• Examine both the right and wrong answers in detail after completing practice exams. Knowing why some answers were incorrect can be just as illuminating as knowing why others were correct.
• Try out various test-taking techniques, such as setting out particular time blocks for each section or starting with the easier questions to gain momentum. Solving CSE preliminary exam papers from prior years would be the best course of action in this regard. 
• Low results on practice exams shouldn’t demotivate you. Make use of these as teaching opportunities to pinpoint your shortcomings and potential areas of growth. 

#3 Revise As Much As Possible:

• To strengthen memory retention, apply spaced repetition strategies. Long-term memory has been demonstrated to be improved by reviewing content at regular intervals. 
• Utilize active learning strategies, such as explaining ideas in your own words or teaching concepts to a hypothetical audience. One of the best methods to ensure that you fully grasp something is to teach it to others.
• All of your notes, including test notes, current events, and statistics, need to be revised. There is no replacement for revision. After splitting the 15 days into two chunks of 10 and 5 days, make two revisions to your notes. 
• Revise more difficult topics once you’ve finished easier ones. Try out several revising strategies to stay focused and avoid burnout, such as the Pomodoro Technique (study for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break).

#4 Allow Separate Time For Static Syllabus:

• Simplify and make more manageable the unchanging syllabus subjects such as Science and Technology Studies, Indian Polity, Art and Culture, Economy, Environment, History, Ethics, Geography, and Indian Society. 
• Make a study plan with designated study periods for each. To arrange and link relevant material within static syllabus disciplines, use mind maps, concept maps, or mnemonic devices. 
• Better comprehension and retention may result from this. See trustworthy sources, such as textbooks, internet resources, or mentorship programs, for clarification on any difficult or perplexing subjects.

#5 Practice CSAT Questions Regularly:

• Practice CSAT problems at increasingly higher levels of complexity as you advance. This will support the development of flexibility and confidence in answering a range of question categories. 
• Review your errors on CSAT practice questions to find any trends or weak points. Spend more time studying these areas to make improvements.
• When preparing for the CSAT, try to replicate as much of the exam atmosphere as you can, such as time limits and distraction-free zones.

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#6 Use Last Year’s Papers For Focused Practice:

• Give yourself enough time to finish the previous year’s preliminary exam papers. Exam patterns, question types, and topic distribution can all be better understood by examining these papers. 
• Pay close attention to the previous year’s current affairs questions. Study these subjects first because there’s a greater chance they’ll come up on the test.
• Examine your performance in detail after finishing each paper. Determine your strengths and weaknesses, then modify your study schedule to concentrate on the areas that require development.

#7 Adjust Your Sleep Cycle:

• Begin by progressively modifying your bedtime and wake-up timings each day by 15 to 30 minutes to accommodate the exam schedule. 
• Create a routine before bed to let your body know when it’s time to relax. This could involve engaging in relaxing activities like reading a book, doing yoga, or enjoying soothing music.
• Keep your bedroom quiet, dark, and cold to create a good sleeping environment. To encourage sound sleep, spend money on pillows and mattresses that are comfy.

#8 Practice Yoga and Meditation:

• Try out various forms of meditation, such as body scan, loving-kindness, and mindfulness meditation, to see which one suits you the most. 
• To relieve stress and increase flexibility, incorporate restorative yoga poses or gentle stretches into your regular practice. You would become happier as a result of this.
• Maintaining a gratitude notebook might help you feel better and cope with stress. To take your mind off of concerns and doubts, make a list of three things for which you are thankful every day.

#9 Envision Clearing Your Preliminary Exams:

• Make a visualization notebook or vision board to help you visualize your objectives. Incorporate motivational pictures, sayings, and affirmations. When you visualize achievement, use every sensation in your body. 
• To help your visualizations become more vivid and captivating, picture the sights, sounds, smells, and emotions connected to passing the preliminary exam.
• To simulate the exam experience in your mind, try using guided imagery or visualization techniques. Envision yourself answering questions with confidence, efficiently using your time, and experiencing a sense of pride and achievement. 
• Practice visualization techniques to train your subconscious mind. It will definitely benefit you on test day and throughout your service. 

#10 Stay Composed:

• To relax and revitalize yourself, engage in self-care activities like strolls, enjoying the outdoors, or pursuing your favorite pastimes. 
• To combat negative ideas and self-doubt, practice positive self-talk. Remember your past successes, your areas of strength, and the work you put into getting ready.
• Review your obstacles as chances for improvement and learning to help you develop a growth mindset. Remain strong in the face of difficulty and accept setbacks as a necessary part of the trip.

Incorporate these extended tactics into your final 15 days of preliminary exam preparation. It will not just improve your knowledge and abilities but also help you develop an adaptable and self-assured mindset. Remain determined, committed, and positive about your chances of success!

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