Prelims strategy

Prelims is the first stage of this exciting UPSC journey. The fact that you only need to pass this exam and its marks wont be counted in final marks tally, calls for a different approach.

My journey:
I gave my first attempt in 2014 and was not able to clear the prelims.

Reasons:
1. Lack of revision
2. Lack of coverage of syllabus
3. Not enough practice

Hence these points should be kept in mind so as to avoid mistakes I committed in my first attempt. I focused on my weak areas in subsequent attempts and was able to qualify both 2015 and 2016 prelims.

Here is my Prelims marksheet:

The booklist:

Topic	strategy/booklist/comment
History Ancient	Old NCERT, PD special issue on ancient;
History Medieval	Old NCERT, PD special issue on medieval;
History Modern (Freedom Struggle)	Spectrum, Bipin Chandra
Culture and society	Gk today module, Class XI new NCERT-the best book!
Polity (theory + current)	Laxmikant, vision ias magazine
Economy (theory + current)	Ramesh Singh-though not much good, Class XII NCERT, Vision ias magazine
Science (theory + current)	Bio NCERT-relevant chapters, Vision IAS magazine, TMH relevant chapters
Environment (theory + current)	Gk today module, Erach barucha, vision ias documents
geography physical	My optional
geography India	My optional
geography world	My optional
other national/international current affairs	Vision ias magazine, idsa.in
Schemes, Policy & Filler Stuff	Vision ias magazine, prsorg.in

One should keep in mind that Prelims preparation requires a wide horizontal expansion of your coverage. So do not keep yourself limited to just standard text books, but make exhaustive use of internet, telegram channels, etc so as to expand your coverage.

The CSAT

I never used any special book for CSAT preperation but went through ample number of mock test papers. Given the fact that one needs only 33% ~ 67 marks in the paper to qualify, there is no need to attempt the entire paper. I never finished the paper, but ensured that high accuracy was maintained in whatever question I attempted. Hence attempt only those questions for which you are very sure.

The Strategy

Before Preparation

1. The dedicated Prelims oreparation should be started at least 3-4 months before the exam
2. Keep all pre related books at one place and make list of them which need to be read and revise.
3. I used to make an excel file like this: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4uTdW1RYSJFLWwxVnFwbER3Mk0/view?usp=sharing

During preparation

Divide preparation into 3 phases:

• Phase 1: for 1.5-2 months each week complete a subject which should be followed by a test on last day of week for the subject covered.
  Also whenever possible practice questions of previous subjects covered whenever some free time available while the ongoing subject
• Phase 2: when all subjects are complete, do comprehensive tests throughout the day, 3-4 tests. This should go for first 15 days. This will tell you where you need to improve. How much your guess work paying dividend
• Phase 3: In last 15 days, keeping 2 days per subject do quick revision of covered subject + give atleast 1 test per day.

This whole should end 1 day before prelims and on last day do as much mastii :) as possible to relax your mind.

Just before Exam

1. Sleep well a day before the exam, but since its difficult to sleep because of anxiety, sleep as much as possible a day before also so as to compensate in advance.
2. Make check list of items needed on the day of exam
3. You can indulge in some physical exercise before the exam, e.g Jogging, which will help you release the stress.

Words of Wisdom!

I guess the uncertainty of UPSC has become a trademark given this years's paper and hence one should be prepared for it by keeping following things in mind:

1. One should not attempt question by having certain perceived cut off in mind (I saw a thread a formias on cutoff speculation even before prelims was conducted!!)
2. Balance is the key: revise both current and static part of a subject. Try not to leave any part of the syllabus.
3. Try to minimize negatives by controlling your emotions.
4. Keeping cool during the exam and thinking that you have given your best!

My Mantra!

Treat exam like a sport, which one enjoys playing. Just like in sports, we don’t know the end result but we have confidence on our talent and capabilities. Therefore be happy and play with the exam with full confidence. Appreciate the difficult questions in good sportsman spirit rather than feeling sad and angry that they came in exam. Learn what shots UPSC can play and master the counter strokes of your defense and offense. Play offensively in those questions which you are sure 100% and defensively where you are not much confident. Master your offensive shots so that those shots are always hit bull's eye and learn how much of yours defensive shots are able to protect you from UPSCs difficult ralleys.

All the very best!