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To be honest I don't know about lessons learnt as of now. I didn't clear mains twice before so I did some things differently this time :
1. Made diligent short notes of current topics issue wise - strictly one page - covering both summary of static and important points of current aspect. For each topic I specifically included static part in my notes that helped me. Eg in SHG question I used the data of my static part for a large part of the question and supplemented it with current part in conclusion and way forward.
2. For paper 1 I did crisp study - theme wise and issue wise that again saved time - kept sources less but many revisions - lessened stress during exam.
3. Optional I had revised before prelims majorly though some parts were left - but I still don't know what to do more as it's GEOGRAPHY - so no trends are helpful, no sureshot way to crack it. But GS prep helped a lot in paper 2 optional.
Lessons learnt from mains :
1. *Don't think you're out of the race for the year till the time result is declared* I mean each and every word of it. I had worked very hard this time and the essay day - I chose natural laws - came back home read on forum that the interpretation might be different - lost all hope of clearing mains then and there - I thought the start itself has been so bad etc etc - luckily my parents talked me out of dejection and by evening I was back to revision. Nobody knows what might click to the examiner. Keep your nerves and give your best in that one week. Will power can make you do a paper much better than a demotivated and dejected attitude.
2. Revision is key - revise till you drop - leave a few topics if necessary but don't go like with half baked knowledge of each topic - one page per topic is more than sufficient for 200-250 words - more than sufficient - but knowing still not knowing the topic is to be avoided. Do 90% of the topics but do them well - revise them multiple times. In 15-18 answers even 60-70% of the relevant points well presented will fetch you marks. But 20-30% points written without confidence in every answer will not work.
3. This is for others - because I don't do this this but friends did so and repented - don't compromise sleep before the exam day - the worst thing you can expect during the exam is to have a black out during the exam. Not recommended at all.
4. Make short concise notes after prelims - first month after prelims do this along with mad revision - then only revise the short notes - this is for static. For current - one page per issue. Revise it like a mad person - you should even know where you have put a full stop or comma in your notes - what I mean is it should be imprinted in your mind - no other way.
5. Write answers and join a test series if necessary - to iron out specific issues like writing speed, hand writing etc but strike a balance - there is a mad rush and mindless rush to join tests and that might not work for everyone. To each his own. Do what suits you. Study how it suits you. You have to make a strategy to clear the exam. Know how to write answers but only writing answers madly won't help. You need content too. Balance!
6. Find your path. Don't follow anyone not even rank 1. Your doubts, fears and journey is very different from others. Take the best points that suit you from everyone. But think on those and do what you feel correct without being escapist. Even an IAS Father/Mother or brother/sister cannot ensure the best strategy for their child/sibling. Because everyone's mind is different. Understand your mind and try to guide your mind rather than being guided by your mind. A ranker of one year might not even clear pre/mains next year. It's that unpredictable. But we can just plan for success. And do that but don't follow anyone blindly.
7. Write mains with detachment. Write it like any other exam. The more attached you are the more are the chances of faltering. It's not a a matter of life and death. I know it's difficult to believe that internally but it's true. A career is just one aspect. You'll clear the exam and then be depressed about a bad cadre, a life partner, postings, money, children or the lack of children, ageing parents, lack of happiness in life etc. This never ends. The sooner we realise the better.
These are my two cents. I just wrote mains with a different manner of preparation and a different mindset this time. Hope hardwork is rewarded someday.
My opinion..I don't agree with many things in this thread..
1)one half length test of 10 questions in 1.5 hour once a week....for about 6 months before pre..and 1 full length test of 20 questions of 3 hours per week,after pre.....ethics,essay,optional need differentaited approach in writing practice..depending on one's comfort levels,it varies but in general,for essay after pre..optional if completed anser writing practice can be done before pre else do it after mains....in any case spending more than 1 paper per week writing is over-kill...content is very imp....presentation can be practised throgh once a week one test..good presentation needs good content;also dynamic content means one has to keep acquiring content and integrating it with existing information.
2)This notes making of everything..of books,newspapers etc won't help...u would be even risking pre with that approach...important things,context,themes..even factual information would repeat in the newspapers..eg:if it is disaster management,then whethere is Elphinstone tragedy or Uttarakhand flash floods..Chennai floods..Bundelkhand,Marathwada drought..themes recoour and being in touch with newspapers means automatic revision..even bodies lie NDMA,reports,stats like MMR,IMR would repeat.....further a good monthly magazine would cover all facts,bodies etc...so 12 such magazines are ready made notes that u can refer in end if needed..but these magazine notes should be relevant,concise,source should be automatic like Hindu newspaper,IE newspaper etc..these magazines based revision is highly time saving and that time can be used elsewhere..but the magazines would be useful only it the points are familiar with u in the end,which will happen if one is reading newspapers regualrly...so basically read huge and vast+keep 1 good monthly magazine compliation and if possible try to revise/glance them in end+writing practice of one paper per week to be done if possible 6-8 months before next pre.
3)The only notes u need to have...I advise keeping snippets of articles..need not be whoe article but separate pieces/paragraphs of information and sorting them under different heaads like stats,reports,examples,reports,committes,panels etc...this would suufice for value additon and content enrichment pre-pared part,but I would advise keeping cut outs or digital pics in sorted form..it's like reading the same exact surce in same grammar,same context..when u revise as u read it for first time..this similarity helps in imprinting it in memory...identical memory recall gives tremendous boost to memory consolidation;eg:when I looked at the snippet of bathukama or bonalu festival just for the second time,I am able to recall the first read,and it helps much in learning and memory consolidation;with handwritten words,you can never recall the original context.
4)You need to have balance in content;these peics of information;stats;panels and committees reports gives substance to the answer;they are not superficial; however many aspirants who may be preparing for 5 years or even more have virtually re-revised these peice of information;so these facts would make the answer different is ot true;many woudl be specifcally writing these things;hence it shoudl not be overdone;;;;a personal touch to answer-writing style,flow in asnwers which shows reflection of one's thoughts and expression is very important..these persoana innovated insights in answers based on reasonong and arguments is very important.
5)Optional should be well revised having width,depth,innovation in answers...ethics,essay I repeat need spearate specif treatment.
I think, Nandini, Anjus and others have written everything. I am just putting what I did.
In my opinion four things are most important. I call them FOUR MAJORS
1) Newspaper (Hindu) There is no replacement for this. Read it everyday, make short notes topic wise. Monthly magazines can act as supplementary but not as replacement.
2) Revision It is the most important factor in mains exam. Revise again and again.
3) Practice For this, just download Insights on India secure index. I am saying only INDEX of monthly secure compilations. Take it's print out. Write answers to it. If time is less, try to form answers mentally- How you will introduce, what you will write in body and how you will conclude it.
4)Test series Join it , but don't go for 30 tests or like this, if you are not able to follow it. Try to write like Final exams- two tests a day (eg. GS1+GS2 / GS3 + GS4). Basic idea of writing two tests a day is to simulate a final exams. (In simple words, HATH TO DUKHEGA ,LEKIN LIKHNA TO PADEGA.)
Additionally, three small activities are important. I call them THREE MINORS- QDD
1)Quotes- Make list of quotes topic wise. Eg. Women, agriculture, education, democracy, poverty, character. Application- Quotes can be used not only in essay and ethics but also in other GS papers to introduce and conclude the answers. Quotes can be paraphrased. Quotes convey large content in few words. Eg. To start doubling farmers income or agriculture related questions, one can use Nehru's quote- "Everything else can wait. But agriculture can not." Eg. To begin environment related questions , following quote can be used- " Prakriti Rakshiti Rakshita "
2)Data- Collect topic wise data. Eg. Child sex ratio, adult literacy rate, corruption index. It can be used to begin answer or support your stand.
3) Diagrams- Flowcharts, pie diagram, boxes, star diagram, cloud diagrams can be used. It helps to express more in less words. But these diagrams should be practiced before exam. You can not invent everything in exam hall.
Dedicate one hour for 3 Minors regularly. These can act as brownie points.
Finally, keep motivating yourself during Mains exam. Self Motivation is key in this exam.
Yes I agree with it completely except daily notes making...I get the same benefit in a diffferent way as it would take about 1 hour each day(365 hours in 1year) in notemaking;that time spent elsewhere in terms of cost benefit will translate into better marks....just my way of seeing it.
I think, Nandini, Anjus and others have written everything. I am just putting what I did.
In my opinion four things are most important. I call them FOUR MAJORS
1) Newspaper (Hindu) There is no replacement for this. Read it everyday, make short notes topic wise. Monthly magazines can act as supplementary but not as replacement.
2) Revision It is the most important factor in mains exam. Revise again and again.
3) Practice For this, just download Insights on India secure index. I am saying only INDEX of monthly secure compilations. Take it's print out. Write answers to it. If time is less, try to form answers mentally- How you will introduce, what you will write in body and how you will conclude it.
4)Test series Join it , but don't go for 30 tests or like this, if you are not able to follow it. Try to write like Final exams- two tests a day (eg. GS1+GS2 / GS3 + GS4). Basic idea of writing two tests a day is to simulate a final exams. (In simple words, HATH TO DUKHEGA ,LEKIN LIKHNA TO PADEGA.)
Additionally, three small activities are important. I call them THREE MINORS- QDD
1)Quotes- Make list of quotes topic wise. Eg. Women, agriculture, education, democracy, poverty, character. Application- Quotes can be used not only in essay and ethics but also in other GS papers to introduce and conclude the answers. Quotes can be paraphrased. Quotes convey large content in few words. Eg. To start doubling farmers income or agriculture related questions, one can use Nehru's quote- "Everything else can wait. But agriculture can not." Eg. To begin environment related questions , following quote can be used- " Prakriti Rakshiti Rakshita "
2)Data- Collect topic wise data. Eg. Child sex ratio, adult literacy rate, corruption index. It can be used to begin answer or support your stand.
3) Diagrams- Flowcharts, pie diagram, boxes, star diagram, cloud diagrams can be used. It helps to express more in less words. But these diagrams should be practiced before exam. You can not invent everything in exam hall.
Dedicate one hour for 3 Minors regularly. These can act as brownie points.
Finally, keep motivating yourself during Mains exam. Self Motivation is key in this exam.
Yes I agree with it completely except daily notes making...I get the same benefit in a diffferent way as it would take about 1 hour each day(365 hours in 1year) in notemaking;that time spent elsewhere in terms of cost benefit will translate into better marks....just my way of seeing it.
Don't agree . May be not making notes worked for you but its not a very good and foolproof strategy to follow . I have given mains without making notes and after making notes . There is a tremendous difference in quality of answers . Notes making can give an edge . And those 365 hours are the most productive hours .Reading newspaper without making notes is not of much use. Totally agree with @nandani . Monthly magazines are supplement and not a replacement . No substitute for newspaper reading n notes making .
Biggest learning is that no matter how much hard work you put in for GS1,2,3,4. At the time of exam, it all boils down to your optional. GS every good candidate is writing more or less the same answers as you are. It is the optional that can make or break you.
Correct...optional is still the maker or breaker..
Waise andy bhai, i dont think its a lesson learnt by you this time...u already knew that, didnt ya..??
Biggest learning is that no matter how much hard work you put in for GS1,2,3,4. At the time of exam, it all boils down to your optional. GS every good candidate is writing more or less the same answers as you are. It is the optional that can make or break you.
Correct...optional is still the maker or breaker..
Waise andy bhai, i dont think its a lesson learnt by you this time...u already knew that, didnt ya..??
Yes..after so many mains, this learning is the biggest constant.
Biggest learning is that no matter how much hard work you put in for GS1,2,3,4. At the time of exam, it all boils down to your optional. GS every good candidate is writing more or less the same answers as you are. It is the optional that can make or break you.
Correct...optional is still the maker or breaker..
Waise andy bhai, i dont think its a lesson learnt by you this time...u already knew that, didnt ya..??
Yes..after so many mains, this learning is the biggest constant.
Biggest learning is that no matter how much hard work you put in for GS1,2,3,4. At the time of exam, it all boils down to your optional. GS every good candidate is writing more or less the same answers as you are. It is the optional that can make or break you.
Correct...optional is still the maker or breaker..
Waise andy bhai, i dont think its a lesson learnt by you this time...u already knew that, didnt ya..??
Yes..after so many mains, this learning is the biggest constant.
I think, Nandini, Anjus and others have written everything. I am just putting what I did.
In my opinion four things are most important. I call them FOUR MAJORS
1) Newspaper (Hindu) There is no replacement for this. Read it everyday, make short notes topic wise. Monthly magazines can act as supplementary but not as replacement.
2) Revision It is the most important factor in mains exam. Revise again and again.
3) Practice For this, just download Insights on India secure index. I am saying only INDEX of monthly secure compilations. Take it's print out. Write answers to it. If time is less, try to form answers mentally- How you will introduce, what you will write in body and how you will conclude it.
4)Test series Join it , but don't go for 30 tests or like this, if you are not able to follow it. Try to write like Final exams- two tests a day (eg. GS1+GS2 / GS3 + GS4). Basic idea of writing two tests a day is to simulate a final exams. (In simple words, HATH TO DUKHEGA ,LEKIN LIKHNA TO PADEGA.)
Additionally, three small activities are important. I call them THREE MINORS- QDD
1)Quotes- Make list of quotes topic wise. Eg. Women, agriculture, education, democracy, poverty, character. Application- Quotes can be used not only in essay and ethics but also in other GS papers to introduce and conclude the answers. Quotes can be paraphrased. Quotes convey large content in few words. Eg. To start doubling farmers income or agriculture related questions, one can use Nehru's quote- "Everything else can wait. But agriculture can not." Eg. To begin environment related questions , following quote can be used- " Prakriti Rakshiti Rakshita "
2)Data- Collect topic wise data. Eg. Child sex ratio, adult literacy rate, corruption index. It can be used to begin answer or support your stand.
3) Diagrams- Flowcharts, pie diagram, boxes, star diagram, cloud diagrams can be used. It helps to express more in less words. But these diagrams should be practiced before exam. You can not invent everything in exam hall.
Dedicate one hour for 3 Minors regularly. These can act as brownie points.
Finally, keep motivating yourself during Mains exam. Self Motivation is key in this exam.
Additionally, MAP PRACTICE can help to fetch more marks. Eg. In Q.16 of GS1 about interlinking of rivers, map of proposed projects like KEN- BETWA can be shown. Flood and drought affected areas can be marked.
Eg. In Q.20 of GS1, map of MAJOR IT HUBS can be drawn.
Utility is, when we draw map, we specify the answers. Under time pressure, maps helps to think constructively, which is need of exam.
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Comments
1)one half length test of 10 questions in 1.5 hour once a week....for about 6 months before pre..and 1 full length test of 20 questions of 3 hours per week,after pre.....ethics,essay,optional need differentaited approach in writing practice..depending on one's comfort levels,it varies but in general,for essay after pre..optional if completed anser writing practice can be done before pre else do it after mains....in any case spending more than 1 paper per week writing is over-kill...content is very imp....presentation can be practised throgh once a week one test..good presentation needs good content;also dynamic content means one has to keep acquiring content and integrating it with existing information.
2)This notes making of everything..of books,newspapers etc won't help...u would be even risking pre with that approach...important things,context,themes..even factual information would repeat in the newspapers..eg:if it is disaster management,then whethere is Elphinstone tragedy or Uttarakhand flash floods..Chennai floods..Bundelkhand,Marathwada drought..themes recoour and being in touch with newspapers means automatic revision..even bodies lie NDMA,reports,stats like MMR,IMR would repeat.....further a good monthly magazine would cover all facts,bodies etc...so 12 such magazines are ready made notes that u can refer in end if needed..but these magazine notes should be relevant,concise,source should be automatic like Hindu newspaper,IE newspaper etc..these magazines based revision is highly time saving and that time can be used elsewhere..but the magazines would be useful only it the points are familiar with u in the end,which will happen if one is reading newspapers regualrly...so basically read huge and vast+keep 1 good monthly magazine compliation and if possible try to revise/glance them in end+writing practice of one paper per week to be done if possible 6-8 months before next pre.
3)The only notes u need to have...I advise keeping snippets of articles..need not be whoe article but separate pieces/paragraphs of information and sorting them under different heaads like stats,reports,examples,reports,committes,panels etc...this would suufice for value additon and content enrichment pre-pared part,but I would advise keeping cut outs or digital pics in sorted form..it's like reading the same exact surce in same grammar,same context..when u revise as u read it for first time..this similarity helps in imprinting it in memory...identical memory recall gives tremendous boost to memory consolidation;eg:when I looked at the snippet
of bathukama or bonalu festival just for the second time,I am able to recall the first read,and it helps much in learning and memory consolidation;with handwritten words,you can never recall the original context.
4)You need to have balance in content;these peics of information;stats;panels and committees reports gives substance to the answer;they are not superficial; however many aspirants who may be preparing for 5 years or even more have virtually re-revised these peice of information;so these facts would make the answer different is ot true;many woudl be specifcally writing these things;hence it shoudl not be overdone;;;;a personal touch to answer-writing style,flow in asnwers which shows reflection of one's thoughts and expression is very important..these persoana innovated insights in answers based on reasonong and arguments is very important.
5)Optional should be well revised having width,depth,innovation in answers...ethics,essay I repeat need spearate specif treatment.
Thanks.
please share your learnings.
Waise andy bhai, i dont think its a lesson learnt by you this time...u already knew that, didnt ya..??
Best of luck to you...:)
Eg. In Q.16 of GS1 about interlinking of rivers, map of proposed projects like KEN- BETWA can be shown. Flood and drought affected areas can be marked.
Eg. In Q.20 of GS1, map of MAJOR IT HUBS can be drawn.
Utility is, when we draw map, we specify the answers. Under time pressure, maps helps to think constructively, which is need of exam.