UPSC Prelims: How to prepare on last day and tips to tackle MCQs

— A. K Mishra

The UPSC Preliminary examination is one of the most important stages for aspiring civil servants in India. With the exam date fast approaching on May 28, it’s crucial to make the most of the last week’s revision for both the General Studies (GS) and the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT). In this article, we will focus on effective revision strategies and provide tips on tackling multiple-choice questions (MCQs) to maximise your chances of success.

1. Organise your revision: Begin by creating a structured study plan that covers all the essential topics of the UPSC syllabus. Divide your time wisely, allocating sufficient hours to each subject based on its weightage and your comfort level. Prioritise areas that need more attention while ensuring you revise the entire syllabus.

2. Revise the basics: Go back to the fundamentals of each subject. Understand the concepts, theories, and terminologies thoroughly. Review important historical events, geographical features, and government policies. Solidify your understanding of basic arithmetic, reasoning, and comprehension skills for CSAT.

3. Practice previous years’ papers: Familiarise yourself with the pattern and types of questions asked in previous UPSC Prelims examinations. Solve previous years’ papers to gauge the difficulty level and identify recurring topics. This exercise will help you understand the exam’s expectations and improve your time management skills.

4. Analyse mock tests: Take full-length mock tests and analyze your performance. Identify your strengths and weaknesses in different subjects. Pay attention to the areas where you consistently make mistakes and revise them thoroughly. Mock tests provide an opportunity to simulate exam conditions and fine-tune your strategy.

5. Improve your time management: The UPSC Prelims has a strict time constraint, with two hours allocated for each paper. Train yourself to solve MCQs within the given time frame. Practice answering questions quickly while maintaining accuracy. Time management is crucial in maximising your score and ensuring you attempt as many questions as possible.

6. Develop elimination skills: MCQs often give answer choices that are close in meaning or content. Enhance your ability to eliminate incorrect options by critically analysing the question stem and each answer choice. This skill will help you arrive at the correct answer even when you are unsure initially.

7. Adopt a process of elimination: If you are unsure about the correct answer, use the process of elimination. Start by eliminating options that are clearly incorrect or irrelevant. Narrow down your choices and make an informed guess based on the remaining options. This approach improves your chances of selecting the correct answer.

8. Practice reading comprehension: The CSAT paper includes passages for reading comprehension. Develop efficient reading skills that enable you to grasp the main idea, identify key details, and comprehend the author’s perspective. Practice reading and answering questions based on passages to enhance your reading speed and accuracy.

9. Review your answers: After completing the MCQs, if time permits, review your answers. Check for any mistakes or changes you would like to make. Be cautious while making alterations, as unnecessary changes can lead to negative marking. Trust your initial instincts unless you have strong reasons to reconsider your answer.

In conclusion, the last two days before the UPSC Prelims are crucial for revision and fine-tuning your exam strategy. Organise your study schedule, practice previous years’ papers, analyse mock tests, and develop effective time management skills.

(The writer is the founder and director of Chanakya IAS Academy)