#CareerBytes: Want to crack UPSC CSE? Avoid making these mistakes
What's the story
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE), also known as the IAS exam, is one of the toughest exams, and cracking it is not easy without the right preparation.
Lakhs of candidates appear for the CSE every year but only a few get selected, and most candidates don't get qualified because of flaws in preparation.
Here are some blunders every UPSC CSE aspirant must avoid.
#1
Not following UPSC syllabus, studying irrelevant topics
One of the biggest blunders CSE aspirants make is not following the syllabus prescribed by UPSC. Many tend to start preparing without referring to the syllabus.
They must avoid anything that is irrelevant to the exam. They should have a solid plan for preparation and adhere to it strictly.
Also, the lack of consistent preparation, regular practice, and revision may impact their preparation adversely.
#2
Ignoring fundamentals, NCERT textbooks; not reading newspapers, books
Many UPSC aspirants make the blunder of ignoring the basics and NCERT textbooks, which are important for IAS preparation; questions based on NCERT textbooks and fundamentals may be asked in the exam.
Some candidates focus only on study material and advanced reference books, which should be avoided. Also, one must not ignore newspapers and general books while preparing for CSE.
#3
No proper practice and revision; poor time management
Focusing only on studying but not revising the topics is also a mistake. Revising the entire syllabus thoroughly is important; written practice is essential, too.
Aspirants should practice questions as per the exam pattern. Practicing only descriptive or only objective questions is another huge mistake.
Poor time management is another blunder to avoid. Candidates must utilize their time properly and shouldn't postpone study/revision sessions.
#4
Not solving previous papers; not analyzing performance
Some aspirants don't solve previous question papers or sample papers, which could affect their performance.
It is essential to solve these papers in a timed manner to familiarize with the exam pattern, difficulty level, questioning trends, important topics, etc., and manage time better.
They should take mock tests and analyze their performance on a regular basis, identify weak areas, and work on getting better.
Information
#5: Not choosing right optional subject is major blunder
Aspirants should understand that choosing the optional subject for CSE-Mains is a critical decision; not selecting the right one could be a terrible mistake. Candidates must avoid this, and make the decision after considering different factors and discussing with peers or teachers if they're confused.