#CareerBytes: What to do if you couldn't clear UPSC CSE-Prelims?
What's the story
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE), also popularly known as the IAS exam, is one of the toughest competitive exams in the country. The three-stage CSE comprises Preliminary examination, Main examination, and Personality Test/Interview. The 2019 CSE Prelims was conducted on 2 June and cracking the exam is not easy. Here's what candidates who could not clear UPSC Prelims should do.
#1
Focus on preparing for next attempt, don't be disappointed
While it is natural for candidates who could not clear UPSC Prelims to feel disappointed or dejected, they must try to overcome such negative feelings. They must focus on preparing for their next attempt instead of feeling dejected. They must have a solid plan, put in more hard work, and have an integrated approach to clear the exam next time.
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#2: Identify preparation flaws, prepare solid strategy
Before starting preparation for their next attempt, aspirants can review their previous preparation strategy and identify any flaws due to which they might have failed earlier. Next, they must design a new preparation method and strategy that suit their requirements, strengths, weaknesses, etc.
#3
Solve previous papers, take mock tests, and analyze performance regularly
Along with preparation and revision for UPSC Prelims, aspirants must regularly solve previous exam papers or sample papers and take mock tests. This will help the candidates analyze their performance and test how effective their preparation is; they can also know what mistakes they are committing by doing so. Then, they must accordingly make changes in their preparation strategy to improve their performance.
#4
Aspirants can take advantage of relevant knowledge and previous experience
While preparing for their next attempt, candidates must take advantage of the relevant knowledge and prior experience of preparing and attempting the UPSC Prelims. While the exam pattern, format, or syllabus might change a bit next time, the basics would still remain the same. The candidate's experience and knowledge accumulated through previous years' preparation could help in cracking the exam.
#5
UPSC aspirants need to have a backup career plan
Even while preparing for Prelims, it's important for candidates to have a backup career plan given the uncertainty involved in qualifying in the exam. Those who aren't able to clear it despite multiple attempts or those who have exhausted their attempts especially need a backup plan. They can attempt other government job exams, pursue higher education, or get a job in the private sector.