7 Tricks by IAS Toppers to Ace the Exam

UPSC exam is one of the toughest competitive exams hence called the mother of all exams. There is no sure shot formula to ace this examination. However, the ratio of numbers of contenders appearing for the exam and those who finally got selected suggest that the preparation for Civil services exam requires a specialized approach.

Through this article we have brought for you a few handy tips to prepare and ace the UPSC Exam but it is important for you to know that these tips to clear the civil services exam are disclosed by previous IAS toppers themselves.

Tips by UPSC Toppers to Ace the IAS Exam

1. When is the best time to start with the preparation for UPSC exam – Since the syllabus for Civil Services exam is mammoth, at least a year to prepare for IAS exam must be kept aside. In this one year candidates will acquire a comprehensive understanding of the topics involved.
2. Choosing an Optional Subject for UPSC Exam – How to choose the right optional subject is the one question that haunts most of the IAS aspirants whether they are beginners or have already attempted the exam. Before selecting a subject keep the following in mind, the subject should enthuse you, make you acquainted with more about it, should not bore you, make you think out of the box, have books easily available. Therefore, it is essential to choose subjects that you are genuinely interested in so that you are enthused about learning more about the topics.
3. How to prepare Notes for IAS Exam – Having self-made notes makes recollection easier and most IAS toppers swear by this technique of studying. IAS exam demands the candidate to think with conceptual clarity and organizes their view, perception, thoughts in a flawless manner. Such kind of conceptual clarity and organization can be gained only through regular writing practice. Writing reinforces what you have learned and also helps you organise your learning content. Therefore, short note making is one of the best ways to achieve it.
4. Answer writing Approach – Presentation is utmost important. Learning to write good answers in the UPSC exam is as important as preparing the subject material itself. No matter what you have read, studied and practised, it is what you have written in the answer booklet that matters at the end of the day. You get marks for what the examiner actually reads in the form of your answers and the countless number of hours that you put in studying doesn’t matter to him/her. So, getting marks in the exam is about first impressions, so, keep it neat, simple, readable and compact. Wherever possible, include diagrams, flowcharts, etc. to enhance your answers.
5. Gathering Good Study Material for Exam – Out of a plethora of study material available both online and offline, it is crucial that the candidates select the best books for IAS preparation. The syllabus is vast and it takes at least one year to comprehensively cover it. Therefore, you cannot waste precious time by reading books that are below standard or worse, contain incorrect and unauthenticated information. Toppers recommend that aspirants start their preparation for UPSC with NCERT books and then move on to the standard reference books.
6. Newspaper Reading is crucial – The importance of reading the newspaper cannot be overemphasised for success in the UPSC exam. Newspapers provide vital study material for current affairs which is a crucial component of the questions asked in the examination. Newspapers are an indispensable part of civil services exam preparation and must be included as part of your daily routine. The most recommended newspaper by the toppers for the IAS exam preparation is ‘The Hindu’ and’ The Indian Express.
7. Practicing Test Series or Mocks – No preparation for the UPSC exams is complete without taking mock tests of the prelims and the mains. UPSC test series ahead of the exams can help align your preparation. Mock tests help the aspirants to acclimatize themselves to the paper pattern and candidates can also assess their strengths and weaknesses. Candidates should take this IAS mock test in the stipulated time limit. They serve the twin purposes of giving you a fair idea of what questions to expect and also helps you time your writing.

At the very least it is important that you never lose sight of your goal. It is worth waiting and trying again till you succeed. A lot of successful IAS toppers got through in their third and fourth attempts.

Aspirants of upcoming IAS examinations can get the important information on IAS interview for further assistance.