Hi,
I will be sharing some Evernote notes which I used. They are derived from my classnotes, some test series trivia, other online and offline information.
There might be some typos here and there. Please bear with them.
These notes are in no ways exhaustive. They were supplemented by other offline material, for both Prelims and Mains.
I will be sharing some Evernote notes which I used. They are derived from my classnotes, some test series trivia, other online and offline information.
There might be some typos here and there. Please bear with them.
These notes are in no ways exhaustive. They were supplemented by other offline material, for both Prelims and Mains.
I will also share scanned classnotes and self-study notes over a period of time.
I request everyone to write/type their own notes and *do not* copy paste. The softcopy notes which I am going to share should be used only as a reference.
Caution: Directly reading from them is going to backfire in longterm. You will consume a lot of time and register very less information in the memory.
Also, some of the information/facts may be outdated. Please update on your own.
Caution: Directly reading from them is going to backfire in longterm. You will consume a lot of time and register very less information in the memory.
Also, some of the information/facts may be outdated. Please update on your own.
Kanishak: Strategy and Notes for UPSC pinned «I request everyone to write/type their own notes and *do not* copy paste. The softcopy notes which I am going to share should be used only as a reference. Caution: Directly reading from them is going to backfire in longterm. You will consume a lot of time…»
Topic Ancient History:
Own strategy: Had very less time. So tried to cover class notes only. If someone has time/interest, please refer to other standard books like XIth NCERT and/or Nitin Singhania.
Ancient History Notes in the "history" notebook are from Jain Sir's classes at Vajiram. A lot of information has been added to it through test series materials.
Those facing issues in this particular topic along with paucity of time, can try to cover these notes. Hopefully, they will be of some benefit in the examination.
Own strategy: Had very less time. So tried to cover class notes only. If someone has time/interest, please refer to other standard books like XIth NCERT and/or Nitin Singhania.
Ancient History Notes in the "history" notebook are from Jain Sir's classes at Vajiram. A lot of information has been added to it through test series materials.
Those facing issues in this particular topic along with paucity of time, can try to cover these notes. Hopefully, they will be of some benefit in the examination.
Prelims Strategy:
I'll elaborate upon it over a period of time. In the meantime, you can use following template to simulate at home. It is very important to mimic exam conditions to perform efficiently.
I'll elaborate upon it over a period of time. In the meantime, you can use following template to simulate at home. It is very important to mimic exam conditions to perform efficiently.
The boxes have correct and incorrect count in top and bottom rows respectively.
1st column is total. Each successive column shows my performance in 1st, 2nd and 3rd iterations.
1st iteration: no elimination. I am almost 100% confident of the answer.
2nd iteration: confused between 2 options (only 2, not 3) and putting extra thought to identify the correct one.
3rd iteration: equivalent to shooting in the dark. Don't know at all. Do it RARELY, only if you have no other option as the 1st 2 iterations were very poor.
1st column is total. Each successive column shows my performance in 1st, 2nd and 3rd iterations.
1st iteration: no elimination. I am almost 100% confident of the answer.
2nd iteration: confused between 2 options (only 2, not 3) and putting extra thought to identify the correct one.
3rd iteration: equivalent to shooting in the dark. Don't know at all. Do it RARELY, only if you have no other option as the 1st 2 iterations were very poor.
Over an entire test series, goal should be to increase accuracy in 1st 2 iterations and ensuring > 25% accuracy in 3rd iteration.
If you have less than 25% in 3rd iteration, it means you are going into negative.
If you have less than 25% in 3rd iteration, it means you are going into negative.
Only People who understand this strategy clearly should go for it. Otherwise stick by what you do the best and are more comfortable in.
Overall effort should be to reach high accuracy without worrying about the no of attempted questions.
I expect around 105 +- 6 marks in my prelims using this strategy. I completely relied on statistics and focused on clearling the cutoff.
Overall effort should be to reach high accuracy without worrying about the no of attempted questions.
I expect around 105 +- 6 marks in my prelims using this strategy. I completely relied on statistics and focused on clearling the cutoff.
Utilising test series:
1. Attempt sectional tests for revision and Full tests for evaluation. Try to mix and attempt -> sectional interspersed with full tests.
2. Each attempted paper needs to have a thorough self-analysis. From solutions of the test, revise what you have done correctly and learn about what you didn't know or got incorrect.
3. Overall aim should be to have high accuracy. In initial tests, you might attempt only 50 questions with confidence but in 1.5 months duration it will gradually increase along with your confidence.
4. Don't dwell into poor performances. Keep in mind that you have to put in best performance on June 2, 2019. Be optimal and don't peak too early.
1. Attempt sectional tests for revision and Full tests for evaluation. Try to mix and attempt -> sectional interspersed with full tests.
2. Each attempted paper needs to have a thorough self-analysis. From solutions of the test, revise what you have done correctly and learn about what you didn't know or got incorrect.
3. Overall aim should be to have high accuracy. In initial tests, you might attempt only 50 questions with confidence but in 1.5 months duration it will gradually increase along with your confidence.
4. Don't dwell into poor performances. Keep in mind that you have to put in best performance on June 2, 2019. Be optimal and don't peak too early.
Which test series to follow?
Any 2 of your choice. If possible one should be hard and one relatively easy. It helps in developing a balanced approach. Otherwise you might have a tendency to follow a particular pattern.
Personally, I followed Vision and Vajiram in 2018. Get feedback from some reliable people and pick for yourself. Just don't do anything merely because everyone else is doing.
Any 2 of your choice. If possible one should be hard and one relatively easy. It helps in developing a balanced approach. Otherwise you might have a tendency to follow a particular pattern.
Personally, I followed Vision and Vajiram in 2018. Get feedback from some reliable people and pick for yourself. Just don't do anything merely because everyone else is doing.
As far as static vs current affairs is concerned, do not overthink. UPSC is too smart to let anyone predict the pattern. So better not waste time and energy on it and focus on own performance.
Remember: "Maximise performance in your strong subjects, Minimise mistakes in weaker ones"
Remember: "Maximise performance in your strong subjects, Minimise mistakes in weaker ones"
Prelims is only about crossing the cutoff. You are not competing against anyone else. So share questions with friends and discuss whenever you have time.
Try to beat your own performance from the previous day. If you commit a silly mistake, promise to not repeat it again.
That's the minimum commitment you can make to yourself. 🤞
Try to beat your own performance from the previous day. If you commit a silly mistake, promise to not repeat it again.
That's the minimum commitment you can make to yourself. 🤞