I'll be taking a Mathematics Optional related session on 12th April at 4 PM with IMS Institute. Please watch these links for the live telecast:

https://youtube.com/user/IMS4MATHS

https://facebook.com/IMS4MATHS

Hi,
I've been receiving a lots of messages on different foras. Unfortunately it's not feasible for me to reply everyone individually.

This was the motive behind my talks in last 2 days.I wanted to reach out to maximum number of people simultaneously.
Anyone needing any strategy tips can refer to those videos on YouTube. I've tried to cover as many dimensions as possible - both GS and Mathematics.
Rest I'll share through notes and other tips here and there.

Please refrain from any private messages. I do not have enough bandwidth to cater to each of them separately. I'm sorry for it. Hopefully you'll find the videos helpful.

Best of luck! 👍

[Prelims Tip:]

Option elimination and intelligent guessing is important to increase the no. of attempts.

Initially, I had the tendency to leave a question as soon as I encountered something which I hadn't read or heard somewhere. However, many questions can be done through smart thinking. Information is present in subconscious mind. You just need to be more confident in your acquired knowledge.

Once you are confident in the guessing game, apply the technique in 2nd iteration which I had described earlier.

[How I approached it?]

In addition to test series, I utilised multiple online foras and practiced random MCQs in my spare time like when travelling in bus or while having tea etc.

I didn't worry about the negative marking while doing so - remember we are trying to improve our guessing skills.

But, I ensured that I learn from each mistake and see what changes are needed in my thought process to be able to guess correctly in future.

There are many peculiar cases or exceptions. I made an extra effort to remember them.
For example: Which ministry launched the "Stree Swabhimaan Initiative"?
1st time I got this wrong but since then this is example is engrained in my mind!

There are many questions which you already know. They become a source for revision and checking your accuracy.

From Jan/Feb till prelims, I tried to solve atleast 20-30 such questions daily (in addition to test series).

My sources on daily basis:
1. Insightsonindia: current affairs(5) and static(5)
2. ForumIAS: Prelims Marathon(5-7) and 10 PM current affairs (5)

I found Insights as difficult and Forum as easy. So it balanced my overall performance. Many a times I scored 0/5, but i took it as a learning and went ahead. Just try to do the same.

Additionally, I used:
1. GradeUp app: about once a week. (Repetitive questions)

2. Self-made QnAs and sharing it with my flatmates through WhatsApp.

Doing this exercise for 3-4 months helped me revise simple basics in static subjects and increase my confidence in current affairs.

Also, doing the current affairs quiz at night helps you revise the topics you read in the newspaper (Always try to read newspaper in morning!)

Not much time is lost, you can even start with these small tests from today. If you have more time, go back to previous dates and attempt the old quizzes. Just try and solve as many questions as possible.

Utilising WhatsApp to share tricky or self made questions

For those who are little confused - The "Quiz Trivia" note in "Miscellaneous" notebook was some random collection of information which I thought would be useful in Last Minute Revision (LMR). I found it while doing quizes, test series etc.

My focus has always been to avoid making the same mistake twice!

[Prelims - Filling the OMR]

:

1. Filling each question in OMR just as you answer is suboptimal. There is lot of brain context switching.

2. Filling all at the end might lead to panic situations. Also in case of lengthy paper, like in 2018, you may miss out even if you solved in paper. (I've seen this happen to 1 of my friends.)

3. After 1st iteration(100% confidence), fill all in a batch and mark with a small sign in the paper. Your brain will get time to rest. Also, in 2nd iterations you'll not spend time in re-reading them and hence save crucial time. Once OMR is filled for a particular question, there is no coming back.

4. Do similarly for 2nd iteration.

5. After this you can be more dynamic in approach and fill each question as you answer, as there will be very little time left.

Adopt this strategy as per your comfort level and try to use it for a prolonged period of time. You have more than enough time to get used to it. If you are uncomfortable after 3 4 tests, please revert back to what you had been doing earlier.

Try to be little strategic and mechanical in solving prelims papers. The less emotions you involve, the more efficient you'll become. It's all about conquering fear of failure in prelims. With a strategic approach, you'll get into a rhythm and worry less about the "toughness" of the exam.

It's like using Machine Learning on human beings! 😄

Sharing here the WhatsApp group chat where me and my friends - Ashish, Prateek and Ajay discussed MCQs.

It contains only the questions, answer you need to find yourself!

Many people have asked me about my booklist. It's more or less similar to my friend Prudhvitej's booklist (AIR 24 UPSC 2017) - replace all classnotes with Vajiram classnotes.

It'll take me sometime to arrange all the information. Till then you can refer to his sources: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lpa7-LoNMQ36OsDuyJtJDCpu89bMJ50f

Also, he has made some good notes from NCERTs. Those who want to make their own notes can "cross check" with his. I'll again emphasize that do not read from or copy his notes. Do it yourself.

If you see the sources are extremely limited, which is critical for quick revision. 1st timers do not have time to read more than this(specially with Maths optional!).

Build up basic understanding on issues and then start writing answers.

[Mathematics optional:]

People who are asking for Mathematics strategy and tips can refer to this video:
https://youtu.be/ZXePAS8Bjjk

The video is little long. But please listen if you have doubts in choosing optional or planning the process.

Since focus is more on prelims, I'm refraining from sharing extra information at the moment. Those who are preparing for next year and have already opted Mathematics, please wait for some more time. I'll share as soon as I have enough bamdwidth.

[Clarification post:]

I do not want people to be misguided or trapped in by the coaching institutes.

Though I took help for some specific issues, many of them are unfairly claiming me as "their student".

When I signed up for test series, mocks etc., I was aware of such practices but I had no clue what the future would bestow upon me! It can be termed as a measure to prepare myself in the best way possible.

I'm highly grateful for all the support(minor/major) I received but there is a lot which goes in form of self preparation as well.

It's my responsibility to convey which platforms I did use and what was my experience in it.

There were lots of challenges as well, specially in last 1 year when I prepared on my own in Jaipur. I would also share about them.

Vajiram and Ravi:

General Studies Classroom student (2017-18):
Excellent faculty, pathetic administration. Tortured in 1st week itself during registration process. Staff is more interested in running a business/industry. Apathetic to students' interests.
Had it not been for some truly amazing faculty like Vibhas Sir, Samyak Sir, Shivarpit Sir, Ravindran Sir, Abhey Sir, Gautam Sir (list goes on), I might have left it within 7-10 days.

Interview Guidance(2019):
One 1-1 interaction with Ravindran Sir. One of the best conversations I had during interview preparation. Ended on a high, so decided to keep it as my last session before UPSC interview. Hadn't received good feedback about mocks, so decided to give it a pass.

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Vision IAS:

Enrolled in Mains Test series in 2018.
8 Full length tests at Jaipur Centre. Detailed feedback after I receive my marks.
Also referred to some relevant compilations and supplementary materials.

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Triumph IAS:

Wrote 3 Essay tests at home and got them evaluated by uploading a pdf. I'll be able to gauge their evaluation only after I receive my marks.
The experience could have been better. I was promised quick personalised evaluation but sometimes I had to send reminder texts/calls after 12-13 days. Those who enroll from outside Delhi should keep this in mind.

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KSG:

Enrolled for Mocks. Very good experience. Khan Sir helped me a lot during the preparation phase.

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Chanakya / Dhyeya / Samkalp:

Enrolled for MOCKS ONLY. Nothing exceptional. I just picked them to cover a broader question set based upon my profile and practice as much as possible.

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Other online platforms:

1. Unacademy: tried in my 1st month of preparation. Didn't find it relevant for me. Sometimes had a look if I had to find some information. NOT A REGULAR LEARNER.

2. IASBaba: Followed TLP platform for Answer Writing Practice(AWP) after Prelims. It helped me get into the AWP groove. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND to those who want to get started with AWP. Quality of questions is good. But feedback is difficult as many people upload their answers. If you are able to get in touch with 3-4 people, it'll certainly be mutually beneficial. Otherwise you might feel a little lost.

3. InsightsonIndia: utilised for prelims (as explained earlier). Didn't find Mains answer writing platform relevant for me. Preferred IASBaba more for their quality of questions.

4. ForumIAS: utilised for prelims and few offline tests at home.

Additionally, I had joined "IMS" for Mathematics optional. Their notes are truly amazing and I fully relied on them. Just for a couple of sub-topics, I referred to some standard books.
If you want to maximise your returns in Maths, don't bank fully on coaching. Multi-task if possible and read topics at home. If you get confused or need some course correction, coaching is there. But most of the effort has to be self-driven.

Final morale is that the preparation needs to be very dynamic. There is no single platform which can make you sail through the process. You need to be quick in decision making and utilise whatever resources you have at your disposal.
There is lots of noise around you. Don't get distracted by them and follow your own process.

PS: I'll give detailed feedback on GS AWP, Essays etc only after seeing my marks breakdown.

Sorry for the delay.

Prelims