Hello everyone, sharing my 3 years marksheet for a comprehensive perusal by y'all!!!
Hello Everyone,
If you have gone through my marksheets, you can see I have become a "Veteran" {unfortunately so} in mains. The journey was 4 years long, filled with despairs, lows and pitfalls. Will try to concentrate on Essay for now.
First Essay - Attempted Neglected Primary health care and education are reason for its backwardness : Filled it with all prepared data points, facts (IMR, SR, MMR, Doctor to patient ratio; GER, Literacy rate, learning outcome - PRATHAM survey etc) and how it leads to backwardness by reducing Human capital, leading to Disability Adjusted Labor years, High Out of pocket exp, low residual income, Vicious cycle etc.
And in abstract one - Best for individual is not best for all; filled the essay with examples, even wrote crime is good (i know its not ideal, wrote whatever I could) for criminal but bad for society, other examples were also on similar lines - cheating in exam etc. Ended up with 110 marks.
Before Mains 2019, I wrote 4 Essay tests in NextIAS Essay test series, recieved decent marks there, but knew I lack preparation and lucidity.
After Prelims 2020, saw Shabbir Sir's essay lectures - 17-18 videos, made notes of them, read Anudeep durishetty Sir's book on Essays (Very very very very helpful) , didnt write a single essay, read 20-22 essays of different toppers, a quotes compilation of essays, examples compilation with 100-150 real life examples; in exam, attempted Life is a long journey from human being to being humane; and one about social and economic development. Started with good examples, didnt know lot of data and facts, so essay was totally based on Ques-Ans format. What, Why, What if so and so, How etc. I wasn't confident about my essay, I felt I didnt do good, but ended with decent marks.
After prelims 2021, revised the same materials, wrote 2 essay tests in December from Triumph IAS (didnt get them checked though, it was just for self confidence) and finally in exam, wrote on Philosophy of wantlessness is utopian and materialism is chimera - had passion about the wantlessness and materialism, so could write from heart, wrote about Elon musk vs bill gates, filled with quotes about selflessness (Swami Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo), followed ques ans format. Also, i didnt know what chimera means, but hindi translation was helpful. Also, I started with Perception of me bla bla one, but while brainstorming I realised I couldnt go further with it, and looked for any other topic, on first view I didnt understood any other topic but after reading hindi of Chimera, I decided to go with it. And second one I wrote on, Hand that rocks the cradle rules the world, started with women empowerment in Ralegaon siddhi, Thomas Edison's mother and then went on with women's role. Filled with examples and quotes.
If you have gone through my marksheets, you can see I have become a "Veteran" {unfortunately so} in mains. The journey was 4 years long, filled with despairs, lows and pitfalls. Will try to concentrate on Essay for now.
First Essay - Attempted Neglected Primary health care and education are reason for its backwardness : Filled it with all prepared data points, facts (IMR, SR, MMR, Doctor to patient ratio; GER, Literacy rate, learning outcome - PRATHAM survey etc) and how it leads to backwardness by reducing Human capital, leading to Disability Adjusted Labor years, High Out of pocket exp, low residual income, Vicious cycle etc.
And in abstract one - Best for individual is not best for all; filled the essay with examples, even wrote crime is good (i know its not ideal, wrote whatever I could) for criminal but bad for society, other examples were also on similar lines - cheating in exam etc. Ended up with 110 marks.
Before Mains 2019, I wrote 4 Essay tests in NextIAS Essay test series, recieved decent marks there, but knew I lack preparation and lucidity.
After Prelims 2020, saw Shabbir Sir's essay lectures - 17-18 videos, made notes of them, read Anudeep durishetty Sir's book on Essays (Very very very very helpful) , didnt write a single essay, read 20-22 essays of different toppers, a quotes compilation of essays, examples compilation with 100-150 real life examples; in exam, attempted Life is a long journey from human being to being humane; and one about social and economic development. Started with good examples, didnt know lot of data and facts, so essay was totally based on Ques-Ans format. What, Why, What if so and so, How etc. I wasn't confident about my essay, I felt I didnt do good, but ended with decent marks.
After prelims 2021, revised the same materials, wrote 2 essay tests in December from Triumph IAS (didnt get them checked though, it was just for self confidence) and finally in exam, wrote on Philosophy of wantlessness is utopian and materialism is chimera - had passion about the wantlessness and materialism, so could write from heart, wrote about Elon musk vs bill gates, filled with quotes about selflessness (Swami Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo), followed ques ans format. Also, i didnt know what chimera means, but hindi translation was helpful. Also, I started with Perception of me bla bla one, but while brainstorming I realised I couldnt go further with it, and looked for any other topic, on first view I didnt understood any other topic but after reading hindi of Chimera, I decided to go with it. And second one I wrote on, Hand that rocks the cradle rules the world, started with women empowerment in Ralegaon siddhi, Thomas Edison's mother and then went on with women's role. Filled with examples and quotes.
How to prepare for Essay (Key takeaways) -
1. Prepare content from whatever sources/coaching you want, but keep 'em ready. Some sources that I'll suggest - Anudeep Sir's essay book + Any coaching material (Vision, forum, next, maluka, any) or any previous toppers' notes.
2. Go through examples, quotes compilations and pick out the most favourite ones (Go for recent examples - International Teacher award winner, In India's pluralistic culture, the 5 year old muslim girl who won Bhagvad gita's recitation - like these)
3. Read different toppers essays and see how they do it, it will give you an idea.
4. Be confident and give the best you can in the paper. Let go all the apprehensions about your preparation before sitting in paper.
5. Intro - strong example relevant with topic, Quotes, Underline, and End with a poem!
1. Prepare content from whatever sources/coaching you want, but keep 'em ready. Some sources that I'll suggest - Anudeep Sir's essay book + Any coaching material (Vision, forum, next, maluka, any) or any previous toppers' notes.
2. Go through examples, quotes compilations and pick out the most favourite ones (Go for recent examples - International Teacher award winner, In India's pluralistic culture, the 5 year old muslim girl who won Bhagvad gita's recitation - like these)
3. Read different toppers essays and see how they do it, it will give you an idea.
4. Be confident and give the best you can in the paper. Let go all the apprehensions about your preparation before sitting in paper.
5. Intro - strong example relevant with topic, Quotes, Underline, and End with a poem!
Prelims gyan -
Bhai/behen, koi gyan nai hai. Exam bahut random rehta hai,
Only tip is - Dont commit mistake in basic questions - and for envrionment/S&T/Current affairs - preach to all the gods you can.
But I have personally experienced and observed in my group as well that, people don't get left behind in Prelims because of random questions but because of mistakes in basic Polity/History/Culture that one can do by reading books.
But never underestimate yourself if you don't qualify for prelims by a close margin, getting beyond cutoff definitely requires substantial amount of luck - No matter how many test series you solve.
Please if you have difficulty in CSAT, then work on it. Not qualifying CSAT is a blunder that one can avoid.
Bhai/behen, koi gyan nai hai. Exam bahut random rehta hai,
Only tip is - Dont commit mistake in basic questions - and for envrionment/S&T/Current affairs - preach to all the gods you can.
But I have personally experienced and observed in my group as well that, people don't get left behind in Prelims because of random questions but because of mistakes in basic Polity/History/Culture that one can do by reading books.
But never underestimate yourself if you don't qualify for prelims by a close margin, getting beyond cutoff definitely requires substantial amount of luck - No matter how many test series you solve.
Please if you have difficulty in CSAT, then work on it. Not qualifying CSAT is a blunder that one can avoid.
Overwhelmed by all the people who came here, very grateful to each one of you. Guys, give me a few days to get back to all your comments!!! Meanwhile, All the best to all the aspirants who are appearing in prelims this time. Best wishes.
Hello Friends,
Many people are asking about 'My answer copies". To be honest, I had joined Forum IAS MGP for mains 2021, which starts after prelims. I had previously given tests, under ForumIAS MGP 2018, and then Mains test series in Vision IAS for 2020 Mains (between Pre and Mains 2020). I had also joined Shankar IAS Mainstorming (daily mains ans writing programme 2020, before giving prelims; but I attempted only few ethics tests).
Apart from these "Coaching tests" I also tried to write ans from Secure and TLP - in a On/OFF mode, like "Not regularly or very routinely". In my 4 years of preparation, I would have written these secure/tlp at max for 2 months, and that also not all questions, only selectively.
But, I did not get results from any of these tests, I will not endorse any test series as panacea to Answer writing. There are some thoughts that went into buying these test series -
1. I will be forced to write a test, because if I don't my parents' money will go to waste - {Push factor}
2. I lacked the discipline to write a test with full sincerity in my room, going to centre, writing test in a room full of students gave a "psychological feel"
3. Someone will check my copy and give me marks (which is completely useless and checking is very sub-par)
If you need "external force to push you and can afford to waste 10-15 thousand rs" then you can go for buying tests. If you are disciplined, sincere or having any sort of financial limitations, please don't get forced to buy these TEST SERIES unnecessarily.
Many people are asking about 'My answer copies". To be honest, I had joined Forum IAS MGP for mains 2021, which starts after prelims. I had previously given tests, under ForumIAS MGP 2018, and then Mains test series in Vision IAS for 2020 Mains (between Pre and Mains 2020). I had also joined Shankar IAS Mainstorming (daily mains ans writing programme 2020, before giving prelims; but I attempted only few ethics tests).
Apart from these "Coaching tests" I also tried to write ans from Secure and TLP - in a On/OFF mode, like "Not regularly or very routinely". In my 4 years of preparation, I would have written these secure/tlp at max for 2 months, and that also not all questions, only selectively.
But, I did not get results from any of these tests, I will not endorse any test series as panacea to Answer writing. There are some thoughts that went into buying these test series -
1. I will be forced to write a test, because if I don't my parents' money will go to waste - {Push factor}
2. I lacked the discipline to write a test with full sincerity in my room, going to centre, writing test in a room full of students gave a "psychological feel"
3. Someone will check my copy and give me marks (which is completely useless and checking is very sub-par)
If you need "external force to push you and can afford to waste 10-15 thousand rs" then you can go for buying tests. If you are disciplined, sincere or having any sort of financial limitations, please don't get forced to buy these TEST SERIES unnecessarily.
Mains test copies - starting with 2018 when I joined first test series.
Forum IAS MGP 2018 -
GS_test-initial
GS_test1
GS_test2
GS_test3
GS_test4
Forum IAS MGP 2018 -
GS_test-initial
GS_test1
GS_test2
GS_test3
GS_test4
I could not complete the tests, I took around 2 hours to write just 6-7 questions. No matter how many times I told myself, this time I am gonna write the full test.
Quality - very generic. Wrote whatever I mugged up, most of the time I didnt know much about what is being asked in the question.
Quality - very generic. Wrote whatever I mugged up, most of the time I didnt know much about what is being asked in the question.
Ok, I will come directly to "How to Answer write"
Going directly to give tests is not the optimum approach, in my opinion. Because mostly questions require a comprehensive analysis or a multi-subject view, which is not possible by only one or two reading. It requires reading + revision of all the basic books and current affairs.
So, How to begin!!!
Do three things -
1. If you have the urge to write, please write via Secure or TLP
2. Buy solved test series of any coaching from market, and that too complete set. Like, full test series of XYZIAS coaching. Then, see the question, write in your sheet/copy, and then see what is written in the solution. Add those "extra points" in your notes/material, under suitable topic. And Complete this process atleast for one test series. Like, do all tests.
3. After qualifying prelims, write full tests in coaching atmosphere, get ranks, get marks and Self-analyze.
So, key takeaway is - Test series without proper preparation will go to waste. Noone can write ans without knowing what the question is about or without any idea about the field asked.
If you even read the solutions of a test series, then you have collected few pointers which can be used anywhere and everywhere, and you will have some idea about each topic.
Then go for test series, because now you will be able to incorporate the suggestions of the coaching.
Then work on speed, quick brainstorming and presentation.
Going directly to give tests is not the optimum approach, in my opinion. Because mostly questions require a comprehensive analysis or a multi-subject view, which is not possible by only one or two reading. It requires reading + revision of all the basic books and current affairs.
So, How to begin!!!
Do three things -
1. If you have the urge to write, please write via Secure or TLP
2. Buy solved test series of any coaching from market, and that too complete set. Like, full test series of XYZIAS coaching. Then, see the question, write in your sheet/copy, and then see what is written in the solution. Add those "extra points" in your notes/material, under suitable topic. And Complete this process atleast for one test series. Like, do all tests.
3. After qualifying prelims, write full tests in coaching atmosphere, get ranks, get marks and Self-analyze.
So, key takeaway is - Test series without proper preparation will go to waste. Noone can write ans without knowing what the question is about or without any idea about the field asked.
If you even read the solutions of a test series, then you have collected few pointers which can be used anywhere and everywhere, and you will have some idea about each topic.
Then go for test series, because now you will be able to incorporate the suggestions of the coaching.
Then work on speed, quick brainstorming and presentation.
Will upload copies of recent tests as well.
And people, I am not bashing coachings or against series, my only request is - analyze yourself before submitting to any coaching. Know thy self.
Atleast do one - two week TLP/Secure and read solved tests (better if you try first and then see the solution) of one XYZ IAS before purchasing mains test series. This exercise is way more beneficial than just giving test in coaching.
People, please understand, checking of coachings is not at all upto the mark of UPSC. I never got <90 marks in tests (if I completed it), but I ended up with 67 marks in GS3 in 2020 attempt.
My experience with coahcing tests is that they give you average marks if you have filled the ans space, if you have made diagrams they give extra marks, but in real exam, even after completing the paper, we get 60-85 marks, so don't rely completely.
Also, if you enrol in any course, please take full benefit of it, go to mentors, get personal 1 to 1 sessions with your teacher, in that way, you can take maximum benefit from their experience.
And people, I am not bashing coachings or against series, my only request is - analyze yourself before submitting to any coaching. Know thy self.
Atleast do one - two week TLP/Secure and read solved tests (better if you try first and then see the solution) of one XYZ IAS before purchasing mains test series. This exercise is way more beneficial than just giving test in coaching.
People, please understand, checking of coachings is not at all upto the mark of UPSC. I never got <90 marks in tests (if I completed it), but I ended up with 67 marks in GS3 in 2020 attempt.
My experience with coahcing tests is that they give you average marks if you have filled the ans space, if you have made diagrams they give extra marks, but in real exam, even after completing the paper, we get 60-85 marks, so don't rely completely.
Also, if you enrol in any course, please take full benefit of it, go to mentors, get personal 1 to 1 sessions with your teacher, in that way, you can take maximum benefit from their experience.
Forum IAS MGP 2021 (this final attempt) -
GS1_test1 GS1_test2
GS2_test1 GS2_test2
GS3_test1 GS3_test2
But I bought Vision ias test series from market and gave them completely. So ultimately I solved around 2 test series and TLP. I was very weak in GS3 and GS4, so there I wanted to practice more, and gave special focus on them, in IASbab TLP.
GS1_test1 GS1_test2
GS2_test1 GS2_test2
GS3_test1 GS3_test2
But I bought Vision ias test series from market and gave them completely. So ultimately I solved around 2 test series and TLP. I was very weak in GS3 and GS4, so there I wanted to practice more, and gave special focus on them, in IASbab TLP.
Hello most anxious people on Earth today,
Tomorrow is a big day for all of you!! I wish you "All the best" for your prelims. I can only give you very "philosophical/gyaanish" words, which are very true.
1. Be a Karmayogi (Govt of India also wants its civil servants to be so) - A Karmayogi is one who only thinks about his Karma, and leaves everything else to destiny. {This calms your mind, it does}
2. Your preparation is enough - If you have read basic books in April-May (Once or twice), then your preparation is good enough for getting selected, now Performance matters. Performance depends on Logical, rational and objective thinking.
3. Take risks - No one knows more than 30-35 questions (except a very minute minority), so everyone does what they can, in those precious 2 hours.
4. Fearlessness is a core value of civil servant - Being afraid is normal, everyone is. But letting fear take over your senses is not acceptable. You have to first win over your fears, only then you stand a chance in battlefield.
All serious aspirants of this exam, deserve huge amount of respect and recognition, and I humbly view all the aspirants at very high pedestal, being courageous and ambitious enough to attempt this exam.
Let me tell you, one last thing. There will be people with preparation level lower than you who will get selected, and there will be some, whose preparation level is better than you and they will not get selected. {This is a fact}
टूट कर भी जो मुस्कुरा दे
उसको भला कोई कैसे हरा दे
Tomorrow is a big day for all of you!! I wish you "All the best" for your prelims. I can only give you very "philosophical/gyaanish" words, which are very true.
1. Be a Karmayogi (Govt of India also wants its civil servants to be so) - A Karmayogi is one who only thinks about his Karma, and leaves everything else to destiny. {This calms your mind, it does}
2. Your preparation is enough - If you have read basic books in April-May (Once or twice), then your preparation is good enough for getting selected, now Performance matters. Performance depends on Logical, rational and objective thinking.
3. Take risks - No one knows more than 30-35 questions (except a very minute minority), so everyone does what they can, in those precious 2 hours.
4. Fearlessness is a core value of civil servant - Being afraid is normal, everyone is. But letting fear take over your senses is not acceptable. You have to first win over your fears, only then you stand a chance in battlefield.
All serious aspirants of this exam, deserve huge amount of respect and recognition, and I humbly view all the aspirants at very high pedestal, being courageous and ambitious enough to attempt this exam.
Let me tell you, one last thing. There will be people with preparation level lower than you who will get selected, and there will be some, whose preparation level is better than you and they will not get selected. {This is a fact}
टूट कर भी जो मुस्कुरा दे
उसको भला कोई कैसे हरा दे
Forwarded from Interview Transcripts 2023 (कप्तान जैक स्पैरो 4.0)
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CSE PRE 2022 PAPER