UPSC Civil Services Exam 2019: Optimising Performance In Mains Exam For IAS Aspirants

Last 15 days before UPSC Mains examination 2019 can be particularly taxing for the aspirants. If the candidates start panicking and don’t maintain proper schedule during these last days, their answer-writing skills may suffer. Here are some tips to best manage the last 15 days.

First, the candidate should maintain a healthy lifestyle. Candidates should build a habit of waking up at 7.30 am latest in the morning and sleep accordingly. This habit will help during the exam as the paper starts at 9.00 am. Candidates should eat light and healthy food.

By this time, candidates should have had sufficient answer-writing and exam-paper practice. If not, then candidates should prioritise that. The candidates should have also finished at least two revisions of their notes by now.

Of the remaining 15 days, candidates should devote one for practising the qualifying language papers. General Studies and Optional subject should get seven each. Optional subject and essay are especially scoring, therefore, should be given special attention.

In the first seven days, the candidate should revise optional subject very well, and should prepare flow-charts/mental maps of each topic. The preparation of the Optional subject at this point should be such that each topic is well-etched in the mind. This is not the time to pick up new material, instead candidates should revise the material they have already prepared.

The remaining 7 days should be devoted to General Studies subjects, starting from GS Paper IV, candidate should move towards GS Paper I as the exam nears.

At the end, it is important for the candidates to relax and de-focus a day before exam. To be able to recall, and connect current affair points in their answers candidates need to have a relaxed mind. Meditation and Yoga may help.

The candidates should attempt the questions with a fresh mind, not with the baggage of preparation - I have studied this but not that, I know this but not that. The attitude of the candidate should be to do their best at the moment without thinking about the past or the future.