Strategies after Completing NCERT Books Three Times for UPSC Examination
Understanding the Importance of NCERTs in UPSC Preparation
NCERT books serve as the cornerstone of civil services preparation. Revisiting them multiple times ensures a solid foundation of concepts. Completing NCERT books three times is a recommended strategy to deeply internalize the fundamental aspects of each subject. Once you feel confident with the contents, you can proceed to the next steps in your preparation.
Conducting a Thorough Review and Understanding the Concepts
Merely reading and completing NCERT books is not enough. It is crucial to understand the concepts deeply. You should aim for a complete understanding rather than just the number of times you have gone through the books. Solving the additional questions provided at the end of each chapter helps reinforce your understanding and ensure retention. This practice also prepares you for the type of questions that might appear in the exam.
Importance of Previous Year Question Papers
After thoroughly reviewing the NCERTs, the next crucial step is to solve previous year question papers. Solving these papers honestly helps you understand the pattern of the questions and your current level of preparedness. This will also give you a sense of the difficulty level and the kind of questions that can be expected in the exam. It is recommended to start solving previous year papers before Preliminary Examination as it provides insights into the type of questions and also helps in time management.
Integrating Reference Books and Mock Tests
Once you have a strong base from NCERTs, it is time to expand your knowledge with reference books. Selecting the right reference books is essential. For example, for Economics, Shri Ram notes along with the Economic Survey are highly recommended as most questions are contemporary. For Polity, Lakshmi Kant provides a comprehensive coverage. History and culture can be covered with the help of NCERTs, supplemented with the book by Nitin Singhania. Geography, especially Indian geography, can be further expanded with Majid Hussain and the India Year Book. Regularly staying updated with newspapers is advised for Science and Technology.
Integrating these resources alongside solving previous year papers and taking at least 10 mock tests a month before Preliminary Examination is beneficial. Mock tests help simulate the actual exam environment, improve speed, and accuracy. Be honest with yourself about your preparation level and address any deficiencies.
Effective Revision and Retention
It is important to have a limited number of sources to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Making notes topic-wise using the syllabus and revising them regularly helps in retaining the information. This targeted approach ensures that you revise only what you need, reducing the burden of dealing with excess material. Additionally, practicing writing answers is crucial. It helps in understanding the exam pattern and improving your answer writing skills. Regularly updating your static content with current affairs through the newspapers and previous year analysis is essential.
Final Thoughts
Preparation for the UPSC is a journey and everyone has their unique way of achieving success. It is important to find your own method and follow it diligently. Early preparation can help you discover your own unique preparation strategy. Best of luck in your journey towards civil services!
Stay honest and dedicated to your preparation, and you'll be well on your way to success.