How to Prepare Prelims Exam

How to prepare for the UPSC prelims examination?

There are three stages in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. To be finally selected, one has to perform well in all three stages. Its first stage is the preliminary examination, which is of qualifying nature. Based on the number of candidates appearing in the preliminary stage and competition, this is the most difficult exam. Without passing this exam, candidates cannot appear in the further stages. There are two exams in the preliminary stage-

Important tips for UPSC prelims examination

• Keep looking at the syllabus for guidance during preparation.
• Make sure to look at the question papers of previous years.
• Try to understand the nature of the exam through the questions asked in previous years.
• Practice questions and solve test series, which will sharpen your study.
• The subject matter of both the question papers of General Studies-1 and General Studies-2 is different.
• Make different strategies for both the question papers.
• Some points of different strategies for both the question papers are shared below-
  
       General Studies-1: 
  • Study the topics mentioned in the syllabus from NCERT and standard books.
  • Gather facts along with expanding the conceptual understanding of the subject.
  • Make short notes after studying, it will be easy to revise at the time of examination.
  • Expand traditional knowledge as per the syllabus and stay updated with day-to-day events from sources like newspapers, website, social media, magazines etc.
  • Read the subject and practice the questions and try to make questions yourself.
    
    General Studies-2 (CSAT): 
    • This paper is qualifying in nature, to pass it you need to score at least 33.3% marks.
    • This paper mainly contains questions from comprehension, maths and reasoning.
    • More than one-third of the questions are from comprehension. Improvement in reading skills will increase the chances of getting these questions right.
    • Learn and practice topics related to maths and reasoning.
    • Make a strategy to solve questions from comprehension, maths and reasoning; it is risky to appear for the exam depending on any one subject.

Other important tips for UPSC prelims examination

• There is a provision of negative marking in the preliminary exam, do not guess the questions that you do not understand.
• You can solve confusing questions, provided you choose the option that is more inclined towards understanding.
• Keep studying, practicing and evaluating during the entire preparation for this exam.

Know More about UPSC

• Important Books for UPSC preparation
• UPSC Prelims Previous Years Cut-Off
• UPSC Previous Years Final Cut-Off
• UPSC Prelims syllabus 2024
• UPSC Mains Test Series 2024