UPSC CSE is rightly called India’s toughest exam. It is also called the Mother of all Exams. If you want to prepare for the UPSC IAS exam, you will need perseverance, dedication, and above all, consistency in your preparation. 

If you have decided that you want to crack the UPSC CSE exam and become an IAS officer, then this article is for you. Here you will find tips to prepare for UPSC and an excellent resource to get notes, test series, QBank, and more with just a click! 

So let’s start with the tips on how to prepare for the UPSC CSE exam preparation. 

10 Tips on How to Prepare for UPSC CSE 

Tip #1 Know the UPSC Exam Syllabus:

Before you begin to prepare for UPSC CSE, it is absolutely essential that you have a thorough understanding of the UPSC syllabus. UPSC can change its curriculum anytime it wants, so it is imperative that you take a look at the latest syllabus. In addition, you also get an idea of the marks distribution. 

Tip #2 Understand the UPSC Exam Format:

When you have a good understanding of how the exam works, you can easily accelerate your preparation journey. 

The Civil Services Examination has three phases, namely:

• Preliminary Examination
• Mains Examination
• Personality Test (Interview Round)

Once a candidate clears all the above-stated rounds, he becomes eligible for joining the Civil Services in India. At the same time, the journey to becoming a Civil Servant (IAS, IPS, IRS, IFS) isn’t smooth.

Each level is an elimination round. You can only write the Mains examination if you clear the Prelims round. Hence, you need to qualify each to appear for the next.

Tip #3 Complete the Entire Syllabus:

Don’t practice selective studying. It is like inviting unnecessary trouble. The syllabus has to be covered comprehensively because UPSC also asks interlinked questions requiring you to grasp two or more topics completely. This is why when you prepare for UPSC, you need to study everything. 

Tip #4 Note-Making is Important:

Studying the entire syllabus of UPSC is easier, but it is harder to revise it all in a short time. This is where note-making comes in handy. The reason is that quick summary notes are convenient, easy, and less time-consuming. 

Tip #5 Devote Daily Time to Current Affairs:

When you prepare for UPSC CSE, current affairs become an indispensable part of your preparation. This is valid not only for the current affairs section but also because UPSC asks many questions where your knowledge of history and current affairs needs to be mixed.  

You can grasp general knowledge better by reading different books, journals, and articles. In addition, reading newspapers daily is the most effective means of keeping yourself updated with current affairs.

Tip #6  Answer Writing Practice:

In the Mains exam, you must show the examiner your answer writing skills. Acquiring the skills of writing concise and crisp answers is a tough job and takes a lot of practice. At the same time, once acquired, this skill will serve you for the rest of your career. Therefore, set aside some time to write your opinions and thoughts on current affairs and write essays on important events and happenings. 

Tip #7 Revision is your Religion

50% of your efforts are wasted if you do not revise. Revision should be a regular exercise, not an activity you do when the exam is near. It is impossible to retain the UPSC syllabus after reading it just once. This is why if you inculcate the habit of revision in your daily study routine, it will be much easier for you to prepare for the exam.

Tip #8 Analyze Your Performance:

From time to time, keep attempting test series and keep analyzing how you perform in those test series. Timely analysis of your preparation is the most vital tool for getting excellent results. You must be accountable and responsible when you prepare for UPSC CSE exam. 

In addition, you can also analyze your exam preparation regularly at the end of the day and do a SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis. Proper analysis will help you work on your weak areas and help you to prepare for the UPSC exam effectively. 

Tip #9 Avoid New Topics:

Never make the mistake of studying a new topic in the last 20 days before your exam. This confuses you and makes you anxious about your performance. The main disadvantage of taking on a new topic is that it will interfere with what you’ve already learned. So, avoid it. Instead, revise what you have already studied. It will boost your confidence. 

Tip #10 Solve Previous Year Papers (PYQs) and Mock Tests

Solving PYQs and attempting Mock Tests should be your routine every other day or week. Regular practice gives you tremendous confidence, and you get a sense of how to present your answers in the real exam. 

Attempting practice papers also gives you a reality check so that you can direct your preparation accordingly. You can say that the number of practice papers attempted during preparation is directly proportional to scoring good marks in the exams. 

Preparing for UPSC CSE on your own can be a tough journey, especially since you would not know where to begin and where to collect resources. At some point, you will require the assistance of experts and access to tools that can help you save a lot of time. This is where PrepLadder comes in. 

Kickstart your Civil Services exam preparation with PrepLadder, India’s most trusted learning platform for UPSC CSE preparation, and transform your preparation from the Beginner level to the Advanced level. 

PrepLadder is home to some unique features such as conceptual and engaging video lectures by the Dream Team comprising India’s leading UPSC educators, exam-relevant and high yield QBank, highly competitive PrepTests based on real exam patterns, NCERT Notes, Monthly Current Affairs Magazine, Previous Year Papers in the form of tests, and much more.

So, what are you waiting for? Kickstart your preparation journey with PrepLadder and enjoy quality learning like never before!