Tips for Students to Prepare for IAS Exam while in College
Fresh-out-of-college men have higher chances of passing the IAS exam because they possess youthful energy and a sharp mind. But unless the preparation is focused on the right guidance and strategies, the attempt may turn futile, resulting in the loss of precious attempts.
This is something that aspirants must not allow to happen. This post is intended to help students who are trying to pass the IAS exam in college, particularly the pre-final year students.
Take advantage of the early opportunity
Please remember the eligibility criteria for UPSC Civil Service Exam (CSE) is 21 years and graduation in any subject. Final-year students are eligible to apply for IAS Prelims. Many candidates miss this opportunity and enter the UPSC Civil Service Exam preparation fields very late. This can be seen in the fact that candidates who reach the final UPSC CSE rank are on average 28 years old.
You will have many benefits if you start early. We are confident that IAS exam aspirants who begin early will be able to pass without losing the excitement and joy of campus life. But for that, you need the right guidance.
Recognize that time is limited. Prioritize your time.
Unlike many other aspirants who can dedicate a full year for UPSC preparation, those who prepare parallel for UPSC CSE while in the college will have time constraints. Your ability to prioritize is key. Only do what is necessary.
The best books to prepare for IAS are recommended
After you've decided to make IAS/IPS your career goal, purchase the best books necessary for UPSC CSE preparation. We have compiled the master list of UPSC books on a separate page. The following books are recommended as a starting point.
NCERT Books - Purchase online at Amazon or download NCERT PDF.Polity - LaxmikanthEconomics - Ramesh SingHistory - By Bipan ChandraIf you have Rs.5000 to invest in UPSC preparation, we recommend you to join IAS Prelims Online Mock Test Series as early as possible.
ClearIAS Prelims Test Series is open to both 1st-year and second-year college students. They can still apply for the IAS exam in their final year of graduation.
It is a great way to stay focused and to understand the UPSC requirements right away by practicing questions that are very similar to the actual UPSC exam.
You should not worry about the marks you score, but take mock exams as an opportunity for learning. Mock exams help you to understand the UPSC pattern and difficult concepts. Mock test series can provide you with a lot of questions, both direct and indirect. ClearIAS Test series has seen this many times in the past.
Read magazines and newspapers
No matter what time you have, don't let your newspaper reading be compromised. It's easy to get into the spirit of reading newspapers. For quality articles, we prefer The Hindu or Indian Express. Consider editorials and op-ed articles.
EPW, a magazine that provides current perspectives, is another good choice. Yojana and Kurukshetra are two of the most important government schemes and initiatives.
Keep writingWriting speed is a key aspect of UPSC CSE Mains. Students just graduating from college will be able to take advantage of this opportunity as they won't be out of touch with paper and pen-like working professionals. This is your chance to maximize your leverage.
Here are some tips for polishing your writing. Participate in college essay competitions. Write letters to the editors of well-known newspapers.
Discuss current issues with friendsWe won't tell you to stop all the chit-chat. College life is all about long conversations and lively debates. It's a great time to have fun, but it is important that you make friends who are like you and with whom you can talk about current issues.
Peer learning is a key component of IAS exam preparation. You can form groups from your college.
Finish 1-2 subjects during semester breakSome toppers will finish their optional subjects during semester breaks so they can focus on General Studies (GS), GK in Hindi which is what they do after graduation.
If time permits, either finish your optional subject or the entire set of NCERTs from class 6-12. You can also finish all of the ClearIAS.com study materials to help you build your concepts, or take online mock tests on ClearIAS.com. The Learning Zone will provide additional resources for revising the material.
