- “Read the question slowly”.
When reading Q, underline the keywords.
Be mindful of each word in the question.
UPSC plays with words, and we answer many questions incorrectly due to careless reading.
- Maximize your attempts.
How many Qs to attempt? Decide for yourself. Solve enough mocks to determine your optimum.
However, try at least 65-70 questions in any case.
I always attempted more than 90 questions.
- Solve paper in 3 iterations.
1st iteration: 70 mins: Answer the Qs you are sure of. ( but read all Qs)
2nd iteration: 30 min: Answer Qs that require deep thinking.
3rd iteration: 20 min: Reread Qs you don’t know.
- Mark the most probable option.
If you are unsure and stuck between options, choose the option that you believe is most likely.
You can assign probabilities to options.
- Do not make a blind guess.
If you have no idea what is being asked, you should leave the question.
Blind guesses may cost you all of your hard work; be cautious of negative marking.
- Some popular tricks:
“Extreme statements are wrong, facts are wrong, general statements are correct.”
Most of the time, these tricks work. But UPSC also tricks sometimes.
Don’t believe these tricks blindly. PUT YOUR MIND TO THINK ABOUT WHETHER THE STATEMENT MAKES SENSE.
- Logic is a savior.
Even if the questions appear to be completely unknown, try to think about them. See if you can apply logic.
Logic may be entirely unrelated to the subject.
- Understand UPSC patterns.
Solve all previous year’s papers TWICE within the next four months.
Understand the mindset of UPSC examiners.
You will understand what types of statements are incorrect.
- Don’t panic.
Even if you are unable to answer multiple questions in a row, do not give up. Leave such Qs for the next iteration.
Skip Qs without worrying much until you get a Q you can answer.
- Prelims is a game of confidence.
Believe me, if you go with confidence, your chances will increase dramatically.
Keep your mind focused until the end of the two hours.
Fight like a warrior.
You should be confident and energetic during those two hours.
