GS Mains Test Series Strategy By Shubham Kumar

GS Mains Test Series:

My Experience:

2021 mains:

I did not have any of my copies evaluated. I purchased Vision IAS test papers and solutions from the market, wrote the tests at home, and evaluated them on my own. I used the provided model answers for additional insights. I followed this approach for approximately 18 tests.

2022 mains (Post prelims):

1. Next IAS mains test series (free of cost)

2. Forum IAS mains test series (paid)

3. Vision IAS Abhayas (paid) - Simulator for GS 1, 2, 3, and 4

4. IAS Baba open test (a few days before the mains exam) - free with no evaluation - Simulator for 5 tests (Essay GS 1, 2, 3, and 4)

What I gained from writing tests:

1- Confidence in completing the paper during the actual exam.

2- Helped streamline my preparation.

3- Assisted in prioritizing content preparation (what to prepare and how much to prepare). For example, the difficulty I faced in writing quality introductions made me realize the importance of including small definitions, data, and facts.

4- Building endurance for the actual exam day.

5- Improved structuring and presentation skills through repeated practice.

6- Enhanced content through the provided model answers.

Now, for the above points, joining a test series is not mandatory. Test papers and previous year questions (PYQs) are freely available, and all the preparation can be done without a test series as well.

Nevertheless, test series should work on improving their evaluation and feedback provided.

2021 - Test with self evaluation - GS 405 and Essay 111

2022 - Test with evaluation - GS 407 and essay 115

What was common in both mains is writing as much as possible.

"It doesn't matter on which ground you run or which shoe you wear to run, but you need to run a lot before the actual race."