Prelims - How to attempt the GS paper?

Prelims - How to attempt the GS paper?*

I feel we are more drawn towards complicated methods because we feel that the tougher the exam is, the more sophisticated approach it requires. That’s not true. Find elegance and comfort in simplicity.

I simply started from the 1st question, gave it the time it deserved, marked the answer on the paper and moved on to the next question. Once I completed the paper (tried to finish it in 1:40 or 1:45 hours), I went back to the first question and started bubbling the OMR (gave second thought to some questions that really troubled me while bubbling). That’s it.

Some people go through multiple rounds where they first solve the questions they are sure of, they then solve questions in which they can eliminate 2 options in round two and so on. I felt this was too complicated a process for me. I did not want to spend my bandwidth categorising questions into these “buckets” (questions you’re sure of, questions where you can eliminate two options etc).

See, any method is fine. But always see which one fits your style. You should feel good and confident about yourself. That is the ultimate goal. So if you have the time, do experiment and try different approaches.

My purpose for sharing my method was to hopefully help someone feel confident that simple methods work. Simple methods are efficient and effective. Don’t let the “complications” of any exam challenge the power of simplicity. Remember that simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

Also, I’m aware that what’s simple for me might be complicated for someone else. That’s why you need to practice and see what clicks for you.