Few tips for Prelims

Another two weeks and Prelims would be done! Just wanted to give few tips to all of you that I followed in my all three attempts:

1. Time to switch off your phone and also your data pack for almost 23 out of 24 hours; rest one hour can be to talk to your parents and close friends/loved ones.

Less the distractions, the better your attention will be

( So, I hope most of you don’t read this post at all)

2. Please do mock or solving PYQ questions in 9:30-11:30 AM window and CSAT questions 2:30-4:30 PM window for next 10 days. The idea is you will have trained your mind to be active in the exact exam timeframe.

Also, this is familiarising yourself to what is expected on 16th- 2 hour exam, exam pattern, exam setup; Reducing uncertainty with repeated simulations helps your brain focus better on the exam day.

3. Get adequate sleep and rest- 8 hours exact. You remember better and you feel better when you are rested. Anyone planning night outs and all- remember the cost benefit ratio of it is extremely poor.

4. Some form of physical exercise, or walking is a must. It is important for you to feel physically well too for the exam. Just set out 30 minutes time for sure and use it to reflect on your preparation, recollecting some facts, making a mind map of a subject ( Example- Recollect what all chapters are there in order of Rajiv Ahir text book while you walk)

5. Don’t worry or waste excess time with current affairs at this point.

If I was to give exam on June 16- my focus would be to spend 80% of time on Static and rest 20% on revising current affairs of what I’ve read. No new material at this point or any new revision crash courses, as per me. Stick to what you know.

6. On exam day, at 8:00 to 8:25 - solve 4-5 questions outside the exam hall; this has helped me set my tempo once I entered the hall ( This is subjective advice, so take it or leave it depending on your temperament); Even for CSAT, I recommend you solve 4-5 questions at 2:00 PM, just to set your mind into the zone.

7. Use water and a chocolate well in exam hall. We get mentally exhausted after an hour almost. Use water as a boost to take a small seconds break and jump back in. No minute should be wasted in those 120 minutes - so you feel tired, your go to is water/ 5-Star chocolate. ( also drink minimal water in the first one hour and then gradually increase intake, so that you don’t waste time on using a washroom)

8. Don’t check any keys for GS-I after coming out. Focus on CSAT. What is done is done!

9. Practice bubbling on OMR sheet right now; Always better to have done some practice before and avoid mistakes on the exam day.

10. You have prepared well. Last 10 days are a culmination of your years of effort and I hope you will come out with flying colors. You’ve got this! Wishing you all, all the best! May the force be with you! 😄