Last week's tips for the Prelims exam

Last week's tips for the Prelims exam. Prelims exam can be divided into two parts: 1. Practical aspect 2. Mental Aspect

Practical Aspect

1. Priority wise revision of subjects needs to be done. For me it was: Polity>History>Economy>IR PT 365>Geography>PTs + Map and Mnemonics practice daily.

2. Previous Year Questions revision. At least of the last five years.

3. Don't worry about the topics which you haven't prepared or are not comfortable in. Forget them and just keep going ahead.

4. Solve at least two tests of both GS and CSAT in a simulative condition with OMR sheet. You can skip the marks calculation as it might disturb your confidence level. The whole point in doing this exercise would be to revise in your mind things you have to do in the exam.

5. Pack your stuff. Black ball point pen (2),admit card, identity card, transparent bottle, analog watch and a transparent purse to keep all those in. Remember, some people at the centre will tell you to take out your watch. They will tell you that all classrooms have watches. Don't listen to them.

Just show them the admit card where it is written that "simple watches are allowed".  Most of them aren't aware of the rules, others just want to show their authority.😂

6. You can also carry chocolate with you and eat it in beginning/middle of the exam. I used to carry Cadbury Nutties which is easy to eat. 😅

Mental Aspect:

1. Check your centre well before the exam date to avoid any last minute hassle. Also, if the centre is a multi storied building, keep this in your mind that you might get an upper floor where it will be very hot.

2. Plan before hand as to what you have to eat in the time gap between the GS and CSAT papers. If you are giving the exam from your hometown, you can come back between the gap and relax. Do not start checking answers in that time gap. Remember, CSAT is becoming a major hurdle these days and you have to perform very well to sail through it.

3. Maintain a subtle confidence level. "Neither be over confident nor underconfident". Remember, Prelims will test you on this aspect of yours as well. In fact, Prelims is more of a mind game than a test of knowledge. Remember always, if the paper is tough, it is tough for everybody. You just have to do you best.

4. Keep yourself happy this last week. I used to watch stand Ups and listen to music a lot. Keep yourself busy with something or the other.

5. Don't talk much about your preparation level with others now. Talk about fun stuff and relax.

6. People will tell you that it is very important to sleep one night before the exam. This is not a maxim. It is okay to be afraid of the exam and lose sleep one night before. In 3/4 prelims, I wasn't able to sleep one night before the exam.

7.Eat something light one day before the exam.

8.I had maintained a good schedule of sleeping at 11 and not watching mobile phones just before sleeping or just after waking up since the time I started preparing. It helped me a lot in maintaining a healthy routine.

At last, I just want to say that you have a long road to traverse even after this preliminary stage, so, maintain your mental calmness and well being. Don't think of success/failure, think of performing at your best possible level.