The UPSC civil service exam is thought to be one of the most difficult in the nation. Due to this, many individuals recommend studying for around 15 hours every day throughout the IAS preparation time. Lots of hopefuls are unsure how many hours of studying are needed to pass this difficult exam. In this article, you will find the possible solutions to the question, “How many hours of study should I do for the IAS test.”
How many hours did UPSC toppers study?
Some aspirants claim to be studying 15–16 hours a day to prepare to take the UPSC exam. Some can pass the exam with just 6-7 hours of study per day. There isn’t a perfect answer to this question, and candidates must determine the number of hours they spend studying each day based on their abilities and needs.
Certain candidates, in the beginning, stages of preparation for their IAS preparation, begin by studying for more than 12 hours every day. They can continue this for one week, or maybe 10 days. After that, they get tired of keeping up with this routine, and, gradually, the intensity of study decreases along with the initial enthusiasm. It is physically demanding to stay for hours at the end of a day and work.
Keep in mind that the IAS examination process is a lengthy one and you need to spend a minimum of one year preparing for it. To complete your IAS preparation with success, you should be enthusiastic throughout this year. Also, you should take pleasure in the process of learning throughout this period.
In the ideal scenario, how much you can put into your training should be evenly distributed throughout your one year or for the 10 months that you are completing preparation for your UPSC test preparation. You should also notice that the intensity gradually increases in the days leading up to the exam.
To determine a schedule to plan a routine for IAS exam preparation, candidates must examine their strengths and their mental stamina. It is essential to keep the initial enthusiasm and motivation throughout the time you are preparing to pass the civil service test. This is the reason why candidates are advised to go easy with the number of hours they spend studying and concentrate on the content rather than the quantity of their education.
Tips for improving the quality of your studies:
- Learn intelligently by studying.
- Be aware rather than trying to memorize.
- Learn according to the requirements for those appearing for the UPSC exam.
- pause at regular intervals. Take a 3-hour study break with a break of 10 minutes every hour instead of working for three hours at a time.
- While you’re studying, you must give all your attention. Focus on the subject with complete concentration. Stay clear of distractions.
Be aware that the inquiry you should be asking should be “How to study effectively for the UPSC exam” instead of “How many hours to study for IAS”.
Are 4 hours of study per day enough for UPSC?
The most important thing every student must be aware of is that each of you has a unique experience. Some are essential to spend more than an hour, while others may learn the basics faster. But, the important aspect to keep in mind is that the amount of time needed to study the subject should not concern the aspirant.
Instead, they should focus on establishing the fundamentals rather than rushing through them. UPSC will be focusing its questions on the comprehension of the subject matter, so a deep knowledge of the subject is essential. Candidates must dedicate sufficient time to comprehend and evaluate each subject they decide to research.
It is unclear whether an aspirant can pass the UPSC Civil Service Examination by studying for 4 hours every day and, looking at the rate that UPSC applicants study, 4 hours is not enough to pass the CSE promptly. This is because of the following factors: 1.) Aspirants might not be able to concentrate for the full four hours, and there could be gaps.
The aspirant must study GS, optional subjects, and current events on a daily basis. and then dividing the time into 4 hours, could not be efficient. Thus, one should aim to work an average of 7-8 hours each day and gradually increase the amount. This will ensure that sufficient time is devoted to each subject. Additionally, it allows time to grasp the fundamentals before making it a reality.
So, try to increase the hours of study whenever you can, and make the most of weekends and holidays. While studying, pay close attention to current events because they will form the foundation of your preparation for prelims, mains, and interviews.
Additionally, focusing on the most difficult or complex subjects early in the morning is beneficial since the brain can absorb more details and process information while it’s still fresh. The next area to which you should devote approximately 30% of your study time is optional. Because the optional exam can be the difference between your success or failure during the main test, one must provide enough time to ensure that the optional has been addressed before beginning the full-time Prelims preparation.
UPSC Syllabus and exam format
The UPSC syllabus is like an ocean of vastness. It includes many diverse topics. In addition, the current affairs section within the syllabus makes sure that the syllabus will keep growing!
In addition to studying the curriculum for the UPSC exam, the pattern is a lengthy one that spans almost one year. There are three phases during the exam, each stage requiring the elimination of a specific number of applicants. The three phases of this UPSC examination are
- UPSC Prelims are two objective tests (held in June and August).
- UPSC Mains Exam: 9 descriptive papers (held between October and December).
- UPSC Personality Test: UPSC Board Interview (held in March/April/May).
The Competition for UPSC
It’s no exaggeration to declare that the competition for the civil service exam is fierce and overwhelming. Many thousands of hopefuls are enrolled in the IAS prelims test every year. When they finish the process, just 1,000 applicants make it onto the list of final candidates.
If you are looking for the most highly rated services such as IAS and the IFS The competition is even more intense as you need to achieve an impressive rank in these areas. The UPSC civil service exam isn’t an ordinary test on which you have to study hard for about a month or two to obtain the results you want. It is essential to do your best to beat your competitors, and that includes those who graduated from top institutions such as the IITs and IIMs.
The Need for Regular Revision and Practice to Crack UPSC
If you take into consideration the sheer size of the IAS syllabus, you’ll likely be concerned about remembering the entirety of what you read in the examination. That is why revising becomes crucial in preparation for the UPSC exam. The regular revision will ensure that you can remember at least 85% of the material that you’ve studied. In addition to regular revision, it is essential to take mock tests. Making mock tests can give you a sense of the test and will aid in speeding up your preparation and enhancing your writing.
How much time does it take to crack UPSC?
As you can see, there are plenty of things to do while preparing for the IAS test. On average, candidates take between 10 and 12 months to prepare for this rigorous test. But there are candidates who could be able to pass the exam in only six months. For many candidates, even six years of experience has not been enough.
When it comes to an exam like this, there are a variety of variables that take place. You need the correct kind of direction and plan so that you don’t waste valuable time doing irrelevant work. These are all external variables and are the same for all. However, there are a couple of internal factors that determine the amount of time needed to study for the UPSC test. The internal factors include honesty, dedication, and determination. It is obvious that these characteristics differ from one individual to the next. The time required to study for the IAS test will depend on the strength of these internal variables.
To answer the question we addressed at the start of this article, ‘How much time is required to prepare for the IAS Exam‘, it is possible to conclude that the amount of time required is entirely dependent on the applicants. Some have required 4 years to clear the test, while some have been capable of passing within one year.
If you can find the right combination of guidance from the outside and internal guidance, you will be able to reduce the time it takes to pass the IAS test.
FAQs
A year of concentrated studies is typically sufficient to complete IAS preparation. Although some applicants indeed pass the exam by preparing for 3 to 6 months, it is advised to commit a full year of preparation and appear for the test.
1 year is more than enough to complete IAS preparation. It is not necessary to enroll in a coaching program to prepare for the IAS exam if one can prepare well and with the proper guidance and plan.
To prepare for the IAS exam, candidates should remember the UPSC syllabus and research the material in-depth for the initial six months, following which they should concentrate on revising and taking mock tests as well as previous years UPSC exam papers.
Learning for IAS requires concentration and discipline. These tips can assist you in studying hard to pass the IAS:
– Set up a schedule for your plan of preparation and adhere strictly to it.
– Reread and practice writing answers to NCERT books for IAS.
– Answer the tests in a time-bound fashion and concentrate on strengthening weak areas.
You can pass the IAS without any coaching. It is important to first have an understanding of what is included in the IAS syllabus and then begins studying in advance to avoid last-minute rushes to finish the syllabus. Additionally, enrolling in a quality practice test will allow candidates to evaluate their performance regularly.
IAS preparation is possible following the completion of 12th class exams and continues through graduation, in the best scenario. This allows candidates to maximize their time duration. Candidates can begin training at any time if they’re eligible to take the IAS examination.
To be an IAS officer, one needs to have graduated in any field from a recognized university. To become an IAS officer, one must study the subjects and topics covered within the UPSC curriculum. Choosing to study a humanities stream is not required to become an IAS officer. However, an undergraduate degree in humanities that focuses on administration might be useful for the initial phase of the IAS officer’s professional career.
The IAS exam comprises three phases. The stages are administered for one year. They are in the following order
– Prelims
– Mains
– Interview
Coaching is not required to pass the IAS. All one requires is the best UPSC exam material, the proper approach, and proper direction. Candidates must master the art of self-study and be ready to work hard to be successful in passing the IAS exam. Although, having a mentor and having their guidance will make your journey easier.
The IAS prelims are the very first test in the series of exams dubbed “the Civil Services Examination.” To pass the IAS prelims, these factors must be considered:
– Study current affairs beginning with the final mains exam and continuing to the next exam.
– Mastery of reasoning and mastery
– Learn about geography and history in depth.
– Make mock tests, and concentrate on speed and accuracy in the same order.
IAS is a test that can be passed on the first try, and many of the top scorers in IAS are applicants who passed IAS on the first try. To pass the IAS in the first go around, these tips will aid: Develop the habit of reading in the beginning.
For UPSC, read each NCERT book on the subject.
the previous year’s exam questions before the exam to familiarize yourself with the syllabus of the UPSC test and the pattern of the questions.
Write answers to questions and practice writing them. Join the best test series.