What is the secret sauce of UPSC’s success, its best practices? What do successful aspirants do best? How do they approach the exam? Well, the best is to ask them, get it from the horse’s mouth. We surveyed hundreds of successful aspirants. And the results? Insightful, indeed. Read on.
Our questions covered the gamut, but let’s focus on the top few aspects below:
- Academic Excellence
- Work Experience
- Timelines of Preparation
- Learning Practices
Is Academic Excellence an indicator of Success?
Successful Aspirants exhibited Academic Excellence – over 92% scored above 80% in 10th standard, coming from top colleges in the country.
Not surprising. But what this means is that good students are also ‘better learners’. If you don’t have good marks in 10th and 12th, don’t fret. We had those too, but they also exhibited qualities of better learners. I will explain at a later point.
Does UPSC look for Work Experience:
Work experience had little or nothing to do with it. About 70% of the surveyed had little or no work experience. The idea is clear. UPSC is looking for moldable minds, young minds. As you grow in age, the amount of unlearning one has to do also increases, exponentially. Our opinions form. While our learning expands, our ability to be flexible with that learning reduces. Young minds, Impressionable minds, with the right ingredients. They are going to mold you, cook you, bake you to become a nation builder. It’s a process.Â
Timelines of Preparation
Whether you should study full-time or part-time, how many attempts do you typically need? How many years of prep? Here is what we learned:
- An overwhelming number of aspirants were ‘Full time’ aspirants – over 75%
- Only 25% made it on their first attempt.
- Most recommend up to 1-2 years of preparation is sufficient to qualify.
Bottomline – You can’t do it while doing other things and it’s not a walk in the park.
So, for part-time aspirants, it’s tough. Face it. This is the ‘Mother of all exams’. You need to give it its due. It’s a life-changing process. It will build your personality. In a recent post, we talked about our Success Framework, YUVA. We said it’s not about the course you take or the classes you attend. It’s much much more. Your personality, Your understanding and application, your Vision for the country, and your approach to making it happen. All of it has to converge.
Learning Practices of Successful UPSC Aspirants:
This was a revelation. Not much has been done (unfortunately) in the industry to understand this. As you might have noticed, students are served courses, given tests, and then largely left to themselves. I wrote in a previous article on LinkedIn about the Learner’s Journey where I elaborate on this. Here are the typical things students focus on to be successful:
A good timetable, Planning – # of hours for a given subject? Books and Materials, current affairs knowledge, and so on.
These are all important areas, no doubt. However, these are NOT the top things to be addressed for your preparation success. Here’s what successful aspirants chose as the top 5.
- #1 – Consistency in prep – 87% votes
- #2 – Overcoming Distractions – 70% votes
- #3 – Applying Concepts – 68% votes
- #4 – Reading, Writing and Summarizing – 65% votes
- #5 – Healthy Lifestyle – 63% votes
This tells us that successful aspirants are ‘Better Learners’ first. There is a secret sauce here. Successful aspirants know for example, that if you don’t know how to overcome your distractions, you can never keep to a timetable. They understand that rigorous practice, focused on applying concepts learned in class is important. They invest time in note-taking and summarization – reproduction of answers. And they lead a healthy lifestyle, giving time for their brains to relax, soak in what they have learned, and introspect.Â
There is a method to the madness. That method is embodying the qualities of a better learner. If you can do this well, success is yours.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Q: What role did consistent revision play in your UPSC success?
A: Successful aspirants emphasize the crucial role of consistent revision. It helps in reinforcing concepts, improving retention, and boosting confidence. Regular revisions ensure a deeper understanding of the subjects and enhance the ability to recall information during the exam.
2. Q: How important is time management in the UPSC preparation journey?
A: Time management is paramount. Successful candidates stress the need to allocate time wisely among subjects, revision, and practice tests. Efficient time management aids in covering the vast syllabus, minimizing stress, and enables aspirants to focus on weaker areas.
3. Q: How did you maintain motivation during the long and demanding UPSC preparation period?
A: Maintaining motivation is a challenge, but successful aspirants suggest setting short-term goals, celebrating small victories, and staying connected with like-minded individuals. Keeping the ultimate goal in mind and visualizing success helps overcome moments of self-doubt.
4. Q: How did you approach the optional subject selection, and what advice do you have for others?
A: Choosing an optional subject requires careful consideration. Successful candidates recommend selecting a subject of personal interest and familiarity. It not only makes the learning process enjoyable but also provides an edge in understanding complex topics, leading to better performance in the optional paper.
5. Q: How did you handle the stress of the UPSC exam day, and what strategies did you employ to stay calm?
A: Exam day stress is inevitable, but successful aspirants suggest practicing mindfulness and deep breathing techniques. Keeping a positive mindset, focusing on the present moment, and trusting in the preparation done helps in managing stress. Adequate sleep and a healthy breakfast are also emphasized for a composed exam day experience.
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