What are folks who did not get in planning now? Other than next attempt.
Already working in group B job of GOI.
Will get done with some life processes and events essential for placating society and family.
Fix my mind and attitude.(lot of work to be done here). Probably pick up a hobby which occupies my mind.
Give EO interview.
Examine the score card of 2023 cycle and take decision of ditching optional based on marks. Consequently take the decision of giving 2024 or skip.
almost same scores in 2022 for essay and gs 2
126 and 110
1: 88
3: 73
4: 93
2023 cycle surely would have improved gs1234
culprit would be optional for me
insider sources also didn’t favour mine
Out with Philosophy optional
P-5, M-2, I-0
marks have been below avg in the 2022 mains:-
Essay - 101, p1-84, p2 -94, p3 - 74, p4 -96, O1-124, O2-112
if someone has any pointers on how to improve them please suggest
For essay gs124 , I have witnessed increase in marks. If in scorecard , I’m again proven right, I’ll come back and reply on this comment again as I would have gained some credibility by then.
Gs3 I can’t say because marks have been stagnant . 2023 would have seen rise in marks for sure
I am choking at main stage again and again. This was the 3rd time consecutively. I am unable to pin-point where am erring.Every time, I choke I try at my own level to fill the gap, but its not enough. This was not the case with prelims. I know whyI choked in prelims and after exactly pin-pointing the issues, addressed then and cleared them.
I don't know if I am in need of some serious guidance or not in order to clear mains, I don't know if hand holding is needed. I do know that mains is a fairly straightforward stage with less unpredictability. Despite this, I don't know what's going on here. I am at sea.
Common sense dictates that my optional is the culprit. If we keep optional aside for sometime, I am still unable to reach 400+ in GS despite 3 mains. I know the hard work I put in this so there is something else lagging.
It could be one of these: handwriting (mine is legible , not beautiful), presentation (This could be an area because with time , IBC may not suffice, I being a strong supporter of IBC only), inability to provide a comprehensive forward looking statement (though not asked, after looking at multiple videos of main chokers who made it finally, this is a common theme they focused on), dimension generation (again, a very critical issue, a debatable area). Some more issues were identified which i have written elsewhere.
I don't look at topper copies maybe because I think UPSC awards originality etc. I also don't know HOW and WHAT to look for in a topper copy and HOW TO effect changes from the aspects gathered from there in my answers. Hence this tool called topper copy is of not much use for me.
I alsodon't have syllabus wise word to word notes. I do have notes of issues and aspects in general, but not syllabus wise notes.
After preparing for 5 attempts when I had enough time, I couldn't make it. Now the last attempt is to be given when I will be busy. However, if the issues are sorted for GS, with less time also, I can clear mains. But if the issues still remain hidden, and I keep addressing what I deem as an issue or addressing them insufficiently, the result would be same even if I spend another year completely dedicated for this again.
One example wherein I could actually figure out the loopholes was essay. I know now, my weakness, my strength, my writing style and other aspects needed to score well in essay.
So, I request those who clear mains stage, to help me with GS. It may very well be the case that I would have significantly improved my GS tally, but their suggestions are nevertheless welcome.
I also request those like me who are constantly flunking mains, to pitch in and suggest changes they are about to do in their preparation now . I would do the same, only I am not giving 2024.
@Capedcrusader1 even I am skipping 2024 and having the same problem as you...mains chokers can form a group to find out our mistakes
We should. A group of 3-4 people will do the job only condition being they should have given multiple mains.
I’m already planning what all needs to be done ranging from analyzing own answers , comparing them to toppers’, finalizing 4-5 toppers and downloading copies to see what all can be emulated (if copied, then copying shouldn’t be mindless), taking stock of notes already made , decision to discard old notes , need for any online mains oriented classes , timetable, optional related issues are separate etc.
So it’s a formidable job involving fighting with oneself . However the journey could be slightly easy if 3-4 are on a similar mission.
On a similar boat.
Btw what's the secret behind confidence for prelims? I have cleared it 4 times consecutively still not confident. Your 2 cents would be helpful.
I took a gap year in 2022 but could not put it to very productive use due to complacency (i studied too much non-UPSC books and there was some drastic changes due in 2022 in my job profile).
Coming tochanges I would make:-
1. I too would beskipping 2024.
2. Join atest series / scheduled answer writing for GS now. It will help me schedule my preparation, otherwise time flies like anything. Also, with a full time job, it is hard to be on track without any guiding pole.
3.After prelims 2024, join test series / scheduled answer writing for optional as well. My schedule roughly would be
a) GS test series till March
b) Optional March-May
c) GS and optional test series till mains
d) attempt mains paper 2024
e) October-November plug loopholes in mains preparation
f) From December or at max from January prepare for prelims
g) After mains, prepare for interview as there would be very less time after mains result for it (also because there is high possibility of me skipping 2026)
4. Prepare as I am writing mains 2024.
5. After repeated failures, main issue is self-belief. It's hard to convince oneself that one can clear the exam. This is partly because we see our failures from front seat and they keep rolling before our eyes. Every time we try to change for good, there is reminiscence of past failures / unmet goals and it gives feeling of being imposter. Will work on this front through meditation, exercise, gratitude etc.
6. What one thinketh, one becomes. Will try to get out of negative thinking of past and unburden myself.
7. Regarding preparation, I believe thinking is somewhat as equally important as writing. In those 7 minutes molding even known content as per demand of question is challenging and needs practice. Don't know how I would do it, but would figure it along the way.
@Neyawn your comments / blogs are like lifelines. It feels as our elder brother is giving us life lessons. Before prelims and mains, we constantly wait for that lecture. Please keep doing what you are doing.
My confidence for prelims doesn't emanate from the fact that I score xyz marks, it is because i have figured out a way which is a step-by-step process that is foolproof in my case.
Good to know that you have a timeline figured out for yourself. I have a rough timeline, but my job will pose issues in preparation. One thing I am changing this time is my attitude. This exam is not everything for me. I have many relatives and family members in the service, so I know what I will miss if I don't make it and what is there to gain if I make it. It's a goal to achieved, and I will work hard for it. Thats all there is to it. This attitude is important for me because it will substantially reduce the pressure to clear the exam and help in actually doing the hard work.
I am yet to make a decision regarding my optional. There are too many noises in that area. In order to make an informed decision (to keep it or junk it), the credibility of the noises needs to be ascertained. If I am unable to make an informed decision in this regard, I will keep my optional and continue.
Regarding GS, I have pointed out some areas that needs work. Ex: I still don't have notes (well crafted notes) for often repeated topics asked in GS123 ( I have listed out those topics). PYQs will be seen to further derive the required depth and then notes will be made. Some notes are to be discarded now.
Similarly other issues are there. I am not planning to go on auto pilot and just follow the herd. which means I am in no hurry to do answer writing, no hurry to finish monthlies etc. I know I can write 20 questions, have been doing it already yet failing. So, I am making a strategy suited to myself not bound by timeline at this stage as this stage is crucial in the sense that it requires pointing out errors in preparation followed by figuring ways out to sort it out. Timelines come later. Having a timeline comes with an assumption that whatever I will be doing in that timeline is guaranteed to work. Understanding the exam comes first. I didn't understand what the exam demands so I have been failing. Lot of introspection needed.
Brother,from what I understood from PSIR preparation.
Though it has fair overlap with GS2.But getting good marks is more difficult ,as you hv to write in language of political science.Mention keywords ,quote relevant scholars.Major difficulty comes in consolidating the subject knowledge. As study material is vast,have to stick to your basic resouces,do value addition.Having good peer discussion group is also major factor in subject like psir.Everyone's writing style approach is uniue, sharing and discussing divese perspectives can help to retain more hold & interest in the subject.
My advice would be- Have look at syllabus and PYQs of PSIR
See how toppers copy are written,you will get idea of preparation level needed
If you still wish to go -Can Join trending institute for subject
I hope my views helps you somehow.
All the best bro!!
thank you for the detailed analysis about the subject ,it will help me in taking apt decision
Out with Sociology optional. I was expecting at least an interview call this year. Did all the right things post pre 2022 failure. Papers in exam went fine as well ( except optional paper 1, but that also was not too messed up). Was scoring good in mocks. No idea what went so wrong. A close friend of mine committed suicide day before yesterday (Non UPSC friend, was a doctor at safdarjung). Just too much to handle at once. Heart feels very heavy and mind isnt working properly. Have been having anxiety since last 3-4 months.
Slowly trying to get back up, one day at a time. Have decided 2024 will be the last and final attempt.
hello bro, i wanted to know whether you are planning to keep socio as your optional or changing it. also, could you tell me what issues you have been facing with this optional? Is the level of questions becoming too tough to answer them accurately, or is the demand of questions too difficult to decipher. As you said, what makes you think that your paper 1 was not as per your expectations?
Since 2024 is your last, what changes are you planning to incorporate now? Your self analysis if shared here will be highly valuable.
