After UPSC Civil Services Exam Prelims Result, there is very less time to prepare for Mains. A huge course to cover in a few months. But apart from covering the syllabus, many other factors determine the success or failure of candidates. Like the art of writing good answers in UPSC Mains, the way to write a good essay, the reason for making a subject optional, all these also ensure your success. IRS Officer Anjani Kumar Pandey, who often shares useful tips for UPSC aspirants, said how to score well in UPSC Mains, what to keep in mind while choosing optional, how to write an essay. Anjani Kumar became an IRS officer by securing 314th rank in UPSC Civil Services Exam 2009.
The IRS officer wrote on Twitter, ‘Scored well in the main exam.
1. Understanding the demand of the question: This is most important. Write what is asked about the topic and don’t write what you know about the topic.
2. Curriculum control required: Most of the students who get low marks in the main examination do not even complete the entire course. By completing the syllabus I mean you need point wise notes on each topic of GS Mains which helps in revision.
3. Writing practice in test series: Very few candidates practice writing regularly, so their answer writing speed is low and they are unable to complete the paper. The safest way to get more marks than others is to complete the paper.
4. Men’s Test Series Writing requires a reliable tutor who checks every word of your copy and gives you appropriate feedback.
5. Answer Structure: Answer structure is the key to scoring high marks. Proper composition of answers with average content can fetch you good marks.
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6. Presentation: Although there is no substitute for content, presentation is important as it keeps the examiner engaged. Handwriting plays an important role in presentation. Even if the handwriting is not beautiful, it should be neat and legible.
7. Relevant facts and figures: Most students never use facts to prove their point. Facts and figures make your answer strong and impressive.
8. Illustrations, Diagrams and Charts: Pictures can say what thousands of words cannot say. But make sure that the diagrams and pictures are absolutely correct. Wrong pictures and diagrams can reduce your marks to a great extent.
In another tweet, he wrote, ‘How to choose optional in UPSC
1. Choosing the right optional subject for UPSC is very important and becomes more difficult if you are choosing an optional subject that you have never studied during your graduation or post graduation. Generally people say that interest in the subject and ability to score are two factors that should be kept in mind while choosing an elective.
I always believe that interest in the subject should be the only criteria for choosing an optional subject. Everyone used to tell me that history is an optional subject which cannot get you in the list of successful candidates because being a theoretical subject you will never get full marks. History only gives you average marks unlike other anthropology subjects, average marks in other subjects are usually higher than history average marks and history is too long to cover. My friend took maths and got very good marks in his previous attempts. I felt this was pure bad luck because no matter how hard I tried, the problem of good scoring options would never go away. But then I realized that history is also a safe subject. I mean in maths if your answer is wrong you will get zero, but in history if you write something away from the question you will get some marks.
2. Also, I thought why not make a criterion that History is the best subject. I studied a lot and got the highest marks in UPSC history so far. History Marks confirmed my choice. History made my life because if you work hard it can give you extraordinary marks.
In a further tweet, he wrote, ‘How to write an essay in UPSC
1. Clarity is key- Clear writing is essential for effective communication. When you write essays clearly, your examiners are more likely to understand your essay and your ideas.
2. Be brief- Get to the point quickly and avoid using unnecessary words and phrases. Use quotes but they must be excellent.
3. Use simple language- Avoid using jargon and technical terms that your examiners may not understand or your essay may become boring.
4. Be specific- Avoid using vague language and generalizations. Instead, use specific examples and details to illustrate your points.
5. Stay Organized- Prepare your essay writing in a way that is easy to read and pleasing to the examiner. Heading Heading Subheading Subheadings and Bullet Points Use bullet points to break up your essay and make it more readable.
6. Proofread your work carefully- Before submitting your copy, be sure to carefully proofread it for errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
7. Be yourself- Don’t try to look like someone you’re not. Write in your own voice and style. Examiners understand when your writing shows the potential for cramming.
8. Change your sentence structure- Avoid using the same sentence structure repeatedly. This can make your essay dull and repetitive.
9. Practice makes perfect- The more you write before attempting an essay in the exam hall, the better your performance will be. So don’t be afraid to write and experiment with different styles and techniques.
10. Clear and effective writing is a valuable tool for those who want to improve their writing skills and get better grades in essays.’