Aspirants who are preparing for Public Service Commission Exams must have few important qualities to crack the exam. In my opinion even before they think of UPSC or TGPSC or other state PSC, they must evaluate themself , does they have qualities like commitment, consistency and discipline. If they don’t have, first they have develop this skills or qualities. Unfortunately if they cannot their discipline or consistency then it is better to stop thinking about UPSC.
Every year, millions of students from various walks of life apply, however only a tiny percentage of them succeed. The reason for this is usually not in the working hard or smart , but also in making sure you avoid the most common mistakes.
Lets dig into the most common mistakes that candidates make during PSC Preparation and examination. Here in this blog post we will try to give you practical suggestions to skips the mistakes during the preparation.
Mistakes Aspirants Make in PSC Exams [ UPSC ]
Ignoring the Syllabus and Exam Pattern :
One of the most common mistakes which most of students commit is ” not giving enough attention to the syllabus and exam pattern”. They even don’t know about this mistake /or they won’t consider this as a mistake. But in my opinion and as per experts opinion it is a grave mistake and aspirant should correct it. This mistake can lead to wasting time focusing on irrelevant subjects.
How to get rid of it:
- Print and download the latest official syllabus.
- Divide it into subject areas (Polity Economics, History, Politics Geography, Current Affairs, Political, etc. ).
- Make sure you align your study program with the syllabus rather than simply following the coaching material.
Relying on Too Many Books and Resources :
A common mistake is to purchase many books and notes on the same subject in hopes to cover all the bases. Instead, students are left with nothing to read.
How to prevent it:
- Make sure to stick to standard list of books to gain fundamental knowledge and there after you can go for books like Laxmikanth for Polity, Spectrum for Modern History etc.
- Revise the same resources several times rather than collecting new ones.
- Note down a few notes for quick review prior to the test.
Neglecting Current Affairs :
PSC exams test a lot on the current situation through actual questions and analytic application. Many candidates focus solely on static topics and fail in the current affairs section.
How to get rid of it:
- You can read a reputable newspaper such as The Hindu or Indian Express daily.
- Get monthly current affairs magazines or other government sources such as PIB.
- Check the news regularly to ensure you have the latest the latest information.
Poor Time Management :
Many students spend too much time focusing on their most popular subjects, and neglect the weaker areas. Some people put off their studies, believing they’ve “enough time.”
How to prevent it:
- Make an daily schedule that includes a balanced timetable for every area.
- Make use of the Pomodoro method (25 minutes of studying plus 5 minutes of break).
- Set aside specific time for revision as well as answer writing and mock tests.
Avoiding Mock Tests and Previous Year Papers:
A lot of candidates hold off until the last couple of months to take their mock tests This is a major error. Without practice, balancing the time of the actual exam is difficult. You will become master of time management in examination only if you practice it regularly.
How to prevent it:
- Begin to solve questions from previous years early in the preparation.
- Try mock tests frequently to improve speed and accuracy.
- Examine your mistakes and work on areas of weakness after each test.
Lack of Revision :
The PSC syllabus is a vast one and, without revision even the most well-read material disappears from memory. Students often continue to read new subjects and do not bother to review. Spaced repetition is very important and we will cover more on this in our next blog post.
How to get rid of it:
- Follow the rule of 1-2-3 Revise a subject within a day, and next, a week and finally one month.
- Keep a list of notes concise and flashcards to help you quickly review.
- Spend at least 1-2 hours each day to revising.
Ignoring Answer Writing Practice:
In examinations like UPSC or State PSC mains, writing skills are just as important as the knowledge. Many candidates are aware of the material but do not present it in a way that is effective.
How to prevent it:
- Get started with response writing at the beginning.
- Use frameworks like Introduction – Body – Conclusion (IBC).
- Be able to compose within the limit of words and answer all questions in time.
Not Taking Care of Health and Discipline :
Sleeping late, irregular hours of study eating unhealthy foods, and the lack of exercise can reduce concentration and efficiency. Many students burn out due to poor living habits.
How to prevent it:
- Aim to sleep 6-7 hours a day to improve your memory and focus.
- Walking or exercising for every day for at minimum twenty minutes each day.
- Eat healthy, balanced meals and drink plenty of water.
Following Others Blindly:
Aspirants tend to copy the strategies of their peers or toppers but do not fully understand their individual abilities and shortcomings. The strategies that work for one might not be the best for someone else.
How to prevent it:
- Identify your learning style (visual, reading, listening).
- Create your own schedule and preparation strategy.
- Find inspiration from toppers however, you can adapt their techniques to fit your needs.
Giving Up Too Early:
PSC exams require patience. Many candidates abandon their exams after a couple of failings, yet the majority of toppers are successful after several attempts.
How to prevent it:
- Be aware that failure is a an element in the learning process.
- Learn from mistakes made in past attempts and work to improve.
- Be consistent and stay motivated Be persistent, and remember that perseverance is the key to success.
Conclusion :
Anyone can achieve success in UPSC, but if you solely depend on working hard then you are miles away from cracking it. You have inculcate few smart strategies, clever preparation and most important staying away from the most common mistakes which majority of the aspirants commit.
By paying attention to the syllabus, making use of limited resources, regularly revising, and ensuring that they are disciplined, candidates have a better chance of passing.
Remember that PSC exam test the ability to be patient, consistent and clarity of thought. Making these 10 common mistakes will save you years of time and effort, and help you get closer to becoming a civil servant.