How to Prepare for UPSC at Home?
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: November 14th, 2023
How to Prepare for UPSC at Home? It is recommended to be thorough with the UPSC syllabus and exam pattern before starting with your preparation. Only hard work would not be enough to crack the IAS exam. Combining hard work with smart work would do wonders for aspirants. Those who want to start their IAS preparation at home must have an effective plan and execute it perfectly for fruitful results.
Obtain the best strategy to prepare for UPSC at home along with the most useful study tips to help you prepare for the IAS exam and successfully clear it. In this article, we have developed an analysis that will guide the aspirants to clear all the roadblocks and pave their path to Civil Services.
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How to Start Preparing for UPSC at Home?
IAS Exam, also known as Civil Services Examination, is carried out in three stages – UPSC Prelims, Mains, and Personality Test. Each stage of the exam demands a different approach. It does not matter where you are from and where you have prepared for the exam. The only thing that matters is how well-prepared you are for the IAS exam, one of the toughest exams in India.
To know how to prepare for UPSC properly, you must follow the right kind of preparation strategy to qualify for each UPSC exam stage.
Self-Preparation Strategies for UPSC
Start with making a list of all the standard books you must have to start the IAS preparation. You can find hard copies from the market or even soft copies that are available online.
Subscribe to the Best Newspaper for UPSC; the finest and safest option is The Hindu. Make separate copies for each subject while making notes. Make a copy only for the Current Affairs.
- Think about an optional subject that you will pick for the Mains examination.
- Come up with a realistic and practical timetable that works best for you.
- These are the initial preparation tips you must follow without spending more than 2 days.
Problems Faced While Preparing for UPSC at Home
Once you get a complete grip on this examination and gain some experience, you can slowly follow tougher timetables. Preparing for UPSC at home is not a big deal. Just keep your confidence levels high. However, there are some basic problems that you may face while preparing for UPSC at home.
- The syllabus for UPSC is vast; hence, a lack of resources and expert guidance can be a key problem for the candidates.
- Thousands of books and study materials are available for UPSC, and the fresh aspirants get confused while choosing the right ones.
- Beginners may feel overwhelmed by the vast syllabus and get lost without coaching.
- Coaching helps the candidates prepare an effective timetable for UPSC preparation, but those preparing for IAS at home may find it difficult to manage their schedule.
- Candidates preparing for IAS at home can find it hard to fix their difficult areas without coaching.
- Evaluation of descriptive answers cannot be done by the candidates.
- But this does not imply that the candidate should join coaching.
5 Proven Tips to Prepare for IAS Exam at Home
Most important points have been covered in the previous section to ensure that your UPSC preparation at home is efficient and result oriented. The 5 most important tips to note before and during your IAS preparation at home are as follows. These are tried and tested by experts and toppers.
1. Stick to the UPSC Syllabus
As the syllabus is observed to be exhaustive and lengthy, covering all topics for both Prelims and Mains is important. Make the syllabus your checklist, as it will help you plan your time well, and you will be able to complete the syllabus before the exam.
2. Choose the Best UPSC Books
Always choose quality over quantity. There are hundreds of books and study materials on the internet. Research and select the best IAS books to aid your home preparation. The books you choose should cover the whole syllabus and must be easy to understand.
3. Revision is Important
No matter how smart you are, if you do not revise, you will lose your chance at qualifying for the exam. Because there is too much to learn, make time for revision.
4. Mock Test is the Key to Success
Choose the best UPSC mock test online to practice and revise the syllabus regularly. This will help you fill the exam preparation gap and limits the negative marking.
5. Follow a Schedule
Planning is the most important part of your UPSC preparation at home. Preparing a suitable timetable for yourself is advised by analyzing your daily routine and dedicating most of your time to studying.
