How to Prepare for IAS in India
Become familiar with the syllabus for each exam., Understand the competitive nature of the exam., Begin your test preparation early., Choose an optional subject for which you have passion and familiarity., Read the newspaper every day., Study a...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Become familiar with the syllabus for each exam.
Read over the topics on the syllabus for each part of the preliminary exam.
The General Studies Paper consists of 100 questions and the General Ability Test contains 80 questions., Each year 5-10 lakh aspirants register and sit for the exam.
Less than 1% of the number of aspirants are chosen for the IAS., Check the current year’s schedule for the dates of the preliminary exams.
Several months of preparation should be done to ensure that you are ready for the variety of questions that may be asked. , You will need to become intimately knowledgeable about your optional subject.
Begin studying this topic early, and continue to keep up with the information through the end of the mains and interview. , Stay informed about current events from the local to the international level.
Focus on the economic and political sections without worrying about the entertainment news as much. , The IAS exams cover a broad range of topics.
You need to be well versed in a number of subjects to be successful.
Here are a few focus areas included in the Preliminary Papers:
Geography: both Indian and World Geography are important areas.
History: knowledge of key events and social movements is required.
Polity: the structure of the Indian Constitution, judicial processes, and international relations are all included.
Economics: micro and macro aspects of the Indian economy should be understood.
Environmental Science:
Climate, agricultural issues, and pollution should be studied in depth.
Arts and Culture: historical and contemporary study of Indian music, dance, literature, architecture, and painting are all covered during the exam. , Read over questions from old tests and familiarize yourself with the types of questions being asked.
The content and distribution of questions will change from year to year, but the general format remains largely the same., Although the mains can be taken in a number of languages, preliminary papers are given in Hindi and English.
It is important for aspirants to be well studied in Hindi and English., Because the IAS exams cover so many varied topics, reading books on almost any subject can be helpful.Review book lists from previous toppers.
Read classic literature.
Study non-fiction books of various topics such as historical biographies or , Find practice tests online to prepare yourself for the time limits and formatting of the test.
When you take a practice test, try to make the environment like the one you will experience on test day.Find a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed.
Set a timer.
Take the entire test in one sitting.
Review the answers when you are finished to learn from your mistakes. , There are 9 essay papers required in the mains exam.
Become familiar with the topic and language requirements for each essay., While the preliminary exam was multiple choice, the mains are composed of multiple essays.
Applying the knowledge you gained studying for the preliminary exam will be important composing your essays. , It is good to review what worked well in previous years to get an understanding for the type of writing and formatting used.
Read several papers by different people to get a broad picture of what was successful. , Continue reading the newspaper daily.
Follow local, national, and international events online to stay current on what is happening around the world. , Your writing style is just as important as the information you are writing about.
Make sure that you practice composing, formatting, and editing your writing to be ready on exam day., Prepare yourself to write your essay in the limit of 3 hours per paper.
Plan a strategy to format your essay:
Brainstorming Creating an outline Writing a rough draft Editing Writing a final copy , Seek out critical feedback on your writing.
Review what you have written and compare your original responses against the feedback to incorporate the suggestions of others into your future practice. , Two of the mains exam papers will focus on your optional subject.
Make sure that you are fully prepared by studying this informations of in depth., Prepare yourself to appear before the board by practicing answering questions with confidence and professionalism.Watch online videos of mock interviews.
Practice answering questions in the mirror.
Ask family and friends to interview you as practice. , Your appearance is important when you appear before the committee.
Be sure that your clothes are clean and fit properly to put forward your best impression during the interview., Listen actively and make sure that you are attentive to the questions you are being asked., The board members may try to make you uncomfortable with difficult questions.
Stay calm and answer the questions as directly as possible., Be prepared to answer questions on any subject.
Using the question in your answer shows the board that you are listening attentively and formulating detailed responses.
Be honest and open with the interview board to show your best attributes. -
Step 2: Understand the competitive nature of the exam.
-
Step 3: Begin your test preparation early.
-
Step 4: Choose an optional subject for which you have passion and familiarity.
-
Step 5: Read the newspaper every day.
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Step 6: Study a variety of subjects.
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Step 7: Review previous years' exam questions.
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Step 8: Polish your language and communication skills.
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Step 9: Read as many books as you can find.
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Step 10: Take practice tests.
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Step 11: Read the syllabus for each of the papers in the mains exam.
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Step 12: Understand how the Mains differ from the Preliminary Exams.
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Step 13: Go over papers and essays written by previous year’s toppers.
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Step 14: Study current events and happenings in detail.
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Step 15: Practice writing answers to last year's questions.
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Step 16: Practice with a timer.
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Step 17: Ask family and friends to edit and review your responses.
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Step 18: Review material in your optional subject in detail.
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Step 19: Practice with mock interviews.
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Step 20: Dress in a professional manner for your interview.
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Step 21: Make eye contact with the board member who is addressing you.
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Step 22: Be confident during your interview.
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Step 23: Answer questions honestly and directly.
Detailed Guide
Read over the topics on the syllabus for each part of the preliminary exam.
The General Studies Paper consists of 100 questions and the General Ability Test contains 80 questions., Each year 5-10 lakh aspirants register and sit for the exam.
Less than 1% of the number of aspirants are chosen for the IAS., Check the current year’s schedule for the dates of the preliminary exams.
Several months of preparation should be done to ensure that you are ready for the variety of questions that may be asked. , You will need to become intimately knowledgeable about your optional subject.
Begin studying this topic early, and continue to keep up with the information through the end of the mains and interview. , Stay informed about current events from the local to the international level.
Focus on the economic and political sections without worrying about the entertainment news as much. , The IAS exams cover a broad range of topics.
You need to be well versed in a number of subjects to be successful.
Here are a few focus areas included in the Preliminary Papers:
Geography: both Indian and World Geography are important areas.
History: knowledge of key events and social movements is required.
Polity: the structure of the Indian Constitution, judicial processes, and international relations are all included.
Economics: micro and macro aspects of the Indian economy should be understood.
Environmental Science:
Climate, agricultural issues, and pollution should be studied in depth.
Arts and Culture: historical and contemporary study of Indian music, dance, literature, architecture, and painting are all covered during the exam. , Read over questions from old tests and familiarize yourself with the types of questions being asked.
The content and distribution of questions will change from year to year, but the general format remains largely the same., Although the mains can be taken in a number of languages, preliminary papers are given in Hindi and English.
It is important for aspirants to be well studied in Hindi and English., Because the IAS exams cover so many varied topics, reading books on almost any subject can be helpful.Review book lists from previous toppers.
Read classic literature.
Study non-fiction books of various topics such as historical biographies or , Find practice tests online to prepare yourself for the time limits and formatting of the test.
When you take a practice test, try to make the environment like the one you will experience on test day.Find a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed.
Set a timer.
Take the entire test in one sitting.
Review the answers when you are finished to learn from your mistakes. , There are 9 essay papers required in the mains exam.
Become familiar with the topic and language requirements for each essay., While the preliminary exam was multiple choice, the mains are composed of multiple essays.
Applying the knowledge you gained studying for the preliminary exam will be important composing your essays. , It is good to review what worked well in previous years to get an understanding for the type of writing and formatting used.
Read several papers by different people to get a broad picture of what was successful. , Continue reading the newspaper daily.
Follow local, national, and international events online to stay current on what is happening around the world. , Your writing style is just as important as the information you are writing about.
Make sure that you practice composing, formatting, and editing your writing to be ready on exam day., Prepare yourself to write your essay in the limit of 3 hours per paper.
Plan a strategy to format your essay:
Brainstorming Creating an outline Writing a rough draft Editing Writing a final copy , Seek out critical feedback on your writing.
Review what you have written and compare your original responses against the feedback to incorporate the suggestions of others into your future practice. , Two of the mains exam papers will focus on your optional subject.
Make sure that you are fully prepared by studying this informations of in depth., Prepare yourself to appear before the board by practicing answering questions with confidence and professionalism.Watch online videos of mock interviews.
Practice answering questions in the mirror.
Ask family and friends to interview you as practice. , Your appearance is important when you appear before the committee.
Be sure that your clothes are clean and fit properly to put forward your best impression during the interview., Listen actively and make sure that you are attentive to the questions you are being asked., The board members may try to make you uncomfortable with difficult questions.
Stay calm and answer the questions as directly as possible., Be prepared to answer questions on any subject.
Using the question in your answer shows the board that you are listening attentively and formulating detailed responses.
Be honest and open with the interview board to show your best attributes.
About the Author
Matthew Graham
Creates helpful guides on home improvement to inspire and educate readers.
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