I admit that I was initially very disappointed as I left a very good job to prepare for the exams but the revelation of the mistakes I made and the areas I need to focus on, support of friends and family, Belief in God and my dream of becoming an IAS officer has immensely helped me in devising ways to keep myself motivated.
Immediately after the Prelims result, I started looking for jobs in a frenzy as I had no hope left. However the support of my friends and family made me reconsider my decision. I started thinking as a 35 year old who is working in some MNC or Law Firm (am a law graduate) and sadly gazing back on the years and thinking why I didn't take another shot at my dream when I was half-prepared. I decided to stop looking for jobs after that and eventually turned down a few good offers. Instead I joined Career Launcher LST team as a faculty and started teaching law to the students who would be appearing for CLAT (Combined Law Admission Test). The experience has done wonders for me as my confidence is boosted, am in touch with one of my optionals (law) and I get to interact with many people who are preparing for Civil services. This keeps me on my toes. I managed my schedule and have started taking my preparations more seriously. Though there is scope for a massive improvement.
Recounting the mistakes made in 2011 and strategy adopted for 2012, I consider the following points as instrumental in preparations:-
(a) Reading and making notes from The Hindu on a daily basis: In 2011, I ignored this aspect. I read newspapers in a broken manner (read it for few days then kept on collecting them to read on weekend which I eventually didn't). So now I make a point to read it on a daily basis and make notes from it. I dont keep cuttings (but of very important articles) as they are cumbersome from a revision point of view. Instead I make notes on my Computer under varied headings like International Affairs, Business and Policies, Science and Technology, Editorials, Sports, Awards and Prizes, IT etc. I make notes on a monthly basis and my endeavor is to revise them 4-5 times before I sit for prelims.
(b) I have also realized that a plain reading of facts and news is of no worth. One needs to go into detail and cover all potential questions. For instance: I come across the term 'Qualitative easing' while reading the newspaper. I have some idea what it is but unaware of the details. So I google up the term, read articles on it and then I have a better idea of the concept. I come across terms like liquidity trap, sterilization and I read up on them. So at the end of it I have a fair idea what Q.E is and how it influences an economy (whether infaltion or deflation etc.).
So when I read newspapers ( Only Hindu) I try to zero in on all terms that though common have something deeper attached to them. Take another instance of NATO bombings. We all know what NATO is but reading an article on the the same only increases our knowledge and makes us prepared for statements like "NATO can wage a war only above Tropic of Cancer". (True or False). This approach helps me prepare in detail for questions where three-four statements are provided and you need to point out which all are correct.
(c) Another vital point that I missed last time was revising current affairs. I read up the newspapers, magazines; marked the points and then didn't revise it thoroughly. It was a big mistake and I came across many questions of which I had read earlier but was not able to answer. So revision is 70% of your preparation. Whatever you read, revise it. Keep the cuttings in a folder, make a word document or write down notes. But do revise them once every fortnight so that you don't forget what you've read. Also making notes is more helpful as newspapers cover an issue over a period of time (say Mullaperiyar Dam) and when you make notes, you can just add on to your existing data. That way you end up with a comprehensive covering of any topic.
(d) Solving Test Papers - It is by far one of the most important aspects of the preparation. It helps you assess your preparation and have an idea if you are on the right track. Solving of papers in real time with a clock in front of you in an examination kind of mood helps in gaining more confidence at the time of exam as you are already mentally ordained with the idea. I have not started solving test papers yet. I plan to entirely focus on them from March 10-March 20. The idea behind is that I want to revise thoroughly what I've read till now and then would attempt them. Even if I fall short of my expectations, I have another month and a half to perfect my preparation.
(e) CSAT - Perhaps my biggest mistake last time was not solving problems for Maths and DI. As a humanities students and a law graduate, I have been out of touch with maths since class X. I was above average at maths till Class X and though I solved a few problems of each section before the exams, I never took care of solving a bunch of questions in limited time. I paid a price for this big time. Practice is a must. I was able to solve all questions after exam but at the time of exams I couldn't manage my time. Hence solving test papers is a vital requirement for both GS and CSAT.
(f) Finally coming to the list of books am referring for Prelims this year. I find it much rewarding to reading a book over and over rather than reading 4-5 books only once.
(1) Geography - NCERT from Class VI-XII. Leong on World geography. Articles on internet.
(2) History - NCERT Modern India, Ancient India and Medieval India (Class XI-XII). Bipin Chandra (both books). Sumit Sarkar (Modern India). Romila Thapar and AL Basham (Ancient India). Rizvi and Satish Mishra (Medieval India). YOU NEED NOT READ ALL OF THESE. HISTORY IS ONE OF MY OPTIONALS AND HENCE I'VE READ ALL THESE BOOKS.
(3) Polity - DD Basu and VN Shukla. AGAIN THERE IS NO NEED TO READ VN SHUKLA. Law is my other optional and that is why I've read VN Shukla. For GS purposes DD Basu is suffice.
(4) Economy - Economics (Class XI-XII), Uma Kapila on Performance and Policies, Economic Survey. Also substantiate it from your reading of economic/business affairs in newspapers and magazines.
(5) Environment - Internet. I make a list of topics and refer them over internet. By reading I come across more topics and I try to cover them too.
(6) Current Affairs - The Hindu, Competition Wizard, Frontline.
(7) CSAT - Quantum CAT by Arihant. Plus I've a few materials on the same.
I wish that you all learn from the mistakes that I made and take due steps in your preparations to counter such.
All the best!!!
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