Congratulations! The Civil services Mains examination remains one of the toughest and most comprehensive examinations in the country. With two general studies papers, two papers each in two optional subjects, two language papers and an essay paper, it is the real hurdle in the year-long test process. The Prelims test your ability to know and remember. The format of the examination, with multiple-choice questions, demands substantial amount of cramming and is primarily a test of memory. It assesses your knowledge and elimination is its primary objective.
On the other hand the mains tests your understanding, which of course, presupposes knowledge. Hence mains by its very structuring is multi-dimensional in approach. It tests your ability not only to remember facts but also analyse and articulate them in relation to situations and contexts. Ideally, preparation for mains focuses on three major aspects:
1.Addition versus
2.Consolidation
3.Analysis Presentation
Addition versus Consolidation
This examination lays equal emphasis on both acquisition of knowledge as well its consolidation and processing. Ideally, one's preparation for the Mains begins about 14 months before the actual examinations. In fact, when you begin preparation for general studies for the prelims, you should prepare with the mains in mind. The acquisition of knowledge would take precedence during this period. While you focus on gathering and storing information, simultaneously develop the habit of analysing and preparing concise notes on relevant issues. Give enough attention to your opinions and check if they are logical and cogent.
Two months before the prelims
The focus till about two months before the prelims must be on building this repository of knowledge. The last two months of the prelims must be exclusively focused on addition to the knowledge source with an objective to be informed.
Immediately after the prelims
The four months between the prelims and the mains must be judiciously used since you have to cover two instead of one optional paper along with your general studies. But immediately after the prelims, one should revert to the process of balancing between additions of new knowledge to consolidation of what you have. The idea should be to progressively reduce the time you spend on seeking new knowledge and increase the time you spend on assimilating and understanding your knowledge stock.
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No
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Type
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Comments
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Marks
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1
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Compulsory Paper 1
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One of the Indian Languages (Qualifying Paper)
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300
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2
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Compulsory Paper 2
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English (Qualifying Paper)
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300
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3
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Essay
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Contemporary issues. Practise a few essays to get articulation right.
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200
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4
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GK Paper 1
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Always strike a balance between traditional and comtemporary subjects in these two papers. Give adequate attention to traditional subjects like Indian history, politics, law etc.
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300
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5
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GK Paper 2
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300
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6
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Optional 1 Paper 1
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Well defined syllabus. Do a trend analysis of areas which
have been given attention over the last 10 years or so
and intelligently plan your study time. Never, never
negelct any question/area.
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300
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7
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Optional1 Paper 2
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300
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8
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Optioanl 2 Paper 1
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300
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9
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Optional 2 Paper 2
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300
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The advantage of a good coaching centres is that they gather relevant knowledge for you, so that your search time is reduced. Do not worry if you cannot access a good coaching centre. Combined study with a small and select team of fellow aspirants would also do the trick effectively with lesser costs.
Hot tip: As mains examination approaches, do not hanker for new bits of information. Unprocessed information normally stands out as a sore thumb in your answers.
| Quick take |
- Select your best answers first
- Time yourself for speed and accuracy
- Make all mistakes outside rather than inside
- Begin visualising your answers
- Discussing with partners is as good as answering
- Never leave a section unanswered
- Finally, be confident
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15 days before the mains
This period must primarily be used to review the prepartion you have made so far. An ideal way to review is to skim thorugh the detailed notes you have made for each of the concepts and begin visualising your answers. Do not hanker after additional information. If you have a good study group discuss potential questions and answers. And cool off completely two days before.
Analysis and presentation
Always remember, Henry Mintzberg's two factor theory. Facts are the hygiene factors, if they are absent, are incorrect, you will be penalized. But sheer statement of fact will not fetch you good marks. It is your analysis that fetches you marks. There are three issues that you must keep in mind while preparing and answering questions.
Always seek to provide a new angle: This is a favourite anecdote of mine. A student, who prepared for Civils under my supervision, kept failing in the main examination. At the fourth attempt he came out with flying colours. When I asked him how he managed it he said "new angle". His optional was Tamil literature. There is a popular question to explain the trauma gone through by the characters in the Tamil epic Chillapathikaram. Normally students follow a chronological order in answering this. He went on to answer from the perspective of the characters. And that worked.
Hot tip: Remember you are not just answering a question, but addressing an examiner.
Develop a personal style
Never cram answers to questions, however good and appealing they are. Your examiner is a seasoned academic and can spot a reproduction miles away. Nothing irritates him or her more than a candidate trying to pass off some 'form answer'. So focus on developing consistency in your language and presentation. Never use odd words which do not fit into your normal writing just to impress the reader.
Hot tip: A personal style relaxes the examiner and makes him pay attention to your answer.
Construct an answer
A good answer must always situate facts at its core, and let conclusions or interpretations logically flow from these facts. But remember, relevance of an idea is much more important than throwing multiple ideas to show your erudition. The examiner is very rarely bedazzled by a meagre statement of multiple facts. It is the way you structure your answer and the organisation of ideas that are crucial.
An ideal answer must have
- An intro of two or three lines
- A catch line or two
- Elucidation of the idea
- Elaborating the same
- Validation
- Concluding remarks
Develop a neat handwriting
This might appear mundane, but it is the most crucial element in your success. A good handwriting lifts a good answer to great a bad one might bring an excellent answer to average. So practise neat and legible way of answering a question.
Civil Services examination is as much about consistency and capacity for sustained hard work, as it is about testing your knowledge. So do not believe someone who says, you can clear the examination with carsh courses. It is almost like appearing for three postgraduate examinations within a single year. The sheer volume of data that you have to gather and process is enormous. So structure your study plan well, work hard and have confidence. Good Luck
