UPSC Preparation: CSE preparation tips by Aman Mittal (AIR 20 CSE 2014) - Part 2

Aman Mittal (AIR 20 CSE 2014) shares his tips on preparing for Prelims (and Analysis of Prelims 2014), Booklist for Prelims and Mains (Compulsory Language Paper) below:

Tempo and style

Q. People know what books and syllabus points are to be prepared. But most of them lack consistency in their preparation. So, how do you keep study momentum going on? How do you fight against the mood swings and distractions?

Consistency in preparation is an important thing, but what is more important is that one should have faith in oneself throughout the course of preparation. I have seen people fretting over consistency and ruing over lost days rather than utilizing the time available at hand. Always remember that the present is the sum total of the past but the future will be the sum total of your present. So use your present effectively. 

As far as mood swings and distractions are concerned, I would suggest that people develop a habit of wide reading and read those things related to economy or history etc. on the days when there is no inclination to study. Also suggested is the use of apps which can be read off the block any time of the day to utilize time even when partying :).  (I am not endorsing parties during preparation)

Topic	Strategy/Booklist/Comment
History Ancient	NCERT
History Medieval	NCERT
History Modern (Freedom Struggle)	NCERT, Bipan Chandra, Samkalp Notes
Culture and society	CCRT, Spectrum, Unacademy
Polity (theory + current)	DD Basu, Constitution of India App, Sriram Notes, Samkalp Notes
Economy (theory + current)	Sanjiv Verma, Sriram( many random books, I had an interest in reading economy related stuff, even read piketty)
Science (theory + current)	Relax
Environment (theory + current)	Erach Bharucha, Notes on Conferences, Unacademy
geography physical	NCERT, Samkalp Notes
geography India	NCERT, Samkalp Notes
geography world	NCERT, Samkalp Notes(if they existed, had a common geography copy)
other national/international current affairs	Newspapers
Schemes, Policy & Filler Stuff	Relax

Q. Any observation / comments / tips about GS prelim 2014 paper?

The paper largely focused on environment and culture. The portion on economy and polity was simple and the aim should be to score as much in these two areas. People should focus on environment as the questions are more doable unlike culture.    

Q. in GS-Prelims 2014, there was unusual questions from environment and agriculture portion. If you were to give the attempt again in 2015, what new strategy / books / sources would you focus?

I would believe those questions were an exception to UPSC. I would continue with similar sources as previously mentioned though I would certainly like to read more from the sources I already had. Frankly, I rarely read the entire notes that I bought.

Q. Now that Aptitude paper has become qualifying, obvious more attention needs to be paid on the GS paper so apart from the books that you already have gone through, what else would you have tried for CSE-2015 (if you were going to appear)?

I would have gone for multiple online mock tests and ensured that I properly read the solutions provided given the paucity of time.(only a month left)

Q. Any observation / comments / tips about GS Aptitude 2014 paper.

I finished the paper about 15 minutes before time, though the comprehensions were a little tough.

Prelims Accuracy

Q1. Did you attend any ‘mock tests’? do you think they’re necessary for success?

Yes. I think mock tests do serve a good purpose as long as good solutions are provided and checking is prompt.

Q2. Approximate no. of attempted answers vs. correct answers. in CSAT-2014

	attempted Q.	correct (Expected)
GS	86	60
Aptitude	74	65

Q3. Your score in Prelims 

GS: 101.34

CSAT: 155

Mains: Compulsory language paper

Q2. Other observations / tips / comments on the length / difficulty level of compulsory language papers in CSE-2014

My compulsory language was Hindi and I have to admit that the paragraphs were a bit tough. But given that it is merely qualifying, a good enough Hindi is sufficient to put you across the barrier. Moreover, Hindi is my mother tongue, I have to know it sufficiently well to qualify. So, have faith.  

      

Stay tuned for Mr. Aman Mittal's tips on Mains Examination, Answer Writing, Electrical Engineering optional and other important stuff concerning CSE Preparation.
 

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