Are you worried sick with the changing pattern and not sure how to approach it. I can easily relate to you as just 2 year ago I was also in the similar spot, when entire mains paper was revamped. Anyway, I hope that this write up helps you in streamlining your preparation and eliminating your stress.
Notification for UPSC prelims on 23rd August, 2015, mains and personality test is out. 2 important facts:
1. Notwithstanding anything contained in this rule, any candidate who appeared in the Civil Services Examination, 2011 but is otherwise ineligible for Civil Services Examination, 2015 due to attainment of upper age limit on the crucial date for examination prescribed under this rule, shall be permitted an additional attempt in the Civil Services Examination, 2015.
In simple terms, if you gave the exam in 2011, you will be given an extra attempt this year, (i) if in 2011, you gave exam at age 28 (General) or 31 (OBC) or 33 (SC/ST) and are now ineligible because of age, or (ii) if you have exhausted your attempts (General/OBC).
2. The Commission will draw a list of candidates to be qualified for Civil Service (Main) Examination based on the criterion of minimum qualifying marks of 33% in General Studies Paper- II of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination and total qualifying marks of General Studies Paper-I of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination as may be determined by the Commission.
It is written thrice in the notification that CSAT-2 is qualifying only with 33% or marks required to be eligible.
Now when it comes to strategy, we have to consider 2 scenarios.
1. CSAT-2 difficulty level remains the same. In this case, almost anyone can secure 33% marks. Many of my batchmates had a score of 90%+ and even those who are extremely poor in maths, logic, analysis and reading comprehension, can easily get 50%+ marks. So, your entire focus needs to be on GS (CSAT-1) and only an utterly idiotic personality will spend even a single waking hour preparing for CSAT-2.
2. CSAT-2 is made extremely difficult (reaching at CAT level or beyond). Though this case is unlikely, but there is 5-10% probability of UPSC shifting to this trend. In this case, many of you will not be able to get even 33% marks and you will not be considered for the mains, though you might be getting 100% marks in CSAT-1.
So, in next three months, please read CSAT-2 for 3 days each in June, July and August (9/90 days, 10% of preparation time) so that you are not caught off-guard just in case UPSC throws in the surprise punch.
For rest 90% of your preparation time, you need to focus solely on GS prelims only (excluding answer writing practice, essay, world history, disaster management, international relations and ethics) especially on Environment and Ecology, Science and Technology, Art and Culture (you will get more than 50% questions in prelims from this section). For other details like book list, strategy, what to read, what to avoid and finally, how to prepare for prelims 2015 in its entirety, watch Demolish CSE 2015 video.
Post written by Roman Saini, follow on Twitter @RomanSaini
Sir i spent 3rd year of ny engineering in csat 2,,completed entirely n now its being made just qualifying..plz help..
ReplyDeleteDear Sudhanshu
ReplyDeleteNo one can help you. Only you can help yourself.
You have already covered paper 2. So now just study Paper 1 for next 3 months and get at least 100 marks in paper 1. I think that will be enough. Forget paper 2.
Good Luck
sir...my preparation is not satisfying so far...as m in d last sem of my pg..n m writing my thesis now which i v 2 submitt by july...m nt gettng much tym to prelare...adding 2 my condtn..csat paper is made qialifyng....plz guide me sir...wethr 2 appear or skip this tym...thank you
ReplyDeleteHey Leesa, THere is no point in skipping. u anyways have 6 attempts and nobody waits for 6 years to see the results...trust me....Use the best of the available resources ....and put in your very best into it......Focus on basics of GS with apparently 10% or less time for CSAT 2.......And go for it....Taking stress and getting your focus lost isn`t going to help anyways
DeleteThanx alot 4 ur sujjestns....ll try 2 follow dem
DeleteSir plz tell wat wil b d safe score fr gs......like if u practice previous year question paper nd mock test at wat score v shud feel comfortable nd confident...plzzzz reply...TIA....
ReplyDeletethanks a lot for this post... though the points mentioned by u were in my mind, the way u simplified it as spending 3 days per month on CSAT has given me a better idea on how to plan out my studies...
ReplyDeleteonce again thanks a lot for finding time for aspirants like me..
Hey Unacademy team/Roman, just change ur timezone to IST ...its set to EST as of now
ReplyDeletesir pls complete art and culture series
ReplyDeleteIs there any way to develop writing skills.did upsc will see the formation of sentences like adjectives verbs etc .my sentence formation is worst.Im worried about it.pls guide me sir.
ReplyDeleteawsm video
ReplyDeleteVry gud video....plzz make the 2nd part
ReplyDeleteu have taken a great initiative towards the transformation of education system of our society............keep it up...... hope in future u will also upload the videos of Guitar and Counter Strike.....!!!!
ReplyDeleteSir my question is
ReplyDeleteTalking about the total qualifying marks for mains, scoring more than 33 % in GS II (CSAT Exam) is of any help?
what score you consider safe for GS prelims 2015 to crack ,Roman?
ReplyDeleteHi roman, can you please provide ppt 's of these...its taking too much time too make notes from your slides..
ReplyDelete