More mocks mean more marks

Sherry A Singh

The moment someone declares, “I want to prepare for Civil Services or UPSC”, people around begin either to advise or intimidate by talking about the woes of infinite hours of study, long sittings and invincible syllabus. A strong assumption is that it is more about reading, studying and completing the syllabus with further reading for more revision. Overall, the whole preparation becomes a cycle of reading again and again, revising same content or trying to cover current affairs and all.

In the midst of all this the importance of ‘testing’ is ignored. Even if it’s there, it’s more about covering each nook and corner of the unending syllabus first and then proceeding towards testing. Therefore, the journey of preparation becomes arduous, monotonous and takes a toll when results are not as desired.

A simple point to keep in mind during preparation (irrespective of the number of attempts) is, this whole study is about integration and interlinking one part with the other. For instance, current affairs needs to be interlinked with static portion. Similarly newspaper should be read in tandem with General Studies’ papers. The ‘compartmentalisation concept’ defeats the whole purpose of preparation.

Therefore, it is advisable to appreciate testing at initial stages itself as a part of studying, reading, revision etc.

Actually, revision itself should be done through testing. Going for test series can’t be the last destination in the preparation voyage. It must be amalgamated with in the study plan structure right from the beginning.

Let us say, after covering one subject, gauge the level of understanding by testing through questions. The more the number of questions a candidate solves, the higher are his chances of cracking the exam. It is simply not about knowledge or knowing more than others, it is about performance in the exam that makes the mark. Simply put, ‘More mocks, More marks’!

Remember, that during school time there were multiple layers of tests; unit test, monthly test, first term, second term, pre-boards etc., and this clearly shows that testing at intervals sharpens the skills to handle the final exam.

It is not to discourage or frighten rather testing brings clarity of proceeding further.

In nutshell, sketch such a mosaic of preparation which is inclusive. Keep this whole journey integrated, holistic and comprehensive. Just go with the flow by trusting yourself and your hard-work.

All the best!

— The writer is Senior Editor – Test Prep (Pearson)

A few points to be careful about while selecting a test series are:

• The quality of questions offered: Compare test series’ questions with previous years’ questions asked in UPSC exam both for Prelims and Mains. This would enable a comparison with a clarity if the questions are of UPSC level/type or not.
• Are the questions unique and original or copied from various other competitive exams? Remember, the real questions crafted from a topic or subject based on UPSC pattern will be helpful in honing the skills not just any UPSC look-alike question.
• Carefully, examine the manner of explanation given for the questions. Explanation must be hundred per cent correct with no scope of error, expressed in simple terms not in confusing words or jargons.
• Be regular with your tests. Avoid procrastination by concocting excuses to skip the test or postpone it. Just go and solve the test irrespective of how much syllabus has been covered. Avoiding will bear no result.
• While choosing Mains exam test series, it is better to consider who is going to check the test and the way it is going to be. Answer writing can improve through good and constructive feedback.
• While on one hand being on toes with some test series is great, on the other hand make a habit to self-solve a sizeable number of questions for any topic/subject before starting it. Be stoic while testing without going estray with emotions of getting good or bad score.