Prelims examination is the first phase of the 3 stage IAS exam. It is in this stage where the filtration happens the maximum. Each year around 4 to 5 lakh aspirants appear for this exam and only around 15,000 are selected to the UPSC mains exam.
In this article we will show you how to do the last minute preparation for the upcoming Prelims examination scheduled on 2 June 2019.
First we will look into the syllabus for IAS Prelims exam
Paper 1: General Studies
- Current Affairs
- History of India and Indian National Movement
- Indian and World Geography
- Indian Polity and Governance
- Economic and Social Development
- Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change
- General Science
Paper 2: CSAT
- Comprehension
- Interpersonal skills including communication skills
- Logical reasoning and analytical ability
- Decision-making and problem solving
- General mental ability
- Basic Numeracy
- Data Interpretation
Preparation phase upto May 2019
One of the best preparation plans for the upcoming exam will ensure covering the entire syllabus for IAS at least twice before May. This plan should also ensure preparation from the standard study materials and also daily current affairs from standard reference sources usually newspapers and government magazines like Yojana and Kurukshetra. Practicing mock test papers is also an important strategy and we advise you to practice from test series of at least 2 institutes which will give ample practice and also an idea to maximise your score.
For Paper 2 – CSAT since it is of qualifying nature, it is important to practice enough to get atleast 40% to 50% so that aspirants need not have doubts of clearing the paper. It is an important part which is considered for clearing prelims exam, hence neglecting this paper would be a bad idea.
Revision Phase – May 2019
Multiple revision is the only key to success in IAS Prelims exam. Revising the whole syllabus for IAS prelims exam is recommended and to make this possible, short notes has to be made by the aspirants while studying in the months before May. Not reading new topics in the static part of the syllabus for IAS Prelims will help in avoiding confusions and channel more quality time to revise already covered topics.
The only new content recommended to read in the month of May is current affairs and also the remaining mock tests of the prelims exam. Revising the practice papers of institutes will give you an idea of all the important topics from which the questions for IAS prelims exam will appear. The questions may not be exactly the same but it will be related to that particular topic. For CSAT, revise all the formulae and also continue practicing the mock papers so that you feel confident during the exam.
Concentrate your efforts to qualify prelims and appear for UPSC Mains exam which is the second phase of the Civil Services examination. You can subscribe to BYJU’S IAS YouTube channel and get daily news analysis which can help you save time on current affairs preparation.
