Sameer Goel, Rank 222 IAS 2023 BHOPAL SESSION

Social Media KSG

13 Jun 202413:06

Summary

TLDRThe speaker shares their journey of preparation for competitive exams like the Civil Services Examination, highlighting the importance of a strategic approach. They emphasize the need to read standard books thoroughly, engage in multiple revisions, and utilize resources like previous year question papers for practice. The speaker also discusses the significance of staying updated with current affairs, the role of coaching institutes, and the importance of self-belief and confidence on the exam day. The summary underscores the value of a disciplined study routine, peer group discussions, and adapting to changing trends in exam patterns.

Takeaways

📚 The speaker started their preparation for competitive exams like the Civil Services (CS) during their formative years, emphasizing the importance of early and continuous learning.
🔑 They utilized the classroom program of a coaching institute for the Civil Services, highlighting the benefit of structured guidance in their preparation journey.
🗣️ The speaker found the interview guidance program provided by the coaching institute to be very helpful, gaining new insights and understanding the personality development aspect of the interview process.
📈 The speaker stresses the importance of adapting to changing trends in the exam format over the years, while also recognizing some static elements that remain consistent.
📘 They recommend reading standard books thoroughly, covering every page and word, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.
🏛️ For history, the speaker mentions reading specific books like 'NCERT' from Tamil Nadu and 'Spectrum' by Rajiv Ahir, underlining the significance of multiple revisions and note-making.
🌿 The speaker also discusses the importance of geography, recommending the NCERT books of classes 11 and 12, and the book by G. C. Leong, which is highly regarded in the preparation community.
💡 In terms of environment, the speaker mentions a popular coaching book 'Famous' that many aspirants read, and they also emphasize the importance of updated versions for current affairs.
📰 The speaker followed newspapers like 'The Hindu' and 'Indian Express' for current affairs, without making specific notes for prelims, but keeping abreast of the latest developments.
✍️ The speaker emphasizes the need for practice, suggesting joining test series and taking mock tests to adapt to new trends and improve performance.
📉 The speaker acknowledges the difficulty of the CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) section, advising consistent practice and not to get disheartened even if the initial attempts are not successful.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial experience with the Civil Services Examination?
-The speaker started their journey with the Civil Services Examination by enrolling in a classroom program for the IAS Foundation years ago when the UPSC formative years were just beginning, and they were also in college.
What did the speaker do during their college years in preparation for the Civil Services Examination?
-During their college years, the speaker took the IAS Foundation program and prepared for the Civil Services Examination, indicating that they were serious about their goal from an early stage.
What was the speaker's approach to the interview guidance program offered by the coaching institute?
-The speaker first did the interview guidance program with the coaching institute in their last year, finding it quite helpful and a good learning experience, including personality grooming sessions.
How did the speaker's strategy evolve over the years for the Civil Services Examination?
-The speaker's strategy evolved to include a consistent study plan that adapts to changing trends every year, but also recognizes some static elements that do not change in the exam.
What is the importance of reading standard books 'cover to cover' according to the speaker?
-Reading standard books 'cover to cover' means thoroughly understanding every page and word, ensuring a comprehensive grasp of the material without relying solely on notes, which is crucial for the exam.
Which history books did the speaker recommend for the Civil Services Examination preparation?
-The speaker recommended 'NCERT' books for history, specifically mentioning the NCERT of Tamil Nadu and the Spectrum book by Rajiv Ahir for modern history.
What was the speaker's opinion on the use of 'Lucene' for Civil Services Examination preparation?
-The speaker suggested that although some people advise against using 'Lucene', they found it beneficial over the years as it has provided direct questions in the exam, and it is worth supplementing with.
How did the speaker approach the preparation for the geography section of the Civil Services Examination?
-The speaker thoroughly read the NCERT books for classes 11 and 12, followed specific chapters recommended by Khan Sir, and also read 'Gshing Ling', emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive approach.
What was the speaker's strategy for the economy section, given its importance and their role in the Reserve Bank of India?
-The speaker prepared for the economy section by studying from the same sources they used for the exam, indicating a deep and focused study approach tailored to their professional background.
How did the speaker handle the preparation for the science and technology section?
-The speaker referred to the NCERT for science and technology, focusing on the latest chapters and supplementing with notes from the 12th standard NCERT, as advised by Khan Sir.
What was the speaker's advice on the use of newspapers for current affairs preparation?
-The speaker followed newspapers like 'The Hindu' and 'Indian Express' for current affairs, emphasizing the importance of staying updated with current events, especially for the prelims, mains, and interview.
How did the speaker approach the practice tests and what was their strategy for the final month before the exam?
-The speaker participated in multiple coaching test series, analyzed their performance, and focused on improving weak areas. In the final month, they recommended creating a chart for time management, balancing revision and practice tests.
What was the speaker's experience with the CSE set and how did they handle it during the exam?
-The speaker found the CSE set challenging but managed to score well by practicing regularly and focusing on understanding the exam trends. They emphasized the importance of not getting stuck on the CSE set and maintaining confidence.
How did the speaker deal with the stress and uncertainty leading up to the exam day?
-The speaker experienced stress due to not being able to clear the last year's exam and the uncertainty of selection, but they relied on their thorough preparation and confidence to handle the exam day effectively.
What was the speaker's strategy for the unexpected paper and how did they maintain their composure during the exam?
-The speaker maintained their composure by not losing focus, scanning all questions first, solving the ones they were confident about, and analyzing the rest to maximize their score, despite the unexpected difficulty of the paper.
What advice did the speaker give regarding the importance of not making mistakes in certain sections of the exam?
-The speaker stressed the importance of accuracy in sections like politics, history, and modern economy, as they carry significant weight and any mistakes could lead to a significant loss of marks.
How did the speaker emphasize the importance of trust in one's preparation on the exam day?
-The speaker advised trusting one's preparation level on the exam day, understanding that it is a qualifying examination, and not to get overwhelmed by the difficulty of the paper or unexpected questions.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Journey of Preparation and Study Strategy

The speaker begins by recounting their academic journey, starting with the Civil Services examination preparation years ago. They discuss the importance of the formative years of the Civil Services and their own college experience. The speaker emphasizes the value of interview guidance programs, personality development sessions, and the consistency of certain examination trends over the years. They also highlight the significance of reading standard books thoroughly, including history books like 'NCERT', and the benefits of revisiting these texts multiple times. The paragraph concludes with the speaker's approach to studying for various subjects, including history, geography, and science & technology, and their reliance on NCERT books, supplemented by other resources for comprehensive preparation.

05:01

📈 Adapting to Trends and Test Series Engagement

In this paragraph, the speaker discusses the importance of adapting to new trends in examination preparation and engaging with test series offered by various coaching institutes. They share their personal experience of taking multiple tests, analyzing their performance, and identifying areas for improvement. The speaker also talks about the value of peer group discussions for understanding common mistakes and the necessity of making informed decisions about one's preparation strategy. They mention the challenges faced with the CSE (Civil Services Examination) test series and the need for consistent practice to overcome them. The paragraph concludes with advice on how to utilize the final month before the examination, including creating a study schedule, balancing revision and test-taking, and minimizing distractions such as social media.

10:02

📝 Exam Day Experiences and Reflections

The speaker reflects on their exam day experiences, including the initial confidence due to thorough preparation, the momentary drop in confidence upon encountering the exam paper, and the strategy of tackling difficult questions. They share insights into their approach to solving questions, focusing on their strengths and areas of comfort. The speaker also discusses the importance of trusting one's abilities and preparation levels, especially on the day of the exam. They mention the unpredictability of the exam and the need to stay calm and focused, regardless of the paper's difficulty. The paragraph concludes with the speaker's thoughts on the importance of not losing heart, even if one's prelims do not go as expected, and the value of self-belief and perseverance in the face of uncertainty.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Journey

The term 'Journey' in the script symbolizes the personal and professional development of the speaker. It is used to describe the process of preparing for competitive exams like the Civil Services Examination in India. The speaker mentions starting their journey with the Civil Services many years ago, indicating a long-term commitment and a series of steps taken towards achieving the goal.

💡Interview Guidance Program

The 'Interview Guidance Program' is a specific course or service mentioned in the script that the speaker utilized to prepare for the interview phase of the Civil Services Examination. It is an essential part of the speaker's strategy, highlighting the importance of professional guidance in enhancing interview skills and understanding the selection process.

💡Personality Group Sessions

'Personality Group Sessions' refer to a type of interactive training where participants work on their personal development and social skills. In the script, these sessions are mentioned as part of the preparation strategy, emphasizing the importance of not only academic knowledge but also personal attributes in the selection process.

💡Static

In the context of the script, 'Static' refers to the unchanging aspects of the examination, such as certain topics or areas that consistently appear in the syllabus. The speaker suggests that despite the changing trends of the exam, there are elements that remain constant, which candidates should focus on as part of their preparation.

💡Standard Books

'Standard Books' are the recommended texts for various subjects in the Civil Services Examination. The speaker mentions reading these books cover-to-cover, indicating the thoroughness required in exam preparation. These books are considered authoritative sources of knowledge for the subjects they cover.

💡Cover to Cover

'Cover to Cover' is a phrase used by the speaker to emphasize the importance of reading the entire content of the recommended books for the exam. It suggests a comprehensive approach to studying, where no part of the material is left unexamined.

💡Geography

Geography is one of the subjects in the Civil Services Examination that the speaker discusses. The speaker mentions specific books and authors, such as the NCERT books for geography, which are used to prepare for this part of the exam. It shows the speaker's strategy of using standard educational material for exam preparation.

💡Economy

The 'Economy' is a significant part of the Civil Services Examination, especially for the speaker who is currently working at the Reserve Bank of India. The speaker discusses the preparation for this section, indicating the need for a deep understanding of economic concepts and their application.

💡Current Affairs

'Current Affairs' is a crucial component of the Civil Services Examination, which requires candidates to be updated on recent events and issues. The speaker mentions following newspapers and creating notes for this section, underlining the importance of staying informed and being able to analyze current events.

💡Practice

The concept of 'Practice' is central to the speaker's preparation strategy. It involves taking mock tests and analyzing previous years' question papers to understand the exam pattern and improve problem-solving skills. The speaker emphasizes the need for regular practice to familiarize oneself with the exam format and to identify areas of weakness.

💡Revision

'Revision' is a key aspect of the speaker's study plan, especially in the final stages of preparation. The speaker talks about multiple revisions of the study material to reinforce learning and ensure that all topics are well understood and remembered.

💡Self-Doubt

'Self-Doubt' is a psychological challenge that the speaker acknowledges in the context of exam preparation. It refers to the uncertainty and anxiety that candidates may experience, especially when results are not as expected. The speaker advises maintaining confidence in one's abilities despite such setbacks.

💡Strategy

'Strategy' in the script refers to the speaker's systematic approach to exam preparation, including the selection of study material, the use of guidance programs, and the planning of revision and practice sessions. It highlights the importance of having a well-thought-out plan to navigate the complex process of competitive exam preparation.

Highlights

The speaker started their journey with the Civil Services Examination during their formative years.

They completed the classroom program of a prominent coaching institute to prepare for the Civil Services Examination.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of reading standard books cover-to-cover to gain a comprehensive understanding.

They followed a strategy of multiple revisions and taking guidance from various sources, including interview guidance programs.

The speaker mentions the value of personality grooming sessions and interaction with mentors in their preparation journey.

They discuss the significance of static elements in the examination that do not change over time, such as standard books and topics.

The speaker shares their experience of reading specific books for history, geography, and science & technology preparation.

They highlight the role of current affairs in the examination and the importance of following newspapers and creating notes.

The speaker talks about the practice of solving previous year question papers and the insights gained from them.

They mention the trend of changing question patterns and the need to adapt to new trends in examination preparation.

The speaker advises on the importance of joining test series to understand the examination trends and improve performance.

They discuss the strategy of comparing one's performance with peers and learning from each other's mistakes.

The speaker shares their experience with the CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) and the importance of practice for this section.

They emphasize the need for a disciplined approach in the final month before the examination, including a balanced study plan.

The speaker talks about maintaining confidence despite the challenges and the importance of trusting one's preparation on the examination day.

They conclude by encouraging hard work and perseverance, acknowledging that the Civil Services Examination is a qualifying examination and not the end goal.