Sameer Goel, Rank 222 IAS 2023 BHOPAL SESSION

Summary

The 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.