The UPSC that conducts the Civil Services Examination takes almost a year to complete the examination process. There is an interval of almost 2.5 to 3 (approx.) months between the preliminary and the main examination. This is the most crucial time that a candidate has before the main examination and hence it must be optimally used. The interval between the two stages can be a game changer for candidates if utilized properly.
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Factors to be considered before starting UPSC Main Exam Preparation
Time is an important factor that can affect a candidate’s preparation. Even though there is a comprehensive syllabus for the IAS Exam., aspirants have to go through a plethora of information given in books, newspapers, magazines and other study materials. Depending on the stage of the exam, some topics have to be covered extensively and others intensively. Revision and answer writing practice are the key factors that determine the selection and rank of candidates. Therefore, before finding an answer to the question i.e. “How long should I wait after prelims to start preparing for UPSC Mains?”, you should ask yourself the following questions:
- Have I finished studying all/most of the topics given in the syllabus?
- Have I revised the topics multiple times?
- Can I recall what I have learned?
Based on the answers that you have for the aforementioned questions, you can determine how long you can wait to start your preparation for the main examination. However, ideally you should not take more than a week (maximum time) to start your preparation after your prelims exam. The more time you spend on waiting for the preliminary exam results, you will lose the precious preparation time for the main examination.
Should I start preparing for the main examination after the declaration of the prelims results?
The 2021 preliminary exam was conducted on October 10, 2021 and its result was declared on October 29, 2021. So it takes about 3 weeks to get the prelims result. If you start your preparation after the declaration of results, you will lose close to 15-20 days. Therefore, don’t wait for the prelims result!
Take a break of 2-3 days and start your main exam preparation, even though you may not be confident of the results. Remember that the preliminary examination is only a screening test and the main exam and personality test is what determines your selection. If you don’t start preparing early for the main examination, you may feel disappointed later about the time not well-spent on mains preparation.
Points to Remember: Mains Preparation Strategy
- If you have enough time, prepare for the prelims and main exam simultaneously, as there is overlap between preliminary and main exam areas.
- If you are a working professional and there is paucity of time, focus on a particular exam at a time.
- Don’t wait for the declaration of the prelims results to start studying for the next stage.
- Each day after the prelims exam is important for aspirants. Use the available time wisely and adopt a judicious approach towards main exam preparation.
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