Mock tests are an essential part of UPSC Civil Services preparation. Be it preliminary or main exam, giving mock tests helps aspirants to understand their mistakes, and take remedial measures. Writing mock tests can help a candidate to stay focused during preparation, remain consistent and evaluate his/her performance. The ideal number of mock tests and its purpose is given in the following section.
Remember: You should definitely solve past years’ question papers
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Number of Mock Tests Before UPSC Prelims
How many mock tests are enough for the UPSC Preliminary exam?What is the ideal number of mock tests that aspirants should solve? Before answering this question, try to understand the purpose of mock tests. The aim of mock tests includes:
- Improving your skills so that you perform better in the exam
- Finding out your weak areas and working on them
- Learning from mistakes and avoid repeating them during the actual exam
- Improving your speed
- Being able to think on your feet
- Help you to revise well
- Help you remain consistent throughout your preparation
If even 5 tests can help you in achieving the goals mentioned above, then 5 tests may also be enough. However, you should decide how many tests to take based on:
- Time available with you
- What is the level of your preparation at this point?
- Will you evaluate and analyse your answer booklets/keys?
If you have enough time, you should join the sectional and full-length test series and follow the schedule given by the institute.Note:
- If at any time you feel you don’t have time to do mock tests, you should definitely solve 3-5 years’ of past question papers. The previous years’ question papers will give you the right direction and perspective.
- There will be times when you may feel you are not prepared to write mock tests and you may skip these tests. You should avoid this and ensure that you follow the mock test series schedule and prepare well before attempting them.
You can attempt free mock tests on the linked page: IAS Mock Test 1 – UPSC Prelims GS Paper I
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