How to Spend the Day before the IAS Prelims Exam?

The UPSC prelims 2023 is to be conducted on May 28, 2023. All serious IAS aspirants would be well into their IAS prelims preparation. Many of you would probably be feeling the heat a bit. It is natural to feel a little nervous and anxious about the impending exam. Apart from the actual studies, it is also important to take care of yourselves, both physically and mentally during the course of the IAS preparation.

Generally, a lot of aspirants feel queasy a few days before the exam. And this feeling amplifies a day before the exam. How do you deal with it in a positive manner? What to do one day before the exam such that your performance is not adversely affected and you farewell? This article gives suggestions as to how to spend the day before the IAS exam.

For details regarding the exam pattern, important dates, eligibility, etc. regarding the IAS Exam, candidates can visit the linked article.

Do’s and Don’ts for How to Spend the Day before the IAS Prelims

There are certain do’s and don’ts which aspirants must keep in mind a day before the IAS Prelims exam. Since the exam is conducted only once every year and the standard is extremely tough, candidates need to keep themselves calm and composed to avoid any kind of stress to excel in the examination.

Discussed below are the same points which a candidate must keep in mind so that they do not skip their opportunity as only a limited number of attempts are available for each candidate to crack the exam.

Things to do:

• Keep ready all the material you would need like the admit card, ID proof, analog wristwatch, pens (black and blue), pencil, eraser, ruler, etc.
• Keep aside what you will take to the centre apart from these like money, etc.
• If possible, visit the centre beforehand so that you know how much time is required to reach there from your place of residence.
• If you have studies properly for the past one year, this one day before the exam, you need not engage in hard studies.
• If you want, you can revise your hand-written notes.
• If you do not remember something that you have studies, do not panic. Focus on what you know and recall. If you are calm, you will recollect them during the exam.
• Relax and meditate.
• Listen to soothing music, chants or whatever relaxes you.
• If possible, don’t eat any outside food. You do not want to have an upset stomach.
• Eat light and healthy.
• Sleep well. It helps you to wake up all fresh and raring to go. It is natural not to get sleep one night before the D-day, but try to sleep. Do all it takes to get a good night’s rest. This is important if you want to perform to the best of your abilities.
• Read motivational quotes.
• Recheck the centre and the reporting time a day before to avoid any last minuted confusion

What not to do:

• Avoid eating unhealthy food or food/drink from an unknown source.
• Avoid asking your friends what they have or have not studied.
• Do not try to remember all that you have learned the past one year.
• Do not learn anything new this last day.
• Avoid negative thoughts like, ‘what if I don’t clear the IAS prelims?’
• Do not stay awake for too long a night before the examination as it may make the applicant lazy and sleepy on the day of the exam
• Skip last-minute revisions and only keep your mind composed
• Do not carry unwanted and unnecessary item along with you at the exam centre as nothing apart from the instructed things are allowed to be taken inside the exam centre
• Do not forget to recheck your examination centre address. Plan your travel to the centre so that you are not reaching there at the last moment.
• Do not forget to check the UPSC website once again before a day of the scheduled exam for any minor/major update. Do not miss any of the instructions mentioned on their site.

All these points will help a candidate reach the exam centre with a fresh mind, with no confusion and also boost their confidence before the exam is held.

Aspirants who are looking forward to applying for the upcoming IAS exam can check the detailed UPSC Syllabus for the prelims and mains examination at the linked article.

To get any further information about the latest exam updates, study material or preparation tips, candidates can turn to BYJU’S for assistance.