One Week Before UPSC Civil Services Prelims Exam

The UPSC civil services exam preparation is intense and it takes almost a whole year. Perhaps the most important time in the entire year is the last week before the IAS prelims exam. This can be a tricky time with too many emotions running through your head. You might feel like a nervous wreck and also a little relieved that at least one barrier towards your IAS dream is going to get over. For those who are confused as to how to spend this last one week before the D-day, that is, 28th May 2023 when the UPSC prelims would be held, read this article for a few tips on the do’s and the don’t’s of the last week preparation.

Prepare for UPSC Prelims Smartly

There are a few aspects of the UPSC 2023 exam preparation which every aspirant should keep in mind, a week before the prelims:

What to study a week before Prelims?

Focus on what areas you think need more focus. At this juncture, do not focus on your strong points since you would be well-versed in them. You would have already identified your weak points. Revise them really well. Ensure you revise your notes during this last week.

A schedule is very important in planning your topics on a daily basis. Check the number of days remaining for the exam and allocate topics accordingly, followed by practice questions. Focus on solving questions once your theory part is done. This ensures your fair understanding of the concepts and helps you boost your speed and accuracy.

Use the short notes you made during revision time to go through all of the relevant formulae and theories again. Studying these brief notes will allow students to completely review all of the chapters’ main themes in a short period of time. Reading through the brief notes allows candidates to easily scan all of the main formulae and theories in each topic without skipping any areas. Examine the portions of the DSSSB exam that have been given additional weightage and plan appropriately.

What not to study a week before Prelims?

Do not study anything new now. It is too late and can be detrimental to your otherwise good preparation. Also, do not focus on current affairs now.

How to take care of your health?

This is perhaps the most important thing to do during the last week. Do not be acrobatic when it comes to exercising. You do not want to injure yourself. Also, eat light but healthy. You should take care not to fall sick. For if you do, it will add to your anxiety; you will wonder if you would be able to take the exam in the first place. Also, your attention will be diverted from the exam to your ailing body.

How to ensure you do not lose it?

It is also possible that you lose your calm and start panicking when you think of the IAS prelims. It is a normal reaction but you must ensure you don’t go overboard. Meditate for a few minutes every day. Relax and think only positive thoughts. Remove negativity from your thoughts and your words.

No amount of preparation can help if you let anxiety get the better of you during the last week.

For UPSC Notification, check the linked article.

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