As a leading IAS Coaching Centre in Chennai, we’ve noticed that many aspirants wonder if it is possible to clear IAS prelims by studying in 100 days. The answer is yes. If you have the right resources and the right plan, the last three months of IAS preparation can turn out to be critical to an aspirant’s fate. Here’s what we advise to all IAS test-takers in Chennai when they are studying for the prelims exam in 100 days:
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Have a TTT strategy. It means focusing on textbooks, technique, and mock test series.
With such a short time, the key is to use textbooks that give you the best ROI and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) are some of the best. They provide the most clarity on topics. So, with only three months left NCERT books are the best way to prepare for the UPSC prelims. Instead of mugging up each and every word, try to keep the focus on essential segments.
Some other books you should prepare from are:
- Indian Polity – Laxmikanth
- India Yearbook by McGraw-Hill
- Environment – Shankar IAS Academy
- Modern Indian History – Sonali Bansal
- Indian Art and Culture – Nitin Singhania
- Science and Technology – Ravi P Agrahari
- Indian Economy Key Concepts – Shankar Ganesh
- CSAT Previous 9-years questions as per official key
As important learning and knowledge are, techniques are equally vital to clearing the IAS Prelims. Instead of mugging up the answers to MCQs from previous years’ question papers, focus on building exam skills like memory techniques, and question paper solving techniques. These techniques will help you prevent real mistakes in the exam hall.
One technique that helps a lot is intelligent elimination – where you remove wrong answers first. Use the 3-2-1-0 method in your mock test series to learn how to spot the incorrect options to get to the right answers. This will help you pinpoint the correct answer in the actual Prelim exam faster.
The last part of the TTT strategy every IAS aspirant in Chennai should utilize is practising mock tests. Sit for as many of them as possible to gain practice and familiarity with the exam.
Now that you are aware of the basic strategy, we move onto the month-wise tactic.
1. For the first 30 days, just study the concepts of the prescribed syllabus
Create an 8-hour schedule for each day and focus on one subject per day. This is a realistic and beneficial plan. If you prefer a per-hour schedule, then for each hour, pick up a new subject. An example is the first hour is for Geography, the second for History, the third for science and so on and so forth. Before you dive into new concepts of a subject, always do a quick run-through of what you studied the day before. This will increase the retention power of your brain. Always keep an hour or two for practicing previous question papers.
As the first month comes to a close, you ideally should have covered the entire syllabus. Plus, you should have a firm grasp of the MCQ style question paper of the Prelims.
Also Read: HOW TO BOOST YOUR MEMORY: STUDYING FOR CIVIL SERVICES
For the next 30 days, rigorous revision is the most essential tactic
From day 31 to day 60 of your 100 days study plan for IAS prelims, you aim to revise the entire syllabus and give as many mock tests as possible, including UPSC papers from past years.
Revision is best done from your hand-written notes or online notes that your IAS coaching provides. If you have not enrolled in coaching, look for free online notes.
For MCQs and mock tests, again the IAS institute is the best solution. Remember you can even enroll for just mock tests with coachings. The second month is also best spent on current affairs. So do read the newspapers daily but keep in mind to not spend more than an hour per day. GK books are another great source of news and general knowledge.
For the last 30 days, work on your mistakes and focus on core areas
The final 30 days of your preparation, i.e., day 61 to 90 have to be spent on analyzing the areas where you make frequent mistakes and resolving them. Also, find out what are your core areas and then work on them to improve your ROI. Also, make certain that your health is in peak condition by eating correctly and getting full eight hours of sleep. Lack of sleep, dehydration, and improper diet can do you more harm.
Keep your entire focus on the upcoming CSE. Don’t let your mind wander over other things. IAS preparation has to be one goal. By training your mind only on the test, you improve your focus and chances of clearing the exam.
For the final 10 days, try to keep yourself calm
In the plan to study for the IAS prelims in 100 days, the final 10 days can be harrowing. As the exam date nears, you get anxiety. Nervousness is a common issue. But that is natural. Don’t let the fears overcrowd your mind. Keep revising the syllabus, meditate to keep yourself calm, and keep up the current news. Do not study anything new at this stage.
In conclusion,
For a diligent IAS aspirant in Chennai, 100 days are more than sufficient to clear the CSE, but there are a few caveats attached. The time table and strategy you make for it has to be stuck to. Draw a realistic plan and then adhere to it completely. Only then will the tactic be fruitful.
A better strategy is to have a consolidated knowledge of the entire UPSC set syllabus before starting with the 100-day plan. A necessary foundation improves your chances of passing the IAS exam by a landslide!
Current Affairs Books for UPSC
The book of current affairs plays an important role in the preparation of any competitive exams. The candidates give more importance to the current affair books as they act as a major pillar in the exams, which includes even the UPSC exams. There are many questions which are asked from the affair books and the happenings having the economic, political and country’s social ramifications. In this case, one just cannot compromise on the popular books which help you to get extra knowledge on the general but important information of the country. These books are available easily and can be bought online too. List of most searched books will give a fair idea about the authors and streams in civil service examination.
