UPSC Preparation Strategy : Commerce & Management

One of the premium attributes that is required to ace UPSC CSE exam is a well curated and sorted strategy.

Since the UPSC Syllabus is a mountain to climb, therefore, it is logical for you to make a distinct plan and base your journey as per the plan made.

While you can make your unique strategy but to save your time, I have done that task for you.

In this section, I will be sharing the methodology regarding how to efficiently prepare for UPSC CSE Mains (Commerce & Management Optionals).

1. Start With the Basics

Like every journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step, the UPSC journey also starts with a basic step known as “referring to the previous year papers.” In my continuing tenure as a mentor, I have found that the exam is difficult but not that much as it is made out to be. It is the approach of the aspirants which is not systematic that makes it hard and ultimately leads to failure.

Let me elaborate this, when aspirants decide to appear for UPSC CSE then they take the first step by looking for guidance programs or coaching. In the fear of not finding adequate guidance, they fail to do what they can do by themselves- an understanding of the syllabus and past year papers.

First access the previous year papers of the past 4-5 years. Identify the topics that you are aware of or have studied before, that have been a part of these exams.

2. Find the right booklist

After you are done with the basics, it is time to scale-up and put focus on bookwork. Preparing for UPSC, it goes without saying that you would have to deal with many books.

However, you don’t have to become a bookworm. What I mean with it is that you don’t have to pick every book that has UPSC written on it. You know the syllabus and you have identified the subjects to initiate your preparation with. Now find out the relevant books of the topics and get on with the reading and learning process.

3. Follow the process for 5-6 months

Devote the next 5 to 6 months on thorough study. Plan out your route by formulating a plan to cover every subject of both Commerce and Management optional or just follow the detailed plan I have devised for you.

4. Start Answer Writing

After continuously studying there will come a stage when you will begin to feel like 50-60% of syllabus has been covered. This would be a cue for you to start practicing answer writing. Remember to make a note of this! Many individuals make this mistake and ultimately pay a heavy price. After you are done with more than 50% of the syllabus, you can start with answer writing subject wise.

5. Mocks will make you solid as a Rock

Mock Tests is one of the attributes that you simply cannot do away with. It is the ultimate method to check where you stand. Moreover, I think the role of mocks has always been underrated. The confidence to crack the exam, where does it come from? Mock Tests.

You can access the mocks that I have personally designed for you. Access UPSC Mock Tests Here.

There are two kinds of mocks that you can write in your prep – Firstly, once 50-60% of your syllabus gets over, you can start with chapter wise mocks. These can be created on your own or can be used through online guidance programs. I also carry out chapter wise and subject wise mocks between October to February every year for commerce and management optionals.

Secondly, you can take comprehensive mocks once your entire syllabus is finished. These can be taken between prelims and mains i.e., June to September approximately. Comprehensive mocks are also conducted by me online after prelims every year.

6. Constant Revision and Regular Feedback

One of the most repeated queries of students that I encounter every now and then is, how to proceed with the syllabus without losing what’s already been inculcated. The answer to this is simple- Indulge in regular revision.

If you are done with a certain topic then don’t get complacent with it, solidify it by revisiting it again and again. You can make this a weekly exercise. Plan and pick a topic every week for revision.

While revision is vital, practicing answer writing is as crucial as it gets. Not only you consistently have to write answers but also find a way to get your answers checked and get regular feedback. This way you’d know your weaknesses and how much you’d have to improve.

Follow this rigorous process and your syllabus will be completed in somewhat January or February. Provided you have started your preparation in March/April.

Let me share a link with you that contains the perfect way to revise. I call it ACTIVE REVISION. I can guarantee that if you change your study routine to inculcate Active Revision every day or every week, NO ONE can stop you from scoring 300 plus in Commerce and Management Optionals.

DOs and Don’ts:

Let us now come to some Dos and Don’ts for UPSC Commerce and Management Optionals.

While following the preparation strategy you need to be absolutely meticulous and have to continuously keep in check that you are onboard with the strategy. However, as it is a long process, it is easy to take a wrong turn in this impasse. Thus, it is important for you to be aware of certain Dos and Don’ts.

Note: The following dos and don’ts are suggested by IAS Manuj Jindal (2017, AIR. 53).

DOs

• Study for Mains first then prelims (eventually it all overlaps). You can study for one subject at a time that’s what I preferred because you have to do current affairs regardless every day. Your choice here.
• Concepts first, facts later. Don’t get obsessed with small factual questions asked in UPSC right away! If your concepts are clear, facts will be easier to remember.
• Focus on larger picture things, then come to smaller facts. This means that learn the story first, then the details.

Don’ts

• Get rid of things that don’t help you in your preparation. Stay away from distractions such as Facebook, Instagram, etc. Or use them for UPSC related study only.
• Don’t pick up random sources, random magazines etc. Don’t read two newspapers, it’s a useless act.

Study Sequence

To make it further convenient for you I am summarizing the UPSC Preparation Strategy and framing it in a way that would save your time and also check your ability to comprehend things.

1. Commence your preparation by studying UPSC Previous Year Papers.
2. From previous year papers, identify the subjects that you have addressed in the past.
3. Download the syllabus, and mark the subjects you have identified in the syllabus doc.
4. Initiate syllabus with these topics.
5. Focus on completing the syllabus subject after subject for the next 5-6 months.
6. Upon realising you have completed 50-60% of the syllabus, start with answer writing.
7. Appear in Mock Tests frequently.
8. Indulge in regular revision and seek continuous feedback from a mentor.
9. Dedicate yourself to this process for the next 6 months and your syllabus will be finished.

Source by: Preparation of IAS