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- Wk #37: Four Ways to Use the Mains 2022 Question Papers in Your Prep
Wk #37: Four Ways to Use the Mains 2022 Question Papers in Your Prep
Dear Aspirant,
Hope you had a productive week!
Welcome to the new Subscribers of this Newsletter :)
We are currently a group of 200+ aspirants striving to be consistent in our preparation and adopt the most effective methods in our prep. I have shared below my thoughts about using the Mains 2022 Question paper.
Do read through and let me know your perspectives. I would love to hear from you!
From Sep 16-18, 2022, the much-awaited Mains 2022 exam was conducted by UPSC.
Most aspirants tend to glance at the questions and then leave them aside. The general hype cycle might remain for a few more days. But no amount of reading opinions about the paper will help you as much as analyzing it yourself.
To beat the competition, you must do what 99% of aspirants might ignore.
Let's understand four ways to use the precious Mains 2022 Question Paper.
1. Identify Static Vs Dynamic Questions
Pick up the GS 1-3 Question papers and segregate the questions into static and dynamic. For example in the GS-1 paper:
Static Questions - Deccan Trap, Primary Rocks and Contributions of Chola to heritage.
Dynamic Questions - WFH and Culture of consumption.
Check if you are able to write an average answer to all the static questions. Identify sub-sections where you have no clue about the topic.
2. Observe the bouncer-type questions
Every year there will be 1-2 bouncer questions in each paper. You may not write a great answer here. But are you aware of the basic concepts related to these questions?
For example, the Cellulose question in GS-3 might be tough for commerce/arts background students. But do you have at least the basic idea about what is cellulose? If you have no clue, you need to revisit your NCERTs.
3. Check the sufficiency of your notes
Are your notes able to cover at least 80% of the questions asked? This is a good time to review your notes. You may not have exact notes for all the questions asked. If you have the notes for the core ideas, it should be helpful.
4. Use analysis to make changes to your prep
Having done the above analysis, modify your preparation plan to cater to the demand of UPSC. If you observe the syllabus and the questions asked, you will notice the high degree of alignment adhered to by UPSC. This year's paper also reaffirms the importance of the PYQs
Let PYQs and the UPSC Syllabus be your Golden Compass 🧭
My Previous Week's Scores
Quote that Inspired me
When nothing seems to help, I go and look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred and first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not that blow that did it, but all that had gone before. - Jacob Riis
Wishing you a productive and peaceful week ahead :)
See you again next Monday :)
Best Regards,
Satya