10 Tips for Students to Prepare for IAS Exam while in College

The aspirants who want to become IAS officer should start their preparation in the early age. Aspirants are expected to prepare for IAS exam with regular studies.  At young age the minds are fresh and energy level is too high to cope up in any circumstance. Aspirant’s minds are very sharp at this age they can grasp tougher things in less time. At this age every aspirant’s goal should be study hard and party harder and should enjoy every moment of life. At that age there is higher probability to clear IAS Exam. Aspirants need to be focused towards right guidance and preparation strategy. This article focuses on providing the input to the aspirants who are looking for right guidance for IAS exam preparation. 

Tips for the students 

11.       Right time for the preparation: Right time to start for IAS preparation is to do it with the studies i.e. in the college. Aspirants should start the preparation for the exam right after completing their 10+2 as the minds are fresh and can grasp the things quickly. 

22.       Prioritize your time: Realize that you have time constraints so there is high need to prioritize the time if the candidate is aspiring to clear IAS exam. Reserve the slot for study then only with proper dedication you will be able to clear IAS exam.

33.       Updated study Material for IAS preparation: It is very important to get the updated study material for IAS exam. Study material can be got through the coaching institutes or by referring the books. Coachinginstitute for IAS Exam can provide the aspirant with updated study material as per the latest pattern of the exam. 

44.       Enroll for Clear IAS mock test series: Candidate should take mock test to clear IAs exam. Coaching For IAS provide the candidate with all the material required to clear the exam. Apart from that through mock test candidate can get the information about the exam and the time it takes to attempt the questions. ClearIAS online mock test series is trusted source for mock tests. Aspirants should  not miss these online mock tests. 

55.       Utilize your spare time: As in college life many a times we are free for no reason so at that time find time to Install ClearIAS mobile app and study the same in your free slot. It will help you enhance your knowledge and expertise to solve the questions. 

66.       Be Updated on Current Affairs: Candidates should be updated on the current affairs. To do that reading is must. Candidate should read newspaper and magazines to get information about the latest happenings of the world. Discuss current issues with your friends to get more information. 

77.      Develop the habit of writing: Speed is must for competitive exams. Candidates taking the exams are well aware of how to write in the exam when they are in college. So this point gives them leverage over the others. 

88.       Utilize Semester Break: Aspirants should utilize the semester break and finish 1-2 subjects in that time. It will help them prepare and pay attention to rest of the subjects.

99.      Read toppers interviews: Best tip to prepare for IAS exam is to interact with the toppers and read their interview and follow their steps.  IAS preparation strategies keep on updating with that the aspirants also need to update themselves on the same and follow the toppers strategy to clear IAS Exam.

110.   Join coaching Institute: Delhi career group is the best coaching institute for IAS Exam Coaching. Updated study material, right guidance is provided by the experts of Delhi Career Group. Aspirants should join coaching institute to get detailed information about IAs exam and prepare side by side for IAs preparation. 

Follow these tips and ensure your success in UPSC IAS Exam.

IAS Exam Pattern

IAS Entrance Exam the toughest exam amongst all competitive exams is held by UPSC every year. This article will provide the complete detail regarding the exam pattern of IAS exam 2017 and the right scheme to clear the exam.  

For IAS Exam there are three stages namely

Stage 1: Preliminary Examination

Stage 2: Main Examination

Stage 3: Personality Test/Interview. 

Every year lakhs of aspirants fill the application for IAS exam and only handful of the aspirants are able to get through this exam. As IAS is not everybody’s cup of tea. Right planning and strategy will help clear IAS exam. Many aspirants join coaching institutes to get the input of the exam pattern and the study material as they are not aware of the exam subjects of IAS exam. 

IAS Preliminary Exam Pattern-2017

Prelim exam questions are of objective type or Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). ‘Negative Marking’ is applicable in the IAS prelims exam for each incorrect answer.  The IAS Prelims is conducted just to screen the aspirants on the basic knowledge

Paper	Duration	No. of questions	Marks
Paper 1(General Studies)	2 hrs.	100	200 marks
Paper II (Civil Services Aptitude Test)	2 hrs.	80	200 marks
Total			400 Marks

The negative marking of 0.66 i.e. 1/3^rd of allotted marks. In CSAT exam which is of qualifying in nature. Candidates need to qualify that exam with minimum of 33 percent to qualify to the next stage of the exam i.e. Civil Services Mains. Both Paper 1 and Paper II are compulsory. Marks of Prelims are not counted in the final examination. Blind candidates are given an extra time of 20 minutes for each paper in the prelims exam.

Exam Pattern for Mains:

IAS exam second stage is called as the Main Exam, which is a written examination and comprises of 9 papers. The 9 papers are as following Paper-A (Compulsory Indian Language); Paper –B (English) are qualifying in nature, while the other papers like Essay, General Studies Paper I, II, III, and IV, and Optional Paper I and II are considered for the final ranking. 

English Language	Qualifying	3 hrs.	300 Marks
General Studies(Paper I, II,III,IV)		3 hrs. for each paper	1000 marks (250 marks for each paper )
Essay	Merit Ranking paper	3 hrs.	250 marks
Optional Subject (Paper I and II)		3 hrs. for each paper	500 Marks (250 marks for each paper )
Total			1750 marks

Pattern for Personality test/Interview:

The candidate who qualify prelims and mains exam are qualified for the Personality test/ Interview are sent with e-summon by the commission to have face to face discussion.  In this round the members will assess the personality traits of the candidates and questions asked in this round are primarily relates to current affairs, general knowledge, hobbies and situational questions etc.  After 2 weeks of Mains result schedule is out and candidates are called for the interview. The Interviews lasts for around 40 days. Total marks for Interview is 275 marks. 

Selection Criteria for IAS exam  

Selection criteria are based on final ranking in Main examination (1750) and in personality test/ interview (275). After the candidate’s meet qualification criteria in Mains and Personality test the verification of the records are done.  

There are many coaching institutes that are preparing the candidates for written exams as well as for the interview also. Coaching institutes provide and teaches the candidate with the best strategy to clear the exam. All the study material are being provided to the candidates by these institutes.     

If you are aspiring to become IAS officer follow the eligibility criteria and be determined for the preparation. No one can stop the way of your success if you are passionate to get the position.