IAS Exam: Studying Hard vs. Preparing Smart

IAS Exam: Studying Hard vs. Preparing Smart- Well, when it comes to the IAS Exam, you can choose to study in the hardest way possible. But it’s important to note that no matter how hard you study, there’s no guarantee that you will crack the exam. Instead of burning the midnight oil, it’s time to start preparing smart for the IAS Exam. Being smart in your preparation is essential to achieve success.

Studying Hard:

Studying hard is not enough. Exhausting yourself endlessly without a purpose is not a feasible approach. You can try studying hard for 14-15 hours every day, but you won’t be able to maintain that schedule for more than 3-4 days. Studying hard alone is not the key to cracking the IAS Exam.

Preparing Smart:

Preparing smart for the IAS Exam involves more than just studying hard. Simply reading books won’t be sufficient to succeed. If that were the case, every IAS aspirant would study for 15 hours every day and crack the exam. But the reality is different. Preparing smart is the winning approach. It increases your chances of clearing the IAS Exam and outperforms studying hard. Many aspirants fail to crack the exam despite repeated attempts.

How does preparing smart help?

Preparing smart involves focusing more on the goal. It’s important to study hard, but the hard work should be directed towards achieving the target. Preparing smart is what will enable you to crack the Civil Services Exam and score higher than the competition. It increases your chances of joining the Indian Administrative Services.

What makes successful candidates join the IAS?

Preparing smart is not a Herculean task, although it may seem that way at first. Only a few candidates are successful in the CSE result, and even fewer are asked by the Union Public Service Commission to join the Indian Administrative Service. UPSC assesses the complete personality of candidates before making recruitments. A smart preparation that helps candidates crack the exam and score higher is what makes them join the IAS.

How to prepare Smart for the IAS Exam?

Here are some tips for preparing smart:

1. Prioritize tasks: A smart candidate prioritizes tasks and focuses only on what is relevant to the exam. Reading the entire newspaper is not necessary. Identify relevant sections and prioritize your reading accordingly.

2. Avoid procrastination: Implement tasks in the planned sequence. Procrastination will only decrease your confidence. Allocate enough time for revisions and avoid delaying tasks.

3. Be selective: Know what to study and what not to. It’s impossible to study everything, so stick to the UPSC syllabus. Avoid distractions and focus on the syllabus within the given time frame.

4. No fixed model: There is no perfect model for preparing for the IAS Exam. Each candidate will have different requirements. Make your own decisions based on what works best for you.

5. Self-awareness: Self-awareness plays a crucial role in preparation. Assess your language proficiency, availability for classes, ability to stay focused, and resistance to peer pressure. Make decisions that align with your goals and requirements.

6. Employ smart strategies: Use memory sharpening techniques, solve past year’s question papers, seek clarification for doubts, revise frequently, take care of your health, and avoid negative influences.

Preparing smart for the IAS Exam gives you a competitive edge over studying hard alone. Prioritize tasks, avoid procrastination, be selective in your study material, understand your requirements, and employ smart strategies. With smart preparation, you increase your chances of cracking the IAS Exam and achieving your goal of joining the Indian Administrative Services.