How to do Prelims PYQ analysis?

Here, I am explaining what worked for me, you can give it a try and see if it works for you as well. This exercise consists of 3 stages actually.

Stage 1 (Most Important)

❇️ Pick official Question paper for a particular year after 2013 (not the topic wise questions but the official question paper). Keep the official answer key for the same with you. (Not the detailed explanations but only answer key)
❇️ Go through individual questions starting question number 1. Read a question, use your logic, arrive at an answer and match with the answer key immediately. Keep on doing this for all 100 questions.
❇️ After going through 2-3 years' question papers, you should start to have certain realizations including but not limited to:-
📍There are certain patterns in the answers which are repeating year after year. E.g. Statements with data are often incorrect.
📍Certain type of questions are being asked repetitively. (General Science, BioTech).
📍There are certain sections in the paper where you were unable to answer some questions back to back. E.g Ancient and Medieval History in my case. This realization is very important because if prepares you to deal with similar situation in the actual exam.

❇️ After going through few more papers, you should be able to establish better interlinkages between questions across different years. You may recall that similar question was asked some 2-3 years back and it had similar answer.
❇️ The more you go through question papers, the more you realise, discover and develop the so called elimination skills for Prelims.
❇️ Try to finish analysing all the question papers starting 2013 in a shorter period (2 or 3 papers a day) so that you are in a better position to be able to recall previous learning and apply the same. Our mind has finite capacity to recall things, so the sooner you do it, the better. Just keep the frequency optimal because overwhelming mind in one go can be counterproductive as well.

You may be wondering, why I did not suggest answer keys with detailed solutions or the topic wise questions?
The reason is, when we emphasise upon reading the solutions, we tend to lose the broad picture here. Since our mind is preoccupied with learning the micro details of a particular question, we tend to lose sight of the repetitive patterns. Thus, its better to utilize our limited focus to establish interlinkages.

Stage 2

❇️ Pick topic-wise or subject-wise questions and repeat the same process as mentioned above.
📍This would give you a better idea about the priority areas from where UPSC is asking the questions.
📍This would also help you realize how differential patterns emerge in different sections. E.g. Questions with 4-5 statements are often from S&T section.

Stage 3

❇️ Take a sigh of relief because this is what most people do in the name of PYQ analysis i.e., read solutions to individual questions post 2013.
📍Some topics or questions get repeated in the exam, so this exercise will help you deal with similar questions/ topics if repeated in the exam.

For questions asked before 2013, you don't have to focus on establishing interlinkages as most of them are factual questions. Just read a question, know the right answer and move on. If time permits, you can read detailed solutions, else you can skip it.

I will explain a bit more on the PYQ aspect in the upcoming post.

Credit Truly Stubborn

Tips for Mains Answer Writing

 By Avinash Sir. 

MAINS ANSWER WRITING: GENERAL TIPS for finishing paper on time while writing reasonably good answers

1. Time duration: for 10 Marks question, take 7 minutes. For 15 marks question, take 11 minutes.

2. Write in a bigger font size.

3. Wherever possible, write in points.

4. Wherever possible, try to depict information through diagrams/maps etc rather than writing long paragraphs. It will take less time while filling more space. At the same time, this will make the presentation visually more appealing.

5. Good margin on both sides of the vertical line (fills space)

6. Good margin between two written lines (Visually appealing)

7. Margin between parts and subparts of questions (for easy readability of the examiner). Give separate headings and sub-headings. It gives an impression that all parts of the question have been addressed.

8. Start with the answers that you know the best. Write them well. Then shift to other questions. However, always keep the time limit in mind.

9. Make sure you answer each part of the question under a different and clear sub-heading.

10. Introduction: start by defining the key term in the question. Then connect it with the relevant data/context/recent event/constitutional article/legal provisions etc.

11. Body:

• Follow the directives

• Address all parts and subparts.

• Give counter-view as well, for increasing the number of points and showcasing an informed opinion.

• Thinking from different dimensions—Social, cultural, economic, political, environmental, IR, historical, geographical, social justice, Governance and administrative, security, technological (especially the new buzzwords like AI, IoT, Blockchain etc), ethical. Just remind yourself of all the subjects in GS and you'll come up with some relevant points to write in the context of the question.

12. Conclusion: should show optimism/take govt stand/give solution in one line/reflect constitutional values/be visionary in approach.

13. How many points in one answer? There is no hard and fast rule as such. In general, 8-10 points (including all parts) for 10 marks question. Similarly 12-15 points for 15 marks question. If you are drawing diagrams, then you may manage with lesser number of points.

However, do remember that it will take some practice and then only you will be in a position to finish your paper on time while writing reasonably good answers.