How many mock tests will be sufficient for UPSC CSE Mains?
If you are planning to do a Mock Test for UPSC Mains and do not know how many is sufficient for effective preparation. This article aims to provide you with the information on how many mock tests will be sufficient for UPSC CSE Mains.
How many mock tests will be sufficient for UPSC CSE Mains?
The UPSC CSE Mains is nothing short of a tall mountain. It tests the depth of your knowledge, but more importantly, it demands an expression of that knowledge within the time constraint. Aspirants often find themselves asking one of these questions: How many mock tests should one take for UPSC CSE Mains? There is no single answer for this, but a little insight into these aspects and your needs should help in arriving at the number best suited for you.
Basically, having theoretical knowledge without the practical application of Mock Tests for the UPSC Mains is like training for a marathon by only reading about running techniques. That is why Mock Tests act as the most important practice sessions for the actual exam, giving you information about your stage of preparation, time management, and writing answers.
Why Must One Practice Mock Tests for the UPSC Mains?
Before we start talking numbers, we must understand why these tests are compulsory:
- Real-Time Exam Simulation: Mock tests help you simulate the pressure, time constraints, and even a little bit of the psychological aspect of the actual UPSC Mains exam and let you get acclimatised to the environment, so on the final day, you hardly suffer from anxiety.
- Time Management Mastery: The UPSC Mains exam is infamously time-bound. Hence, if you take mock tests, you will have to sit for writing full-length answers within stipulated times for each paper and, in return, develop speed and efficiency in doing so.
- Answer Writing Practice: Writing answers that are well-structured, analytical, and to the point is required for scoring well in the Mains. Mock tests allow practising various writing styles, becoming familiar with ways of presenting information, and garnering feedback on their approach.
- Familiarisation with Question Patterns: Although the UPSC does not generally keep the same questions, an understanding of the general question type, the weightage given for different topics, and the level of analysis expected is vital. Mock tests can provide this awareness, especially when designed by experienced teachers.
- Identification and Rectification of Errors: Knowing your weaknesses is not enough; your understanding must extend to why you are making mistakes. Through detailed analysis of the answers given in your mock tests, you can identify conceptual lapses, errors in judgment, or even errors in presentation.
General Informationistic Advice:
Since one answer fits them all, a very broad suggestion is to go for anywhere between 6 and 12 full mock tests for each General Studies paper and for your optional subjects for mains serious UPSC CSE aspirants. This means anywhere from 48 to 96 mock tests overall.
Here’s a quick look at how you can implement the above:
- Initial Phase (Before Prelims Result): Right after the Prelims examination, if you feel confident of qualifying, start with 2-3 mock tests for every paper of GS and your optional subject. This could give you an early assessment of your potential standing and areas that require immediate attention.
- Intensive Phase (After Prelims Result): This is the time to gear up for your mock test schedule. You should aim to give one full-length mock test. Every 1-2 weeks for each GS paper and for your optional subject.
- Final Phase (Exam): In the last month, just on the doorstep to the Mains exam, increase the frequency to closely simulate the actual exam schedule; you might take two mock tests (GS or Optional) in one day with a little interval.
The Plutus IAS Advantage:
Plutus IAS, a renowned coaching institute in India. The institute understands the role mock tests play in UPSC CSE Mains preparation. Their comprehensive Mains Test Series is cleverly designed to:
- Mirror the UPSC Pattern: The questions are framed to align with the latest UPSC trends, syllabus, and difficulty level.
- Provide a Detailed Evaluation: Experienced faculty suggest an internal evaluation. Your answer structure, content, language, and presentation pinpoint areas for improvement.
- Personalised Guidance: Plutus IAS generally accompanies discussions and doubt-clearing sessions on the mock tests. This would help aspirants gain more clarity about their weaknesses and strategies.
- Healthy Competitive Atmosphere: The environment of healthy competition is generated by taking mock tests. Alongside, earnest aspirants will also allow you to critically look at yourself and establish your performance.
CONCLUSION:
There is no magic number of Mock Tests for the UPSC Mains. But a well-structured series of 6-12 full-length tests per paper is a good option for most aspirants. These should be undertaken seriously, instead of merely focusing on quantity. Importance should be given to the quality of each test. Considerable amount of time is to be spent in analysing and learning from each test attempted.
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How many mock tests will be sufficient for UPSC CSE Mains?
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This article will provide you the information on How many mock tests will be sufficient for UPSC CSE Mains preparation.
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Rishutosh
Blog Oureducation
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