The UPSC civil services exam is taken by lakhs of people in the country every year. However, only a tiny fraction of them are able to fulfil their IAS ambitions. The civil services exam is, according to some, in a different league altogether because of its tough nature and the vast syllabus involved.
UPSC Civil Services exam is considered one of the toughest in India because of various factors such as vast IAS syllabus, the intense competition, the eclectic nature of the subjects involved and also the unpredictability attributed to the UPSC papers.
Through this article we aim to bust a few myths that remain in the air regarding the civil services examination.
Myths Associated with IAS Exam
- Study for at least 16 hours in a day – The number of hours of study a candidate does is not as important as the quality of the hours put in for studies. No matter how many hours you study, make sure that the quality of study-time is good and without distractions.The hours of study to devote depends on the individual. While some may find it easy to read for 14 – 16 hours a day, others cannot go past 6 – 7 hours. It depends on what the individual is accustomed to and finds comfortable.
- Only Academic Toppers can crack UPSC Examination – if you take a look at the list of IAS toppers every year the truth will be clear. The toppers of UPSC exam are among candidates from backward regions of the country with little or no scope for any kind of IAS guidance. Many toppers come from nondescript schools and colleges. In fact, many toppers were average or rather weak academic performers. All it takes in this exam is how a student approaches the exam, how he/she prepares for it, what kind of guidance is offered, and how diligently the preparation is done. Past academic performance does not matter. It has no bearing on the UPSC exam result.
- Read as many books as possible and make notes of every single topic- Although candidates preparing for IAS exam should read many books but this does not mean that they should hoard as many books as possible on a single topic or subject and try to read all of them. The best approach is to select some of the best books for different topics, go through them thoroughly and then revise them multiple times. Similarly, it is not as important to make notes on each and every topic. Candidates can read some topics directly from the source, this way they will save some time.
- It is impossible to improve writing skills – Another myth associated with UPSC exam is that candidates think that now their writing skills cannot be improved. candidates should practice answer writing while preparing for the IAS exam as this will help improve their memory power as well as boost their confidence level. Candidates should practice answer writing for the exam. It will help them learn time management, improve their speed, give them a feel of the exam environment and they will learn about their strengths and weaknesses.
- Candidates preparing for the UPSC should know everything across the board – Another myth surrounding the IAS exam and which builds stress in a candidate is that a UPSC aspirant should know and be aware of everything. No doubt, the syllabus for UPSC exam is vast. But, it is also defined to a certain level except for the current affairs part. And, even the daily current affairs can be covered by following proper methods, a systematic approach like reading important magazines, following RSTV programs, etc. is good enough. The exam does not have the intention to check the vastness of one’s knowledge. Instead, the UPSC assesses one’s understanding and conceptual clarity as well as analytical abilities.
It is often said by aspirants of Civil Services exam and laypersons alike that the UPSC exam is the toughest exam in the country. Some even call it the ‘mother of all exams’. This is because the exam does have a very low pass percentage. But, every candidate who has cleared the civil services exam will tell you that a persistent and dedicated approach, coupled with the right kind of IAS coaching will help you crack this exam easily. You can go through the details of the IAS exam on the linked page.