UPSC Prelims Exam is the first step towards fulfilling the dream of becoming an IAS officer. The syllabus is wide, encompassing almost everything under the sun. Since the exam is of objective nature, candidates can make use of some tips suggested by those who have cleared it.
Anupam Sharma, an IFS officer, is doing a great job by posting his analysis of questions from CSE Prelim Exam and offering certain useful tips.
In this question on ‘palm oil’, he explained how candidates can check if there’s any possibility of a statement being true.
23. Logical Tricks for #UPSCPrelims 🧠
— Anupam Sharma, IFS (@AnupamSharmaIFS) March 15, 2022
Do It Yourself (DIY)
Will post explanation tomorrow.
Image: Prelims 2019 Question#UPSC pic.twitter.com/C1gKZn2Nmh
22. Lateral Thinking for #UPSCPrelims 🧠
— Anupam Sharma, IFS (@AnupamSharmaIFS) March 15, 2022
Explanation pic.twitter.com/WnL7ue0BSw
You will find some lengthy questions in UPSC Prelims. Many aspirants do not attempt these questions thinking they might waste a lot of their time.
Anupam Sharma shares a trick here. Checking the Hindi translation helps at times.
21. Lateral Thinking for #UPSCPrelims 🧠
— Anupam Sharma, IFS (@AnupamSharmaIFS) March 13, 2022
* Like I told earlier also, don’t be scared of lengthy questions. Handle them with open mind.
* Check Hindi translation (On an average, it helps in ~1 Question each year)
Disclaimer: Risky, not for Freshers
Image: Q 2021#UPSC pic.twitter.com/xrNArKE5f2
In another question, he explained a few tips on guessing if the question setter has changed the data in the questions.
20. Logical #Tricks for #UPSCPrelims 🧠
— Anupam Sharma, IFS (@AnupamSharmaIFS) March 12, 2022
* Empirical Observation: There are good chances that data/organization are changed in statements, coz it’s very easy for Question-setter.
* Practicalities in framing Questions
Disclaimer: Risky, not for Freshers
Image: Q 2021#UPSC pic.twitter.com/QYyEul92wc
In questions where multiple statements can be true, he suggests understanding the psychology of the question setter.
19. Lateral Thinking for #UPSCPrelims 🧠
— Anupam Sharma, IFS (@AnupamSharmaIFS) March 10, 2022
* Practicalities in framing a statement
* Psychology of Question-setter
Disclaimer: Risky, not for Freshers
Image: Q 2021#UPSC pic.twitter.com/1tce0z2VD1
In a question about symbiotic relationships, he urged aspirants to look at the practical side of questions and not just give up because of the lack of bookish knowledge.
18. Logical Tips for #UPSCPrelims 🧠
— Anupam Sharma, IFS (@AnupamSharmaIFS) March 7, 2022
* We may acquire knowledge from any source (books or movies), more important is it’s application in Question(s)
* In most of the Questions, clarity of Basics is important even to apply the logical tricks
Image: Q 2021#UPSC pic.twitter.com/pCJQry0hOW
In some questions, you need to make a thoughtful guess. Sometimes, correlating questions & options may give us the answer.
17. Lateral Thinking for #UPSCPrelims 🧠
— Anupam Sharma, IFS (@AnupamSharmaIFS) March 6, 2022
Sometimes, correlating question & options may give us the answer.
Image: 2021 Q
I won’t call it a “Blind Guess”. At worst, it may be called a “Thoughtful Guess”.
Disclaimer: It’s risky, not for Freshers.#UPSC pic.twitter.com/MnqdYMT7fz
The elimination strategy also comes to the rescue when you are confused between some answer options.
16. Logical Tips/Tricks for #UPSCPrelims 🧠
— Anupam Sharma, IFS (@AnupamSharmaIFS) March 4, 2022
* Checking the options or statements properly
* Elimination
Disclaimer: Risky, not for Freshers
Image: Q 2020#UPSC pic.twitter.com/JgoPSARphr
I am not saying that you do not need to study and only these tips would help. These tips and tricks will just help you apply the knowledge you already have better.