GS Prelims preparation is all about how much how you study.Even though several aspects of the strategy differ from one applicant to applicant, there are some common in the strategy adapted by successful candidates .
4 to 5 hours of consistent preparation for at least 5 months is enough for preparing GS Preliminary/CSAT.
You get familiar with what the trend of the exam is
You can read the right content for each and every topic that you take
You will know what areas to emphasize with
To have your study material organized in such a form so as to facilitate the revision in the last minutes before the exam.
One of the major issues encountered by the candidate is due to the extent of the terrain of the GS Prelims. It can be resolved by dividing the areas into - Core areas, important areas and Optional areas.
CORE AREAS
Current Affairs, Indian Polity (Constitution) and Modern Indian history must form the foundation of your preparation on which no compromises should be advised. Not only most of questions in prelims are asked from such areas but they also form significant occupancy of Mains G.S. Paper-1. The analysis of question paper of last 4 years shows that current affairs section is getting more and more important year by year. This makes uninterrupted reading and compilation of newspapers indispensable .Various magazine are not at all sufficient; they can only supplement the daily self-made newspaper notes. While reading newspaper always keep a good Atlas to have geographical visibility because it will help in memorization because now a days more and more questions are getting location oriented e.g. instead of asking the venue of APEC meet they might ask you to locate the place on world map.
IMPORTANT AREAS
After the above core areas, next priority should be given on the Indian Economy, Geography and Ancient & Medieval history. In case of Geography, physical part primarily Indian physical geography is very important of the examination point of view. Map based questions and questions on locations, lakes, rivers, mountain ranges are become most frequent guest in the PT question asked by UPSC. Map of India should be printed in mind. Same strategy should be adapted for the world map albeit with lesser intensity. Economics along with basic concepts, study of Economic Survey and relevant chapters of INDIA Year Book would give added advantage and gives the competitive advantage to the students.
OPTIONAL AREAS
These are some tricky areas like Science and Technology, General Mental Ability etc. which on ultimate cost-benefit analysis should come later on the list of priorities. Obviously the academic background of the student would play an important role to decide upon this.
For students having a non-science background, it will become tougher time taking and poor output giving segment. The analysis of previous papers points to the fact that the questions related to these areas are becoming more specialized and less general so one should be cautious and opt for the focused approach. Also it should be kept in mind that one would be able to attempt questions successfully only if they have revised such areas thoroughly. For this NCERT unto 10th standard along with NBT's HUMAN MACHINE would be the good choice.
In case of General Mental Ability where questions are becoming tougher year after year. Here student should work on their strengths and weaknesses. For those who are not comfortable with mental ability can put it last on his/her list of priorities.
The whole idea is that the Prelims marks are not counted while making the final list of merit it just a entry pass into the process. Generally, a candidate scoring around 85 questions correct in GS is through with it. However, the ever toughening competition makes it mandatory to score 90+ correct questions to be on a safer zone. It also offsets the variations in cut-off marks that happen year after year. Furthermore, this kind of score also helps even if you haven't done well in the optional. Our experience says that over the years, General Studies has become the key segment as far as Prelims is concerned.
Right strategic approach along with Right Material & Right kind of Notes holds the DNA of success in Prelims.
Apart from focus on specific areas and subjects such as History, Geography, Science, Polity, Constitution, Economy, etc., the need is to walk an extra mile to be successful. It is essential to be vigilant and cultivate an attitude of being receptive to the events and changes that are happening around you.
List of some Must Read Books
HISTORY
Modern Indian History: NCERT 8th and 12th std.
Ancient and Medieval History: NCERT
Spectrum for Mains (make out the relevant portions for prelims)
Vipin Chandra Freedom struggle
ECONOMY
Tata Mcgraw Hill's Indian Economy section.
Pratiyogita Darpan special issues
Vajiram Notes
ECONOMIC SURVEY( Current year) and INDIA YEARBOOK.
POLITY
Our Parliament by Kashyap (for beginners)
Our Constitution by Kashyap (for beginners)
D.D.Basu
Bare Act
Vajiram notes (relevant portions)
GEOGRAPHY
NCERT Books of 6th, 7th, 8th and 10th
NCERT on Regional Geography
Atlas (preferably Orient Longman)
SCIENCE
NCERT books up to 10th std.
Human Machine (NBT)
Biology from Unique & Tata Mcgraw Prelims Guides (relevant portions)
CURRENT AFFAIRS and MISC
THE HINDU
INDIA YEAR BOOK
MANORAMA
GK section of Tata-Mcgraw Hill
A good competition magazine
