What to Do After UPSC Prelims? Preparing for Mains in 3 Months

Appearing for the UPSC Prelims in itself is a big milestone. But the real challenge begins as you start preparing for the Mains. A well-structured preparation strategy can help you get through the exam smoothly. In this blog, we’ll guide you on how to maximize your preparation in this short span using UPSC books, solved papers, and sample papers to ensure a high score in Mains.

Analyze Your Prelims Performance

Before starting your Mains preparation, spend 2-3 days reviewing your Prelims performance. Identify your strengths and weak areas, especially in subjects that are common in both phases like History, Polity, and Economy. This will help you prioritize topics accordingly.

Understand the Mains Syllabus and Question Pattern

UPSC Mains is descriptive and demands deep conceptual clarity. You must go through previous years’ UPSC solved papers to understand the pattern, marking scheme, and commonly asked questions.

Here’s how you can go about the preparation

• GS Papers 1-4: Revise core subjects and practice answer writing.

• Essay Paper: Develop structured opinions on social and economic issues.

• Optional Subject: Allocate dedicated time for in-depth study.

Use the Right UPSC Books & Resources

Selecting the right UPSC books can save you time and effort. Stick to NCERT books for classes 6 to 12 for strong conceptual clarity. Next, you must solve UPSC sample papers consistently to enhance your answer-writing skills. Similarly, attempting previous years’ papers helps you analyze trends and improve time management.

Develop Answer-Writing Skills

Mains is all about effective writing. Follow the Introduction-Body-Conclusion (IBC) format while answering. Our book, The Ultimate Guide to UPSC Essays provides you with a complete understanding of this format. It also helps you polish your essay writing skills and increase your speed.  

Here are three quick answer-writing tips for you

• Stick to the word limit

• Use flowcharts & diagrams where possible

• Support answers with current affairs and examples

Revise with Notes 

As there’s limited time left, your revision should be smart and targeted. Try to make concise notes and mark important points. This will help you revise quickly. Focus more on high-weightage topics and your weak areas.

Attempt Mock Tests

You must attempt mock tests daily to review your performance. It gives you the opportunity to figure out where you need to improve. They simulate the real exam pressure, helping you stay calm on the final day. Moreover, by practicing regularly, you improve your speed and accuracy. Above all, it increases your confidence and automatically improves your performance in the exam.

Stay Updated with Current Affairs

Current affairs play a major role in UPSC Mains. Stay updated through newspapers, PIB, and government reports. Maintain a current affairs notebook to note down important facts and figures and integrate them into your answers.

Conclusion

Cracking UPSC Mains in three months is possible with a disciplined approach and smart strategies. Consistent answer writing and regular self-evaluation will help refine your preparation. Keep practicing, stay positive, and aim to pass with flying colors!