@Palak, hey palak, thanks for your contribution to this thread. I have couple of questions for you. Is it possible to shine in civil services exam without taking coaching for it? And how do you rate the toughness in term of competition of this exam in comparision to an exam like CAT? Thanks in advance.
Yes, it is possible to "shine" without coachings.
Don't compare CAT and UPSC or any other examinations. They all have different content and you have to prepare them keeping in mind what they ask and want from you. Definitely UPSC is tough exam to crack but CAT has its toughness as well.
Don't compare CAT and UPSC or any other examinations. They all have different content and you have to prepare them keeping in mind what they ask and want from you. Definitely UPSC is tough exam to crack but CAT has its toughness as well.
Thanks for the reply, the reason I asked the question is that I managed to do pretty well in CAT, so was just trying to evaluate my chances for this exam based on that, though I understand that its tough to compare exams.
P.S. Thanks for putting the word shine inside commas.
Thanks for the reply, the reason I asked the question is that I managed to do pretty well in CAT, so was just trying to evaluate my chances for this exam based on that, though I understand that its tough to compare exams.
P.S. Thanks for putting the word shine inside commas.
CAT and UPSC are different exams. Though UPSC will have CSAT from next year but still there is one more paper called General Studies which you will need to crack and if you can work on that then you have fair chances.
I can't tell you to take any subject because of the simple reason that I don't want to share the blame if you did not succeed.
There are many subjects you can select. But the selection should be based on your interest and availability of resources in the market.
You need to choose the optional based on following criteria:- 1. Your interest in the subjects - The subjects should be interesting because you have to stick with them till the exams are over ie nearly more than a year. To find whether you are interested in the subject or not take the NCERT book of that subject read its first few chapters, if you find it really interesting, then you can take up that subject.
2. Your graduation- To take up a technical subject like Medicinal science, physics, chemistry, zoology etc its necessary that you've at least done graduation in that subject. But at the same time, don't take the preparation lightly, just because you've studied it at graduation level , being a graduate in a particular subject doesn't automatically guaranty success in UPSC- if it was true then all IAS officers would be IIT grads. You've to continuously keep preparing and revising your subject.
Be aware of following myths. You will not want to choose subjects based on the following notions:-
1. Scoring - People say, "A certain subject is scoring." Mind you, this is a myth. Because UPSC follows a statistical formula to put all the students on common marking scale after Mains exam. ie. After applying that formula, the literature student will gain few marks, and the maths (or any other technical scoring subject) guy will lose some marks- and then they all will be put on a common marking list from that UPSC will invite first 1000-2000 students for interview.
Few years ago, a lady with English literature as her subject got all India 1st rank. If maths, physics or geography were the only scoring subjects, then it'd never have been possible.
2. Easy:- If something is easy then its easy for everyone sitting in the exam. So the easier subjects means tougher competition.
3. Popular:- A popular subject helps you crack prelims a little easier because of the 'proportional representation rule'.
please shed a light on the term popular subject you quoted.
when do the registrations usually open for IAS prelims..?? I am not a serious aspirant but since the syllabus is on CAT lines i just want to appear for experience....
when do the registrations usually open for IAS prelims..?? I am not a serious aspirant but since the syllabus is on CAT lines i just want to appear for experience....
Hi Neha,
The notification will be out in Feb 2011 and the preliminary examination is scheduled on 12th June 2011.
As far as syllabus is concerned there will be two papers:-
Paper I - General Studies (200 marks) Paper II - CSAT - on CAT lines (200 marks)
I am posting the syllabus for Paper I GS here:-
(Paper 1) (200 marks) - Duration: Two hrs. Current events of national and international importance History of India and Indian national movement Indian and World Geography- physical, social, economic geography of India and the world Indian Polity and governance constitution, political system, panchayati raj, public policy, Rights issues, etc. Economic and social development sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, demographics, social sector initiatives etc. General issues on environmental ecology, bio-diversity and climate change-that do not require subject specialization General science
hey guys... i thot to take commerce as 1 subject(along wid pub admn) as i hav done moi grad in commerce...
but now sum people suggested tht sociology wud b a gud combination wid pub admn...also d thing is tht i neva had much interest in commerce....
wht say...shall i go fo sociology...??? nd suggest sum books fo it...!!!
I am repeating it again that choice of subjects should be based on your interest, availability of resources and few other points that I cited in one of my previous posts. Don't go by what people say. Just analyse yourself and choose the subject. You can get the syllabus from upsc.gov.in or search internet for the same. There are many sites that will also suggest books for the same. But you need to start with NCERTs.
I am repeating it again that choice of subjects should be based on your interest, availability of resources and few other points that I cited in one of my previous posts. Don't go by what people say. Just analyse yourself and choose the subject. You can get the syllabus from upsc.gov.in or search internet for the same. There are many sites that will also suggest books for the same. But you need to start with NCERTs.
I too want to take commerce but the problem is that there r sme topics which r practical in nature and in future I will be doing job so will not get time to join any coaching institute. but practical subjects without coaching and group is difficult to crack. that's why I asked the same question. sme people suggested me also to take sociology.
I am based in Mumbai, just started prep for CSE-2011. Lemme know if you are from Mumbai too, a small study circle (even virtual) can help a lot.
I am about to start the same.. will be starting from december end... we can discuss things online.... and am looking forward to take public administration and economics/history as subjects in main examination.
I am about to start the same.. will be starting from december end... we can discuss things online.... and am looking forward to take public administration and economics/history as subjects in main examination.
Is it possible to properly manage time between CSE prep and the hectic schedule of a b-school..???