5 Mistakes Of Not Attempting Test Series For UPSC Prelims and Mains

Civil services aspirants often take great care of their choice of optional subjects, current affairs preparation and joining coaching classes. But for taking mock tests, they often miss seeing the complete picture. Simulated practice tests are an integral part of IAS preparation and they are as essential as the best coaching for UPSC success. 

This article explains 5 major mistakes candidates commit by not attempting a test series on UPSC simulated exams. 

What is the UPSC Test Series? 

A test series is a specialized coaching intervention that involves conducting a set of 40+ simulated examinations on UPSC Prelims and Mains papers. Some test series programs may offer fewer exams depending on institutes and scope of the program. Depending on the program you choose, it may offer separate exams for each subject along combined mock exams for Prelims and Mains. Institutes offering such programs pre-schedule and publish the tentative date and timing of these simulated exams. Candidates can sync these exams along with their year-round study plan for maximum benefits and preparation. 

A standard Test series for UPSC Mains includes: 

• Simulated exams on GS papers (full-length)
• Practice tests for essay paper
• Practice tests on ethics 
• Review and feedback on performance in test series  

How does the test series program differ from solving the UPSC previous year question papers? 

This is a common mistake many people make by equating test series with the conventional practice of answering previous year question papers. They are not similar. Test series is an innovation in competitive exam coaching. Prior to that, candidates did not have many options for practice questionnaires. Some top institutes conducted mock tests for in-house candidates. Others had to try with past UPSC questions. Today, these institutes conduct test series for all. Anyone can join these programs and attempt 40+ mock tests over the time of a year. 

Advantages of test series are unique and outweigh the benefits of answering previous year questions.

• UPSC does not repeat questions, unlike school and college exams. Patterns may match, but chances of direct repetition are negligible. So, practicing the previous years’ questions does not offer any key insights into ‘what’s coming in the next year’. 
• Practice is the key to success in any exam. It is even more crucial for IAS, WBCS and similar civil services. The more a candidate practices, the better is his or her chance of scoring high marks in Prelims and Mains. Answering the last 5 or 10 years’ questionnaires is a very limited set for practice. A test series from any reputable UPSC institutes includes over 40 tests, simulated on UPSC standard complexities and difficulties.  
• Finally, institute faculties take great care in designing questions for their test series programs. Comparatively, past question papers are open to all. A test series of mock UPSC exams offers exclusive preparation. 

 

5 mistakes of not attempting UPSC test series 

Test series programs are optional coaching interventions, just like any IAS comprehensive coaching courses. However, if a candidate misses attempting test series exams, he or she might make the mistake of not leveraging following benefits in their UPSC preparations.  

1. Mechanism for regular performance evaluation. When a candidate attempts an exam in a test series, their performance in that exam can reveal a lot about the status of their civil service preparation. This is as important as studying and revising subjects. It shows gap areas, helps work on the weaker points and builds confidence. 
2. Test series shows only the relevant things. Faculty teams at any top institutes take great care in designing questions for test series exams. They explore all the patterns, combinations and important areas for upcoming UPSC Prelims and Mains. This level of specialized preparation is not always workable while studying subjects. But test series given that focussed practice. 
3. Guides through the route to IAS dream. Preparation for UPSC often takes over a year’s time and candidates study for Prelims and Mains together. Test series exams are conducted round the year on different subjects and papers. So, candidates have time to align their study plan accordingly. It gives a structure to your preparation. 
4. Overcome exam fright, mind reflex. Candidates do not get enough time to think in an UPSC exam hall. Practicing in mock tests as part of a test series helps build mental reflexes to strategize and write answers quickly without wasting time in the exam hall. 
5. Opportunity to practice with a wider variety of questions. Any top test series program contains over 40 individual simulated tests on UPSC subjects and papers. As a result, participants in test series programs get ample chances to practice answering a wider variety of questions on any topic. 

Bottom-line 

So, there is hardly any alternative to the test series for UPSC and other civil services exams. The simulated test series programs are especially useful for self-studying candidates. Check https://aptiplus.in/. They are the oldest and one of the top institutes offering the best coaching for UPSC.