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How do people preparing for the UPSC learn, memorise, and remember an ocean of subjects? Is the UPSC really that hard, or is it just an illusion?
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How do people preparing for the UPSC learn, memorise, and remember an ...
The questions asked by UPSC are such that any well read person (irrespective of whether she has prepared for UPSC or not) can answer more than half of the questions. For instance you can answer GS 2, GS 3, GS 4 if you have read the newspaper regularly.

The UPSC examination is one among many. Over the years, people have created so much hype about it, that one feels almost fearful while preparing for it. Eliminate the hype. Your competition should be with yourself. With every mock test, the intent should be to be slightly better than the previous attempt.
You can try some of the following ways to boost your memory to retain information:

1. The Filtering Technique
The art of memory is the art of selecting what to remember in the first place. Go through the syllabus and only focus on topics which are relevant to UPSC. Making notes of unimportant topics especially from Current Affairs will exhaust your memory and time.

2. The Organising Memory Technique
Organised information is easier to find and remember.
Example: Events in History can be organised in chronological order. Provisions in the Indian Constitution can be memorised by organising it into articles and parts, just like the way the constitution is written. Also, don’t just read, understand. Unless that happens, you won’t really retain much.

3. Learn Visually
The human mind is more inclined to retain information and data presented in graphical or visual form compared to plain text format.
EduRev has topic-wise mind maps of all the NCERTs and UPSC booklist for every subject. After reading a chapter, you can refer to the mind maps for revision.

4. Create Co-Relations
Another very effective way to improve your memory would be, by creating co-relations among different facts, data and information.
Example: It would be wise to study about the emergency period from 1975 to 1977 along with details of the 4th and 5th 5-year plans implemented in India. Apart from elaborating upon the political reasons, it would give you a few economic reasons which made the imposition of emergency in India.

5. The Long Term Memory Technique
You need to escape from the short-term memory trap, first. If you think you have studied everything and keep your books down after 1 round of reading, you are most likely to fall into the short-term memory trap. Short-term memory can decay after a few minutes, and it rarely lasts more than several hours. A short review within minutes or hours of a study session can move material from short-term memory into long-term memory. That quick mini-review can save you hours of study time when exams roll around. You can make use of colour coded notes for this purpose or check out the detailed summaries of every chapter of almost all the UPSC recommended books on EduRev.

6. Revise Regularly
This is the most important technique among all. Even information stored in long-term memory becomes difficult to recall if we don’t use it regularly. To remember something, access it a lot. Read it, write it, speak it, listen to it, apply it—find some way to make contact with the material regularly.
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How do people preparing for the UPSC learn, memorise, and remember an ...
Preparing for the UPSC

Preparing for the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) requires immense dedication, hard work, and a systematic study approach. The exam covers a wide range of subjects, and candidates need to learn, memorize, and remember a vast amount of information. Here are some strategies that candidates can employ to navigate this challenging task.

1. Understand the Syllabus

It is crucial to thoroughly understand the UPSC syllabus, which provides a roadmap of the subjects and topics to be covered. This helps candidates prioritize their study material and avoid wasting time on irrelevant topics.

2. Make a Study Plan

Creating a study plan is essential to ensure systematic coverage of all subjects. Candidates should allocate specific time slots for each subject and adhere to the schedule. This helps in maintaining consistency and avoiding last-minute cramming.

3. Refer to Standard Books

UPSC aspirants should refer to standard textbooks recommended by experts and previous successful candidates. These books provide comprehensive coverage of subjects and help in building a strong foundation.

4. Take Notes

Taking concise and organized notes while studying is highly beneficial. It aids in summarizing complex information, understanding key concepts, and retaining important details. These notes serve as effective revision material closer to the exam.

5. Practice Answer Writing

Answer writing is a crucial aspect of the UPSC exam. Candidates should regularly practice writing answers to previous year's question papers and mock tests. It helps in improving writing skills, time management, and developing a structured approach to tackle questions effectively.

6. Utilize Technology

Incorporating technology into the study routine can enhance the learning process. Candidates can utilize educational apps, online study materials, and video lectures to supplement their preparation. However, it is important to use reliable and credible sources.

7. Revision and Mock Tests

Regular revision is essential to reinforce the learned concepts and retain information. Candidates should allocate dedicated time for revision and solve mock tests to assess their progress, identify weaknesses, and work on improving their performance.

The Difficulty of UPSC

The UPSC exam is renowned for its difficulty and competitiveness. It is designed to select the best candidates for prestigious civil services positions. The extensive syllabus, vast knowledge requirements, and the level of competition make it a challenging exam. However, with the right approach and consistent efforts, success can be achieved.

The UPSC exam tests not only knowledge but also analytical and decision-making abilities. It requires a deep understanding of diverse subjects, including history, geography, economics, science, and current affairs. Memorizing an ocean of subjects is indeed a daunting task, but proper study techniques, revision, and practice can aid in retaining information effectively.

The UPSC exam is not an illusion of difficulty but a genuine test of a candidate's aptitude, knowledge, and skills. It necessitates thorough preparation, critical thinking, and the ability to apply knowledge to real-world scenarios. Success in the UPSC exam requires a combination of hard work, dedication, discipline, and a strategic study approach.
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How do people preparing for the UPSC learn, memorise, and remember an ocean of subjects? Is the UPSC really that hard, or is it just an illusion?
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