Introduction:
Solving previous year papers is an essential part of exam preparation for Public Administration. However, it is important to understand the purpose and benefits of solving these papers before deciding whether to solve them before the exam or use them as a continuous learning tool throughout the preparation.

Benefits of solving previous year papers:
1. Familiarity with exam pattern: Solving previous year papers helps in understanding the exam pattern, marking scheme, and the types of questions asked. This familiarity can boost confidence and reduce exam anxiety.

2. Identifying important topics: By solving previous year papers, candidates can identify the recurring topics and areas that are frequently asked in the exam. This helps in prioritizing the preparation and focusing on the important areas.

3. Time management skills: Solving previous year papers under timed conditions helps in improving time management skills. It allows candidates to practice answering questions within the given time frame, which is crucial for the actual exam.

4. Assessing strengths and weaknesses: By solving previous year papers, candidates can assess their strengths and weaknesses in different topics. This helps in strategizing the preparation and allocating more time to the areas that require improvement.

5. Understanding the examiner's perspective: Solving previous year papers gives insight into the examiner's perspective and the level of depth expected in the answers. This helps in aligning the preparation and writing answers that meet the examiner's expectations.

Using previous year papers as a continuous learning tool:
1. Learning from mistakes: While solving previous year papers, candidates may come across questions they are unable to answer correctly. Instead of just moving on, candidates should analyze these questions, understand the concepts, and learn from their mistakes. This continuous learning approach ensures a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

2. Reinforcing concepts: By revisiting previous year papers periodically throughout the preparation, candidates can reinforce the concepts and improve retention. This helps in retaining the information for a longer duration and prevents forgetting.

3. Tracking progress: By solving previous year papers at regular intervals, candidates can track their progress and identify areas where improvement is required. This allows for targeted revision and focused preparation.

4. Improving time management: By solving previous year papers regularly, candidates can refine their time management skills and become more efficient in answering questions within the given time frame.

5. Building confidence: By consistently practicing with previous year papers, candidates can build confidence in their preparation and enhance their overall performance in the exam.

Conclusion:
While solving all previous year papers before the exam can provide a comprehensive understanding of the exam pattern and help in identifying important topics, using them as a continuous learning tool throughout the preparation offers the benefits of learning from mistakes, reinforcing concepts, tracking progress, improving time management, and building confidence. Therefore, it is recommended to solve previous year papers regularly while preparing for the Public Administration exam.