I’ve improved my marks from 394/1000 last year to 471/1000 this year in GS papers. I feel that improving my answer writing skills played an important role in this. There was no new addition of content as such besides the regular current affairs. So in this post I will try to jot down my two cents on this topics
Directive words – Please try to understand the difference between tailwards. Not every question demands pro and cons. A better understanding of these tailwords will help you in writing relevant content and give better structure to the answer. I am attaching two pdfs from which I benefitted for your perusal
Structuring – Use diagrams, double underlines, pragraphing, sub headings, bullet points etc to give structure to your answer. There are no rules on how you go about this. This can come only by practice
- Draw borders around your diagrams
- Use double under line for your subehadings
- Dont strectch a paragraph beyond 3-4 sentences
- You can us directive words as sub heading in certain cases
I found this document immensely useful for diagrams – IAS4Sure material – for presentation and diagram.
I ALSO use to analyse answer booklets of each year toppers as well as best copies for the test. Used them to get ideas on presentation and diagrams
Practice –
- If this is the first time you are writing answer then go for InsightsonIndia Secure inaitive. It will help you in gradually improving your answer quality. You will see what other candidates are writing, improve your content and strcutring, learn about difference between tailwords.
- Join a test series once you are able to do 4-5 questions from insights in an hour.
- Never sit for more than 3 hours during a test. Many aspirants have the habit of taking time beyond the permissible limit. I feel this does not help you prepare psychologically which is much needed in mains exam.
- Use Previous year Questions for practice
Some of my answer booklets
- 212 Ethics OrientIAS
- 4C MGP
- 5C MGP
- 6C MGP
- 7C MGP
- 8C MGP
- 9C MGP Full length GS1
- 10C MGP Full length GS2
- 11C MGP Full length GS3
- 12C Ethics MGP
Wishing you all the best
-Abhishek
Abhishek Surana 
Sir pls guide about usage of ARC reports in answer writing…which reports we need to go through
Sir its too useful.Thanks for Making available your experience and notes.
you’re welcome.
you can just go through the recommendations if you dont have much time. I referred to 7th,11th and 12th report.
Hello sir..
Sir can we use abbreviations..directly
Ayushi, I am sorry. Couldnt reply earlier to your query. Yes you can use abbreviations. But not like govt. instead of Government. You can use WHO or WTO. To be on safer side, the first time you mention them in answer/essay – use the full form and write the abbreviation in brackets. When you use it again then you can directly use the abbreviations.
Thanku sir…i must say u r truely helping students by replying to all the queries very effectively ….
You’re welcome 🙂
Sir, please upload your answer booklet of 211 Ethics OrientIAS Test. Thank you.
Have uploaded whatever I had in digital format. All the best
Hello sir,my these are my doubts kindly clearify them
1. from where to make notes of anacdotes and stats daily newspaper or ca monthly or somewhere else
2.is it ok if i read daily newspaper one and not make any notes then revise the issue from monthly ca like vision
3. Sir which test series you suggest for gs,ethics and essay i m confused because it is my 1st attempt
Thank you
1 from all sources
2 I’ll favor making notes out of newspaper too
3 there’s no such preference. I joined forum and Orient
Which provide good feedback nd mentorship you have attended almost every test series so whats your experience
Rohan, almost every test series promise this and does not actually do that. It is due to large number of student intake. I joined forumIAS and Orient IAS in my last year if prep because they were relatively new with less student intake. My experience with both was good for personal feedback.
Sir can u please post the solution of Schrödinger equation of bouncing ball
Add gravitation force component as potential energy term in the Schrodinger equation. Best
Sir, which pen did you use? The font thickness in the MGP papers is really good; my Pilot V7 doesn’t give that thickness. Sorry for the noobish question 😐
Rotto gel pen. 6 rs for a refill
Thank you sir. I’m guessing you mean Rorito gel. Which model?
Also, did you write conclusions for every question? How do you manage it? Is a way forward in point format OK?
I often run out of time by the time I reach the end of the answer, and manage to write conclusions only for a few questions..
Yes rorrito gel. My bad. Don’t know the model. Get one which has good grip.
Yes I did try to write a conclusion. You can use SDG, UNDHR etc to give one. Or give a quick suggestion in the end.
Yes way forward can be written in point format. But I never wrote so.
Thank you 🙂
You’re welcome
Sir , for answer writing ,did u go for data statistic collection for different topics
??
Sir ,how you developed flow charts, diagram approach in ethics
I hv seen it ethics copy ,it is really novel.??
Ps ..Dig , flow charts are not available in your Evernote notes.
How to get that? Kindly guide
yes i did collect data alongwith quotes, anecdotes and keyword for each topic. Although it is difficult to utilize them in the final exam but in 6-7/20 question you can write something which no one else is writing and that might gives you an edge. plus it helps in essay preparation.
for diagrams, you need to look at notes from various sources, toppers booklet from last year and finally google search.
How was orient ias mains test series?
sir, which test series are good for mains and prelims
Hello sir
Sir M 2023 M apna attemt dunga
Kya sir muje optional physics ko prepare krna chahiye q ki optional remove krne ki batt bhi ho rhi hai
Plz suggest me sir
you are too early. i have no suggestion to give.