9 Biggest Mistake you should avoid while preparing for UPSC Exam

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UPSC is the toughest and most prestigious exam in India. It requires thorough determination and hard work to crack the exam. Hard work when accompanied with smart strategies will definitely yield out to be good methodology for your IAS preparation. But during your preparation there are certain mistakes which when committed may deviate you from your target. In this article I will throw some light over top 9 mistakes which if avoided will increase your chances of clearing the exam.

1.    Not considering UPSC syllabus

We all know that the syllabus of UPSC exam is very vast. Most of the coaching centers do not focus on the syllabus but tell you to study only topics listed in NCERT books. This is not true. There may be some extra topics or some topics which are not to be studied. So it is always recommended to download the syllabus from the UPSC official website and learn the syllabus by heart. The best way is to take a print out if the syllabus and paste it on a wall in your room.

2.    Ignoring previous year papers

Most of the aspirants ignore solving previous years’ papers and directly jump over to the mocks or sample papers. This technique will not work. The first thing which you should do after completing the syllabus is to solve the previous year’s papers. This will help you to know the pattern followed in the exams and will improve your preparation level.

3.    Following multiple books

Resource gathering is a difficult part. But that does not means that you will be picking whatever you get. Piling up 3-4 books of you optional book won’t work. A general trend has been seen that aspirants gather a lot of books and read from every book which ultimately confuses them. What we suggest is that first complete with your NCERTs and then follow just one book. Following one book will make you more confident and focused.

4.    Ignoring the NCERTs

This is a worst mistake if anyone has been ignoring NCERTs. By any case you cannot skip the NCERT part. The clarity of concepts which you will get in NCERT books will not be provided in any other books. All the standard books are designed keeping in mind that you have completed your NCERT part.  There are certain concepts which you will only learn from NCERT as they have been explained in a very clear and lucid manner.

5.    Not making notes

It’s the human tendency that it will not retain 90% of the things which he/she has learnt the previous day. If you are not making notes and revising from them, then you are not studying effectively and there is a possibility that you will not be retaining anything till your paper. It is very difficult to read from the book again and again. SO the best way to save time and study effectively is to make notes. Notes help you in your revision. Nothing is best than handmade notes. But, even if you have not made the notes, these are available online in the form of PDF.   You can also buy or download GIST NCERT books. These books have everything which you required to read from the NCERT books ad are best preparation material for revision.

6.    Not selecting the optional subject wisely

Most of the aspirants select the optional subject just randomly. They do not consider regarding their interest. The aspirants should always remember that they should select the optional subject very wisely and in which they have the interest. An optional subject which makes the aspirant feel bored or sleepy will not fetch you good marks. You have to be very cautious while selecting the optional. It is always recommended to select a subject which you had studies in your graduation.  The selection of optional subject should consider the following factors interest, availability of study material, coaching etc.

7.    Not regular with newspaper reading

We all know that current affair section is the game changer section of UPSC. A student cannot clear the exam by only being good at academics. One has to be very active in newspaper reading and grabbing the latest affairs and events going on in the country and internationally. Even if you are reading a newspaper, it should not mean that   you have to read that blindly. The aspirant needs to understand the what the information is and what is the topic which is being discussed. Make a diary and note down the important events, date and time and which personalities are associated with them.  The candidates should understand and should know how to relate the issues in the newspaper with the IAS syllabus.

8.    Preparing for mains after prelims

The candidate should understand that prelims is just a qualifying exam and your mains exam is the rank and future decider. Both the exams should be given equal importance. When you start preparation of your GS exam , start with mains simultaneously. Suppose if your start from June, then you must study for mains and prelims till January and after that give your full focus towards prelims. Keeping everything till the end may have a negative effect on your mains preparation. You must get yourself familiar with Mains answers and pattern beforehand. The months after prelims should be totally dedicated for revision and not for learning new concepts.

The main thing which is to be focused in your mains exam is the answer writing part. In the mains exam, if we calculate the average time, then it comes out to be 9 minutes. The candidate should be able to analyze the answer properly and immediately. The picture should be very clear in his mind and he should be able to write the answer in that frame of time.  This thing can only be achieved by lot of practice. Practice and revision is the key to success. Ignoring this step may result in breaking of your dream of becoming a successful IAS officer.

9.    Poor time management

The syllabus for UPSC is huge and never ending. The aspirant cannot afford to waste many months only to focus on one subject. If the aspirant is following this strategy of one subject at a time then it may result in poor or under preparation. The candidate may not get enough time for revision. The best way out is to follow a time management which will help to utilize the time properly and effectively. You can divide you time into small slots and divide the syllabus as per that. You can eve assign the topics which you have to study in that time frame.  While making a time table, it will help you to analyze

Winding UP

Lakhs of students appear compete for just few seats of UPSC exam. The success rate of any aspirant clearing the exam is just 0.1%. The only way to crack the exam is to stay motivated and determined. Avoid committing the mistakes as mentioned above. This will surely increase your chances of clearing the exam.  A proper time management strategy will prove substantial in your success.  Revise as much as you can. The more you revise, the more you will retain. All the best.   

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A Buying Guide for Getting the Best Baritone Ukulele

A Buying Guide for Getting the Best Baritone Ukulele

What do Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Neil Armstrong, Marlon Brando, Betty Grable and you all have in common? The answer of course is that you all, like millions of other people throughout the world do, or did, enjoy playing the ukulele!

As you have decided the time is right to give a baritone uke a try the mission is, of course, to find the best possible instrument you can, and with some effort, research and leg work, guided by the tips and ideas covered here, that’s not an impossible task.

Key things to consider when looking for a great baritone uke

Your experience

There are five types of ukulele on the market; the newest being the sopranissimo measuring just 40 cms (6 inches), the 51 cm (20 inches) soprano- the most traditional uke, size wise, the slightly longer (58cms/23 inches) concert ukulele, a little louder than it’s soprano sister, and the current most popular size and the choice of many professional players - the tenor, which is 66 cms (or 26 inches) long.

The big kid in the gang is of course the baritone, weighing in at 76 cms, or 30 inches. Traditionally the slight outsider, due to it being the heaviest in a genre of instruments known for their portability, and for producing deeper tones than smaller ukes, this style is definitely gaining in popularity.

Switching up from a smaller model takes some adjustment, so look for a baritone designed for beginners for the best results.

What do people you know play?

Word of mouth is always a great way to find recommendations based on genuine personal experiences, so if you have friends who play the uke, or you are in some kind of musical group or club ask for advice.

If anyone has a baritone you could try out so much the better, or try local music shops for a practical demonstration.

Your budget

All ukes are an investment so it doesn’t pay to go to low end and end up with a uke with a disappointing sound, or that needs to be replaced too soon; but as a newcomer to baritone ukes spending too much is a risk.

If possible aim to buy at least one step above the cheapest models, although to be fair in recent years the quality of even the lowest priced ukes has improved. Don’t forget to consider the costs of additional items like a carry bag, if they are not included in the price already.

The brand

The most well own brand names in the ukulele field are Kala (known for selling ukes across the entire price range and good starter kits), Kamaka, Mahalo, Lanakai, and luna, as well as Pono and Kanilea which tend to speciaise in the most expensive models.

Overall then, the sensible way to find the best baritone ukulele for yourself is to ask around, try a few out, read plenty of review, and know your budget. For further help and info, visit our baritone ukulele buying guide.

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Sure shot preparation tips to crack IBPS in a single attempt

Sure shot preparation tips to crack IBPS in a single attempt

When you start preparing for your Bank IBPS Exam, a lot depends over your preparation level. Also, it depends over the IQ of the aspirant. If someone has already prepared for MBA exam, it will take him hardly a couple of months to prepare for the bank exam. A person who is starting afresh will need about 4-5 months to prepare for the bank exam. Aspirants having good grasp over English and having a good vocabulary stand good chance to clear the exam.  

Cracking the bank exam is a combination of a lot of elements such as your speed, accuracy, practice etc. The students should give mock tests to analyze their areas of weakness and start working over them. An aspirant must know his stronger and the weaker areas. 

Tips for different sections of a Bank PO exam

There are essentially four sections ad each of it requires proper study.

1.      General Awareness Section

In this section you have to keep yourself updated over the latest happening occurring across the nation as well as internationally. The best way to qualify for this section is to study newspaper everyday and make notes from that.

2.      Mathematics

The mathematics is just which you have learnt in school. But the trick is that you should know how to solve the question in the shortest time possible. Explore internet for some good short tricks. If you are well acquainted with vedic maths then you have already pavered your way towards success. Try to solve the problems mentally without requiring pen and paper. This is the best way to study and revise.

3.      English

Vocabulary plays a very important role in this section. You need to be either best or at least average in this section. Poor vocabulary may hinder your dream of becoming a bank officer.

4.      Reasoning

Reasoning Book, be it verbal or non-verbal doesn’t requires much time to solve. But you can only solve the reasoning question if you have a good practice. Series and sequences are the most important ones. Just solve previous year question papers to get a vivid idea over this.   

Do you have it in you?

So, let’s discuss what are the ideal qualities which should be possessed by any IBPS aspirant? The aspirant should have a quick hold over his speed. He/she should be able to calculate much faster. The aspirant should be read newspaper regularly to improve his vocab as well as  keep his knowledge base updated. Maths and Reasoning section can be qualified by practice but if you are weak in English and current affairs then your dream may be shattered. 

In which order should you attempt the paper?

There are essentially two approaches for this.

First, you can start with the section in which you are the strongest. This way you will be motivated and feel good while attempting the paper. This will increase your chances of qualifying the exam. But what if the section you are good at is having difficult questions. You will spend all your time there.

So, for that we have a second approach. On receiving the question paper, just give 5 minutes for reading the paper and start with the section which you feel has the easy questions. This way you will save time and would be able to complete the paper on time.

As such there are no cut off marks for any section and they are calculated on an aggregate basis. Even the students with Hindi background can give the exam as the question paper is available in both Hindi and English language. But that does not means that he/she will be getting any relaxation in English section. He/she has to struggle to clear the exam.

3 practical to improve your chances for cracking the IBPS Exam

Read a lot

Make it your habit. Read English newspapers or other related magazines daily. This will help you build a flow and keep your vocabulary intact. Reading will also help you in your comprehension section. The trick is to read the passage in minimum possible time and try to comprehend it as fast as possible. Try to focus over the main points and leave out the unnecessary details.  

Whenever you come across a new word, mark it and learn its meaning, synonyms and antonyms. Reading newspaper and other magazines also build your general knowledge. Make notes for whatever new you find in the newspaper.

Have Basic Computer Awareness

You should be aware of the basic computer, MS offices, Internet and LAN ,WAN , short cuts of the computers. These act as an added advantage.

Plan Properly

Make a time table and study as per that. If you cannot afford to study in the expensive coaching institutes then better start self studying. There are many websites which offer study material for free. You can download and get started.

Best of Luck!!

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Speed & Time Management tips in SSC CHSL Exam

SSC CHSL exam is the one of most desired government exam of the country. The exam aims to test the abilities of the candidates to attempt the maximum number of questions in minimum time duration with a high accuracy.

As per the SSC CHSL exam pattern, aspirants are supposed to attempt 100 questions in a time period of 1 hour which is a bit difficult task but continuous practice will help you finish them well before the time frame of 60 minutes.

Many a times, you might know the answer to the question but fail to attempt it because of improper time management.

Speed and time are 2 crucial factors of the SSC CHSL LDC/DEO exam, which will play a major role in determining your final score in this exam.

So, in order to get shortlisted for the SSC CHSL exam, follow proper speed and time management tips since these will act as a valuable resource for the aspirants. 

Time & Speed Management Tips for SSC CHSL Exam

Few important speed and time management tips have been shared below:

●      Understand the exam pattern of SSC CHSL properly. One must be aware of the complete syllabus. An incomplete syllabus will leave you empty-handed. So, familiarize yourself with the pattern of the exam, number of questions asked as well as the details of time constraint.

●      There are no sectional timings in this exam, so you can allocate your time to the different sections as per your convenience. Allocate time to each section beforehand, practice quizzes and mock tests keeping in mind this time constraint and follow it while writing the actual exam as well. If you are good at management then you need not worry. Also, remember that time saved from one section can be utilized in another.

●      Calculate the time that you can allocate to each section and each question beforehand. Solving 100 questions in 60 minutes needs proper planning. So, allocate sufficient time for each section, which will eventually help you to raise your overall score.
GK and English sections consume less time, so finish them first and then divide your remaining time for the other two sections as per your comfort.
For example: 10 minutes for English, 10 minutes for GK, 20 minutes for Maths, and 20 minutes for Reasoning.

●      Go through the questions first and identify the questions that you can start with. Don’t spend too much time browsing. Also, if you fail to solve any question, don’t stick with the same or spend too much time over it. Move on to the next. Sticking to the same question will not only waste your time but will also compromise with the marks which you could have scored by attempting other questions. 

●      In English, go for the questions which you are comfortable with first. For reading comprehension based questions, identify the central idea of the passage while reading it and try to answer the questions; remember, the answer to the questions asked lies in the passage itself. Try to attempt as many as questions as you can in the least possible time.

●      GK is the most scoring section and is also least time-consuming. Spend 8-10 minutes on this section. The added advantage is that this section doesn’t involve any calculations. There are only two possibilities, you either know the answer to the question or or don’t. Leave the confusing questions and move on. Don’t spend too much time anywhere.

●      The Reasoning section is usually tricky and time-consuming. Devote more time to this section. Some questions might seem difficult, so leave them and move on. First go for the topics with which you are comfortable.

●      For Quantitative Aptitude section, attempt those questions first which do not involve lengthy calculations. Don’t guess the answer. Sometimes options might be too close that might lead to confusion. So, mark the answer only when you are absolutely sure of it.

●      Try to make notes, since they will prove to be very helpful before the exam.

●      Remember that all the questions carry equal marks. So, don’t spend time on the difficult questions when you can easily achieve marks with the easier ones. If you are finding something difficult, straight away move to the next.

●      Practice a few mock tests and solve previous year papers before the actual exam. This will help you to understand the number of questions which you are able to solve in the given time frame. Thus, analyze your performance and try to increase the number of questions with every attempt.

●      Tests will also help you identify your weaker areas and the areas that consume more time. So you can be well – prepared in advance and speed up your calculations and develop a proper sequence of attempting the questions in the exam.

●      Start with the section with which you are comfortable. This will keep you motivated until the end. It is not necessary to solve the entire set. Work on only those which you find easy at first and are able to solve in less time.

●      Don’t attempt the questions blindly. Don’t forget about the negative markings.

Thus, speed and time management play a major role in the exam of SSC CHSL and will prove to be key factors in determining your result. They can either take you somewhere high or can degrade your position. So, use these factors to your advantage wisely and prepare well for the exam while trying to solve the maximum number of questions in the least possible time with accuracy.

You can also download SSCCHSL preparation app for SSC CHSL exam. It provides free study notes, quizzes, mock test, practice set, question papers, test series, & all the notification related SSC exams.

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Tips to Prepare English for Banking Exams

                                           Tips to Prepare English for Banking Exams

The level of banking exams is increasing at a very fast pace. Therefore the candidates are required to shift the gear of their preparation. The section for English language and comprehension holds good weightage. This article guides candidates in preparing for the English section for banking exams as per the current exam level.

The English language section can be divided into following four categories:-

v  Reading Comprehension

v  Grammar

v  Verbal Ability

v  Vocabulary

The strategy of preparing for the above four categories are given below:-

Reading Comprehension: - The reading comprehension is an important topic in English Language. The number of questions from comprehension varies from seven to ten. The content of passage usually remains based on the current trends in Economic, Banking, Insurance Politics, Markets, Business and Technology. The candidates must make following habits to score good in this section:-

Read newspaper daily:-  While reading newspaper have focus on news based on the above said sectors like Economic, Banking, Insurance Politics, Markets, Business and Technology. Make short notes of the passage as it will help in comprehending the passage. Also list down the difficult words as it will build your vocabulary.

Reading Fast: - The time is a big factor in competitive exams. The candidates should save time with fast reading skills. To improve reading skills the candidates should keep following points in mind while reading an article:-

v  Read between words: - it means stop reading one word at a time. The candidates should read a phrase instead. This helps candidates in grasping the main points of the passage in a go. In this way the candidates can have an idea of the passage that which piece of information is located at which line of passage.

v  Fix your head and move eyes: - This helps in increasing the speed of reading. Instead of moving head, while reading try to keep on moving eyes on the passage. This habit takes time to build, but consistent effort can bring great changes.

Read articles from good sources: - There are many good websites which provide good quality articles on various trending topics of Economic, Banking, Insurance, Politics, Markets, Business and technology. This exercise will build the interest in banking sector and also there are chances that you may encounter the same article in exam.

Strategy for Grammar Section: - The questions from grammar section are easy to attempt if your concepts are clear. The candidates are advised to go through in details of the following topics:-Tenses, Articles, Prepositions, Conjunctions, Parts of Speech, Standard Construction, Adverbs, Number in Nouns, Degrees of Comparison, Subject-Verb Agreement. For mastering grammar the candidates are advised to keep following points in mind:-

v  Learn basics of the English Grammar from a good book or app.

v  Practice as many questions as one can based on the grammar rules

v  Take quizzes to test the knowledge

v  Practice questions of different patterns in order to be familiar with the current trends.

Strategy for vocabulary: - The candidates with strong vocabulary have and extra edge over other candidates. Therefore the candidates are advised to build strong vocabulary base. For good vocabulary the candidates should follow:-

Word power made easy book: - The candidates must go through this book at least once. The words in this book are given in word root forms, which help candidates in grasping the related words with ease. The exercises given after every lesson are of good quality.

Use mnemonics to remember words: - The use of mnemonics in remembering words helps candidates in remembering the words with ease. Our brain has the ability to remember new words by associative memory. In this technique we associate new words with old memories or events.

Develop curiosity to learn new words: - In our childhood we grasp new words at a very fast pace because of our curiosity of knowing new things. In our adult age we gradually loose this curiosity and with that our habit of learning new words fades away. Always try to learn new things and whenever encounter new words or phrases try to remember their meaning and context.

Strategy to develop verbal ability: - This section tests the verbal skills of the candidates. The questions from this section can be of Para jumble type, odd sentence out of five, Paragraph completion, and Initial sentence of a paragraph after combining two or more lines. The candidates must have following knowledge for good verbal ability:-

v  The ability to recognize initial and final sentence of a paragraph

v  The knowledge of connectors

v  The proper use of phrases and vocabulary

v  The use of proper prepositions

Practice mock test: - Practice English questions based on latest exam pattern & paper trends by attempting free mock Test for IBPS Clerk or Bank PO exam. Attempting mock test gives you clear idea about your strong & weak areas!

So, these are the topic wise strategy to hone your skills in English language. The candidates must analyse their own abilities. They should prioritise these topics as per their ability and knowledge. The mere completion of syllabus is not sufficient for IBPS PO exam. The next main thing is to practice the questions on current patterns. The candidates should attend as many quizzes and mock tests as they can. While attempting mocks try to find out the weak areas and practise that part more. The practise is key to success in banking exams.

Normally the candidates ignore English section while preparing for the competitive exams. This is a very bad strategy as in banking exams you have to clear sectional cut offs as well and good preparation of English language can help in scoring good marks in exam. Merely securing overall cut off is not sufficient for getting job, the candidates must prepare English section properly to score high marks.

If you wish to be updated regarding all upcoming Banking exams 2017-18, updated study material, and other important details, download banking exam preparation app. It provides study notes, free mock test, quizzes for various competitive exams in India.

All the best for your exams

Team gradeup!

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