Saima Khan, AIR 165, CSE 2023, Offline Classroom Student of Foundation Batch 2019-20, Educrat IAS Academy
Highlights -
As the Educrat IAS Academy classes began, I started feeling more sure of myself. In the first class, we talked about the syllabus, which is like the ultimate guide for UPSC exams. Without it, studying can feel all over the place. If we don’t know what to study, how can we become experts? The classes combined learning for both the initial prelims and main exams, which made it easier to understand the ideas instead of just memorizing them.
In UPSC exams, it’s important to grasp the fundamentals because the questions cover a wide range of topics. Mixing different subjects in the classes made learning more interesting and easier to handle, so it didn’t feel boring or too much to handle. Also, being around other competitive students pushed me to do my best and work even harder than before.
At Educrat IAS Academy, I learned how to work smart, not just hard. I figured out that I don’t have to read every single book out there, but instead, I should focus on the ones that really matter. It’s about picking the valuable ones, not trying to learn everything.
At Educrat IAS, mentors taught me to concentrate on a small number of books and notes, and keep going over them regularly. Also, I took weekly practice tests to see how I was doing. These tests helped me figure out which subjects I needed to work on more, so I could get ready for them better.
The classes at Educrat, weekly mock exams, multidimensional approach to grasping concepts, established targets and comprehensive preparation strategy all contributed significantly to my success in the exams.
Here is a quick strategy that was planned at Educrat IAS Academy which can be effective for anyone preparing for UPSC-
● Revise the basic concepts
● Appear weekly mocks
● Limit the resources
● Read current affairs daily
To begin preparing for UPSC prelims, first, carefully go through the syllabus. It’s crucial. Second, form study groups with friends and tell them your goals. Stick to a few resources and go over them frequently. Also, read the newspaper every day to stay updated on current events. Some candidates might overlook newspapers for prelims, but they’re actually quite important.
Weekly targets were set, and over the course of 3 months, I appeared for 28 mock tests. Essays and ethical topics were also discussed at the academy.
● For example, we discussed an essay topic in class and shared our ideas. Then, the topic was broken down into different parts, and we explored many different aspects of it, going beyond just a basic framework. This taught me how to look at a topic from many different angles, which made my essays more diverse and interesting.
● Likewise, when it comes to ethics, handling case studies requires finding solutions that are both moral and realistic. It’s a tricky balance to strike, and having a good mentor to guide you is crucial in achieving it.
The competition pushed me to go beyond what I was comfortable with. I was up against some really smart people at Educrat IAS Academy. Reading their answers and the discussions we had helped me think in new ways. Plus, our mentors looked closely at every answer we wrote, which helped us improve even more.
While the interview session is mostly about conducting mocks, my preparation at Educrat IAS Academy went beyond that. The mentors aided us in completing the Detailed Application Form (DAF), offering guidance on selecting suitable services according to our preferences, evaluating our hobbies, cadre preferences, and more.
Furthermore, on weekends, we conducted sessions dedicated to the DAF, where we delved into current events and practiced effective responses. Interviews are essentially a test of personality, and thus, we concentrated on refining skills such as diplomacy: learning to take a stand while maintaining respect, achieving balance, and embodying confidence tempered with humility. And at last, stress-mocks to handle whatever situations may arise within the confines of Dholpur House. And it proved effective.
Basic ideas:
● Fill the DAF carefully; take help if needed.
● Go through each and every word of your DAF. DAF sessions are extremely important to learn how to answer.
● Appear for mock interviews. Take the feedback positively and try to improve.
Here are some lessons I’ve learned during my UPSC journey-
● Keep the syllabus with you at all times. It is the Holy Grail.
● There is no substitute for hard work. But work smart as well.
● Learn the basic concepts. Focus on NCERT and standard books.
● Limit your resources and revise them multiple times. Do not run after books. Remember, you will have to revise whatever you learn.
(https://educratias.com/mains-value-addition-material/ )
● Practice makes an aspirant perfect. No matter how extensively you study, without mock tests, your efforts will be futile. This goes for all three stages: prelims, mains, and interview. Weekly mock tests are a must.
● Adopt a holistic approach to study and interlink the concepts. Do not study in silos.
● Quality over quantity: do not focus on the number of hours studied; rather, focus on the concepts understood.
● Having a strong peer group can elevate one’s performance. Discuss with others, learn their viewpoints, and accommodate that in your answers.
● Set targets and share them within your peer group. Performance tends to improve when peers are aware and observant.
● Read answer copies from those who have appeared before. It will help you improve your own answers. (https://educratias.com/model-answer/ )
● Turn to mentors for support, whether it’s academic guidance or emotional reassurance. UPSC can be difficult.
● Lastly, and most importantly, be honest. Be honest with yourself and with your preparation. Do not lose hope. Success may be delayed, but it will not be denied.
The journey that we have embarked upon is not easy. Yet, it is something that we have chosen. My preparation has not only expanded my knowledge but also transformed my perspective. It has ignited in me a spirit of dedication, hope, and optimism. As I anxiously await my results, I’m grateful for having come this far.
To sum it up, the classes at Educrat IAS Academy, the practice tests every week, the way they taught us different aspects of subjects, the goals they set for us, and the overall way they prepared us – all of that played a big part in helping me pass the exams.
Saima Khan, AIR 165, CSE 2023, Offline Classroom Student of Foundation Batch 2019-20, Educrat IAS Academy – Journey
Your room is filled with books, like a cozy study space. You’ve got posters on the wall that remind you why you’re studying so hard, and inspirational sayings that keep you going. Every day you spend a lot of time studying, focusing really hard for months or even years. This is what it’s like to be a UPSC aspirant
Saima Khan, AIR 165, CSE 2023, Offline Classroom Student of Foundation Batch 2019-20, Educrat IAS Academy – Model Answers
At Educrat IAS. weekly targets were set, and over the course of 3 months, I appeared for 28 mock tests. Essays and ethical topics were also discussed at the academy. For example, we discussed an essay topic in class and shared our ideas. Then, the topic was broken down into different parts
Saima Khan, AIR 165, CSE 2023, Offline Classroom Student of Foundation Batch 2019-20, Educrat IAS Academy – Interview
Here is a comprehensive guide to the UPSC CSE interview round, based on the experience of one of our students at Educrat IAS Academy Saima Khan, a successful candidate who cleared the mains examination and faced the interview at Dholpur House. Saima Khan opted for sociology as her optional
Saima Khan, AIR 165, CSE 2023, Offline Classroom Student of Foundation Batch 2019-20, Educrat IAS Academy – Testimonial
Hello, I am Saima Khan from Kolkata. I joined Educrat IAS Academy in the year 2019 after my second attempt for UPSC CSE. After failing my first attempt, I considered moving to Delhi to prepare, but the thought of all the hassle put me off. That’s when I decided to search for a reliable study guide.
Educrat IAS provides India’s best Mentorship for preparation of all services under Civil Services Examination (CSE). We provide extensive and holistic preparation to a small batch of sincere & dedicated IAS aspirants who aspire & dream to become a part of the coveted Civil Services.
EXCELLENT rating
Based on 387 reviewsOne day I will also become IAS officer from this institution.Raziq Salam20/06/2024Very good Institute for UPSC preperation. A dedicated team of educators and mentors with regular classes and rigorous exams. Offers a demo class before admission which is a plus. No need to go to Delhi!!!!Reeshav Dey04/06/2024They offer great career counseling and a targeted path in the initial phase. Everything is provided, including study materials, and a concise, well curated list of books that are recommended in preparation. The faculty and instructors are all extremely helpful and provide great education. Clearing of doubts, practice problems, regular revision and assessments are all completed on time.Chandreyee Roy26/04/2024One of the best Institute for UPSC Preparation located in Kolkata. The teachers, Faculty, Study Materials of the institution are Excellent ,which makes preparation easy .SUBHAM SHARMA26/04/2024Joining educrat has been a game changer for my upsc preparation.The mentors here are the best that one can get in Kolkata and so are the faculty members who helps us 24*7 with anything essential that is needed for our preparation. Not only upsc but this institute also prepares us for various other competative examinations. It also levels up our preparation with daily articles and consecutive mock tests. Educrat not only mentors for upsc but also helps us to grow as a person. Even though it provides a competitive environment for its students, whenever I go there I never feel pressurised that I used to feel in school/college. Everyone is so welcoming and humble!Pratyasha Majhi26/04/2024Educrat IAS is the best place to prepare for Civil services in Kolkata. I have started my journey this very year with little knowledge about the civil service examinations and its preparation. The comprehensive and insightful lectures here are helping me a lot.I feel lucky that I came across this institution as I am receiving proper guidance from the mentors. I’m glad that I’m a part of such an amazing academy with the perfect environment for preparation.Anuska Indra26/04/2024I find joining Educrat was one of my best decision because the faculties here are very helpful and we can reach out to them anytime whenever we have any doubt. Moreover, the precise newspaper articles, PIBs, Edubytes and all the other information provided by the Institute, saves our time from searching those information all around, and the regular MCQ solving on various subjects, and frequent mock tests helps us to know our preparation level. All these will definitely prepare me as required and I hope I can achieve my dream of becoming an IAS Officer by help of the guidance from Educrat as well as through my hardwork.Maumita Kirtania26/04/2024As per as an institution for proper and suitable guidance for UPSC in Kolkata is concerned, Educrat IAS Academy tops the list. The guidance programme in Educrat IAS Academy provides for a clarity in UPSC and its subjects to understand in depth. Moreover, mock tests and surprise tests on a period basis help a student to prepare with in-depth knowledge and skill to develop. Being a student of this academy I really find it very helpful to get my current affairs up to date as on regular basis we are provided with Edufacts, PIB articles, Prelims Boosters, and important news articles. Besides we are kept in practice with regular MCQs as well. GS and CSAT classes are taken by our mentors through personal attention which help us a lot in clearing doubts. Therefore, I cannot deny this fact that Educrat IAS Academy has brought in me a change and also enhanced my confidence in writing presentable answers for Mains.Sourik Ghosh S.G26/04/2024
Educrat IAS Academy | |
Park Street Centre:- | |
2nd floor, North Block, Park Plaza Building | |
71, Park Street, Kolkata - 700016 | |
+91 91632 28921 | |
+91 89101 54148 | |
info@educratias.com |