When you sit for Modern History tests, you would have to prove that you are able to deal with challenging questions related to the subject. Although the core questions have been more or less the same, a few newer questions are coming up today. There is a need for you to be aware of the underlying concepts in Modern History. It would be important for you to be able to know specific periods and significant characters. Here is how you need to prepare for Modern History tests for the UPSC 2021 exam.
Remember the chronology
Some of the questions that appear in the UPSC, such as about the freedom movement, are chronology based. You have to remember the timeline of the important revolts and movements for civil disobedience, peasant revolts and various other causes. A number of prevailing internal causes led to the huge outbreak of revolts against the British prior to 1857.
You would do well to create a timeline of all the major revolts, major causes or reasons for the same, people involved in the same, locations, reaction of the British, the consequences etc.
Analyze the topics of importance
First, you need to check the detailed syllabus, followed by the history papers of previous year, in order to analyze the vital areas and topics to focus more or less on. The syllabus of history is huge, and both mains and prelims are important. You need varied strategy and approach for both stages. Revise the earlier source for fast revision in prelims, and then make notes of the same.
Focus on the Facts and figures
In recent exams, a new trend is facts and figures. Thus, you have to know about all the names as well as info about the important personalities – their contributions, positions, posts, roles, details etc. The World History comprises of events like colonization, industrial revolution, types of political philosophies and how these affected the society, world wars etc. Indian culture includes the vital aspects of Architecture, Literature and Art Forms of all times, from the ancient times to the modern eras.
Revision is crucial & practice answer writing
Though often not paid heed to by students, revision is the key before you appear for your UPSC 2021 Exam. Since the syllabus of modern history tend to be huge, you must keep at least a couple of days in a week or plan a few hours every alternative day to revise what you are thoroughly studying. It helps in soaking in the knowledge and you are bestowed with the memorizing power in a more vivid way.
Whether you love to write or not, maintaining coherence in how you plan to go about structuring answers is an art. You can only do it right when you practice writing answers, thoroughly. Self-evaluate and let your teachers help you out as to how you can do better.
