Analysis of Pattern of questions in Prelims
Description
The Union Public Service Commission conducts the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination every year, which is common for the all candidates applying for Civil Services Examination and Indian Forest Service Examination.
Since the examination serves as just a screening test; the results obtained in the preliminary Examination by the candidates will not be counted for determining their final order of merit.
However, this exam acts a primary mechanism for selection of candidates for the Civil Services (Main) Examination.
In the Civil Services examination 2018, around 3 lakh candidates appeared for this coveted examination, a total of 10,468 candidates had qualified for the UPSC main examination. For the personality test or interview 1994 candidates had qualified.
A total of 759 candidates (577 men and 182 women) have been recommended by the Commission for appointment to various services like IAS, IPS, IFS etc.
The above data clearly state the toughness of the paper. Even a slight mistake can bring aspirant out of the race.
Preliminary Examination forms the first step towards the goal of being a Civil Servant, thus thorough preparation for it is must. Right strategy and Right mindset is key to this examination.
The understanding of the pattern of questions asked in important to start the preparation with a Right Mindset.
Pattern of questions
The questions in the Preliminary examination are objective types. The reasons are:
· The examination is meant to check the in-depth knowledge and conceptual clarity of the student related to General Studies subjects. The objective type questions provide scope for horizontally spreading the length and breadth of the subject.
· The examination acts as a screening test for students to qualify for the Main Examination.
The characteristics of the questions are:
1. Core factual level question
These questions are based on facts; these check the memory retention power of the student.
Example 1 - Which among the following events happened earliest? Example 2 - Consider the following pairs: |
2. Core conceptual question
The questions in the preliminary examination are core conceptual in nature. These questions are asked to check the in-depth knowledge and clarity of the student.
Example 1 - If the president of India exercise his power as provided under article 356 of the constitutional in respect of a particular state, then Example 2 - Consider the following statements: |
3. Linkage between Current events and concepts
The questions are generally conceptual. Mostly the current events are linked with concepts to design the question. For example, if the news related to Governor is in News – then question pertaining to selection, powers or comparison with the President can be asked.
Example 1 – The issue related to Aadhaar was continuously in News. Thus UPSC has asked question: Q. Consider the following statements : 1. Aadhaar card can be used as a proof of citizenship or domicile. 2. Once issued, Aadhaar number cannot be deactivated or omitted by the Issuing Authority. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Example 2 – Government has taken many steps for digitization of currency. Thus UPSc has asked question: Q. Which one of the following best describes the term “Merchant Discount Rate” sometimes seen in news? (a) The incentive given by a bank to a merchant for accepting payments through debit cards pertaining to that bank. (b) The amount paid back by banks to their customers when they use debit cards for financial transactions for purchasing goods or services. (c) The charge to a merchant by a bank for accepting payments from his customers through the bank’s debit cards. (d) The incentive given by the Government to merchants for promoting digital payments by their customers through Point of Sale (PoS) machines and debit cards. Above examples depict the linkage between Current events and Concepts. Hence preparation for Preliminary examination requires thorough understanding of core concepts alongwith current events. |
4. In-depth nature of questions
Sometimes questions in UPSC are at micro-level. Students fail to cater such questions are they read the content superficially without understanding the core of topic.
Example 1 - According to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which of the following animals cannot be hunted by any person except under some provisions provided by law? Subject – Environment Topic – Environmental Governance Sub-topic – detailed provisions of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 Example 2 - With reference to agricultural soils, consider the following statements: Subject – Geography Topic – Soil Sub-topic - Soil characteristics |
5. Current based questions
The numbers of questions based on current affairs in UPSC examination are increasing year by year. Thus the thorough reading of newspapers is a must.
Example 1 - The terms ‘WannaCry, Petya and EternalBlue’ sometimes mentioned in the news recently are related to Example 2 – Consider the following pairs : |
Hence by analyzing the types of questions asked in the Civil Services Examination, one can understand the areas need to be concentrated while preparing for the prelims examination.