What mistakes did you do during your UPSC preparation? Now that you realised them, what should you have done instead?

Question

I am looking for a practical answer to this UPSC question: What mistakes did you do during your UPSC preparation? Now that you realised them, what should you have done instead?

I want practical guidance from aspirants or mentors who have actually gone through this stage. Please share what worked for you, what mistakes to avoid, and how I should approach this in a realistic way.

Varun Mishra · Answer

The answer usually becomes clearer once you return to the syllabus and previous year questions. Those two things cut through a lot of noise.

That is usually where preparation starts feeling more manageable.

Khushi Pawar · Answer

I would focus less on finding the perfect hack and more on building a routine you can actually repeat for months.

Sourabh Sankaran · Answer

A useful self-check is:
- do I know the syllabus
- are my sources limited
- am I revising enough
- am I testing myself honestly
Most preparation problems show up there.

Most people improve once that part becomes clear.

Harsh Tariq · Answer

Whenever the plan feels messy, reduce it. One source fewer and one revision cycle more often improves preparation faster than adding new material.

Akriti Amin · Answer

You do not need a very clever strategy to move forward. You need clarity, repetition, and patience.

This is why simpler plans often work better for longer.

Naina Chopra · Answer

If you keep solving PYQs and reviewing weak areas honestly, many doubts settle on their own over time.

What mistakes did you do during your UPSC preparation? Now that you realised them, what should you have done instead?

6 Answers