What mistakes did you make while preparing for UPSC CSE? How are you going to overcome them?

Question

I am looking for a practical answer to this UPSC question: What mistakes did you make while preparing for UPSC CSE? How are you going to overcome them?

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.

Karan Thapa · 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.

Ananya Antony · Answer

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

Neha Dar · 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.

Aisha Haldar · Answer

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

Mohit Kisku · 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.

What mistakes did you make while preparing for UPSC CSE? How are you going to overcome them?

5 Answers