How to Evaluate and Improve Your Answer Writing for the UPSC Civil Services Exam Without Coaching

Preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Exam without the guidance of a coaching institute can be a challenging yet rewarding journey. One critical aspect of this preparation is answer writing practice. This article will guide you through the process of improving your answer writing skills, evaluating your practice answers, and obtaining expert feedback without joining a coaching program. Let’s dive into the key steps and strategies you can implement.

How to Start Practicing Answer Writing

Writing is an art that you can hone through persistent practice. Here are the steps to get started:

Read Extensively

Before you start writing, immerse yourself in reading. Engage with a variety of reading materials, including newspapers, journals, and blogs. Understanding different perspectives and arguing points will greatly enrich your answers. For instance, if you read an opinion piece in The Hindu about the role of India in the Russia-Ukraine war, jot down a summary of points and arguments.

Write Regularly

Writing is a habit, and like any other habit, it needs to be cultivated with consistency. Begin by writing daily, even if it’s just a few lines. Gradually, increase your output. Here’s a suggested schedule:

daily short entries twice a week once a week

Use anything available – just a piece of paper and a pen (or a digital device) to start jotting down your thoughts.

Practice Writing Official Questions

Once you are comfortable with regular writing, it’s time to start practicing full-length answer writing for UPSC’s previous year’s questions (PYQs). You don’t need to overthink or imitate anyone; everyone has a unique voice and writing style. Aim to write at least one full answer per week. Set a timer to simulate exam conditions, which will help you manage your time more effectively.

How to Judge Your Own Answers

Evaluating your answers is crucial to improving, but it can be challenging without an objective third party. Here are some parameters to help you assess your answers:

Handwriting and Neatness (5 points): Is your writing legible and neat? Quality of Content (20 points): How relevant and comprehensive is your answer? Coherence to What Has Been Asked (20 points): Does your answer address the question comprehensively? Structure (15 points): Is your answer well-structured with an introduction, body, and conclusion? Keywords or Subject Vocabulary (10 points): Do you use relevant and precise terminology? Use of Idioms, Sentence Forming, and Grammar/Spellings (10 points): Are your sentences clear and grammatically correct? Clarity of Thought and Expression (20 points): Is your thought process clear and logical?

Mark yourself based on these parameters and reflect on your strengths and weaknesses.

Can You Evaluate Answers Without Coaching?

Indeed, you can do much of the evaluation on your own. However, self-evaluation has inherent biases. For instance, someone with a shy personality might rate themselves lower than they deserve. To mitigate this, try to be objective and be realistic in your assessment. Here are a few tips:

Use the parameters outlined above as a benchmark. Seek feedback from trusted friends or colleagues who can provide a more objective perspective. Join online forums or study groups where experts might provide feedback based on your answers.

Ultimately, while self-evaluation is valuable, it’s essential to have some form of expert guidance. Once you clear the preliminary examination, consider joining a reputable answer writing program. There are several reputed coaching institutes that offer such services:

Vision IAS Edsarrthi Civils Daily Rau's IAS Insight IAS

These institutes provide valuable insights and feedback that can take your preparation to the next level. Check their programs and compare their offerings and prices to find the best fit for you.

By following these steps and strategies, you can make significant progress in your answer writing skills without the need for a full-scale coaching program. Remember, persistence and dedication are the keys to success. Happy studying!