Study smart, not hard.
How acads works, every MAC course and technique, and strategy for Prelims, Mains and the interview.
Mains Accelerator Combo
What is MAC?
Answer to all your questions about acads Mains Program in just 2 mins.
Mains Accelerator Comboacads Mains Accelerator Combo [MAC]: Scientifically Designed Program
It has been 9 years since the UPSC completely overhauled the UPSC syllabus.
Mains Accelerator Comboacads Mains Accelerator Combo [MAC]: Introducing Quad
acads course has been broadly divided into 4 parts - We call it acads Quad.
MAC techniques
Mains Accelerator Combo [MAC]: Write Tests the right way
Now that you have gone through the various schools of thoughts, you must we wondering- To be or not to be?
MAC techniquesMains Accelerator Combo [MAC]: The Lego Method
Remember playing the building blocks game- Lego?
MAC techniquesMains Accelerator Combo [MAC]: Replicability
Replicability is a concept similar to inheritability but differs slightly from it.
MAC techniquesMains Accelerator Combo [MAC]: Importance of Solving PYQs
Humans predict future by studying past events and unravelling a pattern in it.
MAC techniquesMains Accelerator Combo [MAC]: "Nudge" Mentorship
Decisions made by real people often deviate from the impractical robots theorized in classical economics.
MAC techniquesMains Accelerator Combo [MAC] : Integrated learning
The most common challenge associated with content is that it exists in silos.
MAC techniquesMains Accelerator Combo [MAC] : Inheritability
Inheritability: When a subtopic inherits the properties of the parent topic We know it sounds complex.
MAC courses
Mains Accelerator Course [MAC] : Ultra Compact GS
38 pages for final revision in the last week before the exam.
MAC coursesMains Accelerator Course [MAC] : Compact GS 3
About General Studies 3 paper is undisputedly the most comprehensive and lengthy paper.
MAC coursesMains Accelerator Course [MAC] : Compact GS 2
About General Studies 2 paper is one of the most scoring papers amongst the rest of others.
MAC coursesMains Accelerator Course [MAC] : Compact GS 1
About General Studies 1 paper is the most factual paper over the rest of the papers.
MAC coursesMains Accelerator Combo [MAC]: The Lego Essay
Essay paper carries the same marks as any GS paper, yet it does not get the equivalent attention that it deserves from aspirants— first timers and experienced aspirants alike.
MAC coursesMains Accelerator Combo [MAC]: Templates
While practicing answer writing for mains, always keep a few points in mind.
MAC coursesMains Accelerator Combo [MAC]: TS3 - The Final CSE
Now that you have gone through the various schools of thoughts, you must we wondering- To be or not to be?
MAC coursesMains Accelerator Combo [MAC]: TS2 - Mini CSE
Now that you have gone through the various schools of thoughts, you must we wondering- To be or not to be?
MAC coursesMains Accelerator Combo [MAC]: TS1 - Diagnostics Tests
Now that you have gone through the various schools of thoughts, you must we wondering- To be or not to be?
MAC coursesMains Accelerator Combo [MAC]: TFS [Strategy] Mains
Dashboard is a place to start new content and review old content.
MAC coursesMains Accelerator Combo [MAC]: RSTV + AIR + Yojana
acads do not recommend our learners to go though any of these resources.
MAC coursesMains Accelerator Combo [MAC]: Economic Survey, Budget and Other Important Govt Docs/Reports
There is no more authentic source for data, facts, policy initiatives than a government document.
MAC coursesMains Accelerator Combo [MAC]: Data for Mains
In God we trust, rest all must bring data.
MAC coursesMains Accelerator Combo [MAC]: Current Affairs GS3+GS4
The dynamic nature of UPSC demands that one remains abreast with the ongoing affairs of the world and the nation.
MAC coursesMains Accelerator Combo [MAC]: Current Affairs GS1+GS2
The dynamic nature of UPSC demands that one remains abreast with the ongoing affairs of the world and the nation.
MAC coursesMains Accelerator Combo [MAC] : Quotes for Mains
For no one can deny the impact of an answer that begins with a powerful quote!
MAC coursesMains Accelerator Combo [MAC] : NUMB3RS Mains
The course you deserve and the course you need.
MAC coursesMains Accelerator Combo [MAC] : Mnemonics
This is undoubtedly one of the most favorite section of most aspirants.
MAC coursesMains Accelerator Combo [MAC] : GS PYQs
Humans predict future by studying past events and unravelling a pattern in it.
MAC coursesMains Accelerator Combo [MAC] : Compact GS 4
About General Studies 4 paper aims to test the Ethical aptitude of future civil servants.
MAC coursesMains Accelerator Combo [MAC] : Case Studies and Best Practice
Aspirants are often told to collect snippets from the news to incorporate Best practices/ case studies to enrich answers.
Mains strategy
The four levels of a Mains GS paper
20 questions, 70 subparts, 350 points, 120 substantiations. Tackle Mains scientifically.
Mains strategyBefore any test series, solve the PYQs
There is no test better than a CSE PYQ. For each GS paper, solve at least two in exam conditions.
Mains strategyFive messages for the last weeks before Mains
Mains tests your analytical ability, not rote learning. Every new current affair will shake you. Here is what to hold on to.
Mains strategyGS 4 Ethics: be algorithmic, not inspired
Ethics is on the third day, in the second half, when you are exhausted. Don’t rely on your conscience or creativity.
Mains strategyAfter Prelims: the next three months belong to Mains
Checking answer keys from five institutes won’t change your score. Mid-October to mid-January is for Mains.
Mains strategyMental models for agriculture answers
Everyone knows a Mains answer must be multi-dimensional. Three words generate the dimensions for agriculture.
Mains strategyHow to use data to enrich your answers
Data in the introduction is worth 1 to 1.5 marks and a good first impression. The trick is to keep it ready, topic by topic.
Mains strategyMains answer writing: be mechanical
You have about 9 minutes for 250 words. You can’t think in the exam, so automate everything you can.
Mains strategyPerfect is the enemy of good
When preparing for Mains, avoid the temptation to achieve perfection in any topic. Four tips instead.
Mains strategyFive ways to form headings in a Mains answer
One of the commonest ways to enrich an answer is to write in headings and subheadings instead of bare points.
Prelims
Finally! ChatGPT 4 Cleared (and topped) UPSC Prelims with 168/200 Marks!
The latest version of OpenAI ChatGPT has not just cleared UPSC prelims 2022 but topped the exam.
PrelimsTwo Important Rules to tackle Current Affairs!
Aspirants often find current affairs the hardest portion to deal with.
PrelimsGoI Act 1919 ft. Thukra ke Mera Pyaar [4 Mins]
The Government of India Act 1919 marks a watershed moment in the history of Indian struggle for Freedom.
Prelims strategy
Don’t plan for Prelims. Plan for the last 15 days.
What you revise in the last 15 days is what you use in the exam. Study only what you can revise then.
Prelims strategyFive things to remember on Prelims day
Expect 50+ questions you know little about. It is the same for everyone.
Prelims strategyKnow the NOs: acing Prelims by reverse engineering
You don’t need the right answer to score +2. You need to eliminate the wrong ones.
Prelims strategyFinish a current affairs compilation in an hour
Most compilations are 20 to 25% current affairs. Decode them instead of reading them.
Smart study
How to avoid the trap of information overload
Your limits are not incompetence. You are a Homo sapiens. Six rules for less than 100 days to Prelims.
Smart studyOvercoming procrastination with time boxing
If you’re putting a task off, don’t force yourself to finish it. Put it in a time box.
Smart studyWhat “study smart” actually means
Smart studying is three things: efficiency, retention and the highest return on time. A test you can take right now.
Smart studyDon’t use a source you can’t revise ten times
A learner couldn’t retain culture after reading the standard book twice. Our answer applies to every subject.