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‹ All posts Mains strategy · 19 Oct 2026

Before any test series, solve the PYQs

Before running after any test series, solve UPSC PYQs. This is true for GS and for your optional. There is no test better than a CSE PYQ: go to the primary data.

For each GS paper, solve at least two PYQ papers in exam-like conditions, and watch for four things:

  1. Don’t exceed the time limit on any question.
  2. Don’t miss subparts.
  3. Address the demand of the question. This matters most.
  4. Automate and mechanise your answer writing as much as you can.

From the acads IAS Telegram channel. Join t.me/acadsCSE for more.

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