Deciding the Number of Questions to Attempt in UPSC Mains

It's a common belief among aspirants that to clear the Mains, one needs to attempt the entire paper. However, the approach may vary from candidate to candidate. The Essay, General Studies paper, and Optional Papers each carry a maximum of 250 marks, while the Indian Language and English paper have a maximum of 300 marks each.

The Mains stage comprises nine papers in total. For a comprehensive understanding of the exam pattern, you can refer to the UPSC Exam Pattern.

Each paper of the UPSC Mains usually contains around 20 questions (though there can be slight variations), and candidates are given 3 hours to complete them. To maximize their score, candidates should strive to attempt all the questions. It's generally believed that those who attempt the maximum number of questions have a higher chance of clearing this stage than those who couldn't finish the paper on time.

Why Completing the Entire Paper in UPSC Mains is Important

As a general guideline, it is recommended to spend about seven minutes per question in the Mains Exam. This will help candidates to complete the paper in the allocated time. If a question demands more than seven minutes, the candidate should plan accordingly to make up for the extra time spent on that particular question.

Keep in mind that each question carries equal marks. Spending excessive time on a single question might compromise the time available for the remaining questions.

To manage your time effectively during the exam, you can follow the 7-5-3 Rule for Answer Writing in UPSC Mains.

Strategies to Increase the Number of Questions Attempted in UPSC Mains

• To clear the Mains stage, candidates need to answer the questions quickly and accurately. Accuracy can be achieved through a thorough understanding of the Mains Syllabus, while speed can be improved with continuous practice.
• Don't spend too much time on a single question. Focus on maintaining a balance between speed and accuracy.
• Try to present your answers in a structured manner, using bullet points, diagrams, and other visual aids, rather than writing long, monotonous paragraphs. This will help in catching the examiner's attention.
• Stick to the question and avoid giving irrelevant information or facts. Your answers should be concise and to the point.
• Even if you don't know the answer to a question, don't skip it entirely. Try to write something relevant, and you can always come back to it later if time permits.
• Most importantly, manage your time wisely. Set hourly targets to ensure you attempt all the questions within the given time frame.

To further improve your writing skills for the UPSC Mains Exam, you can refer to this article.