Need of competitive exams and how they help in shaping the career of students

Introduction:

The 12th fail movie is in the air! Also, I am a fan of the ‘ASPIRANTS’ series which is a story of the journey of three UPSC aspirants and their friendship against all odds. Whenever I scroll on Instagram or YouTube, it's just about UPSC and the mock interviews flaunting around. I was always in the bubble of cracking UPSC examinations, which was once burst. No one is responsible for this bad fate other than ME. It’s up to you to choose what you want to pursue.?

UPSC or any competitive examinations for that matter is challenging to crack. They play a pivotal role in shaping one’s career. These examinations have become crucial for gaining knowledge, upgrading our skills and following a systematic approach to education. Competitive examination is a fair assessment tool that provides equal opportunities to all irrespective of class, caste, religion, gender and creed. Candidates with different backgrounds and circumstances attend various examinations because the system of evaluation is standard and stern which ensures impartiality and transparency. This kind of selection process instill confidence in candidates who take up competitive examinations.?

Advantages of Competitive Exams

1. Fair Assessment & Healthy Competition

Competitive exams promote healthy competition among the candidates. When you start preparing for the competitive exams you come across your peers who may be older, younger or more experienced than you but the goal and aspiration remain the same pushing you to cross the boundaries and strive hard to reach your goal. Healthy competition and standardized assessment foster candidates to remain focused, believe in the system and improve their personal growth, resilience and develop perseverance and determination.?

1. Merit-based selection

Competitive exams allow one to study hard as their knowledge, skills and capabilities are measured in the examination and selected based on merit. ‘Read between the lines’ is a famous quote during my UPSC preparation in Delhi, WHich means a strong understanding of the subjects rather than the ratta mar concept was uplifted. The merit-based selection ensures a sense of fairness and encourages candidates to strive for excellence.?

1. Encourages preparation and self-improvement

There was a time when students lacked direction and guidance on how to prepare for competitive exams but now we have the internet which acts as a first guru for us in the preparation. The coaching institutes have mushroomed, and we get resources and materials at Xerox shops. Thus preparation is the first and important step and competitive exams motivate individuals to make rigorous preparation and continuous self-evaluation and development. The process of examination encourages the candidates to be disciplined, dedicated and focused on learning. We learn a lot of things in the preparation phase, like being goal-oriented and time management.?

1. Develops critical thinking and problem-solving skills

The subjects of competitive exams demand deep understanding and thinking in different ways thus individuals develop analytical thinking, reasoning skills and problem-solving abilities while cracking the questions. We are advised to solve a lot of questions from previous years this ensures that we develop critical thinking and craft strategies to solve questions and attempt difficult ones.?

1. Identifies talent and potential

Competitive exams act as the best platform to identify talents who possess great knowledge and have the necessary abilities to clear the examination. Thus helping institutions, organizations and government to choose the perfect candidates with exceptional capabilities and leadership qualities. The result is suitable candidates have been selected and allowed to positively serve society and their respective fields.?

Challenges faced by the individuals

Not all individuals take up competitive exams with their will. Most of the time it is parents or peer pressure. Some feel it is fancy to take up competitive exams, but clearing exams is not their cup of tea. Also, not neglecting the fact that some of the individuals are serious aspirants but among them a few of them may divert after a few attempts. This is what I have understood in my personal experience. Many students experience stress and anxiety when they hear about competitive exams. The candidates act under immense pressure because being successful leads them to their ideal career. Before starting the preparation one must be aware of the common mistakes that may agitate their exam preparation.?

1. Lack of study plan

Individuals have to first study the syllabus of any competitive exam. Without knowing the basics of any examination, one cannot succeed. I was told to first by-heart the syllabus of UPSC and read the CBSE textbooks as a primary step. Then it will be easy for us to plan our preparation as expected by the examination. Without a well-defined study plan, one may waste valuable time on not-so-important topics. A structured approach helps the individuals set a proper time for each subject and study with complete attention and focus.?

1. Neglecting mock tests and practice

Reading and understanding the subjects and concepts is on the one hand and the other hand continuous revision and taking up mock tests is crucial. Neglective mock tests may result in poor time management leading to rushed answers and incompletion of sections. Thus taking up mock tests regularly is recommended because it improves the candidate’s speed, getting familiar with the pattern and improvement.?

1. Overloading with resources and information

This is one of the common mistakes made by individuals. We get tempted by various and trending resources. Buying study material from different institutes for one subject and putting ourselves into the trap of an overload of information. This is a mere time waste and an incomplete understanding of the subjects. To lower the confusion we must depend and trust on some particular resources and rely on them. This will help in the perfect consumption of information and bring clarity to the concepts.?

1. Poor time management

Time is an important factor in any of the competitive exams. It is not just required in your initial phase of preparation but is key in your actual exam. Once you get accustomed to the pattern of examination, schedule your time with attention to each section that you are very comfortable with and then try to attempt other sections. This will help in time management which is a productive strategy in any examination.?

1. Neglecting health?

Health is a chief factor. Individual performance is greatly influenced by physical and mental health. Attaining a balance in one’s physical and mental wellness leads to great results. Also, keeping a check on stress levels has great benefits in your performance in examinations. Maintaining a balanced diet, meditation, sufficient sleep and some kind of physical activity will ensure maintaining cognitive performance.?

My UPSC Journey

Once when my teacher asked us to picturize our dreams, that was our assignment. I remember drawing a police station and on the table I had my name board saying D.C Chaitra S. My teacher expressed her happiness and patted my back. From then I began to dream about clearing the UPSC examination. My journey wasn’t easy, it started with discouragement and Nos. I started searching for someone who could guide me. My father, the greatest inspiration, always bought me some or the other fat books from the market which read UPSC question banks or Aptitude. I did not know where to start and how to start. I just finished my degree and packed my bags for Delhi. My father got my admission from one of the popular institutes. Everything felt new for me at the beginning. I read the newspaper for hours together trying to understand each and every line. Some of my seniors told me that, don't be so studious, it's UPSC, you will need a minimum of 2-3 years to crack it. To my surprise the book stall owners at the Rajender Nagar of Delhi were giving us tips on when to start our optional studies, which optional should I choose etc.?

I gave my first prelims in 2018 without completing the syllabus, without knowing how to deal with the questions and without a systematic approach. Because everyone said: first attempt is like a trial! In every attempt I made I felt I missed some or the other important aspect. There was lack of self-preparation, lack of revision and lack of motivation which made me wind up the UPSC trials. I am a girl you know, parents have to get me married as part of their responsibility. I did not keep quiet, I studied even after my marriage with my husband’s support, he always thought that our life will be like the movie ‘Suryavanshi’.?

I feel I have made a lot of errors during my preparation. It’s common, but better to correct it as soon as possible. Now, we can see a new trend has begun, having a backup if not UPSC. That might be a good idea but what I feel is concentrate on succeeding in one thing, be hungry for whatever you are aspiring for. Study beyond the boundaries, put your whole and soul in it. If your trials expire there is always a life beyond. You would have developed the potential to do anything and everything. Finally you will be a better citizen when compared to others.?

Conclusion

Competitive exams are essential in the educational landscape which is a catalyst for academic excellence and career development. Beyond academic proficiency, these exams nurture essential skills, instill confidence, and shape students into well-rounded individuals poised for success in the competitive world.?