[Q] Doubts about Study-plan for CSAT IAS Exam

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Readers' Questions based on previous article about Study-plan for CSAT-2012.

Don't want to read many books

...frankly speaking I dont want to waste time in refering 3-4 book.....
max to max I can go through 2 types of books for each topic and want to prepare my own hand written notes......

• You're competing with senior players who've been in the business since 2-3-4 trials and went upto Mains and Interview stage multiple times.
• They've gone through 3-4-5-6 different reference books, have made their own crisp notes, been updating them with current affairs, newspaper editorials, and internet resources. I'm talking about the veteran, professional, dedicated hardcore players of UPSC. (not the ones you see in Team-India)
• So, Your excuse that I donot want to go through 3-4 books= suicidal for mains and interview. It's a competitive exam after all.
• Your limited reading base of 2-3 books, ( and thus limited knowledge and limited vocabulary and limited expression skills) will be reflected in sub-standard quality of Answers and Essays. Reducing the chances of scoring high in mains and getting interview call.
• Prelims= Precision of your knowledge, command over basics. (hence requires frequent-revision)
• Mains and interview=vastness of your knowledge. (hence requires reading from multiple-sources)

As I mentioned previously

Plan is not exhaustive, this plan doesnot guarantee 100% success, this plan is only for those who're totally confused about what to do and where to start.

Another Question:

yesterday you  told that , for history and geography all NCERT books from 7 to 12  + GS mannual are more than sufficient then why you are saying now refer spectrum and bipin chandra  

•  I have written: If you've time, you can use Bipin Chandra and Spectrum's History of Modern India.
• Those two books are good for developing the understanding of basics, especially Bipin for he shows the financial dimension of British Raj and the analytical part of how freedom struggle failed in some stages and succeeded in some stages. 
• May help you in one or two questions in prelims but Essential for mains and Essay preparation.
• Since you're a first timer and seem to have started preparation very late and there is limited time left before CSAT: NCERT+GS Manual =more than sufficient  in your case. Reading NCERT+ GS Manual + Bipin + Spectrum = you'll run out of time for remaining topics.

Which Magazine for which month?

which magzine was best for the month of jan 2012 and which is better for this month that is feb 2012.

Unless those magazine publishers give me free sample copies, I've no interest in comparing or reviewing each month's magazine editions.
Just goto the bookstall, and see by yourself. Pick the one which covers topics in a lucid manner. If you don't want to waste money, just read free Pratiyogita-magazine online and jot down important information in a paper-note/word file.

NCERTs: 11th and 12th Read or skip?

I am science graduate, and I studied physics and chemistry at my 12 th level
so I want to ask that , you are suggesting to non scince student to refer just 7 to 10 NCERT books and not go to physics and chemistry ......
so what you will suggest for me regarding science books and which standard ..... mention precisely and clearly

Essential =7-10, in any case for anyone.
Optional= 11,12 science: although they've bits and pieces of GK and principles here and there, much of the content goes into minute and unnecessary science-details so cursory reading and noting down anything important that comes by. As I said "may become tiresome" hence not recommended for Arts / Commerce grads.

Lot people have this question:

"I'm a science grad. why should I insult my intelligence by reading 7-10 standard school-books?"

Well you should, because UPSC is notorious for asking difficult questions from very basic things like Malaria, Microwave oven and so on. Unless you know the basics from schoolbooks, you can't tick the right answer.

Guaranteed Questions?

IF I  DONE ALL TOPIC OF HISTORY , GEOGRAPHY ,ECONOMY , AND POLITY FROM THIS BOOKS PROPERLY AND 4-5 TIMES REVISION  , THEN HOW MANY MARK OF PAPER WE CAN ATTEMPT SUCCESSFULLY??

• UPSC= unpredictable.
• Still looking at the last year's trend, at-least 35-40 questions should come from that booklist.
• But that doesn't necessary mean that you will be able to solve all those 35-40 questions, UPSC is notorious for designing tough questions from seemingly easy topics.
• So, I cannot take any guarantee, it's not a university exam. You may be able to tick 20- or you may be able to tick 50+, depends on your preparation and luck.

A message to everyone

• I'm not running a coaching class here, don't expect me to spoonfeed or babysit you for every tiny matter.
• I had failed in prelims in my first attempt, despite sincere efforts- due to lack of proper-direction from any experienced player and the inability to afford Expensive Delhi Coaching. In those years (pre-2009), there was hardly any information on internet about self-study in IAS exam.
• That's why I provide general direction to serious players so they don't end up wasting their attempts and they don't have to learn everything from past-mistakes, like I had to do.
• and this is not a school or university exam where you read x number of books and get y number of questions from it and get a first class. It is country's toughest competitive exam: You must have an open mind during preparation and courage to ride the tiger on your own. Don't expect me to hold your finger and walk you down the street.