How To Study For IAS And Preparing Notes

Preparing for civil services exam can prove to be a tough and unachievable task for all aspirants, but it is just the same as preparing for any other qualifying entrance which is held across the country today. For preparation, it is important to know the IAS syllabus of the optional subjects that you have opted; also you must have arranged the books for the same and must surely have made notes that may help u in long run to revise the IAS syllabus.

The notes you prepare must be written clearly as well as in a perfect order, so that you can refer to them in future. There are varied methods to prepare notes that include Linear Notes, Voice Notes and Pattern Notes.

Linear Notes- Talking of preparing linear notes, in this method, the study material is condensed in the form of headings and sub headings under which the most important points are jotted down. These kinds of notes can prove to be really helpful and making them is quite easy as while preparing linear notes from book, the material is already arranged properly in the book. However, there is one disadvantage of this method that while making notes, the students end up in copying the bookish language that proves to be fatal sometimes and defeats the purpose of condensing the matter at a single place.

The correct way to make use of this way is by using loose sheets in place of exercise book as it is easier to keep adding information. Leaving space in between of notes may help to integrate your notes with additional information in future. In order to make these notes look attractive you can utilize different colors, Fonts, capital letters, boxes and highlighting whenever necessary. This can draw your attention at certain content while preparing.

Pattern Notes- These kinds of notes are made as a pattern with the beginning of the topic written at the centre of the page. Just like the rays of sun, each line radiating out of the main idea is written in a brief way with the use of phrase or a keyword. This method can prove to be better than the linear approach as one can add more information without any hurdle of space. Also, the entire pattern can be seen at one go, without turning pages. Additionally, you can indicate links between different topics easily than the linear notes method.

One more plus-point of pattern notes is that it makes outstanding utilization of memory for revision as the aspirants keep jotting down points as they appear. And this makes it easier to remember as only phrases are used for making notes.

Voice Notes- Finally, talking of voice notes, this is a new method of preparing notes, as it requires a computer and internet connection. There are websites that offer clippings of classroom preparation for Indian Administrative Service, this way; you will be using your sensory organs which will help u remember this for a long time.