Important tips for BPSC Mains Answer Writing

Important tips for BPSC Mains Answer Writing for Beginners

Why Answer writing is important?

Writing the answers initially is definitely a hard nut to crack. It needs a lot of practice to master the art of writing good answers. Undeniably it takes time and effort to produce an average answer but with consistent practice and enriched knowledge, one can definitely produce better material. Practice is the only key here. Daily answer writing can make the candidate confident enough to appear in the written examination and score good marks. We are mentioning the need because it is seen that many qualified candidates with high prelims scores are not able to clear the mains because of little ignorance towards practice and inability to produce complete, crisp and presentable answers.

Writings are not expected to be vague or way too factual or elaborative. It demands a good blend of all because as it is said writing is an art and art needs to be mastered. It should be such that the examiner who will evaluate the answer booklet must be satisfied with the content in the end. A way high level or way low-level answers may not fetch you enough marks. Thus, comes the need for mastering answer writing before appearing in the exam room.

What to do?

• Be well aware of the Syllabus:
  • As stated by many Toppers and teachers one should have a stronghold on the syllabus itself beforehand so as to study only what is relevant and negate the irrelevant.
  • There is a difference in the approach towards studying for prelims and mains. Therefore, with previous knowledge of prelims, one just needs to learn a bit more and practice a lot.
• Complete the basic reading material: 
  • One must go through all the NCERTs to cover the major portion of General studies.
  • Read from the other sources available and revise them thoroughly, within fixed intervals revise them again.
• Always keep current affairs hand in hand: 
  • Many of the mains questions are directly asked from the current events and happenings.
  • Have a habit of reading newspapers and understanding the editorials well.
  • This reading can fetch you extra marks in debatable and opinion seeking questions.
  • One can also make notes from newspapers as it can give an edge in the essay paper.
• Equal importance to all Papers of BPSC Mains-
  • Prepare equally for all of them. One should not neglect any general studies paper in terms of knowledge or writing with respect to the previous year papers.
  • BPSC can dodge anytime in its level of framing questions and may leave the candidates in utter shock.
  • Thus, divide your timetable equally to prepare for all, along with the optional subject preparation.
• Make crisp and enriched notes.
  • Have separate notes for all the subjects. One can add current events to the topics while making notes.
  • Mark the important topics and add the bullet points whenever you see them.
  • Do not forget to inculcate all the major points in the topic including all the dimensions.
  • For example- thinking about a point or a topic in a social perspective, cultural perspective, economic perspective, political way also including environmental and international affairs if any.
• Importance of previous year papers.
  • Not only for optional but also it holds great importance in general studies answer writing. In turn, this will provide the candidate with a fair idea of the BPSC pattern.
  • One will get to know the areas to focus more on and also the tactics of interpreting the questions and statements.
  • One can practice up to 5 years of papers but under the definite time allocated to it and stick to the number of words. Because a wrong habit can cause a lot in the exam hall.
• Check or get a review of the answers from others.
  • This practice can get you to understand the examiner’s perspective and can help you rectify your own mistakes.
  • Revise often- the notes and your enriched answers.
• Always stay tuned to the changing trends and discuss enough with others to help you gather more points and a different angle on a topic.

How to write a good answer?

• An answer when written should not look like a bin of news, information and points that you just threw at the examiner in a haphazard way. The framework of the answer must be clear and logical. Stay away from the habit of just piling of information irrelevantly.
• Stay to the point, be original with your thoughts, do not drive away from the question, stay natural with your writing style, usage of simple, clear and easy language is prescribed.
• One should not show off his/her writing skills and language that is not understood by the examiner well. This practice will definitely make you lose marks.
• Stay clear, concise and complete. Try to answer all the parts of the question efficiently instead of focusing extra on the points of a single part.
• The person checking the answer booklet is qualified enough to know the correct answers therefore, avoid over-explanation and over imagination to the answers.
• Avoid making grammatical mistakes or basic English errors, as this might cost you marks.
• Good and legible handwriting is always soothing to the eyes and demands less effort to read. Therefore, for good answer writing, one should have neat and clear handwriting.
• Always have a psychological framework before starting the answer. Since you do not have much time to waste, the moment you read the question immediately frame a structure or a body for your answer and give it a direction in the mind itself. Write the points roughly with a pencil to avoid losing them during the actual time of writing.

Basics of answer writing

• READ THE QUESTION PROPERLY
  • To produce the answers well one should have a proper understanding of what the question is demanding. Contemplate the questions well.
  • Understand the demand of all the parts of the question asked and also as a whole.
  • Visualize the points to be written and then start with writing.
• INTRODUCTION
  • It takes hardly three-four lines to introduce your answer to the examiner. Choose the crux.
  • Be relevant and give the basic idea of what is demanded in the question.
  • One can be general by giving concepts and definitions or one can make the answer innovative by real-time examples or practical issues and events depending on the question asked.
  • In short, briefly narrate your central premise. For every 200-word answer, the introduction must not be lengthier than 20-40 words.
• BODY:
  • This portion can be divided as per your easiness and comfort. Make it paragraph based or bullet points over a paragraph or a mix of both.
  • Use the 360degree approach to answer whilst staying on the topic. It means to write answers covering diverse perspectives on the issue asked in the question.
  • Try using keywords to highlight your importance and scoring points. Underline them if needed.
  • Substantiate your points with the help of real-life examples, judgements, rulings, laws, reports, recent findings, facts and figures. This will provide legitimacy to your work and certainly would fetch you extra marks.
  • Try answering all the parts of the questions after analyzing their importance and give them weightage in your answers accordingly.
  • Use the diagrams, flowcharts, maps or charts if needed to supplement your answer or to explain any point in lesser words if running short of time and words.
  • Paragraphs should be changed when required but do not break the flow of your ideas.
  • Any answer must maintain its flow for effective reading. But always try to be accurate and avoid vagueness. 
• CONCLUSION
  • The ending should be done by wrapping up your points on a positive and healthy note.
  • Conclusion Should include a way forward and practical solutions should be provided for the need of the hour where the examiner checks your view, approach and willingness to get to the solutions as a bureaucrat.
  • Even in the non-practical idea always try to end the answer on a positive note and avoid the negative overtone to the answer.

Some Tips for Answer Writing:

Always stick to the word limit

• General Studies
  • Try to keep statements small and brief and to the point and avoid using compound sentences. Use flowcharts and maps when needed.
• Optional
  • In an OPTIONAL subject, there are 10 marker questions followed by 15 and 20 markers. Here the word limit varies a bit and also the answer writing style. Generally, papers here are comprehensive and lengthy, so it is not a hard and fast rule to anyhow reach the word limit. What is required is that all the important and main points are inculcated.
  • Avoid the idea of just filling up spaces to reach the count. Instead keep answers enriched, concise, explained, and complete.
  • Focus on the quality of the answers rather than quantity.  
  • While writing optional answers, focus on interlinking the topics, and overall approach, time-bound writing in which you are able to attempt all the questions.

Time management:

• You should give the right allocation to the time so that you are able to complete the question paper in three hours.
• Start with the questions in which you feel well versed and then followed by questions you feel less confident.
• Do not waste time in writing beautifully and slowly at the start and complete mess at the end.
• Do not waste much time in recalling the points. Write whatever comes naturally to you.
• Maintain the flow. Do not stick to one question for long. Move ahead and complete the rest available.
• If at the end you have spare time then attempt the leftover questions. Do not panic because then definitely you will lose the grip.
• Stay focused and attentive while reading the questions and while writing for the same.
• Do not try to force yourself, be easy and write elegantly.
• Stay true to your answers with confidence that you will clear it.
• Recheck your answers immediately if time permits. Underline the keywords or important statements.

This strategy will help you to face the most challenging stage of the BPSC Civil services Examination which is Mains answer writing. Eventually, Practice makes the man perfect.

All the best!