Create a detailed 6-month or 12-month study plan breaking down the syllabus into weekly and daily targets. Use the 60-30-10 rule: 60% time for new topics, 30% for revision, and 10% for tests. Track your progress weekly and adjust as needed.

Download the official syllabus from the exam conducting authority. Create a checklist and mark each topic as you complete it. Ensure 100% syllabus coverage, giving more time to high-weightage areas but not completely ignoring any section.

Develop a clear exam-day strategy: decide your question selection approach (easy-to-difficult or section-wise), time allocation per section, and which questions to skip. Practice this strategy in every mock test until it becomes second nature.

Spend adequate time on concept clarity, especially in quantitative aptitude, reasoning, and general science. Use NCERT books (Class 6-12) to build strong fundamentals. Don\’t move to advanced topics until basics are crystal clear.

Follow the \”One Subject, One Book\” principle. Select 2-3 quality standard books for your entire preparation and stick to them. Read them multiple times rather than reading many books once. Quality over quantity always wins.

Implement the 24-7-30 revision technique: revise new topics after 24 hours, then after 7 days, and finally after 30 days. Create concise notes during first reading for quick revision. Dedicate at least 30% of your study time to revision.

Take at least 30-40 full-length mock tests before your exam in exam-like conditions. Spend 2-3 hours analyzing each test, understanding why you got questions wrong, and making notes of mistakes. Track your progress and improve weak areas systematically.

Practice solving questions with a timer from day one. Calculate your target: if the exam has 100 questions in 60 minutes, you have 36 seconds per question. Practice achieving this speed through regular timed practice. Use a stopwatch during mock tests.

Dedicate 30-45 minutes daily to current affairs. Read one newspaper thoroughly, follow a monthly current affairs magazine, and maintain a current affairs diary. Link current events with static topics for better retention. Start from day one of preparation.

Maintain a balanced routine: 7-8 hours sleep, regular exercise (30 minutes daily), healthy diet, and meditation. Take one day off weekly for recreation. Remember, consistent 8-hour quality study is better than irregular 12-hour exhausted study.

Develop a calculated approach: attempt only if you can eliminate at least 2-3 options. For 0.25 negative marking with 4 options, you need 50%+ confidence to break even. Practice intelligent guessing techniques but never guess randomly. Sometimes, leaving a question is the smarter choice.

Use coaching as a supplement, not the main preparation. Self-study should constitute 70% of your preparation. Make your own notes, solve questions independently, and develop your understanding. Many toppers have cleared exams without coaching through dedicated self-study.

Solve at least 10 years of previous year papers. Create a topic-wise analysis noting which topics appear frequently. Identify examiner\’s favorites and pattern changes. This strategic analysis will help you prioritize topics and understand what the exam truly demands.

Accept that government exam preparation requires 6-12 months of dedicated effort. Focus on building genuine knowledge rather than memorizing tricks. Learn concepts deeply, practice consistently, and trust the process. Smart work means working efficiently, not avoiding work.

Adopt a sustainable study routine: 6-8 hours of quality study daily is better than irregular 10-14 hour marathons. Build a habit by studying at the same time daily. Remember, consistency beats intensity. Small daily improvements compound into extraordinary results over months.