AIR 44 Deeksha’s Strategy to Breach the 250 Marks Barrier in History Optional | UPSC CSE 2025 Topper

Added: 2026-05-31

[00:00:00]So in 2023 um it was my first main I was 22 years old and I was a bit um um immature to understand what history optional stands for. Even though I did a lot of hard work but I ended up with so much bulky notes that I could not revise it.

[00:00:16]>> What sort of value addition is it that you did that sort of took your answer to that additional level?

[00:00:22]>> That hunger for plus one mark or plus two mark in every question that hunger uh makes you strive harder. Plus my brother always used to insist fourth attempt or you need to switch to anything else.

[00:00:38]>> So can you talk a bit more about that like you know how to prioritize, how to choose the right theme, what to study, what to leave that sort of a you know approach.

[00:00:47]>> No matter what UPSC throws at you, you will have that mindset of answering them uh because of your brainstorming exercise. And I think this is an exercise that everybody uh almost all the talkers that I've talked to everybody has done this and I think uh that does help. So I used YPD app to ji I used to study uh I used to start the timer on and it did not let me use any other app. So it was like my mother in my phone.

[00:01:15]>> Hello everyone. Good morning.

[00:01:18]Um we are back with another session in our history darbar series where we talk about you know the different approach towards history optional paper. History optional this year has been a very rewarding optional which sort of breaks this myth key history marks rank.

[00:01:37]Previously also we have had rankers including all India rank one from this optional and this year at level up is itself we have four selections in top 100 of which dika ma'am is one. So you've also interacted with uh dika in the past in two sessions where she has shared her overall strategy subject wise strategy theme wise strategy for history optional.

[00:02:02]In this session today we want to talk about the one very important hurdle not just in history but also in other options as well is crossing that you know very difficult very high pedestal threshold of 250 marks. So talking about Diksha herself in 20 23 she had also given the UPSC CSE mains examination where her optional marks were also stuck around 252. Now this is a pattern that uh we at level up we have seen with a lot of students that you know after a lot of hard work after a lot of decent preparation marks somewhere in the optional paper one paper two combined somewhere get stuck around this you know this figure. So how to cross that figure? What is it that you know she did in her history optional approach in her history optional strategy in her way of attempting the paper? How is it that she sort of managed to cross that threshold is what she's here to share with us today. So welcome welcome to this session Diksha and uh now the floor is yours. Please please guide our students on what is it that you did and what is it that you think they should do to score 300 marks in history optional.

[00:03:21]>> Okay. Hello everyone. Um uh thank you Siddhich for this introduction and um I'm glad that I I can come back here anytime and I can share my insights and uh strategy. So um as you had already told I secured uh 252 marks and 23 means and then uh in this mains I could uh score around 280. So um I think the jump of 30 marks uh required a lot of efforts both like this 30 marks but it actually requires a lot.

[00:03:55]So I'll start with the things that I did wrong in 2023 that uh ended me up with 252 marks. So uh I think with my failures and with my mistakes you will realize more as to what you do not have to do and uh so we'll start from there itself. So in 2023 um it was my first main I was 22 year old and I was a bit um um immature to understand what history optional stands for. So my preparation strategy was more on the lines of um factual information learning and uh just start to find the facts. So the first um mistake that I did was to make bulky notes out of uh the books and those bulky notes uh it was around four notebooks which were like this big. So even though I did a lot of hard work but I ended up with so much bulky notes that I could not revise it. Uh the second mistake that I did was to not revise the optional in in a very effective way. uh so I think I did not have a very nice plan to ensure that I have read everything at least thrice before I write my names. So that lack of re revision made me feel uh a little bit less confident and also that in the main examination center I I could remember where I had written my uh words my keywords my answer but I could not remember the provision of the acts. So um that wasted a lot of time plus it made me underconfident in the um other answers as well. So that was another big mistake. Uh third big mistake was uh how I did not focus on some very important topics. There are certain high yielding topics in history optional like national movement, Gandhi, um Italian, German unification. So these were the topics that are really highly rewarding and if you do it properly, if you attempt the BQS of it, it is going to repeat but I did not strategize enough to emphasize more on these topics. So um last exam there were many options start on very basic note of Italian unification but I could not remember some of the dates some of the structure of the answer. So that was another mistake that I did. Then uh I wrote some generic answers because of the posity of the time. Uh I gave 40 minutes to mapping which was a blunder. So 40 minutes mapping a section of course compromise. So how you attempt the paper is also very important not just the knowledge. So attempting the paper was also a mistake. So these were certain blunders that I did in 2023. then I made sure 25 may repeat now. So I did a lot to cover that in these two years. So I think we start from there. Um if you have any questions >> so basically you know talking to you and also whoever else I've been speaking to one thing that always comes out is that we say key by preparation but mostly it's about performance. I think your hard work in 2023, your preparation in 2023 was not performanceoriented.

[00:07:16]>> It wasn't oriented towards that day.

[00:07:19]>> So you said you said that you know you used to write generic answers or you wrote generic answers in your 2023 paper. So what is it that you specifically did in terms of history optional? What sort of value addition is it that you did that sort of took your answer to that additional level?

[00:07:39]uh so a lot of types of value addition that we can refer to. Firstly, I used a lot of maps. Coming to the first paper, I used a lot of maps. In ancient, I drew a lot of political maps. Uh showcasing all the sites. Even if they did not ask me in the question, I used to draw a map. Uh apart from that, I also used to draw world map. Uh I had practiced everything. Even Australia map, I had practiced colonization question. I'll draw Australia map also. So I think it covers the space. it gives the examiner an understanding um about the geographical expansion or the details. So maps is something that I did uh religiously and second historaph of course u did not overdo historaphy but I think if a question is asking indirectly for it you need to incorporate historioggraphy. So for um especially medieval and modern these are the u sub sections of history optional that requires indirect historioggraphy.

[00:08:43]So um I did that. Uh thirdly I also drew a lot of uh timelines or you know um graph or anything that I can add which gives a break to the monotonous answer writing. So rather than writing answers in bulky points or in paragraphs, I used to make sure that examiner by reading my answers and it um reduces the time to check the answers and I it eases his or her uh effort. So my um focus was also on presentation. Uh lastly, I think in 20 2023 I did not understand the question well. uh but in 25 it is very important that you understand the question and its hidden demand. Once you hit the demand right in the introduction I think uh it catches the attention of the examiner that you have understood it. So uh introduction and conclusion important because it gave the summary of my learnings to the examiner. So I focused a lot on introduction conclusion. I made templates of introduction and conclusion for every paper ancient medieval modern world. Um so these are these are some things that I incorporated.

[00:09:58]>> H so you spoke about presentation. I basically I'm thinking two things right now. First of all is that be it presentation be it meeting the demand of the question or you know the right balance of historioggraphy.

[00:10:13]Uh the first thing that comes to my head is that how is it that you figured it out after 2023? You obviously you know had some time and obviously there was a bit of trial and error with your first attempt but could you share a you know some sort of was there like an aha moment or was it you know like a sort of slow progress over time key mock tests mock test feedback say you learned or you know you followed some particular topper strategy.

[00:10:43]Uh so first thing is I want to know how is it that you figured it out and secondly is that in terms of presentation particularly there is a lot of reluctance that students have.

[00:10:54]They're like my drawing will not look nice or you know they're like point is taking too much space let me just write that point.

[00:11:05]So how is it that you overcame that you know reluctance and how is it that you sort of decided this is working?

[00:11:14]>> Okay. So I'll answer your second part of the question about the presentation. I know a lot of people uh even the toppers like Vikram Braval they were not very good in fine arts or making drawings and stuff but they did incorporate that in the answers that it does not require a lot of um extremely good skills. All you need to do is draw some circles or squares. Do not have to draw very specific maps or graph. So I think uh mindset that you're not good in it. You can always be good in something once you try hard. So I think I think it comes with a lot of answer writing PQ attempt mock papers then you yourself will get it. Um coming to the first part of your question, how did I figure it out? It took a lot of time of course 23 and 25 uh it took me two years to understand the need and how to do it while apart but I think a lot of things helped me. First of all guidance and mentorship uh Nikl Rashal they were always there and in 2024 I also attempted for test series of history optional. So when I used to take feed feedbacks from them where am I going wrong and what else answer so I think that hunger for plus one mark or plus two mark in every question that hunger makes you strive harder. So uh that worked and secondly I saw a lot of topics copies uh a lot and I understood key um there is there is a clarity in concepts there is a flow in the answer there's clarity and there's conviction somehow so I think copies um I tried to replicate like Sharma's answers and um I did that then lastly I think figuring out may I wrote a a lot of answers. The more you practice, the more you understand weak point. So for example, my weak point was that I used to forget factual bits. Uh for example, in modern specifically uh pre-1857, there are a lot of revolts and rebellions. And I used to forget the the area, the date and the these things. And when you are under confident about a topic you feel like and you try to switch to another section and do that. So I think I think I focused on that as well.

[00:13:56]M so like you know I think overall that sort of thing when what you said key because you had done three set revisions at least in your 2025 paper is where you sort of got that confidence from >> yes >> that uh which is I think what you' mentioned in your dos and don'ts that in 2023 you were focusing more on building that bulk of knowledge and then by 25 you had trimmed it down to what works and done multiple revisions of that. So that is what really you know that is what gave you that confidence.

[00:14:31]So but then coming on to how is it that you trimmed it down like you sort of did a lot of answer writing practice proper copies plus there was you know you had the opportunity to interact with Nikil sir Vishal sir get their feedback but u what was the process like you know did you start making your notes again because attachment notes I've made these big books did you sort of be like let me start again or did you sort of you know condense very pertinent question because um and I did not want to get rid of them that was the anchor of my preparation.

[00:15:16]So what I did was I took A4 pages and uh topic I used to write the whole summary of that topic in half of the page and I used to leave some space in that second time would revise and I'll make even smaller points out of it. So A4 notes just for the sake of revising in those four days. So I think it is the second step where you just write the points history where you don't have to know every word. You know the story you know the timeline the nature of the event or the person. So all you need is to just have two to three words or pointers.

[00:16:04]So once you understand one basic thing when you have that foundation you can very well make short notes starting short notes. So when I had the basic knowledge, I could very well translate into a half A4 page notes. Then I uh narrowed it even smaller sticky notes especially for debatable questions where you have to learn the name of the historian. So I think uh the third iteration where I was just writing three words per answers.

[00:16:42]I think uh iteration comes with the greater knowledge and revision duty automatically it's a very smooth process and coming to the last part uh I think revision strategies worth improvise revising history optional is the most uh boring part of history optional because you have to read one thing again and again and again so I think revising history optional I made it interesting for me and and I fooled my mind into doing it again and again. So I think that's >> so just you know drawing an inference and summarizing I think what you were saying is key or second notes first of all it's a two-step process it's not like for example if I take and then I'm like short not that will never happen is >> yeah and the second thing is you're saying is key the second set of notes basically are your revision notes And you just want to give it a glance.

[00:17:56]>> So another thing and this actually Vishal had shared this question with me just before the session. He said that you know uh first of all in terms of your notemaking and in terms of improving your score was it that you sort of looked at the themes in history optional a little differently like you had probably also mentioned that you know Gandhi which important themes that you did not cover. So can you talk a bit more about that like you know how to prioritize how to choose the right theme what to study what to leave that sort of a you know approach.

[00:18:31]Um so I did a full um research on the past 10 to 15 year questions and you can very well figure it out economic nationalism question there is one question always from that section question enlightenment so there is a pattern that UPSC follows 80 to 90% repeat so when you get the hang of the pattern you can understand you get that signal in your mind.

[00:19:11]So when you had that thing in mind and in the crash course as well we focused on topics that were really important.

[00:19:19]I think these two things helped me to focus more on it and uh when I knew topic so I knew I had to give one value addition point which will make my answers stand apart from the others but I will write a historian's perspective that will be unique so I think my focus was on that lowanging food.

[00:19:50]It gives me extra marks that just say like talking of Gandhi itself. Can you share like what was it? What was your sort of you know secret value addition tip or not secret but like what was that one extra edge if any not just Gandhi any particular example?

[00:20:07]uh in fact I'll take an example of our crash course only we had prepared u pqs of mahatma Gandhi's national movement my contribution and there were a lot of different perspective counterpoints to his strategies as well we have ranjid bha historians and I tried to incorporate some books that are written on Mahatma Gandhi in the recent times so I also incorporated um viewpoints of scholars like Shahid mean or uh some new perspectives on Mahatma Gandhi. Um so I think recent history it makes it more lively and interesting. I think uh that helps a lot for in world history also I used a lot of current affairs cold war question. So I used to end my answers with something that connects history with the contemporary times. So these are the small bits that make your answers stand out.

[00:21:09]>> I think Nikila also says this you know even with his podcast and whatever he's doing is that history is very topical like people look at history as something but you know ultimately what all is happening right now is because of history or has some history to it.

[00:21:26]>> Exactly. for example question anything about the chola then I will mention kanisetti's work of lord of the deans or with the recent ship that we built um that replicated the jola model or the palama model of trip so I did these things to make sure key u the examiner doesn't feel that I'm a I'm just a nerd trying to uh give knowledge I also know key history is important for a contemporary time I In civil services, they're not looking for a person who can memorize facts. They're looking for a person who can understand history and implement those uh lessons and values in the present times.

[00:22:09]>> Okay, that is actually, you know, something that not a lot of people these days focus on history. Maybe people get caught up in facts or they get caught up in historioggraphy.

[00:22:20]But contextualizing it is one important takeaway that I think you've given us.

[00:22:25]Uh coming back to sort of you know our larger theme key how is it that we sort of cross that threshold and what all is it that we need to do to sort of stay on track. Uh you said that one thing that helped you was finding you know trial and error a lot of practice a lot of PQs and a lot of mocks and also getting the right sort of mentorship.

[00:22:48]uh did you also sort of you know were you fortunate enough to build like a good peer group around you because you're also from history like history graduation from Miranda house I think right so were your you know was was there anyone who was preparing with you or did that sort of help you or did you were you of the mindset types >> uh fortunately or unfortunately I don't know but I did not have a peer group option so I did prepare it alone only uh but I had friends who could help me out.

[00:23:22]For example, mapping section, I used to sit with my flatmates and I used to tell them ask me.

[00:23:29]uh so I think in in the topics that that needs um discussion yeah it needs a sort of active recalling while a revision I used to sit with my friends it doesn't matter history background but I think um in that case I took took their help and in second case uh there's a very famous technique called filman technique um which says key uh if you can teach a topic to somebody it means that you have simply understood it very well. So I think um I used to do it a lot.

[00:24:07]I don't care.

[00:24:09]I used to make them sit and I used to teach them a part of the syllabus topic. If I can make them understand that topic and also like you mentioned that you used AI like you sort of you know had a conversation with your chatbot structure I think. Again as I said key revising history optional was such a um deadly job for me that I had to improvise it to make it interesting. So I used all kind of techniques. I used to make voice notes. I used to u make sticky notes and stick in front of my table so that I have to see it first thing in the morning. Uh apart from that I also uh I I made drawings and paintings just to you know um caricatures something that can make me understand key uh I had drawn this bit on my page and I remember that thing connect.

[00:25:05]So a lot of techniques that I think people should explore according to their own interest and taste but revising is something that I think made the difference. So once you start revising it again and again with different techniques you can definitely spawn.

[00:25:24]>> So I mean what was that one technique? I mean you said you did a lot of things but looking back now what is that one thing if you could point key yeah this is what you know sort of made that difference.

[00:25:38]uh so I did not have a lot of time in uh 24 time between prelims and main so what I did was uh I used to write five to six ps every day but I used to brainstorm at least 10 questions every day but um I used to think question what will I write in the introduction what will I write in the conclusion what are the sub points I'll I'll make and what are the historaphy I'll incorporate uh And I have to brainstorm this within one or two minute. And actively the more you brainstorm the more your mind gets accustomed to answering question.

[00:26:19]No matter what UPSC throws at you, you will have that mindset of answering them. uh because of your brainstorming exercise and I think this is an exercise that everybody uh almost all the talkers that I've talked to Sangea Si Aditya everybody has done this and I think uh that does help also coming to PQs uh history has a lot of PQs like you know history PQs are also sort of the base for preparing preparing for this optional um how did you prioritize which pqs to focus on themes by I know Gandhi is there, German unification, Italian unification is there. These are pet topics for UPSC in every paper we have that so within those themes also did you know so I think in 25 I did not leave any stone unturned.

[00:27:24]I cannot afford to lose any topic. Yeah.

[00:27:27]Do not have any knowledge on any topic.

[00:27:29]So attempting all the PYQs is a necessity. It's not a luxury anymore in history. And it is not very difficult.

[00:27:38]It seems daunting. But if you see her ps is the way of answering them changes a bit.

[00:27:50]So if you strategize well enough, you can really do it within a lot of uh within a limited time as well. PQs and I used to keep it with me whenever I'm studying a theme or a topic. I used to see make sure I understand and uh what else it can ask on the same theme. So you just need to sit with it.

[00:28:23]It's not a daunting task. It's just you it's just how you strategize and plan it that matters. M h was there also some sort of you know backtracking from pqs or are you of the mindset even though you did your graduation in history but someone beginner go back to ps with that booklet that you suggesting I think if I'm if I'm reading ancient India indisp civilization I will first open the PQ booklet see the questions then I'll read my notes or the basic foundational notes your book uh in that book I'll try to find the answers of that PQ and then from that PQ and the book I'll make the notes so it goes parally I think okay So I think I just have sort of two very short things that I want your you know view on uh because I think we've mostly covered revision, we've covered PQS, we've also covered practice, answer writing, presentation.

[00:29:40]Uh but just you know overall I want to ask that obviously like you said that you know you had sticky notes in your room you'd wake up you would look at that you sort of had that PQ booklet handy how is it that you sort of maintained composure throughout all of this was there I mean I'm sure there were times where you probably doubted yourself but that confidence that you built through multiple revisions how is it that you you know sort of kept that going.

[00:30:11]>> Uh, it's a very tricky question because I it's a very personal thing that keeps you going. It can be an external motivation or an internal motivation.

[00:30:20]Either way, I think I knew and I missed it. And I was sure you should grab that opportunity like anything.

[00:30:37]you you should not care of anything and in these three months make sure that you give your 100% every day no matter but when you give 100% every day you you have that feeling I think in 25 I had that mindset I have to get through it so every morning that you wake up you wake up with that uh mindset of a winner that it is my day and and I'm going to do this.

[00:31:07]So, a lot of techniques again uh practice manifestation, practice, spirituality, meditation, whatever works for you. You have to keep yourself sane because history can make you insane a bit. Um again and again you have to make yourself so mentally emotionally resilient that no no matter what.

[00:31:36]So I think uh the more you try to love history, the more you try to be curious about history, it will reward you. The more you try to run away from it detest history though it will become a burden on you and it will become an elephant sitting on your shoulder throughout the journey but don't treat it as that.

[00:31:56]Treat it as a subject that will reward you at the end of the day. Uh reward optional and I think this year's result is a validation for it as well.

[00:32:09]>> I think that is that is actually a good note to end on. it sort of you know it is a rewarding subject you sort of need to maintain that belief. Um let me also look at you know what some of our students are asking.

[00:32:25]Um so we have Ashwaryia who's asked how much depth is enough in history optional before it leads to diminishing returns.

[00:32:37]Is there sort of >> you know a bar that you can set?

[00:32:43]>> Huh? I think uh it comes from practice only. But realize that you can UPSC cannot ask you more than 300 words on a topic. It cannot ask you to write uh long PhD essay write essay like answers. So all you need to know is something about everything not everything about something. And this is a mantra that I live by. Uh at least I could write a 20 marker. That is it. That is my limit. That is my threshold because it will compromise my other GS subjects. So that is the fine line that you have to draw. Just because you like world history doesn't mean that you keep keep learning and keep writing notes of it.

[00:33:33]Interest ambitions. you have to mold it in the um in the UPSC style uh learning to I think I fine line once you know that you have to do so much you try to limit your knowledge.

[00:33:49]>> Okay. Uh An is asking ma'am was there a particular source that you followed for history current affairs?

[00:33:57]Uh also he's saying that uh were you using your phone and the internet throughout your preparation or did you sort of isolate yourself?

[00:34:07]>> Okay, first I'll answer the first part of the question. Current affair sources newspaper.

[00:34:14]There's always one or two news about history. Um there's another that is releasing. Yeah, there's another research paper example.

[00:34:23]Then the Indis Valley script uh description was a lot of a lot in news.

[00:34:29]So uh newspapers, magazines and then uh I think Nickel and Vishal they are so up to date with uh history of current affairs that they keep posting something on their telegram group as well um on the history optional telegram group. So they they are also very uh up to date and I used to follow them uh for the current affairs as well. Java there are certain sites as well um specific to history option I'll share it um on my telegram group so that also helped in sunset TV but uh famous uh playlist here of ancient India key YouTube uh there's a whole show on Vic times till modern times Gupta times it's a very interesting way to see history so these are certain sources toi you can explore. I won't suggest that everybody look for it but huh if you have a curious mind you'll find the current affairs yourself and coming to the second part of question uh I tried to keep my phone away but it is not practical in this in this world to be uh to be realistic. So I used YPD app to ji I used to study uh I used to start the timer on and it did not let me use any other app. So it was like my mother in my phone.

[00:35:54]YPD is something that I religiously used especially before prelims and uh apart from that you have to cut off a little bit. social media. Yes, of course.

[00:36:05]Because u it becomes a distraction no ma no matter how much you say that it benefits you. But no uh constant gratification um with social media usage that is very dangerous especially for students like us who are opting for history optional that requires you to sit for hours and hours on table. So no, I think uh cut cutting off social media and using phone to a very limited extent by using apps like YPT.

[00:36:35]>> Okay. Okay. Uh there are also some people you know who change their phone, they go to a different phone and there's you know a lot of back and forth on that.

[00:36:44]>> My brother did it. Uh he he appeared for IITJ for for one year he took that uh keypad phone >> and he did well. So I think that also worked but not for me I guess depends on the person.

[00:36:59]>> Okay. Uh Gori is asking that uh ma'am can you tell a bit more about historiography sources also what did you plan anything else apart from UPSC as a career option.

[00:37:15]Uh so historioggraphy sources there is no one source sadly in history optional but uh you have to collect it from a lot of sources up mock answer. So I I used a lot of historaphy from the solutions of um level test series. Uh then secondly a lot of books like Shaker Bandupad and uh books like these they have hidden historaphy embedded.

[00:37:46]Similarly you have to pick out some historaphy from the books as well. So um when you are making notes make sure that you highlight that parttori.

[00:37:58]Then thirdly you can use start GPD now you have access to everything now. So um especially world history where you don't have much sources try to use that GPT try to incorporate things from um Germany asky ask for the books the sources so keep asking chat GP and that works and second question u my backup option was uh to be really honest I did not have a backup and I won't recommend it to anybody else because it costs a lot to your mental health. But if I could not do this, uh I knew for a fact that I will do something in my life at least mindset I am capable enough to do anything else.

[00:38:50]So I could have done policy making I I would have done masters or I would have um gone for an MBA. So always have something in your mind uh that acts as a reassurance to you that your worth is not linked to a name in the PDF but uh life is much more than that.

[00:39:10]>> Did you sort of have like a cut off attempt then I will start >> like attempt was like my cut off attempt I would not have attempted after.

[00:39:21]>> So but then luckily you made it in the six fifth fourth attempt itself.

[00:39:26]I think that is also what the cut off attempt maybe also sort of gave you that drive.

[00:39:43]Plus my brother always used to insist or you need to switch to anything else.

[00:39:53]So I I also had a lot of doubts on history optional on my strategy on myself. So I think no matter what happens and give your 100% effort every day that's it is asking let's just take one or two more. Uh Swatiati is asking something which is sort of related to what you were just saying. She's asking how to maintain physical health and mental health during this duration.

[00:40:26]Ah very very good question knowingly unknowingly but coming on physical health you will realize that once you do certain kind of exercise in your day your productivity substantially increases after the exercise you will feel good um after exercise you will feel motivated to study so I think physical exercise is a necessity you have to do it to make sure that you remain productive and you remain healthy. And coming on the mental health part, uh again I did not live under a rock. I used to live with my flat plates who were very supporting my family. So I and I knew for a fact exam already takes a toll on your mental health. So you need to make sure key you yourself handle your emotions well ethics emotional intelligence and stuff but I think UPSC teaches you in a very practical way of how to handle your emotions whatever it is you handle yourself very well in this preparation and you take help you talk to people and at At the end of the day you become very mature kind of person. The person that enters this journey is not the person that exits this journey. And I think resilience where you have to sleep with yourself with your tears and then you have to wake up with your fears but uh when you sit with yourself and you constantly positively manifest then it will become easier.

[00:42:13]H um well I think um this whole exam in terms of the pressure and in terms of also the pattern like you know someone studying so much for an optional not just history even other optionals and then you condensing it to 300 words what you said UPS will not ask more than 300 words that itself is a test more than just the knowledge that you have which is also what you know um changes Naven is asking a related question here he's saying that ma'am my speed is very slow.

[00:42:46]>> So >> how is it that you know in that pressure test you look at a question you think you act you like what is it that you helped you doing that?

[00:42:56]So I think Naven your your speed is not slow but you're thinking slow but I think because we don't think fast we don't we don't we keep remembering and in that thinking you waste time but you see when you have recently read a topic and then you write an answer to it you will write it within the time limit.

[00:43:28]So the I think my writing speed is well enough.

[00:43:35]I'm thinking slow. So brainstorm again if you if you know answers. So you need to revise it so thoroughly that you switch the gears and you write it.

[00:43:56]So then you will see and you will somehow uh attempt the full paper.

[00:44:08]M hm so basically building a good base on top of that revising and brainstorming so that things come to your mind easily is >> yes 25 whatever question comes I use I want my information here question and I throw it I don't have to think no you don't have that luxury of time to even think you need to read the question within 5 seconds, understand it, make a structure in 10 seconds and write the answer in uh 6 minutes. So that requires a lot of quick thinking and I think brainstorming helps. M I think overall if I could just you know also summarize overall the discussion or the theme is that you know to cross that sort of hurdle key how to get that edge in depth how Dshad shared her journey 2023 she covered everything she covered a lot of sources cleared prelims got to write mains but kind of around 250 marks to get to as close to 300 as possible what you need to do is you need to have the final D-day as your goal in your head. Perform what she just said.

[00:45:35]You decide what works for you. Get one source, get one plan and just get to it.

[00:45:41]And uh I think you know very u kindly she also shared some of her personal tips in terms of you know some physical exercise is good you know taking care balancing social media balancing your phone all of that is necessary you don't need to live under a rock also she shared about you know how um it's not necessary to sort of always have a plan B to sort of you know deviate yourself keep your eye on the goal you know so that you hit the bullmark Um, is there anything that you know you feel I'm skimming over or anything you want to add as you know parting words?

[00:46:18]>> No, I think uh that's pretty much it.

[00:46:21]But just don't take this examination or yourself very very seriously. You have to be sincere not serious. So uh uh enjoy history optional that that's all I'll say because if you don't enjoy then it will become burdened. So enjoy the process as well because you know one day it will suddenly end and then it will become uh a good memory. So just trust that process.

[00:46:49]>> I think that is that is a very quotable sort of part takeaway that you have to be sincere not serious which it's a very fine line.

[00:47:04]Yeah. Okay. So I think we can end the session now. Yes.

[00:47:08]>> Okay. Thank you so much. Thank you everyone and for this conversation.

[00:47:13]Thank you.