Education blog by Pearson India

UPSC is an entrance examination that is designed to recruit candidates for the higher Civil Services of the Government of India. You can imagine the amount of precision and long-term dedication one must have to clear this Civil Services Examination. With persistence and the right learning resources, you can prepare for the UPSC prelims at home.

To understand how to prepare for the UPSC Prelims at home, it is best to begin by learning about the prelims exam pattern. That is the only way to begin your UPSC preparation on the right note.

UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern:

• The Civil Services Examination is held annually to recruit for higher government posts. The UPSC CSE exam is conducted in 2 stages: preliminary and mains.
• The UPSC CSE Prelims have objective type questions, whereas the UPSC CSE Mains exam consists of 9 subjective papers and an interview.
• The first stage of the examination, i.e., UPSC Prelim, is a screening test to select candidates for the Civil Services Main Examination. The prelim comprises 2 compulsory papers that are conducted on the same day in two sessions. These exams are conducted offline.

UPSC CSE Preliminary paper pattern

Paper	Time Duration	No. of Questions	Total Marks	Qualification
GS Paper I	2 hours	100	200	Based on cut-off
GS Paper II (CSAT)	2 hours	80	200	Based on minimum qualifying marks

• Both the papers of the UPSC CSE Prelims exam will have multiple-choice questions.
• Incorrect answers will give you negative markings of 1/3rd marks, i.e., 0.33 marks will be deducted for each wrong answer.
• The language of the question paper will be both Hindi and English.
• There is a cut-off for the UPSC Preliminary Exam that varies every year. However, only General Studies Paper I has qualifications based on the cut-off. If you score at par with the cut-off, you are qualified to appear for the UPSC CSE Mains.
• The General Studies Paper-II of the Civil Services Preliminary Exam will be a qualifying paper with minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33%.
  

Now that you are through with the paper pattern, let’s look at how to start preparing for UPSC prelims at home.

1. Prepare a timetable

It is very important that you prepare a timetable even before you start your UPSC prelim preparations. Your timetable should be designed in a way that helps you cover each topic and each subject. You don’t need to prepare a long-term timetable. In the beginning, you can set a small target and prepare a short-term timetable to achieve the same. But do have a vision for your upcoming preparations too. Try to dedicate at least 40 hours a week to studying for your UPSC prelims.

2. Stay updated with news

You need to stay up-to-date with the news and current affairs as they are a part of your exam syllabus. There are also dedicated shows for UPSC aspirants that you can watch. Besides that, you should read the news daily and try to get a deeper insight into current affairs by researching them. You can watch debates and discussion panels regarding the same.

3. Read on exam-related subjects

When you are doing your UPSC preparations at home, you have to make sure that you go beyond just your NCERT books. Since the subjects are related to current affairs, history, and general knowledge, invest time in reading from other sources. You can read books, articles, published papers, or even watch documentaries. You have to be sure about your learning sources and make sure that you are consuming facts from trusted channels.

4. Watch old UPSC interview videos

Sure, UPSC prelims do not have interviews, but UPSC Mains do. When you have already made up your mind to appear for the Civil Service Examinations and serve the country, you must be prepared for everything. Watching old interview videos will give you a gist of its pattern. You can watch these videos and learn about the kinds of questions that are asked at the interviews and how the candidates respond to them.

5. Get trusted study materials

You will see many UPSC related books on the market, but only a few qualify as the trusted ones. Pearson’s UPSC examination books feature top-notch materials that are designed to help candidates with understanding the concepts and memorization. The books are written by trusted authors and cover contemporary topics that UPSC aspirants must include in their studies. When you are preparing for UPSC from home, you can rely on Pearson’s books as you can bank on their authenticity.

6. Solve practice tests

Pearson’s books have examination based questions that you can solve. Towards the last few weeks or days of your preparations, you should aim to solve as many practice tests as you can. Besides that, you should also solve the last few years’ question papers, which you can easily find online.

UPSC exams can be intimidating. But, there’s no need to panic or look down on yourself at any point in time during your preparation. Make sure you dedicate enough time to your studies and keep up with them throughout your UPSC exams.

 

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To appear for an exam as competitive as NEET, not only do you need to put in hours of time and effort, but you also need to put your heart into it. Let’s believe that you fulfil these pre-requisites. You have decided to work hard, you have made up your mind, you have gathered the best study materials possible, and you are set to begin your journey as a NEET aspirant. But before you take the first step, you must ensure that you have a certain set of qualities to succeed in this examination. If you don’t have them already, then you must prepare yourself to acquire them along the way throughout your NEET preparation.

Here are the top 10 qualities that a NEET aspirant like you should have.

1. Discipline

As a NEET aspirant, you will have to lead a disciplined life that is structured by schedules and timetables. You will have to manage your time efficiently so you can keep up with your busy schedule. Along with a disciplined study environment, you also need to regulate your lifestyle. You have to build a regimen that is not just focused on studying but also eating healthy, exercising, taking enough breaks, indulging in refreshing activities, etc. However, it is also important to understand where to draw the line.

2. Self-awareness

Self-awareness is an important quality for a NEET aspirant because you always need to know where you stand. You should be aware of your development, strengths, weaknesses, skills, because only then can you know how to invest your time in your preparation. Besides this, you should also be self-aware of your health. Preparing for exams can take a toll on your physical and mental health. But if you are self-aware, you will be able to find your way out of distress and be productive with a positive attitude.

3. Setting boundaries

Setting boundaries is a tough act. But if you manage to build this quality, you will be able to make choices that align with your future goals. As a NEET aspirant, you will need to get accustomed to a new lifestyle and bid farewell to certain leisure. Boundaries help you gain perspective, and this is one of the NEET preparation qualities that will be useful to you throughout your life.

4. Be Visionary

Nobody knows you better than you, and hence, nobody understands your goals better than you. When you are preparing for NEET, you are preparing for your academic future as well as your entire career. Hence, you need to envision your future right from the day you begin your journey as a NEET aspirant. But it is important to stay pragmatic about it. Think about various possibilities and be prepared for them.

5. Be curious

Curiosity does not always kill the cat. Sometimes, it helps you end up in the right places. You are aiming for a future in the healthcare sector. This is one of the most dynamic sectors that keeps transforming. You must stay up to date on the same. Even when you are preparing for the exam, go beyond your NEET preparation books and explore. Use online resources to learn, interact with people from the field, or just read about anything that interests you.

6. Focused attitude

If you have made up your mind to perform your best in the examination, then you must also be prepared to stay focused at all times. You should not get distracted by anything that interferes with your NEET preparation. Sometimes it may get hard, and at times like that, make sure that you take breaks to reflect on yourself. Take frequent breaks so that you stay calm and composed.

7. Smart work

Sure, the NEET syllabus is vast. But if you prepare for it strategically, the learning becomes easier. One of the top NEET preparation tips that you must know is to always check your paper pattern, weightage of subjects, question modules, etc. This will help you work smart and not just hard.

8. High concentration

This is one quality that most students struggle with. In this day and age where the media has capitalized on the habit of short attention spans, it can be difficult to stay concentrated. But you can do it right if you opt for learning methods that keep you engaged. You can use various online sources for the same. Besides that, you must learn from books that have easy and descriptive explanations. This will help you understand the concepts better, which in turn will help you stay concentrated.

9. Planning and management

You will have to plan your upcoming months, weeks, and days according to your NEET preparation and exams. Not just plan, but you also need to follow through with it by effectively managing your time, schedules, and priorities.

10. Confidence

Throughout your journey of NEET preparation, you will come across points when you question yourself, your capabilities, skills, goals, everything. And this can occur as a result of something as benign as being unable to memorise a concept or simply because you are having a bad day. On such occasions, you must reflect on why you began your journey and where you want to end up. This is one of the things that may build your motivation and help you restore your confidence. But other than that, you can contact your parents, friends, and peers. Engage in activities that make you feel good about yourself.

To add to these qualities and to help you prepare your best, you also need the right set of NEET preparation books. Pearson’s NEET objective series is one of the finest study materials for all medical aspirants preparing for NEET. They are comprised of simple explanations, sample questions, and the NCERT exemplar section. With these books, you will stay on the right track throughout your NEET preparation.

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As an IIT aspirant, you must be aware of the amount of hard work that JEE preparation and further studies demand. Planning your studies, finding the right resources to learn from, scheduling your days, and strategizing your entire life are some of the important aspects you need to focus on to succeed in your entrance examinations. Not just that, but you also need to maintain coordination between these tasks and stay consistent with them. We all know that consistency is the key. But do we also know how to stay consistent?

When you are preparing for the JEE exams, you have to leave no stone unturned. But, if whatever you do is not supported by consistency, then you might fail to perform to your fullest. Hence, here are 6 things you can practice to stay consistent throughout your JEE preparations.

1.    Prepare a timetable

We can emphasize all we want the importance of consistency. But if you have not laid down the tasks and assigned time to finish them, then you won’t even know what to stay consistent with. You have to prepare a timetable that comprises all your tasks and your studying schedule.

You can make it more detailed by mentioning the subjects or topics, or tasks like revisions so that you know exactly what to do at that time of the day. Eventually, you can build the habit of making a customized timetable a day prior. Hence, every night you can plan your coming day. This will not only help you stay consistent but will ensure that you are covering all the subjects and their topics.

2. One day at a time

Take it all in one day at a time. Consistency is a habit that can be built over time. For IIT JEE preparations, you have a lot of syllabi to cover. The best thing is to start early so you don’t burden yourself with finishing the syllabus in a short period. You can take your time, learn at your pace, and cover small fractions of the syllabus each day. Eventually, you can increase your potential by taking on more tasks or covering more syllabi as each day proceeds.

3. Don’t forget to take breaks

JEE preparation should not feel like a punishment. No rule says you have to exhaust yourself and always go beyond your capabilities. You deserve to take in as much as you can. As a responsible IIT aspirant, you are putting in all the hard work you can. But don’t forget to give yourself a break now and then. Sure, you will have to schedule your breaks too. During your leisure time, indulge in activities that please you. Spend time with your family, catch up on old hobbies, meet your friends, engage in sports, etc. Breaks keep you refreshed; they help you stay consistent with your schedule and studies.

4. Set a bunch of small goals

Small goals bring small victories. When you see yourself doing well, you like to keep up with what you are doing. Set your small goals in a way that help you achieve the big ones. Your goals can be to finish a chapter in a day or to memorise the formula in a week. Besides learning goals, you can also aim for some personal goals that help you get better. Setting goals concerning your JEE exam dates and syllabus can be very helpful. Set easy, achievable goals, before you decide to test your full potential. These little goals will get your work done and make you feel proud of yourself.

5. Track your syllabus

Speaking of the syllabus, you must always keep track of your progress. Always keep making notes and highlighting texts, as they help you to stay on track and they are helpful when you want to circle back on certain topics. You should prepare your timetable with respect to your syllabus and your exam dates. It is important to know how much of your portion has been completed and how much you have completed. Based on that, you can change your schedules and make time for revisions or tests.

6. Engage in self-evaluation

Self-evaluation helps you know where you stand. The goal of self-evaluation is to assess your merits and demerits so you can work on getting better. It will tell you what topics you are weak in, or what subjects you score the most in. To work smart, you need to understand both your strengths and weaknesses and turn them in your favour. When you have everything planned out and you are self-aware, staying consistent feels like a piece of cake.

To be consistent, you need trusted learning resources by your side. Pearson’s JEE preparation books can be your ideal choice. These books cover all the concepts in depth so you will not miss anything. They are designed to suit the aptitude of IIT aspirants. All the concepts of physics, math, and chemistry are covered meticulously. They also come with solved problems for you to go over. Throughout your JEE preparation, you can rely on Pearson’s JEE Main and Advanced series.

 

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Educational institutes are built to impart students with knowledge and skills. But it will not lead to students’ wholesome development if the teaching is limited to imparting skills like memorization and recall. An individual needs a lot more than that to succeed in life. While today’s educational institutes are focused on offering a more well-rounded learning environment, there are many other skills that all students need to be successful in life that goes beyond college and universities.

Learning can be perceived from anywhere. We live in this digital era that is continuously evolving. So to keep up with that, here are the top 10 21st century skills for students to learn without being bound by classrooms, books, and curriculums.

1. Observational Skills

To have good observational skills means being aware of your surroundings, gathering information, and applying it when necessary. Observation helps you learn things from reality. By being observant, your brain is continuously trying to absorb and analyze information. It affects your thought process and enables you to read your environment while passively observing.

2. Critical Thinking Skills

At every stage of life, we have to make decisions. Be it choosing your favourite flavour of lollypop as a kid or your major in school as a student, critical thinking skills help you make more precise and calculated decisions. Furthermore, they help you indulge in logical reasoning and build problem-solving skills. As a student, you need critical thinking skills to make decisions throughout your academic life that will eventually shape your future in the professional field of work. It also helps you develop intellectually and enhances your creativity.

3. Research Skills

The goal of developing research skills should not be limited to achieving good grades in your academic projects. Research helps you stay curious, exposed to new knowledge from time to time, helps you find answers to varied questions or hypotheses, and stay updated. Research can be on general topics or on a particular field of knowledge. Developing high research skills will help you find answers to all your questions and learn about people and their cultures. This skill further helps you acquire another set of skills as you are continuously exploring various subjects and collecting information.

4. Networking Skills

Networking has a range of benefits that help you move ahead in life. It always helps to know the right people. Through networking, you can get into innate circles, join a community, and be exposed to people with different kinds of expertise. You can start developing networking skills right when you are in school. Building contacts and relationships with people can get you places. That is a true fact! However, don’t limit your networking skills to just meeting people in person. Online networking has taken the world by storm. Use social media platforms to network with people from your field of interest and from across the world. They can introduce you to new ideas, opportunities, or even skills.

5. Collaboration Skills

It is good to be able to do things independently, but in life, you need to move ahead with other people. You will need to work alongside your colleagues, so it’s best that you start by working along with your fellow peers in schools. By working in collaboration, you are learning to be patient, tolerant, and more empathetic towards other people’s thoughts and ideas. You learn to co-exist. And that is one skill that has gotten humans so far in evolution.

6. Digital Skills

Digital skills have high value and add to your college applications as well as work resumes. You should try to learn as many sets of digital skills as possible. It could be learning how to use excel, building presentations, or digital marketing. Digitization has expanded tenfold in the past decade, and it will continue to. Hence, you must adapt to it and keep learning digital skills like online searching, emailing, programming, etc.

7. Technical Skills

As a student, you may or may not have clarity about your professional goals. Either way, it always helps to learn technical skills. If you know what field you wish to excel in, you should start learning the required technical skills while you are still in school. But even if you don’t have that clarity, you can use your research skills to find out about fields of your interest and the technical skills required for the same. It always helps to start early.

8. Communication Skills

It cannot be emphasised enough that good communication skills can get you far ahead in life. It helps you put yourself out there. You learn to convey your thoughts appropriately. You need to work on your verbal as well as non-communication skills. One of the important aspects of this skill is that it also develops good listening skills. That’s how you will be able to carry on two-way communication.

9. Time Management Skills

In school and in life, you will always have your plate full. Sometimes you will need to choose your priorities, but most of the time you will just need effective time management skills. This skillset helps you with personal management and organization. If you aim to always stay occupied and in action, then good time management skills will help you accomplish your goals.

10. Leadership Skills

At some point, every individual has to take the responsibility to lead, and when you find yourself in that position, good leadership skills will help you do an excellent job. To be a good leader means maintaining integrity, being there for your team, working together, and delegating rightful credit to your teammates. As a leader, you are not just thinking about yourself but also about your teammates as individuals and as a team.

To achieve these life-altering skills, you need to start on the right foot, and that can be done by engaging in learning in school. Pearson offers blended learning solutions that not only help you develop academically, but also let you explore a new dimension of online learning. Schools are the right place to explore your learning approaches, and Pearson is the right platform for the same.

 

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The world as a whole has come very far from primitive times through the constant development based on technology. Each sector of society has been struck by the digital whirlwind. One such sector happens to be the education sector. Today’s educational methods are driven by next-generation tools.

Educational institutes have started integrating digital learning into their academic structure. This starts as early as the primary school years. E-learning has diversified manifold in the past couple of years. That has not only affected the teaching methods but has also massively influenced the assessment methods. As a result, schools, colleges, and universities are now using online assessment tools to evaluate students.

What are online assessment tools?

Online assessment tools are designed to test the abilities of individuals based on the instructions and guidelines provided by the conductor. This method is used to evaluate and gauge people’s credibility, cognitive knowledge, aptitude, and other skills. Online assessment tools are not just limited to educational sectors; they are used by recruiters in professional fields.

Teachers can use online assessment platforms to combine creative, digital learning methods with the classroom curriculum. Learning should not feel constrained and rigid. Each student has different goals and approaches to achieving them. Online assessment tools provide interactive evaluation methods like game-based tests, quizzes, case studies, polls, etc.

The top five advantages of using online assessment tools to evaluate students

Quick results

Gone are the days when it would take a fortnight for students to receive results from their tests and exams. Using online assessment tools, they can receive quicker results without having to wait for days or weeks. There are many online tests that even provide real-time results. The purpose of the evaluation is to assess students’ achievements, understand their skills, and learn about their learning status. Evaluation helps both the teachers and students improve their teaching and learning skills, respectively.

Assessment is an important part of education, and losing days or weeks waiting for results is not the mantra of modern education. Tests and exams are recurring activities that happen throughout the academic year. It is best to use online assessment tools to cut down on the waiting time between exams and results and instead utilize that period for more learning opportunities.

Saves manual efforts

Conducting an exam involves a lot of administrative work. The teachers have to manually prepare the question paper. They have to assign seat numbers, classrooms, and an invigilator or two for each exam hall. Post which they have to manually evaluate the exam papers, host an open house, display the results in the classroom, or allocate them personally. As opposed to this tedious process, using an online assessment tool, teachers can just create a bank of questions on the platform itself. Everything gets digitally assigned to students just through a link and login credentials. Online assessment platforms can be used to conduct formative as well as summative exams.

By using online assessment tools, the time invested in conducting, monitoring, and evaluating an exam manually, can be otherwise used to create new learning methods. The teachers themselves can indulge in more learning to enhance their teaching skills and develop their knowledge.

Customization of test modules

As it is rightfully said, "There is no one way to teach or learn," there is also not just one way to evaluate students. The traditional examination consisted of question papers with objective or subjective answers to be written by students. While that still remains as one of the examination patterns, there are many other ways teachers can evaluate their students.

The online assessment tools give teachers an opportunity to create their own test modules. This brings diversity and creativity to regular assessment methods. Using these tools, the paper patterns of examination can be diverse. They can be set according to themes, technology, subjects, or skills of the students.

Geographically flexible

One of the prime benefits of online assessment tools is that they are not bound by location. It has a worldwide reach. Teachers can teach from anywhere, and students can learn from anywhere. Similarly, the tests can be conducted from anywhere. Not just that, but these online assessment tools are also linguistically diverse. So, even if the assessment questions are in one language, they can be translated into the other as per the convenience of the examinee.

Online learning and assessment are also flexible in terms of time and pace of learning. Students can take online tests whenever they want. They can do it over and over again. They can do it at any hour of the day and at any time of the year. This gives an opportunity for personal evaluation. And if they are not satisfied, they can take another test with another set of unique questions.

Environment friendly

When today’s education system highlights the importance of the environment and its endangerment, it only makes sense if the learning methods are also environmentally friendly. Online assessment tools save paper and energy. If you look at this on a micro-level, you will understand that by going paperless, schools not only save paper but the manufacturing energy, raw materials, fuels used for transportation, water, etc.

Pearson’s K-12 Education is a blended learning tool that is designed to empower both students and teachers. It has many learning resources like audio, videos, games, online study materials, case studies, etc. that are customized according to the curriculum of CBSE, ICSE, State and International Boards. It is based on integrated and interactive learning methods like live sessions, animated lessons, online tests, etc. For a wholesome learning and evaluation experience, Pearson’s K-12 Education is ideal for anyone looking to expand their horizons through the best digital learning methods.

 

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Proficiency in the English language can be helpful for personal, professional, as well as academic development. Proof of English proficiency is required for purposes like admissions to educational institutes and immigration. For such situations, there are English language proficiency exams that you can take. To learn or to get better at the language, here are some tips that you can follow through with by indulging them in your daily life.

1. Watch English content    

One of the most effective ways to enhance your English language skills is to watch English movies, series, videos, etc. Today, we are surrounded by all sorts of video content and they are all available in English, besides other languages. Consuming various kinds of video content in English exposes you to all levels and diversity of the language. This helps you learn many aspects of the language and it improves your listening as well as speaking skills.    

2. Read English books    

This is one of the most widely suggested ways to improve English proficiency. However, it also depends on how you read your books. Rushing through the book with the aim of finishing piles of them in less time will not get you anywhere. In fact, you should take your time reading through every chapter, understanding the context, and learning the foreign words that you come across. This is the ideal way to read a book if you wish to excel in your vocabulary and enhance your English.    

3. Read blogs    

If reading books is not for you, then you should definitely consider reading blogs. You can read blogs on any niche, any topic of your interest. There are many online platforms today where you can read. The advantage of reading blogs is that you are introduced to contemporary writers across the world. You come across many writing styles, analogies, vocabulary, catchphrases, idioms, etc. The variety of reading content available online in the form of blogs is one of the best ways to improve English language proficiency.    

4. Maintain a journal    

To have a well-rounded language development, you must excel at speaking, reading, and writing. If you are not an avid writer, you can start with a daily journal. This is your safe space where you can write at will about things that you like. Just writing one page each day can help you understand your weaknesses and strengths. Every day, you can learn new words and incorporate them into your daily conversations as well as your journal. If your liking for writing grows, you can start writing your own blogs or even monetize your skills with the right platforms.        

5. Think in English        

Your own private thoughts are the best way to improve your English skills without feeling judged or insecure. If you can train your brain to think in English, you can easily inculcate the same in every aspect of life. Eventually, your brain will build the habit of thinking in English rather than translating it before you speak. This helps you build your communication skills and gradually builds your confidence in your command of the language.        

6. Note things down        

Every time you come across something interesting, like quotes or phrases, or you discover new words, you should note them down. Making your own vocabulary notes will not only help you explore new words, but will also help you understand the meaning of those words. Learning the meaning of words is important because only then can you understand their implication in sentences. Noting things down will help you create your own personal dictionary that you can always refer back to.        

7. Keep researching        

Curiosity will always be the driving force in your learning journey. Every time you come across anything new, be it reading movie reviews, reading the synopsis of a book, or the Wikipedia page of any concept, keep researching and you will keep discovering new aspects.        

8. Use online study materials        

Irrespective of the fact, if you are preparing for an English proficiency exam, or you just want to expand your knowledge, you can refer to Pearson’s Mepro to improve your English in your own space. It is focused on helping candidates learn from tools based on the Global Scale of English (GSE).

Online study materials like Pearson’s Mepro help you learn English using handpicked sources that cover everything from the basics to the advanced. No matter if English is not your first language, you can still learn it efficiently with the right sources and dedication.

 

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UPSC exam preparation requires continuous effort and dedication. A competitive exam like this demands discipline, deviation, and sheer hard work. The first step towards starting your UPSC preparation is to set a schedule for yourself.

For extensive preparation, you need to start studying at least a year before your UPSC exam date. The goal is to not just start early but to make the most of your time which is achievable only with effective time management.

The first step to managing your days effectively is to prepare a timetable for UPSC preparation.

Time	Tasks	Why
6:00 AM	Wake up	Starting your day early helps you plan ahead compared to staying up late to work or study.
6:15 – 7:00 AM	Exercise, yoga, gym, jogging, walking	Any form of exercise is good. The high oxygen content in the morning is good for your health and it simply makes you feel good.
7:00 – 7:30 AM	Bath	Bathing daily is not just necessary for grooming but also to get you out of drowsiness.
7:30 – 8:30 AM	Read a newspaper (online or offline)	To stay up-to-date with current affairs is important for UPSC aspirants and what better way to do that than by reading the news.
8:30 – 9:00 AM	Breakfast	Eating habits need to be controlled. What you eat can either keep you satiated and energetic or full and drowsy throughout your schedule ahead.
9:00 – 11:00 AM	Study Time	You can start your day by glancing through your previous day’s studies or you can go through what you have studied in your coaching institute. This will help you stay on track with your completed syllabus on a daily basis.
11:00 – 11:30 AM	Break Time	Breaks are of the utmost importance and you must take them as seriously as your study time. Do things that you like but do not carry away.
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM	Study Time	You can utilize this study time to start with new topics and concepts. Pearson’s UPSC books are the study materials that you can refer to for insightful and simplified explanations.
1:30 – 2:30 PM	Lunch	Make sure you have a light lunch that keeps you energized. You can always snack on fruits or dry fruits during your study time. They keep your diet in check while keeping you satiated for long.
2:30 – 5:00 PM	Study Time	Continue with your studies by engaging in online study materials. If you are getting closer to your exams, you can also start taking online tests or going through the previous year’s papers. Make sure that you strategize your learning and revision strategies well with your daily studying schedule.
5:00 – 7:30 PM	Tea/Snacks + Refreshment	Enjoy your evening time with some tea and snacks with either your parents, siblings, or friends. Make sure to take this time to indulge in some refreshing activities like playing or hanging out with your friends and peers.
7:30 – 9:00 PM	Study Time	By the end of the day, you might not have a lot of energy left. So instead of starting on new topics, you can schedule your revisions for the end of the day.
9:00 – 9:30 PM	Dinner	Make sure to eat a full meal so you get a good night’s sleep. In case you have trouble sleeping, you can have a cup of warm tea or milk.
9:30 – 10:00 PM	Watch news/discussions	Watch quality news discussions on UPSC-relevant issues. Look up some content on YouTube or the internet to help you prepare for the exam.
10:00 – 10:30 PM	Unwind	Use this time to do things that you like. Catch up on some books, or if you have a hobby, practise that. Or you can just sit and relax listening to your favourite music.
10:30 PM	Hit the bed	Brush your teeth and have a goodnight sleep. Be ready to tackle the day with bigger force and enthusiasm.

The benefits of the UPSC study plan is

1. You are not only able to plan for exam preparation, but you are also able to strike the right balance between studying and your personal life.
2. You are aware of the syllabus and paper pattern way ahead, which helps give direction to your UPSC preparation.
3. Maintaining a timetable for UPSC preparation gives you enough time to finish your syllabus and then revise it.

Your responsibility does not end with just creating a timetable. The real task begins later, when you have to keep up with it. This is not going to happen in the blink of an eye. Hence, if you fail to keep up with it, you just need to make sure that each day you start with the same enthusiasm and keep up with your hard work.

Pearson’s UPSC books will help you stay up-to-date with your preparation at each stage. The content of the books is designed in a way to help you level up your UPSC preparation. The only companion you'll need throughout your preparation is Pearson’s study materials.
 

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A student’s life is hectic. It is filled with studies, extracurricular activities, school exams, competitive exams, and projects. The list does not end there. The life of a student also includes activities like keeping up with the competition, setting expectations, keeping higher bars, staying on top, learning beyond academics, and dealing with life in general. Yes, that is a lot to take in. But all it needs is a little management from your end and then you will be able to keep up with all of your responsibilities.

As you upgrade in education, your life becomes more competitive, and to match it, you have to increase your productivity. This should not be viewed as a source of stress, but rather as an opportunity to improve. You are allowed to feel unproductive on days when you lack enthusiasm. What is important is to not let this turn into a habit and to get back up on your feet in no time. Breaks are important, but so is bouncing back.

To keep up your productivity as a student, here are 10 tips that you can always come back to.

1. Set small goals

Throughout your life, you will have goals to achieve. This is a never-ending process. And the right way to tackle this is to set smaller goals that are collectively aimed at achieving the ultimate end goals. Achieving small goals not only helps you segregate your energy and concentration but also fills you with confidence and zeal. Knowing that you can achieve the goals that you have planned makes you mentally, emotionally, and skillfully prepared for bigger goals.

2. Make time for revisions

Constant revision is one of the necessary productivity tips for students. This is determined by your abilities and goals for completing the syllabus in the allotted time. Things like formulas and definitions can be revised at the end of the day. Chapters and concepts can be looked at on one day throughout the week. You also need to segregate time for doubt-solving. Ensure that you do not stall it and get your doubts cleared on time.

3. Build a routine

One of the most Every student has a routine suitable to their personality. You too need to fix a routine that makes sure you cover all your activities in a day at the designated time. Discipline is necessary and cannot be excused if you want to stay on the right path. This routine should include everything right from the time you wake

4. Take frequent breaks

One of the most underrated productivity tips is to take enough breaks. Sure, it is important to constantly keep working hard, but you have to learn to strike a balance between that and keeping your mental and physical health in check. You should take short as well as long breaks from time to time. Do things that make you feel relaxed and composed.

5. Reward yourself

Rewards come in many forms and help you boost your enthusiasm. You can set a time limit for your tasks, and as you finish them on time, you can reward yourself with things you like to do. Besides that, you can reward yourself for anything in any way. Your rewards can include ordering food, going out to meet your friends, watching a movie, shopping, etc.

6. Build a workspace

Most students’ productivity comes from a productive environment. If you too feel the same, then you too should set up your room or your table in a way that makes you feel productive. If you are still studying straight from your bed, you should definitely invest time and effort into building a more productive space that does not make you laze around.

7. Take notes

Build this habit right from the beginning. You should make notes about everything that you feel is necessary. This can include formulas, concepts, important dates from history, names, events, doubts, etc. The benefit of making notes is that you can always go back to them whenever you want. They are personalized, and hence, you will always be able to work your way around it.

8. Go beyond academic learning

Academic learning is important, but the development of a well-rounded personality is also important. You can build a hobby, or you can pick up interests like sports, reading, gaming, art, etc. Activities like these help you explore your interests, build your aptitude, and help maintain mental stability, which is important for being productive.

9. Develop a studying pattern

Every student has a study pattern. Some have the habit of writing and learning; some prefer group studying, tutoring, etc. You too should develop your own personal study pattern that helps you learn better. Your own way of studying will keep you more engaged and help you stay productive.

10. Go digital

Using digital learning sources gives you options to explore study materials. This helps with a personal assessment. Plus, if you are looking to expand your knowledge and learn from different tutors, this is the best option for you. Digital learning is easy, quick, and can be done at your own time and pace. But do not get distracted by too many sources.

Pearson’s K-12 is built with the goal of developing a blended learning ecosystem for students from all boards. This online learning resource is ideal for you to develop an independent learning experience as it has interactive learning features. Their app is developed to cater to your learning styles and speed. It is designed for you to stay productive at all times without compromising on the quality of education.

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JEE preparation is one of the crucial phases in an individual’s life. And why not? The one exam that takes a long time to prepare for will decide the future of the career you have planned. To crack JEE with flying colours, you have to be thorough with the syllabus. That’s a given; there's no need to even mention it. But the portion is vast, and if you fail to manage your time effectively, either you will not be able to cover it in time or you will finish it but not efficiently enough.

Exam preparation is a time when you are more stressed than focused. This is bound to occur. It is a time when you can easily spiral down the road of self-doubt and question your capabilities. The chances of this happening are high if you are unable to cope with the curriculum. So, instead of rushing through the syllabus at the end or relying on your guts to perform your best, why not indulge in some JEE time management so you are comprehensively prepared?

Speaking of time management, how long does it even take to prepare for JEE?

Ideally, you need a good amount of time to prepare for JEE. Some students start preparing for it during their junior year of college, while others begin as early as 7th grade. But many factors are involved in this. One of the possibilities for not starting so early is that you did not have enough clarity about your goals in school and hence you decided to prepare for your JEE during your 11th and 12th grades. This does not mean you are late to the party.

Even when you start preparing in junior college, you have enough time on your hands to be thorough with the entire syllabus if you manage it effectively. But let’s note one thing here. Since you are preparing for JEE along with your college or school curriculum, you will have different schedules to keep up with. You will have to put in more work and effort to strike the balance between your education and personal health.

Sounds tedious, doesn’t it? Let’s simplify it for you then. Here are some effective time management tips that you can rely on for not just your JEE preparation but for most of your academic as well as professional life.

1. Set a routine and schedule

A routine keeps you in check. This is not a restricted but disciplined life that you must lead in order to devote enough time to JEE preparation. It might feel forced for a few days, but eventually, you will get into the habit of it. Divide your day based on your tasks and then further divide it based on the subjects or topics you need to study.

Always be aware of JEE exams, syllabus, and paper patterns in advance as this will help you define your preparation. And similarly, try to get the dates of your exams in school and college well in advance so you can plan your priorities accordingly.

2. Do co-ordinated learning

Since you start preparing for JEE as early as in school or college, you will come across many similar syllabuses or topics between both your curriculums. In such a case, you will save time on learning and preparation if you are aware of the syllabus. If not, you might have to relearn it for either of your curriculums. The best way to tackle this would be to be thorough with every concept, and in case you find similarities between both curriculums, you will always be prepared.

3. Learn and revise simultaneously

Constant revision is a must. It helps you build a stronger recall. Once you have learnt a concept, you should give it a few days, or even a few weeks, and then go back to revise it. It is not necessary that you go through the whole concept again to revise. You can try giving tests, mock tests, or solving question papers to see how much of what you learned you can remember. This strategy is useful for school, college, and JEE Main as well as JEE Advance preparation.

4. Spare at least a day a week for doubt-solving

If you come across doubts, you can save a day in the week to solve them. Or you can do them as you learn. But that might interrupt the flow of your studies. This is a personal choice. It depends on your style of studying. Either way, make sure to get your doubts cleared as soon as you can and do not wait until the last moment.

5. Get reliable study materials

When you are preparing for such a competitive entrance exam, your mind wanders from one source of learning to another, hoping that you will eventually find the best one. Either you will end up finding study materials that you will stick with throughout your course of preparation, or you will get stuck in a loop. But picking one source of learning at the beginning of your JEE preparation can help you stay balanced throughout.

Pearson’s JEE preparation books are designed to build the scientific aptitude and problem-solving skills of the candidates. These books cover all the groundwork concepts and theories in the most simplified ways. Right from the introduction of the basic concepts of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics to getting topic-wise solved examples to test your knowledge, everything, you can rely on Pearson’s books.

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As the educational system and academic curriculum improve year after year, digitization in this sector has assisted institutes and students in keeping up. With innovative technologies coming into force at a rapid speed and the need to digitize the world, e-learning has become multifold more advanced than it was a decade ago. It is more than holding online classes and has proven to be helpful for students of all academic years.

Higher education is not just about degrees; it is about shaping life further. It focuses on specializing in skills and getting ready for the professional world. Online assessment platforms help both students and institutes formulate a more stable, quick, and accurate operational system. With so much going on, it is easier to digitize most of the process.

How do online assessment platforms work?

In simple terms, the purpose of an online assessment platform is to test the capabilities of students based on their chosen courses and subjects. Education institutes use these e-learning platforms to automate most of their assessments, which can be for both practise and examination.

Students can get access to independent online assessment platforms too, where they can go through tests and questionnaires to practise their skills and for self-assessment.

What are the advantages of an online assessment platform?

Higher education may need more practice, more time, and more dedication than the rest of the academic years. It’s a crucial stage in a student’s educational life, and regular assessment is needed to understand where they stand in terms of knowledge and skills. Online assessment platforms not only help in higher education assessment but also have other advantages, like:

• They save time for both students and educators.
• It is economical and has no geographical barriers.
• It is possible for students to make customised class schedules.
• The automated process ensures a seamless learning and assessment experience.
• Learning management system makes administration easier.

How to choose the right online assessment platform for higher education?

Here is a checklist to consider before you finalize an online-learning platform focused on assessment for higher education.

Performance analysis

The prime job of an online assessment platform is to help measure the student’s knowledge and aptitude. Hence, performance analysis is a feature that is mandatory. But not any performance analysis. You should go for a platform that provides an explicit breakdown of the learner’s performance. This is not just about giving grades or scores but helping students understand their strengths and weaknesses and find solutions to problems they do not know. The evaluation provided by the platform should be based on testing students’ conceptual knowledge, and the insights should be constructive.

Remote proctoring feature

Speaking of evaluation, during the online assessment it is not possible to have invigilators alone conduct the exams. At least not accurately. Hence, to eliminate the possibility of cheating, the AI-based integrated remote proctoring feature helps the invigilators to assess the exams as this feature has anti-cheat systems and supports live streaming, screen sharing, and audio-visual recording.

Customised question patterns

With online assessment platforms, educators or institutes should have the opportunity to create their own set of questions or patterns. Along with this feature, it is important to note that the platform also has a rich library of questions related to the courses or subjects. With this feature on an online assessment platform, it is also possible to create a personalized assessment for students on a group or individual level. In higher education, it is important to tackle each student based on their learning patterns and skills. With the feature of customized question creation options, educational institutes can easily do that.

User-friendly

The reason why digitization has progressed so much is that with each upgrade it becomes more user-friendly. When it comes to preparing for higher education, both students and educators want to spend less time figuring out how to work their way around the assessment platform so that they can spend more time learning. Make sure that the assessment platform you choose is user-friendly as it saves time and helps increase productivity.

Support team

No matter which online assessment platform you choose, they all have a support team to guide you through the various processes like installation, operation, fixing a bug, updating, customizing, etc. It is important to ensure that the support team is responsive, helpful, and available 24*7.

Pearson’s MyLab I Mastering is an online assessment tool built to help each student ace their higher education. It has a library of homework, tests, and tutorials that cater to a wide range of courses, including advertising, business environments, financial management, human resources, and many more. They are built with interactive learning features and help keep students engaged and concentrated. For a well-rounded e-learning experience, MyLab I Mastering is an apt online learning platform.

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