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How to Make Time Table for UPSC Exam Preparation

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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