Benjo P Jose (CSE-23 AIR-59) Comprehensive Prelims Strategy

Benjo P Jose, an exceptional individual hailing from Kerala, has accomplished a remarkable feat by securing AIR 59 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2023. With a background in mathematics from St. Stephen's College, Delhi, Benjo embarked on his UPSC journey, facing several challenges along the way.

A Resilient Journey

Benjo's UPSC journey was marked by perseverance and determination. This was his fourth attempt, and he had experienced setbacks in his first two attempts, failing to clear the Preliminary Examination. However, in his third attempt, he reached the Personality Test stage, further fueling his resolve to succeed.

Foundation Courses: The Solid Ground

Benjo emphasizes the importance of building a solid foundation during the preparation process. He recognizes that foundation courses are instrumental in creating the necessary conceptual clarity, which is crucial for the Preliminary Examination. As a self-study enthusiast, Benjo had to build this clarity from scratch, without the aid of classroom coaching or foundation classes. He persevered and gradually succeeded in establishing this essential foundation.

Regimented Routine and Simplification Strategy

During his third attempt, Benjo devised a meticulous and regimented routine for his Preliminary Examination preparation. He implemented a '3+3+3 (+ 3)' strategy, which involved studying for 3 hours over three to four sessions every day, rather than longer, less focused sessions. This simplification strategy, inspired by Minal Karanwal's (AIR 35 CSE 2018) blog, helped Benjo manage his time and learning objectives effectively.

Innovative Approach to Mock Tests

Benjo's approach to mock tests was both unique and effective. He dissociated mock tests from core subject learning, taking random sectional tests to expose himself to diverse areas, even those he had not yet covered. This strategy, though initially challenging, eventually helped him develop the confidence to attempt questions on unfamiliar topics. Additionally, he aimed to complete the mock tests in 1.5 hours, leaving the remaining 1.5 hours for review and analysis.

Targeted Current Affairs Preparation

Benjo adopted an unconventional approach to current affairs preparation, focusing on a compilation of approximately 2,500 topics from the micro-classes taught at Lead IAS by Anuroop Sir. He supplemented this with notes from the Insights IAS daily current affairs website and PT 365 for the economy. Benjo's recognition-based approach to current affairs proved to be a strategic decision, as he understood the disproportionately low return on investment for comprehensive current affairs preparation.

CSAT: A Focused Approach

Benjo's CSAT preparation, which spanned around 10 days, involved identifying the recurring areas in the CSAT paper and watching relevant YouTube videos to develop conceptual clarity. He also relied heavily on UPSC Previous Year Question (PYQ) papers, solving them and cross-checking with the official answer keys.

The Power of PYQs

In the final stretch before the CSE 2023 Preliminary Examination, Benjo and a friend decided to focus entirely on solving UPSC PYQs from 2013 to 2022. They adopted a novel strategy, dividing the questions based on the number of statements and analyzing patterns and insights, rather than solving them year-wise. This approach proved to be highly rewarding, as Benjo leveraged the valuable lessons learned from the PYQs.

Benjo's journey to UPSC success is a testament to his unwavering determination, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of the examination's nuances. By sharing his experiences, Benjo aims to inspire and guide fellow UPSC aspirants, offering them a roadmap to navigate the challenging path of the Civil Services Examination.