Bhaavika Thanvi, AIR-100 CSE-22 Journey, Mistakes, Prelims, Mains & Psychology

Bhaavika Thanvi's Journey to UPSC CSE Success: Securing AIR 100 in the 2022 Exam

Bhaavika Thanvi, a graduate in Psychology (B.A. Hons) from IIS (deemed to be) University, Jaipur, has emerged as a shining example of perseverance and strategic planning in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE). After failing to clear the Preliminary exam in her first attempt in 2021, she regrouped and secured a remarkable AIR 100 in the 2022 CSE, with 805 marks in the Mains and 190 in the Personality Test.

Introspection and Learnings from the First Attempt

Bhaavika's initial approach to the UPSC exam was driven by the desire to clear it in her very first attempt. Consequently, she delved into an exhaustive array of resources, including NCERTs (6-12), Laxmikant, coaching materials, class notes, daily newspaper analyses, monthly magazines, and yearly compilations. However, this strategy proved to be counterproductive, as she found it challenging to retain and revise the vast amount of information. Additionally, her reliance on coaching and class notes meant that she struggled to develop her own personal notes, further hindering her preparation.

Recalibrating the Approach for the Second Attempt

For her second attempt, Bhaavika made a conscious effort to rectify the mistakes from the previous year. She significantly streamlined her resources and focused on revising them at least 3-4 times. Recognizing the limited time of just 7 months between the two Preliminary exams, she decided against creating detailed notes for the General Studies (GS) sections.

Prelims and Mains Strategies

Bhaavika's Prelims strategy involved closely studying the strategies of previous toppers, including their booklists and basic approaches. She then analyzed her own preparation from the previous year and identified areas that needed improvement. With the guidance of Satyam Gandhi, she worked on strengthening her weaker areas.

For the Prelims, Bhaavika attempted 20-30 mock tests and diligently revised them multiple times. For the CSAT, she utilized YouTube resources and solved previous year question papers to hone her skills in mathematics and logical reasoning. Recognizing the importance of accuracy over the sheer number of attempted questions, she aimed to attempt 70-75 questions in a difficult paper and 80-85 in an easier one, rather than going for the 90-question target.

In the Mains, Bhaavika focused on improving her answer writing skills, alongside her online coaching. She began by revising the study material, referring to yearly compilations of current affairs, and writing practice tests to build up her content knowledge. To address her writing speed, she adopted the strategy recommended by Abhijeet Yadav, aiming to complete 10 questions (15 markers) in 1 hour and 45 minutes. This approach helped her reduce the time taken for a full-length test from 4 hours and 30 minutes to 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Optional Subject: Psychology

Bhaavika opted for Psychology as her optional subject, drawing upon her academic background in the field. Her booklist included resources such as "Psychology" by Baron and Misra, "Introduction to Psychology" by Morgan and King, "Tests, Measurements and Research Methods in Behavioural Sciences" by A.K. Singh, and "Applied Psychology" by Smarak Swain. She also selectively utilized IGNOU notes from eGyankosh and some of her college notes.

For the optional subject, Bhaavika focused on making her own notes, closely aligning them with the UPSC syllabus. She found that limiting each sub-topic to 3-5 pages and then adding additional material based on previous year question papers was an effective strategy.

Bhaavika's answer writing approach for the optional was similar to her GS strategy, with the added emphasis on quoting relevant researchers and psychologists, such as Piaget, Vygotsky, and Freud. The model questions and answers provided on the Enserio Education website proved to be particularly helpful.

Personality Test: Overcoming Challenges and Maintaining Composure

The Personality Test was a phase that Bhaavika was both excited and nervous about. Her initial mock interviews were not encouraging, and she struggled with the inability to recall facts and answer confidently. To address this, she set out to revisit the GS syllabus in detail, but found it challenging to maintain her focus due to the sudden and tragic loss of her beloved grandfather.

In the final stages, Bhaavika's approach to the Personality Test was to read some GS material, stay updated on current affairs, and prepare on basic keywords. Surprisingly, the interview focused primarily on her background in Psychology and her hometown of Rajasthan, as well as her hobbies from the Detailed Application Form (DAF). Bhaavika found the interview to be a very natural conversation, rather than a rigorous test.

Throughout her journey, Bhaavika emphasizes the importance of trusting the process, putting in the work, and relying on luck. She acknowledges that the strategy that ultimately worked for her may not have seemed as clear-cut during the preparation phase, and encourages aspiring candidates to remain open-minded and adaptable.

Bhaavika's story serves as an inspiration for those seeking to navigate the UPSC CSE successfully. Her ability to learn from her mistakes, optimize her preparation strategies, and maintain composure in the face of personal challenges exemplifies the resilience and determination required to excel in this prestigious examination.