Is it ever possible to locate a specific clothing item from your messy unorganised wardrobe, if you had to get ready and step out on an urgent basis? It is not any different for the varied types and types of information and knowledge that you store in your brains on a daily basis. In order to recall any particular fact or information during answer writing, it is necessary that you have consolidated and stored it properly.
Notes making for UPSC is an essential skill for any aspirant. It serves as a crucial tool in the extensive preparation required for the Mains examination which is spread over a span of one year and demands not only a deep understanding of varied subjects but also the ability to recall and apply this knowledge effectively under exam conditions.
Here are some reasons as in why you should cultivate notes making for UPSC an important aspect of your preparation:
- One of the primary benefits of notes making for UPSC is that it helps in setting up a concrete base for efficient studying and revision, breaking down complex information into manageable and comprehensible parts. UPSC syllabus encompasses a wide range of topics, which makes it overwhelming for many aspirants to understand and learn the concepts, let alone retain it for the entire span of preparation till the exam day. Effective notes making for UPSC allows for organising this vast amount of data in a structured manner. Notes act as a quick reference guide, enabling aspirants to revise large volumes of information quickly.
- The process of notes making for UPSC involves active engagement with the material, which enhances memory retention and recall. Writing down important points and summarising concepts helps not only on reflecting on the conceptual understanding of particular topics apart from embedding that information deeper into memory. Additionally, the act of writing and consolidating itself aids in better retention compared to merely reading and understanding. Notes can be revisited multiple times, helping to reinforce information and making recall faster and more accurate during the exam.
- Effective notes making for UPSC also plays a vital role in time management, both during preparation and in the examination hall. Well-prepared notes allow for quicker revisions, sparing students from having to go through lengthy texts repeatedly. In the examination setting, notes serve as a quick memory aid, helping to recall points swiftly and structure answers quickly. This is particularly useful in the UPSC Mains exam, where time is limited and the ability to think and respond quickly is tested.
- Notes are not just collections of facts; when you do note making using mind maps and flowcharts they help to build connections between concepts, critical analyses, and summaries of key arguments. This helps in clarifying thoughts and refining understanding of complex issues. During answer writing or even in essays, this clarity is crucial as it allows the aspirant to craft well-argued, coherent, and logically structured answers that are likely to score higher.
- The process of making offline or handwritten notes helps in maintaining focus and increasing concentration over longer study periods. While one makes notes online or on computer, there is a tendency to It engages the mind actively, preventing it from wandering and helping to build a deeper understanding of the topic at hand. This focused approach is crucial during long hours of preparation for UPSC Mains.
- For the UPSC Mains exam, not only is what you write important but how you write it also matters significantly. Most aspirants have an inertia in writing answers as they have had a significant gap in writing subjective content after their exams in college, irrespective of the stream of the graduation. Note making practices help overcome this inertia by improving writing skills as it requires the student to express the ideas they understood, in a clear and concise manner.
Read more: 7 Important Steps to Improve Answer Writing for UPSC Mains
- Notes making for UPSC is crucial when answering Mains exam questions, where articulation and the ability to present arguments logically and coherently can make a substantial difference in scores. It is instrumental in developing effective answer writing skills as notes can be structured in a way that mirrors the answer writing format of the UPSC Mains exam, with specific pointers on what to write for introductions, main points, and conclusions. Practising this format in notes helps during the actual exam when structuring high-quality answers quickly is crucial.
