If you are writing APSC CCE mains this time, you know very well how much sincerity and strategic preparation are needed. It’s not that you will pick up just any of the random resources and write the six descriptive papers that will decide your journey from an aspirant to an officer. You need to develop your analytical ability as well as the ability to interlink the concepts with each other. Many aspirants spend months studying diligently, giving their heart and soul to preparation, but fail to score well. It’s not due to a lack of knowledge, but rather to avoidable mistakes. In this article, we will discuss the top mistakes in APSC Mains preparation and the strategies to avoid them.
“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” – Confucius
1. Ignoring the APSC Mains Syllabus and Exam Pattern
“Failing to plan is planning to fail.” – Benjamin Franklin
One of the top mistakes in APSC Mains is starting preparation without understanding the syllabus and exam pattern. Many aspirants waste time studying topic by topic, compiling notes, but fail to cover the syllabus strategically.
Example Question:
Give a brief account of the traditions of folk and classical dances of Assam. (150 words,10 marks) (2023)
To answer this question, you have to know the art and culture of Assam, which covers the traditions of folk and classical dances of Assam – a topic often overlooked by candidates who jump directly into multiple current events compiled by multiple coaching institutes for marketing purposes.
Tip: Determine your mind to avoid these top mistakes in your APSC preparation. Map the syllabus, identify high-priority topics, and track the overlap with your Prelims preparation.
2. Over-Reliance on Coaching Notes
As already stated, there are multiple resources in the market. Once the Prelims notification is out, the Mains notification follows, and we can see the so-called “best notes for APSC mains”, whether Assam-specific or covering the Ethics paper, essay, and other GS papers. One of the top mistakes in APSC mains preparation is depending only on such notes. Relying solely on these marketing materials can backfire. Notes are summaries, not exhaustive sources, and may not cover evolving current affairs, interlinking with the different dimensions of the topics.
Understand that “Books give you knowledge, but understanding gives you answers.”
Tip: Use coaching notes as a backbone, but supplement them with NCERTs, government reports, and newspapers like The Hindu or The Assam Tribune. Avoiding this mistake is one of the crucial top mistakes in APSC Mains.
3. Poor Time Management
Time mismanagement is a silent score killer. Spending days on one topic while neglecting others can leave your preparation incomplete. This is one of the top mistakes in APSC mains preparation—aspirants often don’t take it seriously. It’s not only about the preparation time, but also in the exam hall, don’t engage in one question for more than 7 minutes.
Example Scenario: A candidate spends two weeks on Assam history but ignores GS Paper III on economy and disaster management, losing marks on questions like these—one of the top mistakes in APSC Mains preparation.:
“ Is climate change a disaster risk? How is disaster risk magnified by climate change? Discuss with reference to the disaster in Assam. (Answer in 250 words)
Tip: Allocate weekly slots for each paper, include revision cycles, and track progress with small milestones.
4. Neglecting Answer Writing Practice
APSC Mains is a written exam, yet many aspirants focus only on reading. This is one of the top mistakes in APSC mains preparation. Without structured answer-writing practice, knowledge cannot translate into marks. Success in this exam depends not only on what you know but also on how effectively you present your arguments within the given time and word limits. Regular answer-writing practice helps you develop clarity of thought, improve articulation, and frame structured answers with proper introductions, bodies, and conclusions.
It also trains aspirants to use relevant examples, current affairs, and keywords to make their answers impactful. Moreover, timed practice enhances speed and accuracy, ensuring that all questions are attempted within the exam duration. Thus, answer writing is not just about testing knowledge but about refining the skill of expression, which ultimately determines high scores in the Mains examination.
Example Question:
Assam has the potential to accelerate the development of tourism through innovative presentation of various indigenous festivals, cuisine, and music of the state. Substantiate the statement with reasons. (2023) (In 250 words)
Tip: Practice writing answers in 250–300 words, focus on structure (introduction, body, conclusion), and keep sentences crisp. You can also join the mock test series to simulate exam conditions.
Quote: “Writing is thinking on paper.” – William Zinsser
5. Ignoring Current Affairs
One of the top mistakes in APSC Mains is ignoring current affairs in answers. Many candidates rely only on static knowledge and forget to link it with what is happening around them. But the exam demands relevant answers, updated, and connected to real issues. Ignoring the current affairs makes responses look dull and incomplete, no matter how strong the theory is. For instance, in a question on the environment, writing only constitutional provisions without mentioning recent climate steps or Assam-specific challenges shows a clear gap. Simply put, ignoring current affairs can cost you marks and stop your answer from standing out.
Example Question:
“ Discuss in detail how judicial decisions shape Indian politics with special reference to the latest judgements of the Supreme Court of India.” (in 250 words) (2020)
Tip: While preparing, make a small notebook where you jot down 1–2 current examples or government schemes for each topic in the syllabus. Revising this before the exam ensures you never end up ignoring current affairs in your APSC Mains answers.
6. Last-Minute Rushing
Trying to rush through everything at the last moment is one of the top mistakes in APSC Mains preparation. It only adds stress, reduces memory retention, and leaves many topics half-prepared.
Example: If you revise Assam’s socio-economic schemes just the night before, you might end up writing vague answers like: “Discuss the role, function, and composition of the state innovation and Transformation Aayog (SITA)” (2020)— without depth or clarity.
Tip: Stick to steady learning throughout your preparation and use the last month only for revision and practicing answer writing. This way, your mind stays calm and your answers sharp. Avoiding this mistake is essential to prevent it from being counted among the top mistakes in APSC Mains.
7. Ignoring Mock Tests and Feedback
One of the top mistakes in APSC Mains is ignoring mock tests. Skipping them means you miss the chance to check your speed, refine your answer structure, and identify weak areas.
Tip: Take mock tests seriously. After every test, review your answers, note repeated mistakes, and apply the feedback. This habit helps you avoid one of the top mistakes in APSC Mains and builds confidence for the real exam.
Quote: “Practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.”
8. Neglecting Health and Mental Well-Being
Another of the top mistakes in APSC Mains prep is ignoring your health. Long study hours without proper breaks, irregular sleep, and constant stress can seriously affect memory, focus, and overall productivity.
Tip: Take short breaks between study sessions, exercise regularly, and eat a balanced diet. Remember, mental health is just as important as studying.
Quote: “A healthy mind in a healthy body is the key to success.”
Conclusion
Cracking the APSC Mains is about smart preparation, not just hard work. Many aspirants lose marks by ignoring current affairs, last-minute rushing, skipping mock tests, or neglecting health, which are some of the top mistakes in APSC Mains. To succeed, stay consistent, practice answer writing regularly, revise effectively, and take care of your mental and physical well-being. Balance your routine with study, mocks, and short breaks, and make sure to apply feedback from each practice session. By avoiding these common pitfalls, you not only improve your knowledge but also sharpen your clarity, confidence, and exam performance, bringing you closer to success.
Also read : How to Become an APS Officer in Assam: Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Salary & Career Path Explained
FAQs on APSC Mains Preparation
What are the most common top mistakes students make while preparing for APSC Mains?
The most common top mistakes in APSC Mains preparation include ignoring the syllabus, relying too much on coaching notes, poor time management, skipping answer-writing practice, and neglecting current affairs. Many students also rush in the last month, avoid mock tests, and forget to care for their health.
How important is answer-writing practice in APSC Mains?
Extremely important! APSC Mains is all about expressing your knowledge in a structured way within time limits. Even if you know the content, without practice, you may fumble during the exam. Regular practice builds speed, clarity, and confidence.
Can I clear APSC Mains without focusing much on current affairs?
Honestly, no. This is one of the top mistakes in APSC Mains, aspirants seem to make. Current affairs add the “X-factor” to your answers. If you only write theory without linking it to recent events or Assam-specific examples, your answer feels incomplete. Current affairs make your answers stand out.
How should I manage time effectively during preparation?
Divide your week into slots for each paper, revise regularly, and set small targets. Don’t spend too long on one topic. During the exam, stick to 7–8 minutes per question. Remember, balanced coverage is more important than over-perfecting one subject.
Are mock tests really necessary?
Mock tests are like dress rehearsals, yet skipping them is one of the top mistakes in APSC Mains preparation. They help identify weak areas, train you to write under time pressure, and allow you to learn from mistakes before the actual exam. Skipping mock tests is like going on stage without any practice. Borthakur’s IAS Academy provides mock test series, which have already proven effective in the last few years of APSC exams.