Few pointers for mock interviews: Mock interviews can be hel | Shubham Kumar: Strategy and Notes for UPSC(CSE)

Few pointers for mock interviews:

Mock interviews can be helpful to gauge one’s preparation and to get over the initial hick-ups while answering questions and framing the response within 5-6 seconds.

I gave around 12 mock interviews in CSE 2019. I must say that the experience was not very good. It’s better to limit the mocks, may be 2-4 with the coaching institutions. In CSE 2020, I appeared for 2 mocks- one at KSG and another at iAnugrah. But at the same time I increased close group discussions and one to one interaction.

1 week before one’s personality test, one should avoid giving any mocks. Also you can plan 2-4 mocks and distribute it, till 1 week prior to your real personality test.

Always take the advice from mock interview board with a pinch of salt. Many times the mock interview board might demotivate you. You should always focus on building your confidence, clarity of your thought and better articulation through these mocks.

I got benefitted from close group discussions in personality test of CSE 2020. We made a small group of 3-4 people and everyday we used to ask questions to each other in formal way. This I did for 15-20 days. Other than this one to one interaction with close friends and seniors who are associated with CSE are also very helpful.

My experience from different mocks in CSE 2019 and CSE 2020:

1. iAnugrah - heard about it from my friend Kumar Saumya. It is run by Sudhir Chandra Sir (ex-CBDT Chairman). It was a very nice experience. I followed Sir’s advice in real interview as well

2. KSG - It was good. Khan Sir pointed out my positives and areas where I can improve. Overall boosted my confidence.

3. TheIAShub: Mock was good in CSE 2019. Their interview guidance material on Current affairs are very good. Referred in CSE 2019 as well as in CSE 2020. One to one interaction with M K Yadav Sir was also good.

4. NextIAS: Their pdf on hobbies, states and Engineering subjects are very good. Mock experience in CSE 2019 was not good. One to one interaction with B Singh Sir for Civil Engineering in CSE 2019 was good.

4. Vajiram - attended CAs classes in CSE 2019. Didn’t appear for mock interview. Just had one to one interaction with Ravindran Sir and it was good

5. Samkalp - group mock experience was good, normal mock was not that good

6. RauIAS- focused on factual questions. Mock interview experience in CSE 2019 was not that good

7. Dhyeya - overall okayish, can be skipped.

8. Unique Siksha: not that good experience, can be skipped

9. Drishti IAS: gave mock interview in CSE 2019. Overall decent experience. It had boosted my confidence.

10. For Anthropology I had one to one interaction with Vaid Sir (VaidICS)- it was good.

11. NACS BH/JH: Candidates from Bihar/Jharkhand can appear for mock interview conducted by civil servants belonging to Bihar/Jharkhand. Offline interviews are conducted at Bihar Bhawan Delhi. I had decent experience. Also it helped to frame response on questions related to Bihar