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How to Prepare in Last 10 Days Before UPSC Prelims Exam

Get 10-day preparation strategy for UPSC Prelims. Revise key subjects, practice mocks and boost your performance before exam day.

authorImageAnil Solonki13 Nov, 2025
Last 10 Days Preparation strategy for UPSC Prelims

10 Days Preparation Strategy for UPSC Prelims: If you have only 10 days left for the UPSC Prelims, focus on smart revision instead of trying to learn new topics. Go through your notes, NCERT summaries, and important current affairs from the last year. Practice as many mock tests as you can and analyze your mistakes carefully. 

Revise core subjects like Polity, History, Geography, Environment and Economy every day. Keep one or two hours for CSAT practice daily. Avoid stress, sleep well, and maintain a calm mind. The key is consistency and confidence trust your preparation and give your best on exam day.

10 Days Preparation Strategy for UPSC Prelims

Here is a day-by-day plan. This structure provides discipline. Follow it strictly. Remember every day counts in the last 10 days strategy for upsc prelims.

10 Days Preparation Strategy for UPSC Prelims

Day

Morning Slot (9:30 AM - 11:30 AM)

Afternoon Slot (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM)

Evening Slot (5:00 PM - 8:00 PM)

Night Slot (9:00 PM - 11:00 PM)

Day 1

Mock Test 1 (GS Paper 1)

Analysis of Mock 1

Revision: Economy Notes & Key Terms

CSAT Practice 

Day 2

Revision: Polity (Rights, Duties, Bodies)

Revision: Current Affairs

Mock Test 2 (GS Paper 1)

Analysis of Mock 2

Day 3

Revision: History (Modern India)

Revision: Culture (Temples, Art)

CSAT Practice (Reasoning)

Revision: Key Facts/Figures List

Day 4

Mock Test 3 (GS Paper 1)

Analysis of Mock 3

Revision: Environment (Conventions, Bodies)

Revision: Economy (Banking/Finance)

Day 5

Revision: Geography (India Maps, Rivers)

Revision: Current Affairs (Reports/Indices)

Mock Test 4 (GS Paper 1)

Analysis of Mock 4

Day 6

Revision: Science & Tech (Basic terms)

Revision: History (Ancient/Medieval)

CSAT Practice (Mixed)

Revision: Self-made Mistakes List

Day 7

Mock Test 5 (GS Paper 1)

Analysis of Mock 5

Revision: Polity (Amendments, Acts)

Revision: Environment (Basics)

Day 8

Revision: All Subject High-Yield Facts

Revision: Current Affairs (Final Scan)

CSAT Practice (Full Test)

Quick Review of all Notes

Day 9

Mock Test 6 (GS Paper 1)

Analysis of Mock 6

Light Revision: Look only at underlined facts

Relax. Prepare Admit Card/ID.

Day 10

NO STUDY. Relax. Light reading of newspaper.

Do something calming.

Early Dinner. Sleep Early.

No stress. Trust your preparation.

Areas for the Last 10 Days Strategy for UPSC Prelims

A solid last 10 days strategy for upsc prelims must cover the most essential areas. The final days require a very specific focus. You need to cement the facts that can be easily forgotten. This is your chance to turn vague memory into concrete knowledge. This 10 Days Preparation Strategy for UPSC Prelims prioritizes quick and impactful reviews.

  • Polity:

    • Articles that are in the news.

    • Constitutional bodies and their functions.

    • Fundamental Rights, DPSP, and Fundamental Duties.

    • Important Amendments.

  • Economy:

    • Basic concepts: Repo Rate, CRR, Open Market Operations, Inflation.

    • Budget and Economic Survey key terms .

    • Banking sector reforms.

    • International bodies.

  • Geography:

    • Map-based questions: National Parks, Sanctuaries and places in the news.

    • Basic facts about Indian rivers and their tributaries.

    • Major mountain ranges and passes.

  • History & Culture:

    • Modern India: Important Congress Sessions, Governor Generals, Social Reform Movements.

    • Ancient & Medieval: Key terms from the period, famous temples and dynasties.

  • Current Affairs:

    • All government schemes announced in the last year. Focus on the objective of the scheme.

    • Major national and international reports and indices.

    • Environmental conventions and protocols.

What to do with only a Few Days to go for UPSC Prelims 

When there are only a few days to go for upsc prelims practice becomes the most important task. This is where you learn to manage time and handle stress. It is not enough to know the facts. You must know how to apply them under exam pressure. This is the difference between an informed aspirant and a successful one.

How to Practice Smartly

  • Full-Length Mocks: Take 5-6 full-length mock tests during these ten days. Take them exactly at the exam time (9:30 AM to 11:30 AM). This trains your body clock.

  • CSAT Practice: Spend 2 hours daily on CSAT. This is non-negotiable. Practice Comprehension, Reasoning, and Basic Numeracy. CSAT is a qualifying paper, but people fail it often.

  • Post-Mock Analysis: After every mock, spend 3-4 hours analyzing your mistakes.

    • Check why you got a question wrong.

    • Was it a factual error? Revise the topic immediately.

    • Was it a silly mistake? Be more careful next time.

    • Do not repeat the same type of mistake.

  • Focus on Elimination Technique: UPSC Prelims questions are often solved using the elimination method. Practice this method in every mock test.

Final Days Before the Exam

The final 48 hours are critical. If you have followed this 10 day preparation strategy for UPSC prelims you will be ready. Do not allow panic to set in.

The Last Two Days

  • Day 9: Do a final quick review of your mistakes log and your current affairs one-liners. Spend no more than 6 hours studying. Pack your bag: admit card, ID proof, black ballpoint pens.

  • Day 10: No study at all. This is the ultimate 10 Days Preparation Strategy for UPSC Prelims secret. Go for a light walk. Watch a movie. Talk to encouraging people. A fresh mind performs much better than a stressed one.

  • The Exam Hall: Read all questions carefully. Do not rush. Attempt the paper in two or three rounds: First, answer all sure-shot questions. Second attempt questions where you can eliminate two options. Third try questions where you are taking a calculated risk.

10 Days Preparation Strategy for UPSC Prelims FAQs

Can I clear UPSC prelims in 10 days?

Clearing the exam requires months of preparation but a good 10 days Preparation Strategy for UPSC Prelims focused on revision can significantly boost your score.

What is the 7/5/3 rule in UPSC?

It is a revision technique where a topic is reviewed at specific intervals (7 days, then 5 days, then 3 days) to maximize memory retention.

What is the 80 20 rule in UPSC prelims?

It suggests that 80% of the exam questions come from the most important 20% of the syllabus so focus your final revision on those core areas.

Should I read a new 10 days preparation strategy for UPSC Prelims book now?

No, reading a new book is not recommended; stick to revising your own notes and practice papers.
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