Imagine standing on the cusp of a dream, your hard work and perseverance paving the way for the final frontier – the UPSC Civil Services Exam. After handling the prelims and mains, the final challenge is in the UPSC interview.
This decisive phase determines your prestigious rank, where every additional mark can tip the scales in your favor, propelling you towards the coveted title of IAS officer.
Here are 10 invaluable insights shared by experienced IAS officers, which unlock the secrets of cracking the UPSC personality test.
1. Be yourself
Retired IAS officer Ramesh Kumar Khanna advises aspirants to attend mock IAS interviews with experienced civil servants to get practice and check the extent of your preparation.
“But keep your personality intact, and be yourself. You should also pay attention to your attitude and confidence level,” he writes on Quora.
He also advises the aspirants to be aware of socio-economic problems and events of national and global importance.
2. Know your DAF
IAS officer Apala Mishra, who scored an AIR 9 in UPSC CSE and scored the highest in the interview round, says that one of the most important things to remember for the personality round is the DAF (detailed application form).
She says, “Make sure you include only those traits and strengths you want to highlight in the DAF. Don’t include any accomplishments or hobbies you can’t explain. Interviewers are likely to see through that. Revise everything you mention and everything you put down.” There are answers.
3. Don’t go unprepared
Dr Apala says that one of the biggest myths is that you don’t need to prepare for the interview round as it only tests your personality.
“However, we need to understand that knowledge also forms the basis of our personality. An equal amount of work is required to put in the initial and main stages,” she adds.
4. Focus on what you know
2016 batch IAS officer Jitin Yadav says that having faith in what you already know is more important than worrying about what you don’t know.
“Don’t mistrust yourself by imagining how much you don’t know. Focus on gaining confidence from what you already know. If you’re a serious aspirant, that’s more than enough,” he says.
15 golden tips for #UPSC Civil Services Examination Personality Test/Interview –
#1 Always allow the interviewing board member to interrupt you but never interrupt the board member.
#2 Answer one question at a time. Never mix a previous question with a new one.
– Jitin Yadav (@Jitin_IAS) March 29, 2022
5. Learn to be a good listener
Jitin advises aspirants to be good listeners and take a pause before answering a question. “Some candidates start formulating their answers before the question is over. Never do that, we give an incomplete answer,” he added.
Jitin explains that your ability to bounce back is tested in a personality test. “Many factual questions can be asked, and it’s perfectly normal not to be able to answer all of them,” he says.
6. Be careful when answering the questions
“Interview is not a test of knowledge, which has become the main test. The interview examines your personality traits through indirect methods; The answers to your questions give them a clue to assess your qualities,” says Jitin.
7. Keep your dress code simple
While candidates worry about what to wear during the personality test, what you choose to wear while appearing for the IAS JIT interview makes a difference.
“A lot of questions can come up about the brand or the design. In my opinion, it’s better to keep the dress as simple as possible,” he adds.
#7 The maximum amount of nervousness is actually good for an interview. If the anxiety is extreme, either too high or too low, then only is it an anxiety.
(Read Yerkes-Dodgson Law – Individuals perform best with optimal stimulation)– Jitin Yadav (@Jitin_IAS) March 29, 2022
8. Keep a check on your behavior
Jitin says candidates should never interrupt board members, but rather be open to being interrupted by them.
“Also, answer one question at a time. Never mix a previous question with a new one,” he added.
9. Learn to manage anxiety
Jitin says that optimal levels of nervousness are actually good for personality tests. “Only if the anxiety is extreme — either too high or too low — is it a concern,” he adds.
He suggests aspirants study the Yerkes-Dodson law, which describes how performance increases with physical or mental stimulation, but only up to a point.
10. Don’t get discouraged
Jitin emphasizes that during personality tests, it is important to prioritize professional demeanor over emotional responses. “Never show that you’re too desperate to be selected,” he says.
Edited by Pranita Bhat