A written exam requires mock tests to be crucial for success. The simulation purpose of mock tests helps students measure their speed and methods and their areas of improvement.
Standard mock tests present different standards of evaluation since different situations affect their complete concept. One is online mock test. These are the least preferred and highly unadvisable form of mock test. It is because they lack following :
The pen and paper-based format that UPSC conducts for CDS exam fails to produce comparable conditions to the actual test environment. The written examination provides students with an alternate experience because it utilizes both paper-based and digital assessment elements. Answer marking in OMR sheets continues as an alternative procedure to online selection. Such reasons along with the dissimilar format make it an undesirable option for UPSC Combined Defence Services Exam.
The traditional mock testing method includes CDS Previous year paper books which are known as practice papers books. Traditional mock tests with paper and pen exceed the value of online practice tests making them more desirable for students. These traditional approaches also do not present the genuine exam stimulus and neglect to establish a standard testing environment. The practice includes pen and paper use but both the questions and their corresponding answers appear directly beside each other and worksheets include key answers at the document’s final section. You will encounter 25-30 questions on each of the pages in the book although UPSC booklets contain only 5-8 questions per page.
Why does actual Exam like conditions matter?
1.) Time – A candidate uses 8-10 seconds to match each question number in the OMR sheet then circles and dots the correct response plus adds his notes to the question paper. This is equal to 20 minutes. The combined task of right-left page flipping for the whole question booklet requires another 10 minutes of time. Most candidates fail to estimate this duration correctly which results either in inadequate time or inferior performance than expected.
2.) Anxiety – Utter nervousness arises from the restricted testing period and unfamiliar testing environment. Remember your experience learning about ten-grade examinations for the first time in your Xth class year. Moving to an unfamiliar examination facility causes nervousness because you sit in a supervised classroom among unfamiliar faces. Schools conduct pre-boards to let students experience the testing procedures at the designated sites and facilities.
3.) Approach – Now, the reason there are large number of candidates who clear their written from RIMC, RMS is because they practice a lot under actual exam like condition.
What does this do? You may ask?
The approach of an applicant undergoes modification during this process. Aside from this mental worry about missed questions you will feel confident to pass over questions throughout the test. Under these conditions you can handle unknown questions with confidence as well as ease. The diminishing sense of panic about missed questions and negative marking will occur through this experience. You will acquire significant wisdom through measured dangers. The most important aspect of an exam surrounds creating situations just like actual testing environments.
Why practicing in OMR Sheet is Important?
It’s like saying you’re preparing for a professional cricket match with a leather ball, but practicing with a rubber ball or on a gaming device—it won’t help. You need to practice with the leather ball in real conditions to build confidence.
You must harness the OMR booklets for training purposes while replicating realistic test conditions by allocating exam-duration as well as incorporating other cited directives. The Booklet system which is available for JEE exams and other national tests appeared for CDS candidacy only after 2025. A group of our team members dedicated significant energy to produce CDS Countdown which represents 30 booklets together with OMR sheets meant to enhance CDS examination preparation for aspirants. In addition to the booklets there is also detailed explanatory note solution content available through QR scan technology. The booklets have been prepared such that you can access their solutions after finishing each paper rather than viewing them prematurely. You will only access the answer keys or solutions by conscious intention since there are no accidental viewing possibilities.
Give that final push you need to clear your CDS exam. Get a copy of CDS OTA Countdown & CDS Countdown. Order now, Available on amazon & Flipkart.
