UNDERSTANDING THE AIM & EFFECTIVE: CONTRIBUTION OF THE INTERVIEW
- The personality test carries 275 marks out of the total 2025 mark scheme of the Civil Services Examination based on which the final selection list is prepared. Like the Essay (that carries 250 marks), the success and rank of an aspirant is significantly determined by this small but important segment. There are students who have scored 220 plus marks in interview and most of the toppers and rank holders do get advantage in interview scores only.
- Based on an analysis of the results of the previous years, experts say high marks in the main examination and the interview are a common feature of all toppers, and a few marks extra in the interview can make a difference of more than 10 ranks. Also, there are quite a few candidates who scraped through the main examination but found a place on the merit list with very high marks in the interview.
- Sometimes two or three marks less in the interview can lead to a huge change in the final rankings, making a massive difference between getting into the IAS, IPS or the IRS. In short, it will determine the service, the cadre and the status of the aspirant for a lifetime. Personality Test the last lap to the Finish line for the candidates aspiring to become an IAS officer.
- The personality test or the interview in the CS examination is the final hurdle which is not only capable of bringing smiles but also disappointment for the candidates. For any first timer, the interview call letter from UPSC brings immense joy and anxiety for the forthcoming and prospective events. Apprehension about the kind of questions that will be asked and will one be able to answer those queries confidently and convincingly becomes the main concern of the candidates. There is also an eagerness to identify maximum available sources from which to prepare for the interview.
Aim of Personality Test
- The Personality Test is aimed at assessing the candidate’s personality and his suitability to be a competent administrator. The candidate is tested not only for his/her intelligence but also for his/her overall personality development, his/her ability to take quick decisions and the ability to act under stress and handle crises.
- CSE interviews constitute a wide, diverse and a general understanding of literally everything under the sky. Therefore, it demands maturity, humility, rationality, communicability, humbleness, presence of mind and of course, the extensive knowledge base. The knowledge criterion however, is already checked during main examination time, but rest of these things must be reflected in the personality test so that you are given good amount of marks which is decisive in your final ranking and success.
- The interview session may last for twenty minutes, thirty minutes, or an hour, but you have to prepare yourself for much longer period. By preparing ahead of an ensuing interview, you give yourself a distinct advantage. Many of the aspirants develop a belief that they are smart enough to tackle the interview successfully and there is no need for specific preparation for an interview.
- However, this belief turns to be fallacious and they do not fair as well in the interview as they should have after thorough preparation.
- Candidates are required to represent a mindset of an administrator in taking up stands and tackling the issues in especially designed/created circumstances or hypothetical circumstances by the interviewers during the interview process. The precision of language, discipline of thought and lot of patience in placing the views are the prerequisites. Remember! Your entire personality is going to be judged on every single word that one happens to speak. Therefore, one needs to be extra careful about choosing the words during the process of personality test.
- The personality test requires the candidates to exhibit not only the art of balanced and precise thoughts, but also the art of delivering them or communicating them effectively. This simply indicates towards the need of a good strategy through experienced guidance and practice in right direction.
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