TNPSC Exam-An Exclusive Interview with Mr.Vinoth Sudarsanam, TNPSC Group I Exam Topper 2011-13 Exam Interview held on 7th April 2014

An Exclusive Interview with Mr.Vinoth Sudarsanam, TNPSC Group I Exam Topper 2011-13 Exam Interview held on 7^th April 2014

BRIEF BIO-DATA:

Name             : S.Vinoth

Age                : 22 years 11 months 

Native             :Komarapalayam, Namakkal district

Father's name: S.Sudarsanam

Mother's name: S.Rajabama

Occupation      : Program Analyst (Cognizant Technology solutions)

School      : SSM Lakshmi Ammal matric higher sec school. Komarapalayam. Namakkal District (Till 10th standard) SRV Boys Higher sec school .Raasipuram .Namakkal district

College   : College of Engineering Guindy, Anna university .Chennai (Mechanical engineering)

Current designation: District Employment Officer. (Tamil Nadu General Service)

TNPSC Rank          : 13

Attempt details       : 1st attempt.

Years of preparation: 1.5 years

Marks scored         : 465.50 / 900 (Mains written exam) 

                                 90.00 / 120(Interview score) 

                               555.50 /1020 (Total score)

 Your interest in TNPSC- the State Civil Services?

Basically being a sportsman myself, I am very passionate about Policing given the physical demands and challenges in it.

I did not have much interest in engineering right from the beginning .Unfortunately I am also one among the victims of our current educational trend where most of the students realize their dream only after their under graduation.

I pursued my dream during my final year by joining part time classes and started to intensify the training after I completed my degree and made it in first attempt.

Subject Selection:

In State Civil Services (Group 1 exam ) you don't have anything to opt for except your Mains exam second paper i.e General studies II exam .You will have to choose either English or Tamil ( one of the 3 subjects included in II paper ). 

I chose English for two reasons:

  1) I am comfortable writing in English than in Tamil as an English medium student.

  2) Also English paper here tests only our reading and analyzing skills (Prose comprehension, Article writing, Report writing)  while Tamil had syllabus to memorize which I felt time consuming during preparation.

If you are a regular reader (English Newspaper or Novel etc.), I would say English is a god in disguise for you people. It was for me.

Coaching if any?

Definitely Yes, Coaching for Group 1 exam is indispensable especially for Mains exam. Because Time management is the most important aspect for clearing this. Thanks to Apollo study center and Mr.Sam Rajeshwaran sir. 

Coaching had the following things:

1) We were expected to write about 40 tests (300 marks: 3 hours) in six months period for mains preparation.

2) Periodically we get feedback for the tests written which helped in rectifying the mistakes.

3) Strategy based advice for choosing and answering questions and time management (e.g. which section to attend first? When to do maths problems? , With in what time 3 marks should be finished? )

4) Mental Training like Motivation and Awareness of even small things (We even got check list of things to carry for Exam).

5) We were to take two mock interviews for Interview and given corrections.

6) Prelims is one exam where your own effort will come in to play more than coaching centres. Spending of much time to go through as much of topics you can is the key to get rid of Prelims.

Remember the fact that Prelims is always a gamble game since no one knows everything.

So, spend time and take regular tests to clear Prelims exam and get trained for Mains exam. I would like to make a mention of Dr.Sankara Saravanan sir who is amazing with his knowledge .He is one person I admire a lot and he changed Biology from Hate subject to Favorite subject for me .

 Preparation Strategy:

1) Divide your total time into small periods and draw short time targets. (E.g. If you have to complete 6 subjects in 6 months .Fix one month for 1 subject).

2) Try to complete it first month at any cost because good beginning gives you confidence and sense of positive energy.

3) Your failure starts when you start relaxing at the small time targets.

4) Day by Day target .If you think you should complete 2 chapters in a day you must complete it.

Most importantly 2 chapters should be a possible target.

Never fix a hard task which is likely to fail which shatters your confidence.

5) Time target: Always fix easy targets to boost your confidence. (E.g. If you know that you usually get sleepy after 11p.m.

Fix target as till 10 you should study and if you cross your limit by even 15 minutes you will get a feeling that you are working hard psychologically. It boosts your confidence.

Don't fix 12 as your target and sleep at 11, you may end up getting stress and losing confidence.

6) Celebrate every day after you achieve the day's target and seek pleasure from that.

7)Be proud that you have studied something new today and you can even try explaining the concept to your mom in kitchen even though she doesn't listen to you .After all you are revising . 

8)I personally use morning time effectively from 5:30a.m  - 8:30a.m where I will study something in 3 hours which would take me 5 hours during the day time often filled with external disturbances (Study the toughest subject in the this time ) 

9)  I will sleep early by 10 p.m daily because 8 hours of sleep is must in the night.

10) Handling the most toughest period (11a.m - 5p.m ) drowsy boring period of the day is  a key factor .( Try to read topics as story reading during these time by  not trying to memorize which will make your brain so tired and leads to sleep ).

11) 30 minutes of relaxation daily is a must do. Try to opt a lonely place and speak to your heart about your preparation and analyse what needs to be done and realize where you are.

12)  Motivation is the most important thing in the preparation process. Motivation is like food we eat which has to be taken daily.

Don't rely on your staff to motivate you daily. Go for Self-Motivation by watching inspirational videos in You tube, try visiting any Government office nearby and watch the respect government servant gets there and you get charged up.

I used to watch movies like kaaka kaaka whenever I feel low and get charged up .Might be funny but it is the fact in my case.

 Book List?

I followed School books and materials given in my academy .Hope other toppers had told you enough about books. 

Examination Experience:

Not much to tell you in this.

1) Never panic at any time of the exam. Always have in mind there is a second chance for us and this is not the end. This thinking will definitely help you relieve stress and anxiety .Of course we all want to grab in this attempt but thinking like this is only to be stress free in the hall which will influence your performance.

2) Most of the aspirants become a pray for stress resulting in failure to produce what they are capable of. Build your attitude to overcome this “There is always another chance ".

 Interview (strategy, questions, and atmosphere) – TNPSC Board Questions asked:

1) Interview is just a formal discussion between board and us. Not an evaluation of our knowledge. Just tell what you know.

2) 2 main things they see is a) Attitude b) Body language.

3) Our answers would show our attitude to them so better to read personality development books when you find time then and there.

4) Be bold in whatever you know if not tell them you don’t know .They will like our honesty.

 Questions asked?

1) Inter linking of rivers

2) Leadership qualities 

3) Difference between officer and leader?

4) Which means of Power generation is more in TN?

5) Name some thermal stations in TN 

6) Which monsoon brings more rainfall to TN?

7) Tell me why SW monsoon doesn't bring rainfall to TN?

8) As an officer what will you do when a 6 story building collapsed in your jurisdiction?

9) Some other scenario based questions.

It taken 25 minutes totally. 

It was a pleasant and conducive environment inside the room .Members were friendly and ask us to relax when they find us tensed.

Any other tips you wish to share.

We will have to come across so many hurdles before we succeed.

For me setting the right attitude matters in clearing an exam. Be passionate in whatever you take up.

Be happy that you have learnt Indian history instead of getting upset for losing a mark for getting a year wrong in a class test.

Self-discipline - means executing the plan without any compromises. Hit your small time targets consistently and grow in confidence.

Always keep your cool, whenever you are down, sit calmly and analyse the situation and motivate yourselves.

Be hungry to know more, marks will follow automatically.

The difference between people who fail and pass is only the execution. If you fail improve your execution you will succeed . 

That is all from me. These comments are just my point of view. Take this only if you feel it will help you.

I dedicate my victory to motherhood which has sacrificed their whole life for the betterment of children and family.

I would not have achieved this without my mother's hard work .This one is for you!!!

Thank you people!!