✦ Strategy & LearningsPreparation approach, subject-wise strategy, and interview mindset - compiled from public interviews and coaching-institute features.
ⓘ AI-generated from Deepanshu Jindal's public interviews & coaching-institute features - not written or reviewed by them.
2023
Attempt 1 - Failed
Deepanshu did not clear the exam in his first attempt.
2024
Attempt 2 - Failed
He missed the cut-off by a narrow margin in his second attempt.
2025
Attempt 3 - AIR 38
He successfully cleared the exam in his third attempt.
📚Preparation Strategy
Focusing on core subjects and consistency.
Deepanshu emphasizes a balanced approach to the syllabus rather than focusing on a single subject.
Balanced approach
He advises against focusing on a single 'strength' subject, instead advocating for equal time distribution across all subjects.
Standard sources
He relied on standard books like NCERTs, Laxmikanth, and Spectrum, emphasizing that these are sufficient if studied thoroughly.
Avoid over-reliance
He cautions against relying too heavily on coaching-institute materials, suggesting they should be used as supplementary resources.
📝Answer Writing & Mock Tests
Refining the art of writing for Mains.
Deepanshu views mock tests as a tool for practice rather than a performance metric.
Mock test purpose
He suggests using mock tests to practice time management and OMR filling rather than obsessing over scores.
Avoid post-test analysis
He advises against spending excessive time analyzing mock test answers, as the questions are often not representative of the actual exam.
Consistency
He emphasizes the importance of regular practice, noting that he wrote 1000 answers between Prelims and Mains.
🧠CSAT Strategy
Treating CSAT with the seriousness it deserves.
Deepanshu highlights the increasing difficulty of the CSAT paper and the need for a dedicated approach.
Don't ignore CSAT
He warns against overconfidence in CSAT, noting that even candidates with strong backgrounds can struggle due to the changing pattern.
Exam-oriented mindset
He suggests practicing with OMR sheets in an exam-like environment to build the necessary temperament.
🗣️Interview Approach
Handling the personality test with confidence.
Deepanshu's interview strategy focused on honesty and maintaining composure.
Honesty
He believes in being honest with the board, even when admitting to limited knowledge on a specific topic.
Handling controversy
He advises staying calm and composed when faced with controversial or challenging questions from the board.
“Strategy should not be about what others are doing; it should be about playing to your strengths and weakening your weaknesses.”
— on his core philosophy“The first thing is always right. Trust your initial instinct.”
— on decision-making during the exam🎯 If You're Starting Out
- Keep your sources limited and revise them multiple times.
- Do not get overwhelmed by the vastness of the syllabus; break it down into manageable parts.
- Focus on understanding the core concepts rather than rote learning.
- Stay consistent with your daily routine, even if it's just a few hours of focused study.
Where this came fromBiography and marks corroborated across 3 coaching-institute profiles; strategy details drawn from 3 interview/strategy videos.