What is UPSC CSE Personality Test?

UPSC Interview is a test of candidate’s overall personality (analytical ability, lateral thinking, logical decision making) and his personal suitability for a career in public service by a board of competent and unbiased observers. Interview is not that of a strict cross-examination but of a natural, though directed and purposive conversation, which is intended to reveal the mental qualities of the candidate. In broad terms, this is really an assessment of not only his/her intellectual qualities but also social traits and his/her interest in current affairs. Some of the qualities to be judged are mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical Exposition, balance of judgment, variety and depth of interest, ability for social cohesion and leadership, intellectual and moral integrity.

The range of questions will include questions on hobby and their practical application, why he/she wishes to join the civil services, candidate’s opinion on current/historic issues, knowledge about candidate’s education, optional subject, issues of the state candidate belongs to, international relations, current affairs etc. They may also provide situation-based question and seek the candidates' opinion/response on the same.

It is a 20 to 40 minutes exercise which can make a 100 marks difference in the final total marks and can make an aspirant enter the final merit list or can lead to an end of the journey even if one has scored very well in the mains exam. Thus the interview process can give the aspirants an unassailable lead.

Reach your destination of becoming an IAS Officer with APTI PLUS Academy's Mock Interview Programme.

Apti Plus leaves no stone unturned to help the students counter the challenges put forward by UPSC. 

Cost: Apti Plus Academy provides UPSC Interview Guidance Program for Free. 

Panel: Apti Plus Academy conducts UPSC mock interviews in an ambience which is akin to the actual UPSC interview, where the highly experienced panel consisting of senior retired bureaucrats, personality experts and eminent professors assess the aspirants critically on grounds of personality, general knowledge and ethical standards. The IAS mock interview panel guides the aspirants on the major shortcomings and suggests ways to overcome them.  

Mode: Both offline as well as Online mock interviews for UPSC are also provided. 

Unique features:

• Video recordings of mock interviews of successful aspirants are made available on various social media platforms. 
• The academy also posts interview transcripts of various successful candidates on its blog.
•  Further, webinar sessions of successful candidates who scored good marks in interviews are regularly organised to mentor the budding aspirants and clear their doubts. 
• Free DAF analysis and free interview material are also provided. 

All these features make Apti Plus’s free mock interview for UPSC the best mock interview for UPSC acting as the top rung to the final selection.

Interview Material provided by Aptiplus:

In its endeavor to be your guiding light till you reach your destination of CSE, APTI PLUS brings to you Interview Materials: high-quality revolutionized learning modules that have been rigorously designed to ensure that you ace the interview.

Subject wise Modules:

Volume 1:

• Polity
• International Relations
• Economy
• Social Issues

Volume 2:

• Science and Technology
• Environment
• Art and Culture
• Security

State-wise Modules:

• West Bengal
• Odisha
• Delhi
• Haryana
• Maharashtra
• Uttar Pradesh
• Andhra Pradesh
•  Tamil Nadu
•  Karnataka
• Telangana 
• Rajasthan 
• Kerala 

Benefits:

Aspirants learn about the following:

• How to present your personal suitability for a career in public service?
• How to inculcate mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, ability for social cohesion and leadership?
• How to methodically answer wide range of questions?
• How to portray Emotional Intelligence?
• How to maintain a positive body language and portray clarity of thought, understanding?
• How to give  balanced, honest, concise and precise answers based on logic, rationality?

Strategy advocated by Aptiplus to ace the Personality Test:

Prerequisites: 

• Aspirants should not wait for the mains results to declare. Remember that it takes time to polish one’s personality.
• Aspirants need to know of their strengths, weaknesses, traits.
• Aspirants need to develop a positive attitude.

Preparation phase:

• Candidates should be fully aware of each and every word that is mentioned in their Detailed Application Form which includes:

1. Hobbies
2. Education
3. Service related Preferences
4. District, State
5. Meaning of name
6. Parents related questions etc.

• Have a diverse understanding of the topics by reading multiple newspapers:

1. The Hindu
2. Times of India
3. Indian Express

• Revise the optional subject
• Be thorough with the current affairs.
• Take multiple mock interviews.
• The best exercise for interview preparation are:

• Stand in front of mirror and speak.
• Record yourself.

During the interview:

• Every answer should be a balanced answer. Candidate should refrain from making extreme statements.
• Emotional Intelligence matters: Be calm and portray moral integrity. Never bluff in the answers.
• Maintain a positive body language.
• Dress neatly.
• Another very important thing is to be honest in the answers. Honest and truthful answers will make one do wonders in the interview rather than ideal or readymade answers.
• Communicate well: one should portray clarity of thought, understanding while speaking.
• Be to the point: Answers should be concise and precise.
• Every answer that a candidate gives should be based on logic, rationality and not bounded by emotions and likewise factors.