The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Combined Defence Services (CDS-II) 2026 examination is scheduled for September 13, with less than two weeks remaining. Instead of studying new material during these final days, focus on consolidating what you have already learned and revising it repeatedly. Identify and address your weaknesses, and improve your time management and accuracy through mock tests. In these last few days, discipline, the right strategy, and consistent practice can transform your year-long hard work into success.

**Categorize Your Mistakes**
First, conduct an honest self-assessment. Solve previous years' CDS question papers within the allotted time and, rather than just checking your score, identify the reasons behind your errors. Categorize your mistakes into three types: lack of knowledge, conceptual ambiguity, and errors caused by haste. During the remaining days, pay special attention to minimizing errors caused by haste; even a minor slip-up—despite knowing the correct answer—can negatively impact your score.

**Focus on Weak Areas**
As the exam approaches, one often feels pressured to study new books, notes, and PDFs. It may seem that reading more leads to better preparation, but studying new material in the final days can often lead to confusion and stress. Therefore, trust the topics you have already covered and focus on repeated revision. Review important topics and questions, and devote extra attention to subjects where you feel less confident.

**Focus on English and General Knowledge**
In these final days, rather than re-reading every grammar rule in English, focus on practicing vocabulary and comprehension. For passage-based questions, answer strictly based on the provided text rather than relying on guesswork. For General Knowledge, prioritize current affairs, as revising them shortly before the exam is highly beneficial. Additionally, repeatedly review your own notes or standard reference books to ensure you retain key facts effectively. Focus on Question Selection
Thoroughly memorize mathematical formulas and practice with previous years' question papers as much as possible. Cultivate the habit of skipping time-consuming questions to move ahead and solving easier ones first. Also, practice selecting questions while keeping negative marking in mind; incorrect answers can adversely affect your score. Therefore, attempt only those questions for which you are confident of the answer.

Avoid making rash guesses on questions you are unsure about.

Avoid staying up all night to study, as this can lead to fatigue and reduced concentration.
Ensure you get adequate sleep—at least six to seven hours—every day.
Eat light, nutritious meals and stay well-hydrated.
Organize your admit card, identity proof, and other essentials well in advance of the exam day.
Plan your route to the exam center and estimate the travel time beforehand.

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