I want to build MisFits publicly. I want to build it publicly because we would like to be held accountable for every action, inaction, or innovation in your MisFits Journey.
It takes a lot of courage to put one's reputation in line, and I am proudly going to do it - because I trust in this methodology.
In the journey, there will be moments when we'd fail, we will pivot, and we will get frustrated. In fact, I can promise you that the journey is NOT going to be easy. Nothing worth achieving in life comes easy.
But I assure you, we will come out stronger - because the entire experience is going to be so transformational for you.
The entire MisFits experience is going to be segmented into three layers.
1. Layer 1: Layer 1 will focus on the completion of standard books. This completion won't be in a 'traditional' format. The IFS fellows will analyze, critically think, communicate, and structure their thoughts as they complete the syllabus via Layer 1.
All books will be standard - coaching material, or notes taking won't be promoted in layer 1. I want you to fall in love with subjects. All the sessions will be engaging, and interactive, and will follow a Harvard Case Style Socratic Methodology.
The critical analysis of topics discussed will then be tied up not just with the world of politics, and international affairs, but also with the world of Business and public policy. Layer 1 in nutshell focuses on foundations. Layer 2 will build on this foundation.The reason for focusing on layer 1 is that almost all the UPSC aspirants will read the same 'standard' books, watch the same material, and have an almost similar strategy - engaging in layer 1 will give IFS Fellows at MisFits.bet a unique advantage over their peers.
In less than 3 months of continuous learning, IFS Fellows will realize how valuable this experience is.It might take some time to acclimatize to the learning methodology. It took me some time as well during my time at Harvard, Fletcher, and Tuck.
Without falling in love with learning - you can't clear this exam.
2. Layer 2 will focus on revisions, retention, and test-solving methodologies.
It goes in tandem with Layer 1. All the IFS fellows will be required to mandatorily complete the readings of standard chapters (that we will assign) after every class.
IFS Fellows will realize that it will be relatively easy for them to retain information. They will understand better, they will connect the dots better, and most importantly - they will read through the materials more efficiently. Readings will be divided into chunks so that IFS Fellows can also internalize those learnings.
After completion of the syllabus - there will be separate sessions on Test Solving. For example, in the UPSC Prelims examination - no candidate is expected to solve 100% of the paper with 100% accuracy. They are expected to make logical conjectures.
Various qualitative and quantitative methods will be discussed before the exams to curb the anxieties of the IFS Fellows.
After the classes and re-watching of recordings - IFS fellows will be confident to solve 60% of the Prelims Paper with 100% accuracy.
However, under the pressure of time/anxiety/fear - many make casual mistakes.
Therefore, IFS Fellows will also be taught techniques to take logical decisions, and most importantly how to take logical guesses by analyzing previous years' papers. Similarly for the Mains exam - diagramming techniques, Mckinsey's presentation principles, Business and Policy Frameworks, BCG 2 X 2 Matrix, etc. will make IFS fellows think beyond the usual 'economic', 'social', and 'political' buckets. And would help them score at least a few marks extra in every answer that they write.
And this now brings us to Layer 3.
3. Layer 3 will focus on solving papers.
Not the papers of UPSC Coaching institutes - but of the actual exam conducted by the UPSC. You will be surprised to know that UPSC repeats some of the questions (albeit in a different format). IFS Fellows might also refer to materials from a few other institutes to complete the current affairs portion - but for the static part, IFS Fellows will rely more on solving past UPSC Papers MULTIPLE TIMES.
The goal will be to cover the syllabus well in advance for the IFS Fellows.
So that they can re-watch the recorded lectures, and then test their potential via giving mock tests in Layer 4 (ideally after October 2023 -till the eventual exams). Even though the experience will formally end in the month of September/October. But I will also hold strategy discussions closer to the exam cycle.
- UPSC Prelims and Mains: Secret to writing better answers - think like UPSC's evaluator | UPSC 2024
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