What to Do in the Last 15 Days Before ESE Mains 2025?

With each passing day, you are getting closer to ESE Mains 2025. Along with the ticking of the clock, you must be getting tensed as to how to give wings to your ESE mains final preparation in the last 15 days. It’s time to enhance your study plan and strategy and shift gears from preparation to performance mode. The last few days before the exam are extremely important and require a well-structured revision plan. So, in this blog, we bring you a complete strategy to utilize these final days effectively. Make every hour count with smart revision and focused preparation for ESE Mains 2025.

Roadmap to ESE Mains 2025

1. Revise Smartly, Not Randomly
2. Take Full-Length Mock Tests Under Exam Conditions
3. Polish Your Answer-Writing Skills
4. Don’t Ignore the Core Areas
5. Take Care of Your Health and Mental Well-being

1. Revise Smartly, Not Randomly

In the final phase of your ESE 2025 mains preparation, it’s crucial to avoid randomly flipping through notes. Instead, follow a focused and structured ESE revision plan. In the last few days before the exam, don’t try to cover everything. Rather, review the high-weightage topics from the ESE mains 2025 syllabus that you’ve already studied. You need to understand that this period is for strengthening your strong areas, not starting something new. Use short notes, formula sheets, and past year papers for quick recall. One of the best last-minute exam tips is to prioritize quality revision over quantity. A smart approach during these final days includes revisiting your mistakes, revising challenging concepts, and practicing problem-solving under timed conditions.

2. Take Full-Length Mock Tests Under Exam Conditions

We have often heard that saying: “Practice makes a man perfect.” The same applies to exams, so it’s very important to solve as many mock papers as possible before the final exam.

It is considered one of the most effective ways to boost your confidence and improve your performance in the exam. So, solving mock papers in an actual exam environment helps you manage time and refine your answer presentation, all of which are critical for both ESE 2025 paper 1 and paper 2. That’s why enrolling in a trusted test series, such as the MADE EASY ESE Test Series, can be a game-changer. It offers a structured approach aligned with the UPSC ESE 2025 strategy, helping you identify gaps and correct them well before the final exam. As part of your exam journey, try to solve at least 3–4 mock tests in the last 15 days and analyze your performance thoroughly.

3. Polish Your Answer-Writing Skills

As per experts, in ESE Mains 2025, how you present your answers is as important as what you write. With limited time and descriptive questions in both papers, it is crucial to write clear, concise, and well-organized answers. Here, you have to understand that the exam is more about quality than quantity, so focus on that too. So, at this time, you should work on improving your handwriting, using proper answer structure, highlighting key points, and including graphs or flowcharts wherever needed. Practicing with previous years’ question papers and mock tests, especially through platforms like MADE EASY, can boost your confidence. As part of your final days’ study plan for this exam, make time for answer-writing practice every day.

4. Don’t Ignore the Core Areas

In the final days before the exam, it’s crucial to stay grounded in the core technical subjects you’ve studied throughout your preparation journey. These foundational topics form the backbone of the ESE mains papers and offer the highest scoring potential. So, it’s advisable to avoid chasing new or less relevant topics, focus on reinforcing key concepts by solving problems, revisiting class notes, and refining your understanding through regular practice. A well-structured ESE revision plan should give priority to these core areas to ensure conceptual clarity and accuracy under pressure. Staying consistent with your fundamentals during this phase can make a significant difference in your overall performance. With the right approach, this could be the step that helps you find your name on the final list.

5. Take Care of Your Health and Mental Well-being

It’s very natural to feel anxious before the D-Day, so in the last few days before the exam, it’s easy to get caught up in deep study sessions and forget about your well-being. But maintaining good health both physically and mentally is essential for staying sharp and focused. So, make sure you’re getting enough sleep, around 7–8 hours, eating nutritious meals, and taking regular breaks to recharge. Light exercise, deep breathing, or even a short walk can do wonders to clear your mind. Avoid burnout by balancing study with rest, and try to stay calm and positive. A healthy body and a peaceful mind are just as important as your preparation.

15-Day Study Plan for ESE Mains 2025

Experts have always emphasized the need and importance of a well-organized study plan in the last 15 days.

The study plan can make a big difference in how confidently you approach the exam. This phase should focus on revision, mock tests, and answer writing practice, while ensuring balanced coverage of both technical and general studies subjects. So, you have to divide your time wisely between subjects in a way that the subjects you’re strong in and those that need your attention. Prioritize high-scoring topics, revise short notes regularly, and experience exam conditions with full-length papers. Here’s a sample plan we’ve created for you, which you can modify as per your needs.

You’ve come a long way—through months of dedicated study and moments of self-doubt that you chose to overcome. Now, as you stand just a few days away from one of the most important exams of your journey, remember this: you’re stronger and more prepared than you think.

These last 15 days aren’t just about revision; they’re about believing in yourself. You’re not alone in this. So take a deep breath, trust the process, and walk into the exam with your head held high.

MADE EASY wishes you success in ESE Mains 2025

FAQs

Q. 1. – Should I take mock tests during the last 15 days of ESE preparation?

Answer: Yes! Solving test papers in the last 15 days is one of the best things you can do. It’s not just about testing your knowledge; it’s also about refining your time management and improving how you present your answers in a real exam-like environment. Aim to take at least 3–4 full-length mock tests in a proper exam setup. But here’s the key: analyze them thoroughly.

Q. 2. – How much time should I dedicate daily in the last 15 days?

Answer: Well! There’s no perfect number, but according to experts, 8–10 hours a day is generally a solid target—provided you’re not just sitting at your desk, but actually engaging in focused work. Break your day into simple time slots: revise strong topics, practice answer writing, solve questions, and review mock papers.

Q. 3. –Is it okay to skip new topics in the final days?

Answer: Yes! In fact, it’s recommended. The last few days are meant for consolidation, not expansion. Starting something completely new might only lead to confusion and shake your confidence. Instead, double down on what you already know—revise your short notes, solve previous years’ questions, and sharpen your strong areas.

Q. 4. – How to manage stress before ESE Mains?

Answer: Dear aspirants, Before the exam, it’s completely natural to feel stressed—this is a big moment. But don’t let the stress take over. The best way to manage it is to stick to your plan, take regular short breaks, and avoid overthinking the outcome. Have faith in your preparation, and just give it your best.