Competitive Exams 2026: Top 10 Mistakes average aspirants repeat

Most aspirants fail not due to low IQ — but repeatable mistakes.

1. Studying without knowing the full syllabus & exam pattern.

2. Using too many books instead of mastering a few core sources.

3. Ignoring Previous Year Questions — the exam’s real blueprint.

4. Studying daily but avoiding mock tests out of fear.

5. Revising randomly instead of following a fixed revision cycle.

6. Counting study hours, not questions solved or accuracy.

7. Running away from weak subjects instead of fixing them.

8. Giving mock tests but never analyzing mistakes deeply.

9. Constantly comparing with others and losing focus.

10. Pushing nonstop till burnout before the exam.

Stop repeating these mistakes — study smart, not just hard.