Are you getting ready for exams like IIT, UPSC, or GATE? You might spend hours searching for the best subject books, but students often don’t realise that there’s another key factor that greatly influences your success.

And that is ‘how to’ use and understand the book, which is just as crucial to retain the information.

IFS officer Himanshu Tyagi — who also is an institute medalist from IIT Roorkee — shares how he picked the right books and read them effectively during his exam preparations.

He took to X (Twitter) to share tips on making the most of reading books for every competitive examination. “Book reading enhances understanding, but inefficient reading is only a waste of time,” he wrote.

Here are five top tips shared by Himanshu for effective reading for exams:

1. Pick the right book

He advised students not to buy every book recommended by toppers. “Select good books and stick to them,” he wrote.

1. "Select good books."

Don't jump into every book recommended by toppers.

Select good books and stick to them.

— Himanshu Tyagi (@Himanshutyg_ifs) March 10, 2024

2. Read the index

Himashu further advised students to make sure to read the index before picking up any book. “Before starting, understand what the book is about. Understand the design of the book,” he noted.

2. Read the index.

Before starting, understand what the book is about. Understand the design of the book.

— Himanshu Tyagi (@Himanshutyg_ifs) March 10, 2024

3. Read the interesting chapters first

The IFS officer introduced a concept that he calls “superficial reading” — fast reading of the chapter you are interested in.

3. Selective reading.

Don't try to read every page of the book. Be selective about what you want to read.

Read in 2 stages👇

— Himanshu Tyagi (@Himanshutyg_ifs) March 10, 2024

4. Deep-read all the chapters

“This is when you go back to the chapter again,” he wrote, while advising students to not make notes while reading. “Make notes after completing the concept without referring to the book,” he opined.

4. 1st stage: superficial reading

Fast reading of the chapter you are interested in.

Highlight or underline very important keywords.

After completing the chapter, summarize it in one paragraph. Not much writing.

— Himanshu Tyagi (@Himanshutyg_ifs) March 10, 2024

5. Read and repeat!

“Read a book multiple times, rather than reading multiple books,” he advised.

He closed the thread with a question for students — “A good test for effective reading is: Can you teach the concept to someone else?” he wrote.

Read a book multiple times, Rather than reading multiple books.

A good test for effective reading is: Can you teach the concept to someone else?

Ask yourself this after reading every chapter.

— Himanshu Tyagi (@Himanshutyg_ifs) March 10, 2024

(Edited by Pranita Bhat)