Every student in Tamil Nadu knows how big a deal the TNPSC exams are. From Group 1 to Group 4, the posts attract lakhs of aspirants every single year. For many, clearing TNPSC is not just about a government job, it’s about pride, stability, and making their family proud.
When I first told my friends that I was going to prepare for TNPSC without coaching, they laughed. Others told me it was not possible, while others said that I was wasting my time. There are also the big coaching centers in Madurai, Chennai, and Coimbatore packed with students shelling out ₹ 40,000 to ₹ 80,000 per annum to clear these exams.
But inside, I wanted to demonstrate one can teach himself. I cannot afford to pay for a coach, nor my excess to quit a part-time job. So, I had to do it myself
Why I Said No to Coaching
- Money matters:Honestly, the fees were way out of reach for me.
- Time flexibility: My work schedule didn’t allow me to sit in 6-hour classroom sessions.
- Confidence in self-study:I always preferred reading on my own.
Was it risky? Absolutely. But I told myself, “If I can plan smart, I can prepare smart.”
Breaking Down the TNPSC Syllabus
The TNPSC syllabus is huge, but the good news is that it’s very predictable. Most questions come from Samacheer Kalvi textbooks and previous years’ papers.
Here’s how I divided it:
- General Studies: History, Geography, Polity, Science, Current Affairs
- Aptitude & Mental Ability: Maths, reasoning, number series, puzzles
- General English/Tamil: Grammar, comprehension, vocabulary
Instead of panicking, I made a syllabus tracker in a notebook. Every time I finished a topic, I ticked it off. That small act gave me confidence daily.
My Booklist for TNPSC Without Coaching
I didn’t waste money buying every new guide on the market. Instead, I stuck to the tried and tested:
- Samacheer Kalvi (6th–12th): The backbone for GS.
- Suras TNPSC Aptitude Book: For daily practice.
- Arihant GK Manual: For quick revisions.
- Newspaper + Monthly Current Affairs PDFs: For updated news.
That’s it. Too many books = too much confusion.
My Daily Study Routine
Since I had limited time, I created a simple timetable that I could actually follow:
- Morning (6–8 am): Samacheer Kalvi History/Geography
- Evening (7–9 pm): Aptitude & Mock Tests
- Night (10–11 pm): Current Affairs + Revision
Sundays were for writing full mock tests. At first, my scores were terrible. But slowly, I started seeing improvement.
The Magic of Previous Year Papers
If someone asked me, “What’s the one thing that helped you the most in TNPSC prep?” My answer would be: previous year question papers.
Here’s why:
- I understood the pattern of repeated questions.
- I got used to the difficulty level.
- It helped me manage time inside the exam hall.
I solved at least 10 years’ worth of papers. By the time I wrote the 2025 mock exams, many questions felt familiar.
Tackling Aptitude & General Studies
At first, Aptitude scared me. Maths was never my strength. But instead of running away, I practiced small chunks daily.
- 20 aptitude sums daily
- Shortcuts for percentages, averages, and time & work
- Online quizzes for speed
For General Studies, I stuck to Samacheer Kalvi books and revised them 4–5 times. Honestly, repeated revision works like magic.
How I Stayed Consistent Without Coaching
This was the hardest part. Without a teacher or classroom, motivation drops quickly. Some things I did:
- Kept a study journal – wrote what I studied daily
- Joined online TNPSC groups – shared doubts, solved questions
- Watched YouTube free classes when a topic confused me
Still, there were low days. That’s when I reached out for Impacteers mentorship. It wasn’t like coaching – no spoon-feeding. Instead, mentors helped me with personalized study plans, mock test analysis, and motivation. It felt like having an elder brother/sister guiding me instead of a strict teacher.
Exam Day: My Experience
I’ll never forget the day of my first TNPSC Group 2 exam.
- I reached the center early, calm and composed.
- I attempted all the easy questions first, then the tough ones.
- Since TNPSC has no negative marking, I didn’t leave anything blank.
When the results came, my name was on the list. The feeling was priceless. My hard work, my self-study, had paid off.
Lessons I Learned
- Yes, TNPSC can be cleared without coaching.
- Revision > Reading 100 books.
- Mock tests are more powerful than we realize.
- Discipline beats long study hours.
- A little mentorship goes a long way.
Impacteers Mentorship – A Game Changer
Let me be honest: I didn’t crack TNPSC fully alone. While I didn’t attend coaching, I did take guidance from Impacteers mentorship.
- They didn’t charge crazy fees like big institutes.
- They gave me custom study plans.
- They reviewed my mock test answers.
- They kept me motivated on days I felt like quitting.
If you’re preparing for TNPSC 2025 and can’t afford expensive coaching, mentorship is the perfect middle path.
Conclusion
My journey proves that TNPSC without coaching is not a dream – it’s possible. With smart study hacks, the right book selection, previous year papers, and mentorship, anyone can crack it.
If you are studying for TNPSC in 2025, do not be afraid of self-study. Believe in yourself, study regularly, and if you are stuck, visit mentors like Impacteers. You do not have to take coaching, but that is also a choice.
Your success is in your hands.
Visit Us >>> https://www.impacteers.com/home
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FAQs About TNPSC Without Coaching
Q1: Is it really possible to clear TNPSC without coaching?
Yes. Many students, including myself, have done it. The key is discipline and the right resources.
Q2: What are the best books for TNPSC self-study?
Start with Samacheer Kalvi textbooks, add Suras Aptitude book, and revise with Arihant GK.
Q3: How many hours should I study daily?
4–6 focused hours are enough if you stay consistent. Quality matters more than quantity.
Q4: Is mentorship better than coaching?
For self-study aspirants, yes. Programs like Impacteers are flexible, personal, and affordable.
Q5: Which TNPSC group is easiest to crack?
Group 4 is considered the easiest because the syllabus is shorter compared to Group 1 and Group 2.
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