Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Qn 1) “How can I take ClearIAS UPSC Prelims Online Mock Exams?”

You just need to register and log in to take our free and paid prelims mock tests.

PS: Ensure that your email id is entered correctly.

Qn 2) How many devices from which I can take mock exams?

Unlimited. There are no such restrictions. You can take exams on a laptop or mobile. You can also take exams using the ClearIAS mobile app.

Qn 3) “Will I get access to already uploaded mock exams?”

Yes. Enrollment to ClearIAS Prelims Online Mock Test Series 2025 is now open.

• You can join now and get instant access to all already uploaded mock exams.
• You will get automatic access to upcoming mock exams, as per the timetable.
• You can take exams at any convenient time before the next Prelims.

Qn 4) “From where can I get the ClearIAS Prelims Test Series timetable?”

ClearIAS Timetable is provided directly in the menu for easy access. You can download the same as a PDF also.
ClearIAS Timetable is part of our test-based approach to help you learn faster and keep focused. However, you can take mock exams at any time convenient for you.

Qn 5) “Can I take these online tests from my home or internet cafe?”

Yes! Of course! You can take these tests from wherever you are comfortable. To take our online mock tests, all you need is an internet-connected device.

Qn 6) “Can I take online mock tests from mobile or tablet?”

Yes, you can! Aspirants can take mock tests from mobile, tablet, laptop or desktop.

If you are using a mobile phone or tablet, you can either take it through the ClearIAS Mobile App or use a mobile browser.

Qn 7) “How do I attempt ClearIAS online mock tests?”

Aspirants need to first register on this website before attempting tests (free or paid). The whole registration process is very simple and hardly takes 2 minutes. In the registration form, users need to give a username, email ID, and password.

After registration, if confirmation is asked, users need to confirm their email by clicking on the link received in the email id given. That’s all. You are ready to log in!

Qn 8) “How much do the ClearIAS online mock tests cost?”

Despite our unique features, we have placed great emphasis on the affordability of the test series.

Aspirants have three options to access the ClearIAS online mock test series for UPSC Prelims:

• Enroll in ClearIAS Prelims Online Test Series (Complete Package) for just Rs. 9999 Rs. 4999 to get access to 40 mock tests, ie. not only the existing scheduled tests but also all the future UPSC prelims model tests uploaded on this website (a popular choice).
• Enroll in addon mock exam packages for extra marks – These are mock exams provided in addition to ClearIAS Prelims Mock Test Series.
• Take individual prelims mock tests separately for Rs. 400 each using the buttons in the respective mock test pages

Qn 9) “Will I get answer keys and explanations, for a future revision?”

Answer keys and explanations will be displayed on the final result page within 1-2 minutes after each test. This will also be available for each user account under My Account ⇒ ‘Completed Exams’ ⇒ Details ⇒ View for future reference (see sample screenshot given above).

Qn 10) “Can I take the printout (PDF) of your mock exams?”

Practising mock exams in a timed environment with negative markings is a hundred times more effective than reading MCQs from PDFs or Photostats. Only when you take proper practice, you will realise the mistakes you make in an exam environment.

All the test results and detailed solutions of ClearIAS Prelims Online Mock Exams are available online, in each user account, for further review. While detailed solutions are easily available for ready reference, the print or PDF option (offline) is not enabled in the ClearIAS Prelims Test Series. This is because of 3 reasons – all for the benefit of serious users like you.

1. To get the most accurate relative performance reports and all-India ranking (by avoiding multiple submissions).
2. To keep our questions, in a closed loop.
3. To ensure that candidates take each mock exam seriously, and practice in a timed environment with negative markings, to avoid mistakes in the exam hall.

After taking an exam, just go to the ‘My Account’ link (‘Completed Exams’ ⇒ Details ⇒ View) and revise the mock test as many times as you want, until the next Prelims. Our approach (which combines online practice and online revision) has created so many toppers. All the best!

Qn 11) “How many times can I attempt an individual test?”

To ensure accurate rankings and a competitive environment, we have limited attempts to one. Aspirants usually will need only one attempt per test, as a short power failure or internet disconnection will not stop your test from submitting. You will lose the test time during outages (the timer keeps running in the background) but still, you can connect back quickly and continue. You can always access the answer keys and detailed solutions from your account for future reference and study.

Note: If you were not able to complete an exam due to an exceptional circumstance like technical issues or network failure, email us to contactus[at]clearias.com. Our technical team will reset the exam for you so that you can retake it.

Qn 12) “How can I pay for ClearIAS online mock tests?”

ClearIAS Prelims Test Series can be purchased online to get access at once to all existing and future tests!

Alternatively, registered users can buy individual tests separately using the buttons on the respective mock test pages.

Tests can be paid through debit card, credit card or net banking. Once the payment happens through the payment gateway (hardly takes 2-3 minutes), users will be redirected back to the corresponding tests with instant access.

Qn 13) “Where is the payment button?”

The payment button is given directly on the test pages. The payment button for the individual and the package of tests may be visible only after the user logins to this website.

Qn 14) “Can you explain the payment process?”

It takes hardly 2 minutes to complete the registration and payment! You can use a debit card/credit card/net banking/UPI for making the payment. Payment happens through a 100 per cent secure payment gateway (external website).

If the transaction is successful, you will be redirected back to cleariasexam.com. You will get instant and full access to the Prelims Online Mock Tests Complete Package! You are now eligible to attempt not only the listed paid tests but also all the upcoming tests scheduled for the future.

Qn 15) “Should the admin approve my registration for my tests to begin?”

After registration and login, if you made the payment directly through the payment buttons at www.cleariasexam.com, you will get instant access to the mock tests. In such a case, further admin approval is not required, as the whole process is automated.

Qn 16) “I have paid for the complete package, where is the link to take mock tests?”

Great! After payment, you will get instant access to the mock tests. Just go to “My Account” and take the mock tests one by one. More tests will be uploaded to the same page as per the schedule.

Qn 17) “Can I pay by direct cash deposit or money order?”

As of now, the supported modes of payment are net banking/debit card/credit card payments. Payments should be made through the payment button on cleariasexam.com. If you face any difficulty with this mode, drop a mail to contactus[at]clearias.com so that our team will provide a solution.

Qn 18) “How long will I get access to the tests if I pay for the ClearIAS Prelims Test Series?”

Once you pay for ClearIAS Prelims Test Series 2025, the tests can be attempted until the actual date of Preliminary Exam 2025 (May 25, 2025). Aspirants can access the answer keys and detailed solutions from the ‘My Account’ link, anytime until the date of Prelims 2025.

The validity expires on the date of UPSC Prelims. All uploaded exams along with user results will be deleted before we prepare the platform for next year’s test series.

Qn 19) “What happens if my internet connection gets lost, power goes down etc. during the test?”

If the problem is only for a short time, you are always advised to connect again quickly; you can continue the same test. To strictly simulate exam conditions and avoid cheating, users will get only the time remaining to finish the test. This is ensured by keeping the timer running behind the scenes. If the time runs out before the user returns back to the quiz, their results will be submitted blank.

NB: Our advice – Take our online mock exams seriously just like your actual UPSC exam. Get an internet connection with a low outage and ensure that you have enough battery backup (for at least 2 hours) before attempting the tests. However, unfortunately, if you were not able to finish an exam due to technical issues or network problems, write to us. We shall examine the case, and reset the exam, for you to re-take it.

Qn 20) “What happens if I accidentally close the browser window?”

Don’t worry, you are advised to connect again quickly; you can continue the same test. To strictly simulate exam conditions and avoid cheating, users will get only the time remaining to finish the test. This is ensured by keeping the timer running behind the scenes.

Qn 21) “What happens if time runs out before I finish the test?”

To simulate exact exam conditions, the user results are automatically submitted. So the questions already answered will be recorded properly, while others will be marked as unanswered.

However, if you got this error due to any technical or network issue, email us to contactus[at]clearias.com. Our technical team will reset the exam for you so that you can retake it.

Qn 22) “I got an invalid key error while logging in. What should I do?”

That’s because you have registered, but not activated your account. To solve this error,  log in using your email id and give the password as Activate123. Click on the ‘Resend Activation’ link displayed on the login page. You will get a new link in your registered email. Open the link in a new browser (preferably in a new incognito window). That’s all. You should be able to log in now.

Qn 23) “I got a ‘time ran out’ message. What should I do?”

Usually, this error is because of browser cache issues. If you were not able to finish an exam due to this error, write to us. We shall examine the case, and reset the exam, for you to re-take it.

Qn 24) “What are the terms of use of this website?”

Once paid, the license for attempting tests is granted only to you (the username for which the amount is paid). You should neither share your membership/registration details nor copy the contents of the test series with anyone. You can access the full terms of use/membership of ClearIAS by clicking the hyperlink.

Qn 25) “Is cleariasexam.com a product from the family of clearias.com?”

Yes! You are right! cleariasexam.com is the platform dedicated to timed online mock tests, which is managed by the same team behind clearias.com and the ClearIAS mobile app. Hosting full-length timed tests with performance reports, user registrations etc. demanded a separate platform; that’s why we came up with cleariasexam.com. ClearIAS Mock Exam platform- a value-added product – can be considered as the extension of ClearIAS, where we host our paid test series.

Qn 26) “Can I take online mock tests anonymously ie. without revealing my actual name to the public?”

Yes, you can. You can give a nickname in the ‘My Account’ link for public display. Also, you can choose any username you wish. But during payments, we expect you to provide the original name and phone number for verification/confirmation.

Qn 27) “I am facing issues while accessing this website. What to do?”

Our systems are highly competent to take the load of lakhs of aspirants taking exams simultaneously.

However, due to high traffic, if you face any issues on clearias.com and cleariasexam.com – don’t panic. Just wait a few minutes and refresh the page. Clear your browser cache. Things should work fine then.

If the problem persists, inform our technical team. Email id: contactus[at]clearias.com.

Qn 28) “Can you explain to me the importance of ClearIAS Prelims mock tests?

Talk to all UPSC toppers, and they will agree on one thing – the importance of practising UPSC model tests in a timed environment.

Besides, there are a lot of highly helpful concepts which you can learn from our quality mock questions, prepared by experts in the field.

Our mock tests not only help you clear UPSC preliminary exam with ease but also boost your confidence for UPSC mains as you will be strong in your conceptual understanding.

Qn 29) “I haven’t finished all the topics for the next mock exam. Should I take the mock exam or keep studying”?

You should take the mock exam with whatever knowledge you have now. Rather than depending too much on books, learn more from mock exams.

Even though our exams are flexible to attend on any date and time, whenever possible attempt the mock exams as per ClearIAS Timetable, Book-list, and Study Plan. After each exam, learn and revise all questions asked in the exam.

There is nothing like completely finishing any subject/topic. There can be always questions outside your knowledge sphere.

Don’t worry too much about the marks you get in the initial mock exams. You can always learn the missed-out topics when we conduct full-topic exams in the ClearIAS Prelims Test Series.

Qn 30) “If I join today, will I get access to already uploaded mock exams in the ClearIAS Prelims Test Series”?

Yes. You will.

You will get instant access to already uploaded exams. You will also get automatic access to upcoming exams.

What we recommend is to follow the ClearIAS timetable for the next exams, and whenever you get time, take the missed exams in the series.

However, you can take ClearIAS mock exams at any time convenient before the next Prelims.

Link to join – ClearIAS Prelims Online Mock Test Series