coimbatore while ias aspirants should strive hard to clear the exam they should also learn to recognize their limitations coimbatore collector kranthi kumar pati told a group of aspirants on sundayyouths from all sections of society can write the exam you should start the preparation seven to eight months before the preliminary examination dedicate yourself and give a hundred percent and your name will be in the winners list he told the aspirants who delivered a special lecture on the evolving role of the district collector in 21st century organised by kanagaraj free ias coaching centre at the higher studies centre near anupparpalayam corporation high school on dr nanjappa roadyou have to give your best and if you fail realise that its not meant for you you have a lot of other career options pati saidinstead of copying the methods of those who cracked the exam the aspirants should play according to their strengths the collector suggested there are no fixed rules about how many hours you should spend reading books it is based on your focus and ability and differs from person to person he added