Mathematics Optional Strategy by Anubhav Singh (Rank-8/UPSC-2017)

Mathematics Optional Strategy by Anubhav Singh (Rank-8/UPSC-2017)

Q. What’s your optional subject and why did you chose it and not something else?

Ans:Mathematics was my favourite subject since my schooldays. But this was not the sole criteria on which i decided to take maths as optional in UPSC, I reckoned that this was the subject in which I could score maximum. Along with interest, pragmatism should also inform the choice of optional subject.

Q. If a new player wants to pick your subject, would you advice for it or against it?

Ans: My considered view is that one should take maths only if he has a strong inclination and background in it. Anyone (and not only IIT grads) can take this optional subject to the above mentioned conditions. One should not be tempted by stellar marks of some successful candidates as there are a lot more candidates consistently scoring low marks. Syllabus of maths is huge and it requires very heavy effort to prepare it properly.

Q. First the essential book/resource list. (Also mention which one is the “Base book” for covering the theory? + Whatever comments you’ve for a particular book e.g. “my seniors said read xyz book but I found that ABC book was better”. “xyz topic not given properly in this book, so prepare from xyz website or book…” OR and so on.

Ans: For book list, one should refer to Nitish K’s blog.It contains all the necessary information in this regard. Syllabus is a bit bulky so the aspirant must stick to topics mentioned in UPSC syllabus. Last 15 years papers of CSE and IFoS must be prepared thoroughly. Accuracy is of central importance in mathematics. To improve accuracy, I would suggest that one should solve the questions completely in a step by step manner, as it reduces probability of mistakes.While practicing questions ,do not leave questions half done(you might think that it is very easy and only so and so steps are involved) and write all the steps neatly to avoid confusion and mistakes. Some topics such as Mechanics,Fluid dynamics,Rigid dynamics are complicated and require constant revision.Make notes of past years questions of these topics and revise them frequently. Prepare abstract algebra only if you have time because for most of the students this topic does not provide proportional dividends.
I had taken IMS’s test series in 2016. It is helpful for ensuring time bound completion of the paper. Do not take any topic for granted. Practice a lot, even if you think that any particular topic is easier.Here I am mainly referring to ODE,PDE,LPP etc. Since last two three years, level of complication, specially in paper 2 is increasing very fast. So, obtaining conceptual clarity is very important. However, there is hardly any scaling in paper 2 as I attempted correctly 170 marks in 2016 and got 161. Similarly this year I attempted 205 marks correctly and I have got 194 marks. At the end,I would say practice and revision is key to scoring high marks in mathematics.I have covered in this part only those dimensions which are not there in the blogs I have mentioned.One should study in detail the blogs to orient themselves properly in maths optional.

Q. How much of internet-research / current affairs is necessary for this optional? OR can one simply rely on the books and be done with this subject?

Ans: Almost none. One should rely completely on standard textbooks and previous year question papers.

Q. How many months did it take to finish the core optional syllabus?

Ans: 1 year.

Q. How many days/ weeks before the exam, you started answer writing practices?

Ans: I always practiced maths.

Q. Do you maintain self-notes for revision of optional? In which format- electronic or paper?

Ans: yes.Paper

Q. Your observation about the difficultly level of 2017 mains vs previous papers. And what precautions / rectifications are necessary in the future strategy for given optional subject?

Ans: Difficulty level is increasing every year and in depth and thorough preparation is necessary to tackle the paper.I would stress again on accuracy and practice. these two things should be of prime importance to maths optional candidates. Difficulty level in pure mathematics problems is increasing day by day, so one should prepare Pure math topics in great detail and depth.Also due to increasing candidates in maths, the intra optional competition is very high thus to score good marks your correct attempt should be higher.

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Source: Mrunal’s Interview [Topper’s Interview] Anubhav Singh (Rank-8/UPSC-2017) Mathematics Optional, IIT Roorkee Alumnus, Hails from Allahabad