Mathematics Optional Strategy of Utsav Kaushal( AIR-14 2016)

Mathematics Optional Strategy of Utsav Kaushal

Utsav Kaushal secured an admirable all India rank of 14 in the 2016 UPSC civil services exam. He had taken Mathematics as his optional subject.

Given below are a few valuable tips from IAS topper Utsav Kaushal:

Firstly, for scoring good marks in the mathematics optional you need to put a lot of hard work. You should solve as many problems as you can. Practice alone can help you here. Don’t shy away from hard work!

Don’t copy solutions. It is important that you try and solve the problems on your own. Do not jump to the solution as and when you encounter a problem. You will be able to learn only when you practise problems yourself.

Abstract algebra is a topic that is anathema for many candidates. Most of the candidates leave this topic and many are scared of it. Skipping this topic would be a mistake since in the previous years, many questions have been asked from this section. There is no way around it since you cannot afford to skip a chunk of the questions. So, all you can do is practice problems on this topic really well. Adequate practice will definitely help you understand it better and also improve your ability to solve problems.

Mechanics and Fluid Dynamics is another topic that you have to do. A lot of questions are asked in the compulsory part.

Dynamics & Statics : This topic is relatively easy and many candidates defer studying it until they have but a few days left for the mains exam, also because they would have studied it in their XI and XII standards. Kaushal’s advice to students is that they do this section initially. Leaving it totally is unwise since you need practice in mathematics no matter how easy a topic seems.

There are some questions in maths which are in parts. You will be asked to prove a certain theorem in the first part and based on that, you have to solve the second part. Many candidates, on finding that they cannot solve the first part of the question, altogether leave the question. Kaushal advises candidates to answer whichever part of the question they know. It is possible to get some marks in that question and in the UPSC exam, every mark counts.

Coordinate Geometry: Here, questions are in a set pattern. Kaushal recommends candidates to practice from ‘Analytic Geometry’ by PN Chatterjee.

In calculus, the theoretical part takes a lot of time and Kaushal advises candidates to take it up only if time permits.

Utsav Kaushal recommends mathematics to all candidates who have a background in maths or engineering. He says it is a scoring optional provided the candidate works hard. His marks are proof enough of the optional being scoring. He scored 356/500 in the optional papers.

Source: https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/strategy-for-mathematics-optional-from-topper-utsav-kaushal/

Strategy Shared on another platform

Initially, scoring high marks in the Mathematics optional requires you to put in a lot of effort and remember that practicing plays a key role

You will definitely get to see better results by solving as many problems as you can.

Mugging up Mathematics is actually a wrong way to learn and it is not suggested to memorize the solutions alone. If a sum seems to have issues, don’t jump into conclusions. Just keep on trying until you succeed.

Most of the students are allergic to Algebra and they just don’t want take this topic into account. However, leaving this section is not preferable as most of the UPSC Mains papers will have questions from Algebra. Moreover, you should also include the topics such as Coordinate Geometry, Calculus, Mechanics and Fluid Dynamics during the preparation.
A gist of Mathematical Optional Strategy by UPSC topper

Though Mathematics is a subject that has maximum dislikes it is quite simple to crack as well. Now, here is the tips and tricks that will help you to destroy the biggest contender in UPSC Mains.

Apart from preparation and practice, there is other criterion to clear Mathematics optional which is your attitude. It is very to have a composed approach while answering the tedious problems in the exams.
Advantages in choosing Mathematics Optional

Just have to revise things that you already learnt in your schools and colleges.
One of the best part about choosing Mathematics Optional is, less competitions. Unlike other subjects, only a few students will opt for this optional subject.
Scoring high marks in Mathematics will help you to get better ranks even if your performance is not up-to the mark in other subjects.
The syllabus of Mathematics has never changed and you just need to prepared once.

Drawbacks

Many some subjects have a vast syllabus and Mathematics is also one among them so it necessitates you to allocate more time for preparing on a daily basis.
No overlapping of topics from any subjects which will mandate a harder preparation

Guidance for Mathematics Optional

Some of the Mathematics Optional strategy by UPSC topper has been listed out and it actually worked for them. Now it’s your turn to execute the below given tips.
Going through Formulas is the secret formula to crack UPSC Mains

While preparing, enter the important formulas that appear in every chapter which will come handy during the last minute revision
It is also suggested to study the formulas on a daily basis to remember easily

Time complexity? Here is what you can do

Don’t worry about the time division for preparing paper 1 and paper 2. Instead, try to complete most pats of the syllabus before prelims. Giving equal importance to both the papers will actually help you a lot.
Coaching institutes would be quite helpful

Practicing by self might be toiling sometimes as you have to research about the important topics and questions that are repeatedly asked.
Enrolling yourself in a good coaching institute will reduce the burden into half as they will provide the study materials and other relevant resources.
And your only task will be studying thoroughly for the Mathematical Optional subject.
Attending test series is very essential and every coaching institute will have dedicated time for this as only practicing will help you to finish up the exam on time.
Make sure that you present the answer sheet in a manner that it impresses the Examiner
Write precisely and draw neat diagrams (don’t forget to label)

Hope the above Mathematical Optional strategy by UPSC topper would help you in the exam preparation. All the best!!!!

Source:
https://blog.oureducation.in/mathematics-optional-strategy-by-upsc-topper/