prepare for an optional along with GS studies

How should one prepare for an optional along with GS studies?

Jun 30 • General • 5 Views • No Comments on How should one prepare for an optional along with GS studies?

Preparing for UPSC Civil Services is a long and very competitive journey. Time and resource management is one of the main challenges that every aspirant encounters. One of the common questions that comes up is: How should one prepare for Optional and GS subjects simultaneously? Both sections are important to giving the final score and rank in the UPSC Mains exam. Hence, either one should not be given more importance than the other; both need to be balanced.

With proper management and coaching from esteemed institutes like Plutus IAS, an aspirant could coordinate his time and perform well in both sections of the exam.

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How should one prepare for an optional along with GS studies?

Now, General Studies constitute 1000 marks for Mains (GS Paper I-IV), with the Optional being 500 marks (two papers having 250 marks each). Optional subjects often decide ranks since they can be scored higher if prepared well. Therefore, a balanced approach should be maintained for both.

 Begin with Plan and Prioritization

The learning of how to prepare for Optional and GS together begins with designing a study plan. This plan should include:

Daily division of time: Allocating 60-70 % of time for GS in the beginning and 30-40 % for Optional.

Weekly Goals: Setting realistic targets for subjects both in GS and optionally.

Integrated Approach: Finding overlaps between your optional subject and GS papers (like Geography, History, Political Science have a major overlap).

Plutus IAS faculties help students with weekly planning and time management strategies so that the program is created differently to cater to the learning style of individual students.

Build a Strong Base in GS First

Begin by covering NCERTs and standard books For GS Paper I to IV. Concentrate on:

  • GS Paper I: History, Geography, Society
  • GS Paper II: Polity, Governance, International Relations
  • GS Paper III: Economy, Environment, Science & Tech, Security
  • GS Paper IV: Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude

Plutus IAS imparts topic-wise classes and regular assessments, ensuring a solid preparation of GS from the outset.

 Go Deep into Optional Subjects Strategically

Once momentum in GS is established, bring in more focus on your Optional Subject. Choose your optional wisely- preferably one you have an academic background in or interest for. Study syllabus line-by-line, collect standard references, make notes, and focus on answer writing.

Plutus IAS offers specialized optional coaching (like Geography, Public Administration, History, etc.) with expert faculty and detailed notes, helping aspirants gain an in-depth understanding of their chosen subject.

Focus on Answer Writing Practice

For Mains, answer writing is central to success, be it GS or Optional. Regular practice of writing answers of both types is necessary; GS requires structuring and current relevance, whereas for Optional, conceptual clarity and depth need to be emphasized.

Join a test series or writing sessions at Plutus IAS wherein one would be able to develop the necessary feedback for writing improvement.

 Revision and Integration

Plan revisions after partial completion of GS and Optional subjects. Try to keep weekends for combined revision of Optional + GS topics and for writing comparative answers where both GS and Optional topics intersect.

Maintain mind maps, notes, and flashcards for fast revision near the examination.

Important Tips to Prepare for Optional and GS Together

  • Don’t postpone Optional prep- start early.
  • Fix daily slots for optional preparation-earliest or latest- and follow them.
  • Treat GS prep as a warm-up and Optional prep as in-depth subject mastery.
  • Join an institute such as Plutus IAS, where guidance for GS and Optional is provided in a cohesive manner.
  • Regularly solve previous years’ questions for both GS and Optional.

Conclusion

The balance between GS and Optional preparation may put one in an initial state of panic, but given the right guidance, sound planning, and conscientious follow-through, the balancing act becomes something to be managed and accomplished. Institutes by the name of Plutus IAS have helped hundreds of aspirants crack the UPSC CSE using this dual focus approach through expert mentoring and a holistic method of study.

In balancing the preparation of Optional and GS together, aspirants maximize their Mains performance, increasing their chances of landing a top rank in the Civil Services Examination. The balance, discipline, and informed guidance should serve the aspirants throughout their preparation journey.

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About the Author:

I'm Rishutosh Pandey, a passionate content writer with a knack for creating engaging and informative content. With years of experience in educational content, I specialize in simplifying complex topics and providing valuable insights for students and learners.

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