Today, In this article you will read, what is the right Geography Optional Strategy and which things to avoid in your UPSC CSE preparation for getting success in your early attempt.

In the previous posts, we have discussed the geography optional syllabus, booklist, answer writing tips, why geography optional is good and a lot of things therefore if you haven’t read that post then, first of all, read those posts by referring these links.

Answer writing strategy for Geography Optional as well as UPSC Mains

Geography Optional UPSC: The Ultimate Guide-2019

Now, I am talking about Do’s and Don’t in your UPSC preparation as well as examination.

Some Important Points To Always Remember Throughout Your UPSC Journey

  • Read the Syllabus thoroughly and by heart the syllabus, because it will help that which topics should you read for the UPSC exam.
  • Read any topic from 2-3 sources i.e NCERT, Reference Book, our Articles, that’s all, and then revise it multiple times (at least 8 times)
  • After completing the topic from the syllabus refer to the questions from the previous year’s question paper and try to frame answers.
  • Don’t make notes for every topic as It will be time-consuming. Prepare self-notes for only those topics which you find very difficult to comprehend.
  • For Paper 1, do a special focus on Human Geography.
  • For Paper 2, make small bullet point notes for often repeated topics from standard sources.
  • Prepare region-wise maps of India from standard books in which all aspects of a region are covered like terrain, drainage, resources, agriculture, industries, etc. Basically, this is the regional approach to study geography which can be adopted for Paper 2.
  • Always try to link the subject matter of Paper 1 and Paper 2. For example, read Climatology, Population and Settlement Geography, Regional Development and Planning, etc together for both papers and use examples from one paper in the other while writing answers.
  • Start your preparation of geography optional before one year of the Prelims exam.
  • Make the strategy to complete the syllabus Topic-wise. (Not book-wise)
  • The Basic concepts of each topic should be clear so that one can write in his language in the examination.
  • Try to incorporate maximum figures in your answers. Geography is the subject where one can make answers crisp and attractive by figures.
  • Wherever Map is required to draw it. Between two questions of choice in the exam, attempt the questions in which chances of drawing figures are more.
  • The most important fact which one should keep in mind in geography is time Management.
  • Each aspirant feels difficulty in attempting all questions in geography.
  • Continuous answer writing practice (from day-1 of your preparation)

Geography Optional Strategy

  • Start your preparation of geography optional before one year of the Prelims exam.
  • Make the strategy to complete the syllabus Topic-wise. (Not book-wise)
  • The Basic concepts of each topic should be clear so that one can write in his language in the examination.
  • Try to incorporate maximum figures in your answers. Geography is the subject where one can make answers crisp and attractive by figures.
  • Wherever Map is required to draw it. Between two questions of choice in the exam, attempt the questions in which chances of drawing figures are more.
  • The most important fact which one should keep in mind in geography is time Management.
  • Each aspirant feels difficulty in attempting all questions in geography.
  • Continuous answer writing practice (from day-1 of your preparation)

Mistakes to Avoid during UPSC CSE preparation

1. Starting without a proper Strategy and Vision

Many aspirants watch Topper’s talk, strategy, booklist, and much more and then buy all those books and start reading. If you are also doing that same thing, please think about it that without a plan and strategy how anyone can clear this exam, Don’t do that! and make a proper strategy and plan, then start reading.

2. Not committing to a single strategy

A lot of aspirants make a proper strategy and try to follow that strategy but after some time, they are watching a new strategy’s video on youtube of another topper and then change your strategy. Don’t do that!. Take your own time to make a proper strategy but when you have made your strategy, please stick to it but if your performance is not improving in the tests then change your old strategy.

3. Not being Mains ready before Prelims

Make your strategy in this way that your whole syllabus(i.e. Prelims+Mains+Optional subject) is completed before the prelims exam. Your preparation and strategy must be prelims+Mains oriented, Do not prepare prelims and mains separately.

4. Not preparing your notes

It is scientifically proved that if you are writing something himself, it will be more memorable for a long time, therefore, please make your short notes.

5. Not writing answers and tests periodically

Success in the IAS exam is all about UPSC Answer writing Practice, and It is said that UPSC answer writing is an Art.

It won’t be wrong to say that UPSC answer writing will put the ultimate test with 7 subjective papers that carry 250 marks each, with 3 hours allotted to every paper.

So, it doesn’t matter how many times you have read, revise and re-revise your books, and Notes if you can’t produce it on the answer sheet.

Therefore, Start your answer writing from the beginning of your preparation.

6. Not referring to the Syllabus and Previous year question paper

Read the Syllabus thoroughly and by heart the syllabus, it will be the lighthouse of your preparation. After completing the topic from the syllabus refer to the questions from the previous years and try to frame answers.

7. Reading an excessive number of resources

Your primary focus should be clear the UPSC exam, not become a scholar. Therefore don’t refer a lot of resources. Focus on only basic NCERT and refer only one book for one topic.

8. Wasting unnecessary time on newspaper

Don’t try to read the newspaper on page 1 to the last page. During reading the newspaper, you should remember your UPSC syllabus thereby you could be understood that which article is relevant for the UPSC exam. Focus on the front page, National and editorial page.

9. The destructive use of social media

Don’t waste your time commenting on other’s posts and waiting for the response of that person. Don’t use Quora for answer writing practice especially.

10.Overthinking about the result

Finally, Do hard work, success in UPSC is all about consistency, multiple revision, minimum resources, answer writing and belief in yourself. Don’t overthink about the result because it’s not in your hand.


 

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MD ALI

How to download the geography optional notes?

Vishal kumar

sir your geography optional notes are enough or complete material,…. can i totally depend on your notes…????

sai

should i start the preparation with physical geography or with human geography

Riya Mishra

Sir, plz add some new reports nd facts in ur notes.