Saurabh’s Strategy:

Marks in Civil Service 2016: 250 (123+127)

Marks in Civil Service 2017: 303 (161+142)

• I didn’t join any coaching for Mathematics optional. Coaching institutes are good at only 3–4 topics out of total 13 topics. So rest of the topics you have to cover by yourself.
• I joined only test series. Test series is important for minimizing silly mistakes in Paper 1 and developing ability to think under exam pressure. But there is a problem with test series also. Copies of test series aren’t evaluated timely or not evaluated at all. So after giving paper take pics of your answers and match them with solutions in books within 2–3 days.

What to do?

• Solve last year UPSC Maths optional papers.
• Rely mostly on core books.
• Make formula sheets of important topics. There are 13 topics. Formula sheets are must for real analysis and calculus, analytical geometry, ODE, statics and dynamics, vector algebra, complex analysis, PDE, numerical methods and fluid dynamics. There is low utility of formula sheets for linear algebra, modern algebra, LPP and rigid dynamics ( except Lagrangian and Hamiltonion).

Some random facts about Maths Optional

• Normalisation is reality. It impacts severely those who perform below average.
• One doesn’t need to show basic calculation steps. He/she can skip that in exam Hall.
• Scientific calculator is allowed.
• Yes, it does impact one’s GS preparation.
• In Paper 1, calculation mistakes may lead to zero marks. (Personal feeling, no one knows the exact truth)
• In Paper 2, calculation mistake is acceptable.
• Marks are also awarded for partially correct solutions.
• It is a time taking optional. It can’t be completed within 3-4 months like many humanities optional.
• Given objectivity in Maths, it can fetch you above 300 marks. To ensure so you must be among top 30-40 candidates with Mathematics optional.
• Coaching notes are highly insufficient for optional. One needs to practice a lot of questions from standard books to score high marks.
• Don’t read GS and Mathematics on same day or at least same part of day. The reason is both GS and Mathematics need different framework of mind. I found it difficult to read GS after Mathematics or vice versa.
• Take mathematics as optional only when maths is your strength.
• One shouldn’t focus on attempting whole question paper like humanities optional. Correct attempt of 450 (though difficult) will surely fetch you above 320.

Book list I referred

Linear Algebra – IMS Class notes

Real Analysis and Calculus – Real Analysis by S. Chand and Malik and Arora Mathematical Analysis and Shanti Narayan for Multivariate Calculus, read curve tracing from IMS notes, read asymptote from online sources

Analytical Geometry – PN Chatterjee. Book is not available. You can get Xerox copy of this book from xerox shop below IMS Coaching in Old Rajendra Nagar.

ODE and PDE – MD Raisinghania

Laplace – I referred to some Xerox of a book. I got xerox from Ramanasari Maths optional coaching.

In PDE, last topic of solutions to Laplace etc see solutions and approach in Test Series of IMS Coaching

Statics and Dynamics – Krishna Series ( I only did basic questions, skipped most part due to paucity of time)

Vector Algebra – IMS Notes

Modern Algebra – IMS class notes and Gallian

LPP – Krishna Series book

Complex – Krishna Series Book

Numerical Methods – A book by IIT Delhi professor ( I will update name and link) rest part from IMS class notes

Lagrangian and Hamiltonion – Nitish K notes and a book on rigid dynamics( Most probably Krishna Series, I will update)

Rigid Dynamics – tough topic, tried to do it but couldn’t do much

Fluid Dynamics – MD Raisinghania

ATB!

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