How I attempted the optional paper

How I attempted the paper

• First 5 to 10 minutes, choose your questions wisely. You cannot change in between once you start writing

• I used to start with the 20 markers, followed by 15 markers and finally 10 markers in the end. Put maximum effort in the 20 markers and 15 markers. (I used to do Q1 and Q5 at the end)

• Be Fast ! Avoid time crunch at the end else it may lead to silly mistakes in numericals. This is why all derivations and formulas must be on your fingertips, so that you can write the answers fast and save time for value addition and also extra time for new and tough questions, or buy an extra minute incase you are stuck in a derivation you can't recall.

Note - Try to save a minute in the easy questions you already know. At the same time there is no point finishing the paper 30 minutes in advance. I would always try to finish the paper in full 3 hours, not less nor more. Use all the time you have to write as much as you can, Show effort in your answers (refer to the subsection: 'what worked for me')

• Always prefer questions which you have done/seen before, rather than choosing new questions. These new questions can be risky if you get stuck in them in the exam. Also, I would prefer choosing derivations over numericals.

• Q7 and Q8 are often the toughest in the exam - be wary and choose them only if you are confident about solving them

• tough questions will be tough for all, thus dont panic in the exam seeing a random bouncer.

Finally, breaking some misconceptions

1. One needs 480/500 correct to get 300+ marks - Myth/False

This year (CSE 2023) - In paper 1, I didn't know the answer to Q6(a), and in paper 2 - I completely skipped Q1(b) and Q1(c), and made a small silly mistake in final numerical value in Q6(b) and partially in one of the subparts of Q1(a). Moreover in both papers, there were many vague and ambiguous questions as well, such as Q5(b) in paper 2, etc. Thus 480/500 correct required is a myth for 300+ score.

2. Mistake in Numerical leads to zero marks - Myth/False. There is certain partial marking for the steps and procedure followed. (else I wouldn't have gotten the score that I have)

With all due humility, what worked for me in the real exam:

Apart from the pointers I mentioned above such as adding diagrams, presentation using boxes/labels, writing like a class 10 board exam, including interpretations and applications, neatness, etc, what worked for me (with humility) is that I put in effort in each question I wrote. Every aspirant will study Rutherford scattering model and will know the answer to it in the exam, but one must put in the effort in the given 3 hours and write as much as possible within the allotted time and show the examiner that he has put in the effort (but note - address the demand of the question only! Don't unnecessarily write those things which have not been asked unless they are linked to the question/answer and add value, else this will waste time and may not fetch extra marks either). This is what matters. Fill all the pages and demonstrate your extra effort in the exam by writing as much as you can (within the stipulated time limits of course, and keeping few extra minutes to face tough/new questions as well). No point finishing the exam within 2 hours and 30 minutes. Remember, that all aspirants will be using the same textbooks and notes as you, thus use the 3 hours fully and carefully and put in maximum effort and maximum VAM (value addition material) to differentiate your answer from the others.

Note - this doesn't mean that all answers will be perfect. Most will be average/normal answers, and only some will be excellent. It is a myth that all answers have to be perfect in the exam (it is not possible either). It is the few excellent answers that will fetch you a good score.

Extra Stuff one can do over and above what has been mentioned earlier:

(Note - I didn't have time to do the below mentioned stuff, and it is optional to do it. It is first advised to focus on the simple 90% and only later venture into extra stuff if time and energy permits)

• IFoS PYQ's of past ten years (you can refer to this book for solutions - https://www.amazon.in/IFS-Physics-Previous-Papers-Solved/dp/9383299916, however, there may be many mistakes in the solutions and not all questions are covered, hence this book is not recommended)

• Portions/sections from the standard textbooks which haven't been asked in PYQ's until now but can be asked in the future.

• WE's (worked examples) from multiple books (over and above the golden rule of one topic one book).

(Note - For choosing a single book per topic, it is always recommended to go for Indian authors since questions are directly picked up from Indian author books. However for this next stage, foreign author books can be used)

• Do the difficult portions of Analog Electronics (Wien Bridge Oscillator, RC Phase Shift Oscillator, etc) in detail

• Quantum IAS scanned notes (from free Quantum Yoddha crash course) - has few extra topics, these can be indexed page number wise, and then scanned, printed and finally appended to your pre-existing notes. (same exercise can be done for previous year topper notes as well, for relevant parts/important pages to get extra diagrams, value addition, content, etc)

• make a VAM (value addition material) sheet topic-wise for the 8 topics and include pre-existing interpretation, applications, unique material for differentiation in the exam.