Physics optional strategy

2. Notes - max revision, revision, revision, revision..... One will have to do multiple iterations and this will be never-ending. Keep on iterating again and again and again. There is no limit to the number of revisions that is required. The more revision the better. Keep annotating your notes with different color pens each time you iterate and keep adding mnemonics, tricks, etc to your notes to help in memorization.

3. Minimum sources, maximum revision - Every year there will be 2-3 very tough questions which are almost impossible to solve. Studying ten different books for a single topic in anticipation of solving one tough question which we cant predict anyways in not recommended. Instead focus on the simple 90% which will be directly from the notes and PYQ's. Often aspirants make the mistake of focusing on the difficult fringe topics instead of solidifying the easy 90% of the paper. Consistency means not missing the easy questions. There is no use of solving a tough question, if you miss 2-3 easy ones. Thus focus on the 90% (Static notes + PYQ's) - this itself will be time consuming and will require good effort.

Note - One can go beyond the simple 90% once he/she has a very very strong hold over the core static portions of the subject and sufficient practice has been done.

4. Tough questions will be tough for all - thus don't panic. 99% aspirants have the same notes as you. If you find a question very tough, everyone will find it the same. No need to worry. however if a tough question has been asked in the PYQ's, now it has to be prepared very thoroughly for next year

5. Syllabus must be on your fingertips. That will allow you to finish a question quicker and thus add value addition, diagrams, interpretation, applications in the 7 minutes. Moreover, if the derivations are on your fingertips, then you can solve the known questions quicker and save yourself time for the tough or new questions

6. Make your own notes !!! Only refer to other topper notes for adding missing topics or finding some value addition. Your own notes for Physics will be as important as Laxmikant is for Polity

Derivations - the best way to do them is to practice many times and mug up few intermediate steps for all the long derivations (eg - Quantum harmonic oscillator derivation). It is not recommended to derive the question each time without having intermediate steps. Mugging up few intermediate steps helps in increasing pace and also will ensure you never get stuck in between. Mugging few intermediate steps are very important and useful.

Numericals - Practice the PYQ's and Worked examples from textbook. Use Calculator also for practice.

Analog electronics - This is a tough topic for those not from electrical engineering background, thus prepare the easy sitters such that you will be able to solve the compulsory subpart of 10 marks if it comes in Q5. My strategy was usually to skip Q7 and Q8 since the analog electronics question in them is very hard. To cover the basics you can use VK Mehta book or refer to Quantum crash course or use any YouTube resource for simple basics of Analog electronics .

Flash notes and Formula sheets - Very important for last minute revision and also for topics on your fingertips. You can refer to Prateek Jain sir flash notes from his blog, and Akash Dagar sir flash notes from his telegram channel (message link - https://t.me/upscphysics_by_dagar/61) and from https://t.me/physicsupsc_official/1088. I am also sharing mine below:

Note - My flash notes are compiled from my DIAS notes plus some other content from textbooks and PYQ solutions. Unfortunately my handwriting is very poor. This is only shared for reference and each one must make there own flash notes/formula sheets.

However, at the same time, the above sheet (my flash notes) also contain some very nice content, especially for paper 2 (example - from page 14 onwards)

Some questions in paper 1 may require our past knowledge of class 11/12. Thus I have compiled a JEE Formula sheet using the internet which I am sharing below:

Pointers for answer writing in Physics:

• Fill all the pages given in the QCA. Many people advocate for 1/2/3 pages for 10/15/20 markers (even though 2/3/4 pages are given respectively) (note - sometimes there is a deviation from the trend, for example, it may happen that only 3 pages are given for a 20 marker, see the number of pages available for each question before starting to write). I would recommend writing more spaciously and using diagrams, graphs, etc to fill all the 2/3/4 pages in the QCA provided for each question. It gives a very good impression and shows that you have put effort in the answer. Space and time management will be key for this.

• Neatness and presentation matters alot !! Avoid scratching out and shabby writing. Try to ensure neat and clean, ordered presentation of your answer. box and label your figures, underline important content, number your equations, box the final answer, etc. (see topper copies for this, I have shared them below)

• Interpretation/application - after the conclusion, try to add interpretation/application at the end. It acts as a great value addition and also can lead to extra marks in the exam. Even 1-2 bullet points for this will suffice (no need to write large paragraphs). Prioritize this especially for the 15 and 20 markers (it's okay if you miss this for a few questions, but try as much as possible to write them). For some of the common topics, this VAM (value addition material) can be prepared beforehand very selectively.

Eg - for questions on Quantum, you can mention quantum dots, tunneling, WKB approximation, etc, etc.

• Try to incorporate diagrams, graphs, etc, and be creative to show effort in your answer and differentiation.

• Numericals: Always double check your values from scratch !

• For answers and derivations, write like a class 10 school board examination. Start the answer with, Given: mass = x, charge = y.... Also, list and number the equations as follows:

a + b = c ----- eq. 1

2a + 2b = 6d ----- eq. 2

Now dividing equation 2 by equation 1

Thus c = 3d ----- eq. 3

etc, etc, etc....

The examiner will appreciate this step by step approach and it shows that you have put in effort. Marks are given for this simple approach, neatness, effort and formality. (This is an exam for average students, they are not looking for geniuses or raw intelligence)

Topper Copies (downloaded from DIAS Website):

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Hn-yl_5pIVoDRt7nFiMQUrSKfi8qlcK-?usp=sharing

Many have asked me to upload my answer copies, but the reason for me not putting my copies are because:

1. I had written them earlier and they are written in initial stage (not close to the exam)

2. Not a correct representation of how I wrote in my final exam in September 2023 (may end up in misguiding aspirants)