Electric Engineering Notes , test copies and strategy

EE pointers

1. Scaling factor = binary marking (paper 1 + paper 2 ) x 0.75

This time significant scaling was observed in paper 1 as it was quite difficult and lengthy.

The actual scaling factor usually ranges from 0.7 to 0.8, depending on the paper difficulty, lengthiness, etc. (take 0.75 as average).

2. In technical optionals like Electrical Engineering (EE), practice is the most crucial part. Hence, try to solve as many questions as possible.

3. EE optional is quite bulky. It takes around 8-10 months to complete it (@6-7 hrs/day). Initially I used to think that EE optional can be completed in 4-5 months like humanities optionals (the biggest mistake I made during my UPSC journey).

4. EE optional is mostly numerical based, even paper 2 (though it also depends on your choice of questions you attempt).

5. Try to make short notes for formulae and concepts. I have already shared my EE notes.

6. Make a habit of regularly revising your notes. Try to find out patterns in formulae as it will help you to remember them for a longer time. However, don't spend too much time on notes revision. Try to devote maximum time to solving numericals. The active recall you make while solving questions is the most effective way to remember formulae.

7. Accuracy is the key. Almost binary marking is given in technical optionals. Suppose in a 10 mark numerical, you have solved half the question correctly and faltered in the next half, then you should expect to score max 2-3 marks in that question.

8. How to improve accuracy?

Whenever you are practising questions from PYQs, previous year test series (or maybe even standard books), try to solve them in a test format (i.e. Solve multiple questions and then at the end check your answers all at once. Give binary marking. Give 0 even if all the steps are correct but the final answer is wrong). Now track your progress.

Personally speaking, I used this method a lot (almost on a daily basis) and found it to be very helpful.

This method can be used to improve speed as well. To do so, you should record your start time and end time also and then compare it with the stipulated time (take approx 7 min for 10 markers, 11 min for 15 markers, 14 min for 20 markers and so on).

Personally, I did not implement this idea much during those 100 days for mains preparation as I already had to give a lot of tests (averaging 1 test every other day since you have to prepare for total 7 papers) and there is obviously a lot of time pressure while writing tests. But those candidates who are not currently studying for Mains can opt for this method.

9. Always keep the cost benefit ratio in mind when thinking of studying some new topic.

These days tough questions are being asked from some new/strange topics. You should ignore them if you find them very tough or time consuming.

10. No need to cover 100% of the UPSC CSE EE syllabus. Covering 90-95% of the keywords is more than enough. Try to cover 80-85% of the syllabus before Prelims.

11. Similarly no need to cover everything in PYQs, test series, etc.

12. In difficult subjects like power electronics, digital communication, etc. cover at least the easy topics (and medium ones if possible).

13. Don't skip easy topics like electric drives. Mostly easy questions are asked every year from this topic.

14. Personally I did not make any separate notebook of solved examples. It takes a lot of time and anyways at the end of the day practice is what matters.

15. Don't make too much theory notes. I made this mistake and could hardly revise 10% of it at the end.

16. Choose questions wisely since you have to attempt only 5 out of 8 questions. You can spend 5-7 minutes of your allotted 3 hrs time in deciding this (the question paper is distributed on average 3-4 minutes before the start time). Give more preference to those kind of questions which you have practised beforehand. Always be sceptical of new types of questions which are deceived to look similar to PYQs but aren't. So read questions properly while choosing.

17. Beware of Q.8. Try to avoid it. If you go through the PYQs then you will notice that Q.8. usually has very new and tough questions.

18. Sometimes wrong diagram/misprint is given in the question paper (eg: buck regulator question in 2022 paper 1). In such scenarios you are expected to know the correct diagram and solve accordingly.

19. You are not expected to know everything that has been asked in the PYQs. I did not study very difficult questions like 4th order matrix controllable uncontrollable modes question (2022 P2) while I was preparing for the 2023 attempt. Always keep the cost benefit ratio in mind.

20. I used to attempt the paper in sequential order. In 2023 EE paper 1, I attempted Q 1,3,4,5 and then 8 (I used to regret attempting Q 8 but not so much after seeing my marks) and in paper 2- Q 1,4,5,6 and then 7. You can also attempt the compulsory questions first (1&5) and then remaining questions. However I always chose the former method.

21. In case of very lengthy questions (identify lengthy questions as soon as possible): i. Skip trivial steps while solving ii. Avoid full answer statement at the end. eg. Simply write R=10 ohm and box it. The examiner will also know that it is a lengthy question and you won't be penalised if you follow these two steps (as per my experience).

22. In case of difficult questions, solve till the end (as far as possible). Such questions are usually checked leniently and scaling is also awarded later.

23. You should always attempt all the questions (250/250).

24. Some PYQ trend analysis:

i. In 2022, new/ difficult questions were asked in the compulsory part (eg. Derivation related to cosets in paper 2). Earlier, new types of question were mostly limited to non-compulsory questions.

ii. Every year, some new type of questions are asked. Eg in 2022 corner frequency question was asked (analog electronics) which I didn't know at that time. For 2023 attempt I prepared that topic and it proved to be fruitful as that topic was again asked in 2023. But you don't need to study all the new topics as some are very difficult and almost feel like out of syllabus questions.

iii. In measurement and instrumentation, connection diagram based questions related to ac bridges are quite important. Asked in 2021 and 2023. Try to memorize the connection diagrams. Derivation and solving numericals is very easy.

iv. Sometimes questions related to topics of paper 2 are asked in paper 1 and vice-versa. Eg Bode plot, R-H criterion questions being asked in paper 1 in the last few years. So get used to it.

25. After prelims, i. complete the leftover important topics ii. Solve PYQs, test series including previous year test series iii. Refer to standard books very selectively for some tricky topics

26. After writing essay and GS papers, you get around 5 days to prepare for optional. These 5 days are very crucial. You should mostly practise numericals during these days. Also give at least one simulation test (9-12 and 2-5)- it can be any previous year UPSC EE paper (preferably) or previous year test series paper.

Clarification: Even after doing B.Tech in EE from IITD, I relied mainly on self-study to prepare my EE optional. I tried to judiciously choose elective courses during my college days so as to align with the UPSC CSE EE syllabus, but still was able to cover only about 60-70% of the syllabus. Remaining portions of the syllabus I covered through self- study using standard books. Sometimes I also referred to NPTEL lectures for some tricky topics in Electric Machines, Power Electronics, etc.