Suggestions for mains

Mains answer writing---


Remember the following points; they are equally valid for almost all types of subjective examinations--



1) Spend the first few minutes reading all the questions (of course count and check the no. of printed sides;better safe than sorry)

2) Select the questions you will be attempting in the beginning itself;better to do so but not mandatory, helps in maintaining the flow while writing answers..

3) Attempt the answers that you know best in the beginning itself..they should be your best answers as in , use flow charts , diagrams etc wherever possible.. try to create diagrams /arrow diagrams etc whatever ,even though it may be repetitive of what you have already written in the answer.

4) Avoid using anything other than a HB pencil and/or a blue black ball pen


Avoid ink pens/gel pens ,unless you have water proof ink that doesn't blot the other side of the page.

Page quality of answer booklet is average so avoid risk taking-- acquaint yourself with the pen you will be using for writing the answers..

5) Time management is essential ; plan out beforehand how much time you will be spending on each answer..but remember that the pattern of questions might differ in the actual exam ..so be prepared to modify your time strategy accordingly.

6) Don't bother much about the word limits; you can safely exceed the said limit if you have quality matter to express and time at your disposal...there is no penalty for exceeding the word limit unless you start irritating the examiner by writing what is not required.
Keep in mind that 'above average' writing speed is a pre requisite before exceeding the word limit.

On an average 20- 25 min should be spent on an answer but again this is immaterial –Quality matters over quantity.

7) Use headings while writing answers; especially while answering sub- questions with in a question.

Underline the relevant words/sentences.

Use paragraphs while writing answers; points may be used only while writing factual answers but try to avoid using them.

8) Answer the 2 markers/3 markers in the beginning even if you know 10 out of 15(60 %) they are time saving and scoring as well ..

While answering them , use points that have current relevance/have been in the news lately.

9) Rough approximations of diagrams /maps may be made if you have time at hand..(for e.g. while answering a Science and Tech question or a Geopolitics one )

10) Practice statistics portion well before hand..(refer above)


For Public Administration ans Psychology

Same principles as above apply..

While studying these subjects , the demarcation between paper 1 and 2 has to be ignored; the principles and concepts have to be mentioned while writing the answers of paper 2 and the topics of paper 2 should be used to supplement paper 1's answers..

For paper 2 esp, the answers should be written in a general way i.e an essay approach has to be taken ; use examples from everyday life/ newspapers freely .. highlight the social schemes, program mes of Govt.

Answers should reflect your genuine concern for the down trodden / abused / children and women / Dalits and minorities and all those whose rights have been suppressed /violated and liberties challenged .









For Psychology, the following units should be done thoroughly and properly; they should be at your fingertips.

Paper 1

1 Introduction
2 Learning
3 Memory
4 Developmental Psychology
5 Personality
6 Attitides values and interests
7 Intelligence and aptitude
8 Thinking and problem solving
9 Methods of Psychology

Paper 2
1 Psychological measurements of Indiviadual differences
2 Application of psychology to Disadvantaged groups
3 Psychological problems of social integration
4/Prejudice
5 IT and other applications
6 Health /Quality of life /Happiness
7 Application of Psychology in other fields
8 Rehabilitation psychology





...REMEMBER , THE MANTRA is simple-- Read the same material as many times as possible rather than referring to varied sources --- I found this funda equally useful during my graduation days.
Thus , one should have the target of revising the whole of Psychology syllabus one day prior to the exam and this can be made possible only if you have compacted your notes / made a gist or a summary of every topic in point form-- very helpful for revisions.



There are a number of things which help one keep his/her cool .

The syllabus is so vast that almost no one can be confident of mastering it all before the examinations.

Remember that you have to attempt only 5 questions ---- you can judiciously skip some portions if you are short of time.

Other way to keep yourself level headed just before the exams is that you should keep telling yourself that it is quite possible that the portions you have left will not be asked in the exams; although it might happen the other way round but it is always better to be optimistic.
These suggestions may prove useful esp for those who are writing the mains for the first time.