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Pol Sci or Sociology optional for this year?

edited January 2016 in Preparation FAQs
Like both these optionals. Pol Sci was very easy year some say it might be tough next year.

My mains and prep is 50% complete. Mostly will start preparing optional after pre. Which will easy to complete in short time and is more scoring? I cannot afford coaching for either keep that in mind.
Thanks

Comments

  • go for pol sci.
    easiest and most scoring subject.
  • edited January 2016
    go for pol sci.
    easiest and most scoring subject.
    Reading BA and MA ignou material enough?

    If not then post a simple book list.
  • go for pol sci.
    easiest and most scoring subject.
    Reading BA and MA ignou material enough?

    If not then post a simple book list.
    yes if u can command ba and ma ignou material then u will get 270+ score.
    book list see relevant thread.
  • Choose any. Both need exhaustive study. Both are awesome subjects. Have awesome teachers and mentors available in market.

    Also IGNOU MA or BA arent always enough. Keep a big and exhaustive book study for optional because every year paper is different. So cant rely on just one book.

    If possible complete optional before Prelims. you will see the benefits post pre.
  • Choose any. Both need exhaustive study. Both are awesome subjects. Have awesome teachers and mentors available in market.

    Also IGNOU MA or BA arent always enough. Keep a big and exhaustive book study for optional because every year paper is different. So cant rely on just one book.

    If possible complete optional before Prelims. you will see the benefits post pre.
    Will try to prepare for optionals as soon as committe report is out. Which you think will be easier this year?

  • 1) Dont wait for report. M 100% sure optionals will stay. So better be safe than sorry.
    2) Its a wrong ques: "Which you think will be easier this year?". Lets respect UPSC and prepare that both will be tough
  • edited January 2016
    Political Science is a better optional on all metrics:
    1. It overlaps more with GS. Only Part A of Paper 1 is redundant but even there greater understanding of concepts like equality, liberty, justice etc. will help you both in Ethics and Essay.
    2. It is more predictable with Sociology. The 2nd Paper of Sociology is erratic at best and horrifying at worst. Besides even if you know something about the stuff asked in the 2nd paper, you'll not get marks till you quote some scholarly opinion to argue your point.
    3. Both papers of Pol Sc. deal with entirely different subject matter. But in Sociology, paper 2 is the application of paper 1 and thus more subjective and you don't really know what the examiner is looking for.
    4. Access to material. For Pol Sc. easily available. For sociology, no-one knows what to read for Paper 2. Almost everyone is shooting in the dark.
  • If anyone selected for interview this year having political science optional Plz guide me which books and notes should I refer to stdy political science ?
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