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I am seeking insights from experienced players who have given Mains with history optional. I am thinking to go with history as optional. Initially I thought of Maths as optional but after reading basic books my interest is tilting towards history. I know that syllabus is huge but I like history the most among other humanities subjects. PSIR and anthro is no-no for me.
I would really appreciate some advice and tips about history optional.
Pros: 1. Easy to understand 2. Easy to remember since it is like a continuous narrative rather than discreet concepts 3. Helps in prelims 4. Helps in GS paper 1 (Culture and History) 5. Helps in GS paper 2 ( International relations) 6. Helps in essay 7. Material easily available 8. Coaching easily available 9. Can be done by self-study easily
Cons: 1. Huge syllabus 2. Low marks awarded in mains 3. Maps part is difficult to master and score in.
1. Huge syllabus. But limited and static one, giving good chances to keep on improving and finishing the syllabus. 2. Maps: personally, I didn't find it much difficult. Most of the sites will be covered while reading the syllabus itself, though some difficult ones will always be there in Mains. (Like this year's Ancient capital one 1(v)). 3. Essay help: you will be able to directly quote examples from History. Even can help in Ethics as well. 4. Not low, but average marks. Even 2016 witnessed 311 marks in history. But the average History optional marks was low as compared to other optionals.
1. Huge syllabus. But limited and static one, giving good chances to keep on improving and finishing the syllabus. 2. Maps: personally, I didn't find it much difficult. Most of the sites will be covered while reading the syllabus itself, though some difficult ones will always be there in Mains. (Like this year's Ancient capital one 1(v)). 3. Essay help: you will be able to directly quote examples from History. Even can help in Ethics as well. 4. Not low, but average marks. Even 2016 witnessed 311 marks in history. But the average History optional marks was low as compared to other optionals.
I followed Baliyan Sir's printed notes for Maps and his printed Maps as well. Upinder Singh has many Maps in the book, which are useful. Then Self Study History website has almost covered every remaining topic.
One more thing Bhai: Point of Huge syllabus of History is usually based on the number of topics given in the CSE notification defining the Optional syllabus. I have not read any other optional, so don't know whether History really has the huge syllabus as compared to other optionals or not. Moreover, on talking with other friends with different optionals, I found that we have to do almost the same amount of preparation for any other optional. So someone who used to prepare 2 optionals in pre-2013 times, would be better suited to say such things that History has huge syllabus. Thanks.
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Comments
1. Easy to understand
2. Easy to remember since it is like a continuous narrative rather than discreet concepts
3. Helps in prelims
4. Helps in GS paper 1 (Culture and History)
5. Helps in GS paper 2 ( International relations)
6. Helps in essay
7. Material easily available
8. Coaching easily available
9. Can be done by self-study easily
Cons:
1. Huge syllabus
2. Low marks awarded in mains
3. Maps part is difficult to master and score in.
2. Maps: personally, I didn't find it much difficult. Most of the sites will be covered while reading the syllabus itself, though some difficult ones will always be there in Mains. (Like this year's Ancient capital one 1(v)).
3. Essay help: you will be able to directly quote examples from History. Even can help in Ethics as well.
4. Not low, but average marks. Even 2016 witnessed 311 marks in history. But the average History optional marks was low as compared to other optionals.
What is the best strategy for maps ? Should we follow any book ?
One more thing Bhai:
Point of Huge syllabus of History is usually based on the number of topics given in the CSE notification defining the Optional syllabus. I have not read any other optional, so don't know whether History really has the huge syllabus as compared to other optionals or not.
Moreover, on talking with other friends with different optionals, I found that we have to do almost the same amount of preparation for any other optional.
So someone who used to prepare 2 optionals in pre-2013 times, would be better suited to say such things that History has huge syllabus. Thanks.