Choosing the Right Optional Subject for the Civil Services Exam: A Critical Decision
The choice of optional subject is often a crucial decision in one's journey towards the prestigious Civil Services Exam. This is because the optional subject plays a significant role in differentiating a candidate who has a deep understanding and expertise in the subject, from the numerous other applicants. In my personal experience, I initially chose Medical Science as an optional in the first two attempts but later switched to Psychology, leading to valuable lessons that I hope can guide aspiring candidates.
My Initial Decision: Medical Science
When I first began preparing for the Civil Services Exam, I opted for Medical Science as my initial optional subject. My rationale was strategic: I was planning to join General Studies (GS) coaching, and with limited time, I did not want to join additional coaching for optional subjects. I thought Medical Science would be a straightforward choice since it was something I had studied in college. However, things did not go as planned. I cleared the preliminary exam in 2018 but swiftly realized that sticking with Medical Science was a monumental mistake.
Despite having a wider array of students who have successfully cleared the exam with Medical Science as their optional, my rationale was flawed. I should have delved deeper into the nuances of making this choice. The vast amount of material and the lack of guidance and practice resources made it challenging. I had to grapple with the fact that the complexity of the subject made it overwhelming.
Switching to Psychology: A New Hope
After the initial blow, I decided to switch to Psychology as my second optional. My motivation was simple: I found the subject fascinating. Additionally, with the pressure of clearing the exam increasing, I thought if a few engineers could score well in Psychology, I could do it too, given my background as a doctor. Yet, the reality hit me, and despite Psychology being an amazing optional, I too flunked the exam. The lack of guidance and the sheer volume of material made it challenging to keep up in the final attempt.
Lessons Learned: Choosing Wisely
Based on my experiences, I want to emphasize the importance of careful deliberation when choosing an optional subject. Here are my key takeaways:
Choose Wisely: The choice of optional subject is the most important decision in your preparation journey. Make sure you choose a subject that aligns with your strengths and interests. Deep Understanding: Opt for a subject where you have a deep understanding and can differentiate yourself from others. Availability of Resources: Consider the availability and quality of books, study materials, and coaching for the subject. Interest and Desire: Choose a subject that you are genuinely interested in and have a strong desire to learn and excel in.My advice to all young aspirants is to take time to research and deliberate on optional subjects with the help of friends, seniors, and teachers. Going through the syllabus of at least 3-4 subjects you find interesting and evaluating them based on the number of toppers, online reviews, guidance availability, and the quality of coaching and study materials will help you make a well-informed decision.
Criteria for Selecting the Optimal Optional Subject
When choosing an optional subject for the Civil Services Exam, consider the following criteria:
Subject Mastery: Choose a subject where you have a strong command and deep understanding. Only a select few will be selected, and your performance should be unique among a thousand answer sheets. Study Material and Coaching Availability: Consider the availability and quality of books, study materials, and coaching programs for the subject. Interest and Motivation: Choose a subject that captures your interest, and you have a burning desire to learn and excel in it.When deciding on the second optional subject for the main examination, always keep in mind that you should have a deep understanding of the subject. For science, engineering, law, or medical science subjects, you must have studied the subject up to the degree level. For subjects in the humanities, self-study can be an option, but this is not possible for science and engineering subjects.
By carefully following these criteria and making an informed decision, you can increase your chances of excelling in the Civil Services Exam. Remember, the choice of optional subject can make or break your preparation journey, so choose wisely!