While preparing for the UPSC exam, the aspirants are asked to choose a subject for the optional paper. There are 48 subjects, out of which, you have to choose only one subject. 500 marks are allotted for the optional paper, divided into two parts, each consisting of 250 marks. Therefore, if you select the wrong subject, you are sure to suffer for it. If you struggle with the sociology paper, you can join in any sociology online classes.
Why do candidates choose sociology?
Amongst all 48 subjects, you must be wondering why many choose sociology for their optional paper. These are the reasons behind choosing sociology:
- Being a non-technical subject, sociology is scoring, so many people choose sociology for their optional paper.
- As we all know, the UPSC syllabus is vast. Choosing sociology as an optional paper means you have to study less because the syllabus is concise. If you are diligent in your academics and study for 6 to 8 hours daily, you can efficiently complete the syllabus within four months.
- One of the most significant advantages of choosing sociology as the optional paper is you do not need any former training or educational background to study sociology. In addition, topics like religion, family, etc., are pretty exciting and can be quickly dealt with.
Strategy to prepare sociology
Given below are a few strategies, as discussed by the best sociology optional coaching in Delhi, that you can follow to prepare well:
- Go through the syllabus
Even if the UPSC syllabus is shorter than other subjects, it is the responsibility of the aspirant to go through the syllabus to know what are things they need to study. As you all know, the UPSC syllabus is vast. Hence, you certainly don’t want to study anything irrelevant. Knowing the syllabus by heart will make it easier for you to focus on topics and finish the syllabus quickly.
- Start with the NCERTs and then move on to the IGNOU books
The two notable books that many IAS coaching centres prefer are NCERT and IGNOU books. To start with, follow the NCERTs first as they contain the chapters in detail. Then, to prepare the basics, begin studying the NCERTs first. Once you are done with the NCERTs, you can move on to the IGNOU books. After the completion of the NCERT books, you can quickly start with the multiple-choice question practising.
- Pay attention to the thinkers
In the UPSC sociology syllabus, there are philosophies of six thinkers: Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, Talcott Parsons, Robert Merton, and Herbert Mead. All the theories of these six thinkers should be studied thoroughly. Then, if you want, you can prepare notes about these philosophies.
- Prepare notes
It is good to join any reliable IAS coaching centre to get standard study materials. However, if you have to get a good score, you have to make notes for yourself. Read as much as you can on a topic and add new information about the same and the notes from the coaching centre.
- Answer writing tips
In the UPSC civil exam, writing answers need enough practice. This is because the answers have to be written in a descriptive format where the examiners expect candidates to analyze the topics and write answers critically. Therefore, it is a must for all aspirants to study each topic minutely. Moreover, every question has a word limit. Hence, the answers must be written to the point, and important keywords must be highlighted.
Conclusion
Therefore, when you know to write good answers and follow the right strategy to prepare for your optional sociology paper, you will get good marks. Last but not the least, it is recommended to join any sociology optional test series. Teacher’s feedback after your test paper will help you overcome many of your unconscious mistakes. This will also boost your confidence level while writing the mains examination of UPSC.