How to Prepare Notes

Appearing for any competitive exam requires a lot of preparation. Students should be ready to face
this challenge in the best possible way. Though there is no one way of studying, there are ways to
study more effectively and with less stress and more enjoyment. It is important to know how to make
use of the sources available to you in the best possible way. It is wise to take a three pronged
approach to preparation, reading to learn, making effective notes and able to write answers to
various kinds of questions.
Students are often faced with the daunting task of making voluminous notes. Now the question
arises as to why make notes at all. There are several good reasons, one is that you cannot make
notes without understanding the given topic, since you have to pick out the important points and try
to summarise them. Next is that writing down any information helps you to remember it better.
Thirdly, it makes a good practice for thinking and writing out essays. Fourth, it will prompt you to
revise your work since it does not take a long time to go through a set of well made notes. Lastly, it
helps you in your final revision by reminding you of the most important points of each topic.
The next question is when should one make notes? One should make notes from the very
beginning as soon as you have done your studying when the material is fresh in mind. This helps to
fix it in your memory. It is better to make notes from all possible sources, from what you read, what
you hear and from what you do. After making the first brief notes, it can be expanded and organised
properly. You can then keep adding information to it from time to time. One important thing to
remember is to never treat a set of notes as the final version.
There are different methods of making notes and one should decide which method suits you the
best. There are two types of making notes, one is the LINEAR NOTES and the other PATTERN
NOTES.
Let us start with Linear notes first, it is a method in which you condense the material you have read
using headings and sub headings and jotting down the most important points. This method works
best when making notes from a book where the material is already properly organised. But one
disadvantage of this method is that you end up copying a lot of material from the book which defeats
the very purpose of condensing.
The right way to use this method is to use loose sheets of paper instead of an exercise book since it
is easier to keep adding information. It is a good idea to leave space on each sheet of paper for
additional information. Another way to make your notes more interesting is to use colors, block
letters, making boxes and highlighting as and when necessary. All this will immediately draw our
attention to the actual contents of our notes and make it more clear and comprehensible.

We now come to Pattern Notes. For this we have to begin the topic at the centre of the page. Each
line radiating from it represents a branch of the main idea. Each point is written as briefly as possible
using a key word or a phrase. It is a better method to adopt because it is more flexible than making
Linear notes. One can add extra information to it at any point without any problem. Second
advantage is that we can see the whole pattern at one go without actually turning the pages. Thirdly
we can indicate the links between different topics more easily than we can do in a linear method.
Another advantage of pattern notes is that it is exceptionally useful when making notes from
memory for revision as you keep jotting down points as and when they occur to you. This makes it
easier to revise for exams and writing out essays as only brief key words are used. Lastly, it is
easier to remember as notes is made in a shape format.
But this method has some disadvantages as well. If there are too many facts and too much of
information, your pattern becomes messy and overcrowded. Using key words can remind you of
basic ideas but when it comes to remembering details, this method cannot be sufficient. Therefore
the most effective way of making good notes from the sources available is to use a combination of
these two methods. One important thing to remember is that for many subjects your notes will have
to include diagrams and sketch maps. They must be accurate and labeled very clearly.
For example while making notes for Science, the general lay out has to follow the one given by
your teacher with as little variation as possible. There are four basic stages which should always be
there, Purpose, Method, Result and Conclusion If there is a description it will have to include a
diagram and if it is recorded data, it will require a table or a graph.
Whatever method you decide to follow, one thing to remember is to keep your notes handy at all
times and in a proper file. It is a good idea to use colored flags to demarcate different topics. With
such systematic preparation, a student can face the challenge of any competitive exam with
confidence.

How to Write Answers

The civil services main exam consists of descriptive type of questions. It focusses on testing the
candidate on various levels. The time limit for the essay paper is 3 hrs without a word limit, but for
the optional paper, there are questions with specific word limit like 250 words in optional subjects
and 250 words, 150 words and 20 words in general studies. The candidate then has to prepare

himself to answer all types of questions. The most important thing to be kept in mind is the time
constraint. Therefore it becomes necessary to answer these questions quickly and effectively and in
minimum words.
One common doubt that students have is with regard to the style of answering questions, whether to
adopt the paragraph or the point style of answering questions. Though there is no set rule, it is wise
to adopt a style depending on the question asked. If the question says to discuss, analyse or
critically examine, it would be better to answer the question the paragraph format. On the other
hand, if the question asks you to list the advantages or give reasons for/ against etc., it is better to
go in for the point format of answering.

STYLE OF ANSWERING QUESTIONS:

For this it is very important to understand the question first. Depending on what the question is,
whether one is asked to "discuss", "elucidate", "explain, critically Appreciate" or "give reasons for
and against", the answer should be written Accordingly because it is only through the examinee's
style of answering questions that one can assess his or her originality of thought and analytical
abilities. The question should be read properly, in fact the question paper should be read thoroughly
in the first five or ten minutes of the exam and then one should decide on the questions which are to
be answered first. Time should also be given to frame the answer so that there is no confusion later
on.
A good way to write effective and precise answers is to precise writing out answers. our answers
should present the facts and concepts in an interesting way and should never read like a passage
from a book. It is best to use simple English and avoid flowy and decorative language which takes
our attention away from the original facts and our opinions about a given topic. Making a practice of
writing out answers is especially useful in managing the time limit set for the exam and to write the
best possible answer in the allotted time It not only improves one's style of expression, but also one
gets used to the time and word limits.
HOW TO WRITE A GOOD ANSWER:
It is just not enough to know all the facts and information but the most important thing to be kept in
mind is to write an answer which has a clear and a logical frame, which presents information in a
clear and concise manner, which does not contain any irrelevant or piling up of information, which is
interesting and able to hold one's attention.

So the next logical step is to know how to write a good answer. The first step is to prepare the
framework where one can list all ideas, thoughts and facts and write them down. It is important to
adopt an answering style which is natural, original and to the point. Emphasis should be given to the
kind of language used, one which is simple and clear without unnecessary use of nouns and verbs.
Use of archaic and fancy words or language should be avoided at all costs. Care should be taken to
avoid grammatical mistakes which will give a negative opinion however good the answer may be.
Last but not the least, it is very important to have a good and a legible handwriting.

How to Read Effectively

Students are often at a loss when faced with the extensive syllabus of Mains exam. One should be
objective and try to focus on about 70% of the syllabus instead of being over ambitious and trying to
cover the whole syllabus. The next thing to be kept in mind is the choice of study material. It is a
wise option to just refer to few standard books to get an deep understanding of the subject. Reading
from too many books will do more harm than good.
Lastly it is good to be selective while preparing for a given topic, to list out all the important points
and the relevant information in a logical framework. It is important to remember that studying for the
exam involves Purposeful reading which is basically reading with a certain focus on the given topic
and preparing for the possible questions accordingly. Before starting on any topic, it is a wise move
to go through the questions asked in the past about the given topic and jot down the probable
questions for the current year. It gives an idea to the king of material one needs to study to be able
to answer such questions effectively. After this mentally analyse all that you have read and try to
logically link all the points and see if you have understood everything. Such a kind of periodical
revision will help in the long run as it will ensure that it increases your understanding, improves and
enhances your memory, and makes you more confident so that you give your best performance.
Gaining Mental Power for Preparing UPSC Exams
Author: Ragini Sinha
E Mail: kalpstava@yahoo.com
UPSC exam preparation needs thorough planning. Candidate cannot achieve success until he
organizes his study matter, make proper time management and get guidance from professors and
experts. These are the core preparations and everyone makes great efforts to do well in
examination to get success. In today's competitive environment, examinee is struggling with number
of issues. Even though he put extreme knowledge and attempts, he cannot manage resources and

cover all topics related to examination. There are various factors parallel affecting when students
appear in competitive examination. These may be personal, environmental or related to subject.
First of all, student must have to learn to cope up with these problems. There are many ways by
which he can solve problems as they arise. Sometimes we have to instantly provide solutions so
that these factors do not create hurdles in exam preparation. Candidate must have to be detached
from many activities and voice everyone that I can share only serious matter. He must avoid
entertaining guests, picking things, purchasing and so on. When he makes environment soothing,
he gets more time to understand complex terms and much of the definition and research matter is
clear to him. Sometimes student does not get study material in time. For this he must not worry
because psychological imbalance creates other complicated problem and he will not concentrate on
studies well. Student must assign job to close ones to collect material. This will off load his work up
to some extent and studies will also not affected. As soon as new books will be available, he can
access them. Many times, he cannot understand what to study first, how to compile and he takes
advice from untrained counselor or seniors those are easily approachable. Here, it is warning to
students. Learning wrong concepts will put them in great trouble. Always take professional's advice
and plan to study as per convenience. It means use your brain to organize and follow pattern that
suits you. If you can learn words well in the evening, go ahead. It is not necessary that you have to
learn vocabulary in the morning if advised by experts. There are individual differences and everyone
has own typical way of learning.

It has been noticed that long sitting may create monotony and student cannot speed up his studies.
It is common to all. Some may discouraged and start worrying how to complete target. But this is not
the solution. Studying same topic for a longer period is often uninteresting. Student must change the
content of study time to time to involve deeply in study. $When he feels fatigue, he may get relaxed
by talking to family members, preparing coffee or any other activity which he likes. This will boost
enthusiasm for studies and then he will study more seriously and grasp all concepts. It is to explain
that the competitive exam preparation is a bit different from professional courses. Students need to
solve set of questions in time and speed is very important. Once he gains speed, he can solve
complicated questions and eager to learn more about subject to
get success. Other important points to be noted that do not go out of track. Students often confused
with range of topics and question styles. They buy question paper and start to solve questions. They
get an impression that they have covered large portion. This is a false impression. Solving question
papers is only 1/3rd preparation. They must penetrate to the subject to be selected among

competitors. In above mentioned ways, many problems of students will be solved and they will be in
a better position.

Today with the development of hi tech Internet system, all of us can access details of examination
for which we are appearing and also get subject matter. So there is no need to mention here about
UPSC exam pattern. The only problem is how to organize studies and inhale as much as we can to
compete. Candidate must collect information and edge details for their educational/ subject area and
there is need to compile immediately to prepare base for study. For improving rank, one must have
to gain mental power through clear understanding of concepts and all necessary details. It can be
enhanced by setting up a steady study timetable, regularly reading all of the allocated topics
cautiously, developing an approach to practice for tests. Sometimes candidate must have to practice
test questions himself and analyze how many questions he has completed, what problem he faced
during practice and so on. He must give rank to himself honestly. Prepare a list and find solution
where he could not perform well. This will work as feedback and he will soon realize his mistakes
and correct it well with in time. As time runs out, candidate will not able to concentrate on such
issues and he will face such problems directly in examination hall. At that time he will become
handicapped and will blame himself. Research has shown that these tactics will definitely work and
the best ways to learn the wide course.

There are many challenging subjects. When student choose subject, he must immediately make
inquiry for research reports, best resources which can enrich his mental vocabulary. Having correct
and genuine knowledge will help student to solve difficult questions in examination speedily.
Presently competition is tough and subject covers a vast range of material. But if matter is organized
from the beginning, it will be learned easily. Candidate must make tag for each topic or concept and
look in detail whenever necessary. It will save time. But one has to know every minute details,
Question technique and way to attempt questions. A student who have thorough knowledge of
subject but unaware of question designing tricks will never be successful. It is necessary to update
your knowledge with latest developments and mold accordingly. This will improve mental power and
you will be familiar with many terms which are not available in texts. But at the same time do not
rush to collect irrelevant material of subject or topic chosen. Excessive information, especially
repetitive information will again create confusion. It is advised to do more focused study and must
make outline what type of information is missing, how much covered and ask question to self- is
there anything which is unknown to him. This outline will help from time to time to refresh knowledge
and student will gain confidence and satisfaction which is very necessary for such competitive

examinations. When student attempts to question test paper with confidence, his mind works very
fast and he concentrates more on question, thinks from various angles to choose correct alternative
and mark the correct answer. Whenever preparing for examination, it must be remember that this
paper is highly important and I have to get success at all. This type of optimistic approach will help
student to gain more knowledge about subject. Student should not harbor such feelings that if he will
not get success in this exam, he will attempt once again. Such type of thinking makes student
careless and he may not win race. Finally, it can be said that, it is important to develop ways of
efficiently studying and mastering new theories and concepts to make strong your brain for
competitive examinations.

Geography >> Strategy

New Changes in Syllabus

Keeping in the view element of uncertainly that is involved in the civil services examinations; we
believe that the recent additions and deletions in the Syllabi should be taken with a positive mindset.
To explore the essence of the changes, let us elucidate them in the following paragraphs
Why this change? Well, a lot of table-talk has been carried out regarding the reforms in the
Exams. And now, the time has come to implement some of them. As far as geography is
concerned, the changes indicate the introduction of topics of contemporary relevance. India, as a
country has really opened up in the last one and a half decades, both in terms of economy as well
as culture. In this backdrop, it is pertinent that a civil servants to get a fell of those concepts.
Hence, the new changes!
What are these changes? Exactly what are these changes? We may chalk them on in a nutshell
as follows: Now, it will be better if we take up a few of the above and discuss their relevance.
PAPER I
GEOMORPHOLOGY
Fundamentals of Geomagnetism.
Recent view on mountain building.
Tsunamis
Channel Morphology
Erosion surfaces
Slope development
Geohydrology, economic geology and environment
CLIMATOLOGY
Atmospheric stability and instability
Weather and Climate
Global Climate change & role and response of man in climatic changes,
Applied Climatology and Urban climate.
OCEANOGRAPHY
Heat and Salt Budget
Waves
Coral bleaching
Law of the sea and marine pollution
BIOGEOGRAPHY

 Soil degradation
Wild life
Major gene pool centers
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOGRAPHY
Human ecological adaptations
Influence of man on ecology and environment
Ecosystem conservation
Environmental management
Bio-diversity and sustainable development
Environmental policy
Environmental hazards and remedial measures
Environmental education and legislation
HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
PERSPECTIVES IN HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
Languages, religions and secularization
ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY
Food securities
POPULATION AND SETTLEMENT GEOGRAPHY
Population theories, World Population policies, social well-being and quality of life
Population as social capital, Types and patterns of rural settlements
Environmental issues in rural statements
Urban morphology
Remedies of urbanization
Sustainable development of cities.
REGIONAL PLANNING
Regional development strategies
MODELS, THEORIES AND LAWS IN HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
Perroux and Boudeville
PAPER II
PHYSICAL SETTING
Rainfall pattern
RESOURCES

 I Forest and wild life resources and their conservation

Soil types and their distributions.
AGRICULTURE
Cropping pattern,
Aqua-culture
Seri, apiculture & poultry
Agro-ecological regions.
INDUSTRY
Agro-based industries
Industrial houses and complexes including public sector undertakings
Special Economic zones
Tourism including eco-tourism
TRANSPORT, COMMUNICATION AND TRADE
Trade Policy
Indian Space Programme
CULTURAL SETTING
Historical Perspective of Indian society
Linguistic diversities
Religious Minorities
Cultural regions
Health Indicators
SETTLEMENTS
Remedies of urbanization
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING
Regional planning and development of Island territories
POLITICAL ASPECTS
Interstate issues
Cross border terrorism
India's role in World affairs
Geopolitics of South Asia
CONTEMPORARY ISSUES
Ecological issues

 Tsunamis
Deforestation, desertification and soil erosion
Environmental awareness
Linkage of rivers
Globalisation and Indian Economy

TOPICS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE

Paper - I
1. Law of the sea and marine population: We are at a juncture where talks about biosphere
reserves and ecological problems are going on with alacrity. (viz. Sethusamudram Project).
Hence, this topic seems to be significant in that regard. In the same vein, a whole lot of topics like
2. "Environment Policy, hazards and remedies including legislation is absolutely relevant for a
policy-maker of the future.
3. Special Economic Zones: This is yet another topic which has been and is continuing to be the
hot topic of today.
4. And on top of this, a knowledge of agro-based industries and industrial houses in general will
help the ardent civil servant to dispense justice in a logical manner
5. Tsunamis: No wonder, after that huge thumboldt in 2004, this Japanese term has become very
much known in the local parlance also. Hence a through study of this topic is indeed required.
6. Geomagnetism to broaden the horizon of Geography, elements of geology has been
incorporated. This makes the syllabus wide and diverse and at the same time more scientific. And
serious students do not need to be afraid of this, since "logic" should be the order of the day.
7. Recent views on Mountain Building: is an extension of plate tectonics.
8. Denudation chronology: is another or alternative explanation of cycle concept.
9. River morphology: The topic is about various types of river channels and the river flow.
10. Slope analysis extension of cycle of erosion concept
11. Geohydrology & Economic Geology: a topic of Geology which will contain Darcy's Law,
Various methods or mineral resource formation.
12. Applied Climatology will be a very scientific presentation of the role of climate in town planning,
aviation, tourism geography etc
13. Urban Climate: is on the various facets of urban heat island effects, Venturi effect, etc.
14. Waves : The dynamics of generation, types and movement, another example of application of
is physics in geography.

15. Coral bleaching: detailed study of the morphology of corals and its association with
dinoflagelates i.e., znoxanthellae.
16. Wild life: A much awaited topic to be inserted
17. Gene pools: Extension of the topic of Biodiversity
18. Environmental Hazards: The topic in any case has been there only its management needs to
be taken proper care of.
19. Environmental education and legislation: An indication of the multi dimensional nature of
geography.
20. Population Geography: Population Geography is much like Sociology with insertion of
analytical topics like social well-being, population as Social capital and Sustainable development
of cities.

Paper II
In Paper II, the topics have become very contemporary, very specialized and theoretical as well
such as sericulture aquaculture, apiculture in Indian agriculture section. The topics of Indian
Industrial geography have become more inclined towards economics with the introduction of
topics like Industrial Houses, Public Sector undertakings, SEZs, eco tourism and trade policies.
The Culture setting section like population geography has become more oriented towards
sociology, once again as is indicated by Historical perspective on Indian societies and a topic like
a wellness industries, such as health indicators.
Well, these go on to make the syllabus of Geography much more diverse and wide. Geography is
no longer pure geography alones but a combo of many subjects.
The new contents in the syllabi has not only made the subject multi-dimensional, multi-disciplinary
and contemporary but also very scientific and specialized. The advantage of this new syllabus
distinctly goes to sincere students. The changes will make it very-very difficult to teach and coach
and equally difficult to grasp. The topics are now knowledge based, observation based, skill
based, and specialty based. Consequently, can be taught only by knowledge based teaching and
creative teaching.
Geography is like never before and can no way it can be approached in a conventional manner. It
is theoretical as well as practical and applied. A glimpse of the topics makes one feel that it is an
extension of G.S. But GS is always informative while Geography analytical. The only limitation
with these topics seems to be the non-availability of study material.

Here are some tips and strategies to handle your Geography paper in the mains exams for the
IAS. First here's how you should write your answers.

You should first understand the question and only then attempt to answer it. The question
could be discussion-based or analytical or you need to elaborate or elucidate. As a result you
are needed to answer according what the question wants. Whatever the query is, you are
required to give an orderly and logical presentation of information.

There should not be any contradiction within or between the answers. What the examiner is
looking for in your answers is concept and how organised your thinking is. Thinking pattern is
best reflected in the structure of an answer.

There should not be any extreme views when you are debating an issue.

There is no need to quote anyone.

Answers should be well balanced. Every component of the question should be given equal
weightage.

The idea is that you might know about all topics but you should develop your own language to
write them.

Focus should be on memorising facts and then back up with your language. Your expression
does not require you to write difficult English words. It should be as simple as possible.

Listed below are some of the main topics that should be covered. Since some sections come only
on alternate years, please follow the trend and exclude a topic if it has been majorly covered in the
previous year and choose another in the same category. This does not mean short question may
not come.
Geography IAS Mains Paper I
Geomorphology
Plate tectonics, earthquakes and volcanism are significant sections in Geomorphology. The Union
Public Service Commission keeps on alternating queries between endogenic and exogenic forces
every year.

Climatology
In this section, you can expect significant number of questions from tropical cyclones and climatic

changes.
Oceanography
Marine resources, which include biotic, mineral and energy resources and ocean currents are few
of the important areas in Oceanography.
Perspectives in Human Geography
Environmentalism
Economic Geography
Energy crisis
Population and Settlement Geography
Distribution of world population Causes and consequences of migration Functional classification of
towns
Regional Planning
Growth centers and growth poles
Models, Theories and Laws in Human Geography
Systems analysis in Human Geography Central Places theories of Christaller and Losch Laws of
international boundaries and frontiers
Geography IAS Mains Paper II
Physical setting
Structure and relief Natural vegetation
Resources
Energy crisis
Agriculture
Agricultural intensity Agro and social forestry Livestock resources and white revolution
Industry
Location factor of cottage industry
Transport, Communication and Trade
Growing importance of ports on national and foreign trade, trade balance Developments in
communication technology and its impact on economy and society
Settlements
Morphology of Indian cities Conurbations and metropolitan regions Urban sprawl Slums and

associated problems
Regional Development and Planning
Decentralised planning Multi-level planning Geography and regional planning
Political Aspects
Geographical basis of Indian federalism India and geopolitics of the Indian ocean
Contemporary Issues
Environmental hazard like landslide Changes in pattern of land use Principles of environmental
impact assessment and environmental management

REFERENCE BOOKS FOR MAINS EXAMINATION:

Geography Books Paper - I

Physical geography - Savinder Singh

The Earth's dynamic surface - K. Sidhartha

Physical geography - Strahler & Strahler

Climatology - D.S. Lal

Physical geography made simple - Rupa

Oceanography - Sharma & Vital

Biogeography - Savinder Singh

Evolution of geographical thoughts - Majid Hussain and Adhikari

Economic geography - K. Sidhartha

Economic and social geography made simple - Rupa

Urban geography - K. Sidhartha

Human geography - Majid Hussain

Geography of population - R.C. Chandra

Regional Planning in India - hand & Puri

Political geography - Dixit

Geography Books Paper - II

India: Physical aspects - K Sidhartha

Geography of India - Mamoria

Agricultural geography - Majid Hussain

Agricultural problems in India - Sadhu and Singh

Economic & Commercial geography of India - Mamoria

India's urbanisation and urban systems - R. Ramachandran

Regional planning in India - Chand and Puri

Political geography - Dixit

India: political aspects - K. Sidhartha

REFERENCE BOOKS OVERALL:

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

Physical Geography - Bunnett

Certificate physical and human geography - Goh, Cheng Leong

Physical Geography made simple

HUMAN AND ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY

Economic Geography, Economic and Social Geography made simple

Penguim masters studies on geography

The Cultural Landscape - Rubeistein

INDIAN GEOGRAPHY :Indian geography - Rammorthy Gopalakrishnan

Physical geography of India - S.M. Mathur

Mineral of India - NBT (Wadia)

Catography - R.L. Singh

World regional geography - Fellnan

Work book - K. Siddhartha and S. Mukherjee

Question Bank - Surendra Singh, 1000

Geography quiz - Muthiah