Interesting Statistics About the Civil Services Exam

As you would have realized from my post on the GS Mains 2010 Paper1 analysis how unpredictable the first paper was and how much it had deviated from the usual pattern. But GS Paper 2 of the 2010 Mains followed the usual pattern except for Statistics which I thought was more confusing than difficult and also the Science part was a mixed bag. Unlike Paper 1 where questions from different sections like History and Geography were clubbed together the General Studies Paper 2 contained questions from the same section under one major question.

But even the second GS paper contained its fair amount of surprises.

Questions were comparative:
If you look at the first question concerning the race for energy resources it asked to compare India’s performance vis-a-vis China. The question on Myanmar, Bangladesh, and India regarding the maritime boundary dispute was also comparative in nature. Also, question no. 3.a asked to compare and contrast the World Bank’s role with that of the IMF.
So merely factual knowledge is insufficient from now on. You will need to take into account the regional aspects as well as well as develop a comparative understanding of the issue at hand.

Statistics was confusing:
I’ve noticed this thing about the Stats questions of the GS papers. One year they are quite simple and straightforward and the next year they are quite tough. The trend continues in the 2010 Mains exam. A question on trend values about the murders in an year (9.b) was asked. Now candidates who couldn’t understand what trend values are would find the question quite difficult to answer. Similarly, question 10.a on Airlines was also confusing albeit, easy. It merely asked to find the percentage of flights that arrived on time for each city and asked to comment on the trend. But if candidates didn’t get this then again 5 valuable marks would be hard to score.

Questions on little known issues were asked:
Usually civil services candidates prepare the major international issues in news but what should one do when obscure incidents are asked? This was just the case in the IAS mains 2010 paper. Indian peacekeeping role as part of MONUSCO was asked. Now how many IAS candidates expected this question? Also do you know which are the PIGS countries in Europe? Usually coaching classes like Vajiram’s, ALS et al provide information on the structure and functioning of International institutions like ICC but they don’t cover isuues concerning these institutions. So a question on the Kamapala declaration of the International Criminal Court had many stumped. Another question on the trial chamber of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) (6.d) was on a even more obscure topic. So how do you prepare for such questions?

Science questions were a mixed bag:
Last year’s science section of the GS paper resulted in the cut-off falling by more than 50 marks as on an average people couldn’t attempt 80 marks of the General Studies Paper 2. This year UPSC has shown some mercy on us but not before extracting its pound of flesh. So there was this perplexing question on computer models used for studying climate change which not many knew. Also many were ignorant of what Phytoremediation meant (5.b). But overall the Science questions were ok.

Now let us come to the all-important question of Cut Off for the IAS Mains 2010:
Last year GS Paper 1 was quite normal but Paper 2 was sizzling tough and so the cut-off fell to 895 (General). This year Paper 2 and 1 were on an even keel difficulty wise and optional papers do not impact the civil services cut-off that much. So I feel that this year the cut-off should be between 900 and 910 marks. Give or take 5 marks.

Your views?

Related posts:

1. Analysis of General Studies Mains 2010 Paper 1
2. Initial Reactions on UPSC Preliminary Examination 2010
3. Some important topics for Mains 2010
4. Did you receive the mains form in time?
5. IAS Exam 2010 Guidelines and Suggestions