Statistics is
really a game changer in mains exam as this area is pretty much certain and do
not come unexpected. If prepared properly, it can easily add 35-40 marks in
your kitty without much uncertainty, though 35 marks appear to have very less
weightage in 600 marks paper but its value get increased with an average score
of 250 marks in GS paper. This area is feared by most of the humanities
background student and often ignored by science students due to overconfidence
and they end up losing marks in this important area.
One should not
leave statistics unprepared and should practice it regularly to secure easy
marks. One of the advantage of statistics is that the syllabus is not huge and
questions are not tough as well, if concept is clear. Following is the area
which is normally covered by the UPSC in exam:
1.
Statistics- Basics
ü Definition
ü Function & Nature of Statistics
ü Type of Data
ü Collection & Organisation of Data
ü Classification of Data
ü Grouping & Tabulation of Data
ü Measurement scales i.e. Nominal, Ordinal, Interval & Ratio Scale
2.
Statistical Measures
ü Measures of Central
Tendency
Ø Arithmetic Mean, Geometric
Mean, Harmonic Mean
Ø Median
Ø Mode
ü Measures of Dispersion (
Absolute & Relative)
Ø Range
Ø Quartile Deviation
Ø Mean Deviation
Ø Standard Deviation
Ø Co-efficient of Variation
Ø Lorenz Curve
ü Correlation
ü Regression
ü Index Numbers
ü Skewness
ü Kurtosis
3.
Graphical Presentation
ü Time series Graph or Historigram
Ø One dependent variable type historigram
Ø More than one dependent variable type historigram
Ø Mixed graph
Ø Band graph
Ø Range graph
ü Frequency distribution
graph
Using simple
frequency
Ø Histogram
Ø Frequency polygon
Ø Smoothed frequency polygon (frequency curve)
Using cumulative frequency
Ø Less than ogive
Ø More than ogive
4.
Diagrammatic Presentation
ü One dimensional diagram
Ø Simple bar diagram
Ø Broken bar diagram
Ø Multiple bar diagram
Ø Sub divided or component bar diagram
Ø Percentage subdivided or percentage bar diagram
Ø Deviation bar diagram
ü Two dimensional diagrams
Ø Aeral- like square, rectangular diagram
Ø Circular diagram
ü Three dimensional diagrams
Ø Volume diagram like cubes, cylinders etc.
ü Pie Chart
Source
of Reading
Following books are sufficient
to cover the above syllabus:
ü Statistical Methods- S. C. Gupta ( Sultan Chand & Sons Publication)
ü Spectrum publications for practice last 5-7 years question paper on
Statistics
General Notes
ü Understand the basics well with clarity
ü Practice last 5-7 years
question paper in the examination like simulated environment
within limited time
ü Attempt statistics in the
beginning during the exam as it will avoid silly mistakes
ü Use an original calculator
and do not forget to carry it with you during exam
ü Draw the diagrams &
charts neatly and practice as per exam oriented question
ü Show the calculations and working notes clearly
ü Read the questions carefully
ü Do not panic while drawing tables, graph & diagram
ü Try to complete within time frame based on your experience during practice session
I think the
above strategy is sufficient to attempt statistics part in a good way to score
100% marks and implementation part is necessary to score maximum marks in this
exam. Please let me know the other irritating area for mains preparation so
that I can target on that part to help civil service aspirants.
Comments,
suggestions and queries are always invited.
Best of Luck!
Regards,
Deepak Singla
