I am struggling with answer writing for OPSC Mains. For a 15-mark question in GS papers, how many words is ideal? Should I write in points or paragraphs? Is there any preference for including diagrams or maps? What do evaluators look for?
✓ Accepted Answer
For a 15-marker, ~200-220 words is the sweet spot — you usually get ~7 minutes per question. Lead with a one-line intro, then points with bolded keywords (or underlined in offline mode), and a short forward-looking conclusion. A small diagram/flowchart wherever it fits earns marks and saves words.
Points over paragraphs for GS — evaluators skim. For ethics/essay, paragraphs read better. Maps help massively in geography answers.
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