@MasterMind Exactly, question choices were also very difficult. Structuring was the main issue in questions related to SEZ, IRNSS, Groundwater contamination in urban areas, and linguistic states emergence. Some 10 markers were very GS-type questions.
Writing a geographical answer for Forests Rights Act and NFSA considering the time crunch was really difficult. Felt like the map marking was easier compared to the last years paper though
in 2021 i wrote my first essay on " The process of self-discovery has now been technologically outsourced." in sec A. The essay was in line with the explanations that floated in market by coaching institutes.
My second essay was about " Hand that rocks the cradle rules the world." where I wrote 10 pages in which I dedicated 1.5 page just to explain my interpretation of the essay. And I didn't even considered the dimension of "role of a mother" in my entire essay( at that time I was wondering that, its not just the role of a mother to rock the cradle, and I might look like a person who is patriarchal ....weird but such thoughts do come when essay papers have all the topics that are just way too unconventional.)
I discussed my second essay with my senior after mains. He said that if there is a quote which is said for a specific purpose and you try to drift away from it, no matter what you write and how brilliantly you try to explain your interpretation, you will be heavily penalised.
My essay score in 2021 was 58
116 in 2019, 120 in 2020
Given that , 2021 was the first time I joined a test series for essay writing, wrote more than 20 essays beforehand, worked on my content, had a group of friends to discuss and improvise my structure...in short I really work hard on my essay in 2021..but still it was 58
So all I can say is that, until and unless you are extremely lucky, and examiner is a person with an open mind, expect poor marks for an essay that's drifts apart from actual interpretation of the quote known to the examiner.
Above that, I much I know, before checking our booklets, examiners are briefed about every topic, marking scheme etc. etc...so they already have a structure in mind and evaluate our essays based on that. SOme might take the pain to understand your view point, but that's rare...so all the best.
And about every section being checked by a different examiner, I never paid attention to the last page in my previous attempt but a friend of mine said that after every question number, there is a column for marks and signature of the examiner, which proves that different examiners check our copies. Though this time I checked the same but there was no separate column for signature...but I assume it is being checked by different people.
Faced a similar experience with the essay last year. Chose the same two topics. The first essay was written reasonably well I believe. Interpreted the second essay along the lines of women empowerment which was a blunder by all means. Scored a round 100 in essay. Cost me a rank taking into account my scores in the other papers and interview. So yes, interpretation does matter. It should revolve around the examiner's expectation at least peripherally
