The real test of UPSC Prelims: Taking CSAT lightly can be costly, understanding the syllabus is the first requirement..
CSAT Exam: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) as part of the Civil Services Examination (CSE). The CSAT is a qualifying exam intended to assess a candidate's aptitude and reasoning ability. The exam will be held in May this year. Before starting CSAT preparation, it is crucial to thoroughly understand the syllabus. This will help you determine which subjects to cover, which areas to focus on, and avoid missing any important topics.
Exam Pattern
The UPSC Preliminary Exam consists of two papers. Paper I tests general studies, consisting of 100 questions (a total of 200 marks) covering history, geography, economics, politics, and current affairs. Paper II, also known as CSAT, is an objective paper of 200 marks, consisting of 80 questions, and a minimum of 33% (66 marks) is required to qualify. Questions are asked on basic arithmetic, logical reasoning, and reading comprehension.
Selecting Recommended Books
Create a comprehensive study plan for the CSAT exam, allocating adequate time for each subject. When selecting study material, choose reliable and recommended books and online resources. The CSAT tests aptitude and reasoning, so regular practice is crucial. To improve your problem-solving abilities, be sure to solve practice questions, mock tests, and previous UPSC question papers. Also, revise the topics you've studied regularly.
Work on Comprehension
First, strengthen your basic arithmetic and logical reasoning skills. This will help you solve questions quickly and accurately. For example, if you have to solve addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, or logical puzzles, having a strong foundation will help you find solutions easily. The second important consideration is reading and comprehension skills. The CSAT requires you to read passages and answer questions. Therefore, work on your reading speed and comprehension skills. Read a variety of articles, news, and passages, and practice solving questions.
Solve Problems
Strengthen your logical and analytical thinking. Practice solving puzzles, analogies, coding-decoding, and similar problems. Time management is also crucial. Since the CSAT exam is limited in time, practice solving questions within the allotted time. This will help you manage your time effectively during the exam.
Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Amar Ujala. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.
