What is CSAT in UPSC

The Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) is part of the UPSC Civil Services Exam (Preliminary) and was introduced in 2011. This test is designed to evaluate the analytical skills, reasoning ability, and overall aptitude of candidates aspiring to become IAS officers.

In this detailed guide to the CSAT exam, we will cover the following topics:

1. CSAT Overview
2. CSAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus for 2024
3. CSAT Question Papers (2014-2020)
4. CSAT Trend Analysis (2011 – 2019)

Despite ongoing debates about the inclusion of CSAT, officially known as General Studies Paper-II, in the UPSC exam, recent updates confirm that the Civil Services Aptitude Test will remain a part of the UPSC Prelims.

CSAT

CSAT stands for Civil Services Aptitude Test and is part of the UPSC Prelims (Civil Services Exam – Preliminary). The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) officially refers to this exam as General Studies (GS) Paper – II.

In the context of UPSC Prelims, GS Paper II is the CSAT. However, it is important to note that for the UPSC Mains, GS Paper II covers topics like Polity, among others.

To avoid confusion, candidates should thoroughly understand both the complete UPSC CSE Syllabus and the specific syllabus for CSAT in the UPSC Prelims.

What is Prelims exam in IAS?

The IAS Prelims, also known as the UPSC Prelims, is the first stage of the Union Public Service Commission Civil Services Examination (CSE).

The official notification for UPSC 2024 will be released on February 14, 2024, and it will include the detailed and updated CSAT syllabus. Candidates can review the syllabus for IAS Prelims GS Paper 1 and GS Paper 2 below, as outlined in the 2024 UPSC notification.

Stages of UPSC CSE

The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) comprises three stages:

1. Preliminary Exam – This includes 2 objective type papers.
2. UPSC Mains – This stage has 9 theory papers.
3. IAS Interview

Before you begin, make sure to check your eligibility for the CSAT (UPSC Eligibility Criteria).

The two papers in the UPSC Prelims are:

• General Studies Paper – I
• General Studies Paper – II, also known as CSAT

CSAT Exam Pattern

The Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) was introduced in 2011 to assess candidates’ analytical skills. It is the second paper in the UPSC Prelims, officially known as General Studies Paper-II.

CSAT Exam Pattern for UPSC:

• Number of Questions: 80 objective-type (MCQ) questions
• Negative Marking: Yes (1/3rd of the maximum marks for the question)
• Duration: 2 hours
• Type of Exam: Offline
• Date of CSAT Exam: June 17, 2024
• Language: English/Hindi
• Maximum Marks: 200
• Qualifying Marks: 66 marks (33% qualifying criteria)

CSAT Syllabus – UPSC Prelims 2024

The CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) syllabus for UPSC 2024 covers the following broad categories:

• Comprehension
• Interpersonal Skills including communication skills
• Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability
• Decision-Making and Problem-Solving
• General Mental Ability
• Basic Numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) at Class X level, Data Interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc.) also at Class X level

Recommended Books for CSAT (GS Paper II):

To excel in the UPSC Prelims – CSAT (GS Paper II), IAS toppers recommend the following books:

• CSAT Paper – 2 Manual by TMH
• Analytical Reasoning by M. K. Pandey
• Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R. S. Aggarwal

Since the CSAT exam became a qualifying test in 2015, candidates only need to score 33% to qualify for the Mains, provided they score above the cut-off in UPSC Prelims – GS Paper I. Aspirants can practice CSAT questions by visiting the linked article.

Due to its qualifying nature and Class X level questions, serious candidates do not need to memorize or go through multiple books. Instead, they should start by solving UPSC previous year question papers for CSAT and then decide on a preparation strategy.

CSAT Marking Scheme:

• Number of Questions: 80
• Duration: 2 hours
• Marks per Question: 2.5
• Total Marks: 200
• Negative Marking: Yes, 1/3rd of the marks for each incorrect answer (0.83 marks per incorrect answer)
• Unattempted Questions: No marks deducted

Candidates must remember that there is a negative marking in the CSAT paper. For every incorrect answer, 0.83 marks will be deducted. However, no marks are deducted for questions left blank.

CSAT strategy for IAS Prelims 2024

Candidates should not ignore the CSAT paper just because it is a qualifying exam. Here are some strategic tips for preparing for the CSAT:

• Assess Your Skills: If you feel your general English comprehension and basic math skills are lacking, dedicate a good amount of time to the CSAT paper. This is especially important for candidates from humanities and arts backgrounds who may not have engaged with these subjects since school.
• Practice is Key: For those who are comfortable with the type of questions asked in the CSAT paper, practicing enough UPSC previous years’ question papers for CSAT should suffice. However, without practice, completing all 80 questions within the two-hour time limit can be challenging.
• Qualifying Marks: Remember, you need to score at least 66 marks in CSAT. Failing to qualify in CSAT means that even high marks in GS Paper I won’t help you clear the IAS prelims stage.
• Speed and Efficiency: To improve speed in solving math questions, use certain well-known math tricks. Check out this article, “Maths Tricks to Break the CSAT Bricks,” for helpful tips.
• Familiarize Yourself with Question Types: Questions on data interpretation, logical reasoning, etc., are generally straightforward, but if you’re unfamiliar with them, they can be tricky. This is where practice becomes essential.
• Manage Time Effectively: Some CSAT questions are lengthy and time-consuming. Practicing mock test papers or enrolling in a reliable CSAT test series can help you manage your time better and improve your performance.

CSAT Trend Analysis 2011-2020

Here is a breakdown of the types of questions asked in the CSAT exam from 2011 to 2020, categorized by the topics in the UPSC syllabus for CSAT.