Is UPSC CSAT Tough to Crack? The Union Public Service Examination is a gateway for aspirants to start a career in prestigious civil services. Many young graduates dream of becoming IAS/IPS officers in India. This dream can turn into reality only by smart planning and dedicated preparation.
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UPSC wants only skilled and talented graduates to be civil servants working to maintain law and order in Indian states and union territories. Let me give you a quick guide on the UPSC CSAT paper conducted in the Prelims exam. This paper is qualifying in nature.
Candidates have to score 66 marks (33%) out of 200 marks in the CSAT exam. A common question most of you face: Is CSAT Tough to Crack? Let us delve into this blog and decode how to kickstart UPSC CSAT preparation and avoid common mistakes.
Here is the exam pattern of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Exam 2024.
| Paper | Questions | Total Marks | Time Duration |
| Paper 1- GS | 100 | 200 | 2 Hours |
| Paper 2- CSAT | 80 | 200 | 2 Hours |
Candidates should take a look at the list of topics covered in the UPSC CSAT Exam Syllabus 2024.
| UPSC CSAT Categories | Topics Covered |
| Comprehension | English/Hindi Paragraph Comprehension |
| Decision Making & Problem Solving | Hypothetical questions based on ethical dilemmas Decoding facts logically into answers |
| Logical Reasoning | Coding Decoding Blood Relations Decision Making Problem-Solving Input-Output Venn Diagrams Coded Inequalities Puzzle Logical Reasoning Analytical Reasoning Analogy Classification Mixed Series Number Series Distance & Directions Alphabet Test Seating Arrangement |
| Interpersonal Skills | Analogies Critical Reasoning |
| General Mental Ability | Simple Interest Time and Work Partnership Work and Wages Mensuration 2D Mensuration 3D GeometryStatistics Probability Permutations and Combinations, etc Upstream or Downstream Pipe and Cistern Problems Compound Interest Profit and Loss Time and Distance Algebra Mixture and Allegations |
| Data Interpretation | Arithmetic Reasoning Missing Number Cause & Effect Data Interpretation 2D & 3D Pie Chart Bar Graph Vertical Bar Chart Bar Graph vs. Histogram Cube and Dice Mirror Image & Water Image Syllogism Order & Ranking Sequences and Series Data Sufficiency Calendars Clock Reasoning Problems on Ages Statement and Assumption Statement and Argument Statement and Conclusion Statement and Course of Action Statements in Mathematical Reasoning Critical Reasoning Situation Reaction Test |
| Basic Numeracy | Number Series Number System Fundamental Arithmetical Operations Simplification & Approximation Percentage Decimal Fractions Ratio and Proportion LCM and HCF Rational Numbers Squares and Square Roots Cubes and Cube Roots Average Unitary Method Ratio to Percentage Surds and Indices Basic Set Theory Divisibility Rules Remainder Theorem |
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Let’s start individually examining subject-wise strategies for UPSC CSAT exam preparation for Maths, English, and Reasoning. We have covered a detailed analysis to guide candidates to build conceptual knowledge and solve questions for practice. Look at the question pattern asked in English, Reasoning, and Maths.
Following is a quick breakdown of important topics in UPSC CSAT Maths. Candidates can start preparing for the Maths section by practicing those topics.
Here is the quick distribution of the Maths section from last year’s UPSC CSAT exams:
| Topics | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
| Percentage | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 1 |
| Ratio & Proportion | 3 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Profit & Loss | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Interest | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Data Interpretation | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ages | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Time & Work/Pipes | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Time & Distance | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Train Boats | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Probability P&C | 1 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 12 |
| Alligation Mixture | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Number System | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 18 | 10 | 15 | 22 |
| Mensuration | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| HCF & LCM | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Averages | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Number Series | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Total | 24 | 28 | 30 | 25 | 35 | 32 | 45 | 36 | 38 | 43 |
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Following is quick breakdown of list of questions covered in UPSC CSAT English section. This information gives you a strategic understanding to study English section topics smartly for CSAT.
| Topics | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
| Level 1 Passage | 0 | 19 | 14 | 28 | 14 | 18 | 15 | 25 | 6 | 22 |
| Level 2 Passage | 6 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 12 | 10 | 2 | 12 | 4 |
| Level 3 Passage | 26 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Total | 32 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 25 | 30 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
Ace the English language section by mastering analytical skills and following key areas:
To make it easier, here are the topics listed to brushup knowledge by reading newspapers and online articles:
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Take a look at the quick breakdown of the topic-wise list covered in the Reasoning section. We have prepared list of important covered for effective practice and revision to qualify UPSC CSAT paper.
| Topics | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
| Cube & Cubiod | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Dice | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Alphanumeric Series+Analogy | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Clock | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Calendar | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Coding and Decoding | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Direction Sense | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Blood Relation | 3 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Ranking | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Syllogism | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Puzzle+Arrangement | 6 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Image | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Statements | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Counting Figure | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Analytical | 4 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 24 | 22 | 22 | 25 | 20 | 18 | 10 | 17 | 15 | 11 |
Here is the list of Important Topics covered in Reasoning section:
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The UPSC CSAT paper is divided into 3 sections Maths, English, and Reasoning. It aims to test aspirants knowledge in logical reasoning, aptitude, comprehension, problem-solving. Look at the few reasons why candidates cannot qualify for UPSC CSAT paper.
Check Out: How to Manage Time While Preparing for UPSC CSAT Exam?
In this blog, we have provided detailed insights on UPSC CSAT exam preparations. The important topics and strategies for CSAT can guide aspirants to align preparations for prestigious UPSC exams. Avoid 5 mistakes if you don’t want to fail in UPSC CSAT. Stay motivated and trust your skills to get success in 1st attempt. Sign up to Practice with our 1st FREE Mock Test & Know Your AIR.
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