Civil services aptitude test or CSAT is a Prelims qualifying paper UPSC introduced in 2011. Since then many candidates have faced difficulties to ace this exam. However, it is not a tough exam. If you know how to prepare, you can easily score excellent marks in this paper.
This article explains how to score high in CSAT mock tests. Stay with us.
What is CSAT?
CSAT is a standardised test to assess a candidate’s natural abilities and skills that are essential to have for civil services jobs. Such skills are,
- Logical reasoning
- Numerical skills
- Verbal reasoning
- Abstraction abilities
- Analytical skills,
- Problem-solving abilities,
- Decision-making capabilities,
- Data interpretation skills
- General awareness
Every college graduate possesses these skills. You can also build, develop and grow these abilities with regular practice. But writing an exam based on these skills and under time restrictions can become difficult.
How to score high in CSAT?
Even if you feel a lack of confidence in aptitude questions, you can score qualifying marks comfortably in CSAT following a few strategies.
- Understand the CSAT syllabus
For scoring high, it is important to understand what the UPSC wants to assess in candidates through CSAT. Aptitude tests can be of different types. But for UPSC Prelims, the aim is to test civil services aptitude. Check UPSC syllabus for clarity on the coverage.
- Get familiar with question patterns
Though UPSC keeps changing their pattern of CSAT questions, question types for a specific segment of aptitude testing do not vary much. For example, for testing logical reasoning capability, examiners follow 10 to 15 types of questions, like coding-decoding, data sufficiency, inductive reasoning, etc.
- Get study materials based on CSAT syllabus
Collect study materials for each type of aptitude tests for civil services. You can find free online resources on the internet or printed materials in the market. However, it is important to be careful about the authenticity of those materials.
- Collect UPSC previous year question paper and start practicing
Previous year UPSC CSAT questions can offer you a basic idea of question patterns and trends. So, try to collect as many questions as possible. Many generic aptitude test questionnaires are also available on the internet. You can check them as well. And don’t forget to practise regularly as part of your regular UPSC study plan.
Conclusion
You can self-study for CSAT. But it is important to take mock tests to overcome exam fright and learn how to manage time. These are simulated tests based on UPSC Prelims GS-II exams. For top CSAT mock tests, check https://www.iasgyan.in.
