How to prepare CSAT Paper for UPSC CSE 2024?
Ms. Tanushree Meena (AIR-120, 2021) could not clear UPSC CSE Prelims exam in her first four attempts. Out of these, she could not qualify the CSAT Paper twice. Similarly Ms. Kritika Goyal (AIR-14, 2022) lost her second attempt at UPSC CSE by not qualifying the Prelims CSAT Paper by just 1 mark.
The disqualification because of the CSAT paper has increased in the past couple of years. Once disqualified, an aspirant suffers the loss of one full year till she appears for the next UPSC CSE Prelims. Such unpredictability has made CSAT a very significant paper to be prepared for UPSC CSE.
Civil Services Aptitude Test or CSAT consists of 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.) and data interpretation.
As UPSC has raised the difficulty levels for all these areas, it is important to be prepared for the qualifying paper. Putting some of the following factors into consideration can help improve an aspirant’s preparation strategy for CSAT.
Why should one prepare the CSAT paper for UPSC CSE Prelims?
- By preparing the CSAT paper, aspirants can avoid jeopardizing their precious attempt because of a qualifying paper. A preparation based on a study plan will help aspirants face the unpredictability of the UPSC CSE Prelims.
- Preparing for the UPSC CSE CSAT beforehand can also provide the aspirants a sense of confidence so that they can focus more on preparation for GS Paper I for Prelims right before the examination.
- As the pattern of CSAT paper has evolved over the years, proficiency is required in all the areas of the syllabus. This proficiency can be ensured through diligent preparation for the CSAT Paper.
How to prepare the CSAT Paper for UPSC CSE Prelims?
- Focus on basics: It is important to go back to the basic calculations, reasoning and comprehension. This will prepare a strong foundation for practice.
- Self assessment: Understanding one’s strengths and weaknesses can help strategize the preparation. Analyzing the areas in which one is more comfortable with can help in strategically allocating resources, time and efforts.
- Pattern analysis: Analyzing Previous Years’ CSAT Papers can prepare an aspirant for the increasing levels of difficulty.
- Understanding the concepts: Conceptual clarity should be focussed upon. It can be observed that more than one concept has to be applied on questions from basic numeracy and data interpretation.
- Practice mock questions: Mock tests should also be practiced for all the areas of the paper. With the cut throat competition, any area of the UPSC CSE CSAT syllabus cannot be ignored. Also, a variety of questions should be practiced in stipulated time. Only practice will help aspirants to acquire required accuracy in the actual exam.
Next IAS offers guidance for CSAT preparation through its GS + CSAT Pre Cum Main Foundation Course. Over 120 hours of classes along with 10 Full Length Tests prepare the aspirants for the UPSC CSE CSAT paper in a timely manner. Aspirants are provided with a Workbook with a set of practice questions curated by expert faculties in the field- Mr. Manjul Tiwari and Mr. Aditya Jastap. Daily and Weekly assignments and regular assessments of these assignments add to the aspirants overall UPSC CSE CSAT preparation of the aspirants. Frequent doubt clearing sessions ensure strong hold on the holistic coverage of the syllabus.
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