(Are you preparing for UPSC CSE 2025? You should not ignore the CSAT paper. UPSC Prelims 2024 gave a clear message to the students that CSAT practice should be a continuous part of preparation. So, UPSC Required’ Special series ‘UPSC CSAT Simplified’ Presents some important topics from UPSC Prelims Qualifying CSAT Paper or answers your common questions.)
Quantitative Aptitude has been a nightmare for many aspirants. Chances of clearing UPSC CSAT and scoring minimum 1/3 marks depends on quantitative aptitude. Although there are no sectional cut-offs in the UPSC CSAT paper, every candidate needs to attempt at least a few questions from this section to sail through the CSAT paper.
In this article, we will discuss a strategy that can prove worthwhile for candidates preparing for the upcoming UPSC CSAT 2025 exam.
#1 Understand every topic in depth
Before starting any chapter of the syllabus, it is important to understand the depth with which UPSC tests the candidates. Sometimes, the books and test series questions available in the market do not cover the required depth to meet the requirements of UPSC.
Let’s consider the question asked by UPSC CSE CSAT 2024 to drive the point:
Q. 222333 +333222 can be divided by which of the following numbers?
A. 2 and 3 but not 37
B. 3 and 37 but not 2
C. 2 and 37 but not 3
D. 2, 3 and 37
Generally, when we cover a chapter on the number system, our primary focus is the concept of divisibility rules, types of numbers, and unit digits. We try to solve questions on individual topics. However, the above question illustrates the type of interrelated question asked by UPSC in CSAT 2024. The above question combines the concept of unit digits and divisibility rules.
Let’s look at one more question asked by UPSC in CSAT 2024.
Q. A can X contains 399 liters of petrol and A can Y contains 532 liters of diesel. All petrol and diesel must be bottled in bottles of the same size so that they are bottled separately. The capacity of the bottle in liters is an integer. How many different bottle sizes are possible?
A 3
B. 4
C. 5
D. 6
A first look at the question might lead us to think it might be from LCM or HCF; However, a deeper understanding of the last line shows that it comes from the subject factorization.
Therefore, it is important to understand the depth that UPSC can ask questions and the interrelation between different topics of the same chapter. There are some chapters from which direct questions can be asked, but some chapters require interconnections.
#2 formula sheet
Most of the chapters in Quantitative Aptitude are formula-driven, including averages, percentages, measurements, times, speeds, distances, time and work, etc. It is always advisable to create a formula sheet chapter-wise. Over and above the formulas, certain subject-specific and chapter-specific shortcuts will be used to solve any question in Quantitative Aptitude. A wise strategy would be to include shortcuts with formulas in a chapter-wise manner for last-minute revision.
#3 Question Practice
Unlike humanities subjects, which are more about reading and revision, quantitative aptitude is more about solving questions. Just revising the formulas or re-reading the theory will not help much in this section.
While practicing questions, focus should be on the chapters frequently and widely asked by UPSC.
You can divide the chapters into 2 categories ie: Category A and Category B. Category A chapters are those where UPSC is asking questions consistently year after year, and they are important for your selection. Category B chapters are those where either the frequency is less or even if asked every year, it will be asked only 1 or 2 questions.
For your convenience, let’s separate the chapters into both categories here:
| Category A Chapter |
|
| Category B chapters |
|
You can use the above table to practice the questions accordingly. Give more time to Category-A chapters and proportionately less to Category-B. However, skipping Class-B chapters would not be a wise strategy.
#4 Time management
The UPSC CSAT paper consists of 80 questions which must be solved within 120 minutes. It boils down to an average time of 1.5 minutes per question. One can argue that you don’t need to solve all the questions to get minimum 1/3 marks in the paper, but still, speed is a deciding factor to get 1/3 marks in CSAT paper. During the current phase of practicing questions, you should monitor the time taken to solve each question. Initially, if you are new to a chapter, it may take some extra time to understand the concept and this should not be an area of concern. However, as you solve progressively more questions, the time taken should decrease with each passing question.
Not only is it important to drive home the point, solve the questions and clarify the concepts but it should also be done in a limited time.
#5 Practice compound questions
Once you have completed the syllabus, solving a mixed bag of questions is extremely important. Solving multiple questions from the same chapter can help you solidify the concept; However, solving composite questions from different chapters prepares you for real-time exam-like situations.
The need for a mixed bag of questions can be met by solving PYQs in a random fashion or by attempting the test for the CSAT. If you choose the latter, the number of tests you plan to attempt should be balanced. Generally, it is advisable to attempt 10-12 full-length tests for UPSC CSAT to give you enough practice for quantitative aptitude. However, a word of caution would be, test series that are unreasonably difficult. Although UPSC asks some difficult questions in CSAT, not every question is difficult. A large number of questions are, at best, moderate to easy. And so, practice should be a mixed bag.
(About our experts: Mudit Gupta Has been a consultant and faculty for UPSC Civil Services Examination for 8 years with expertise in CSAT, Politics, International Relations, and Current Affairs. He is known to break down complex concepts into simple ones that allow UPSC aspirants to develop a grasp on the subject matter.)
🚨 The Indian Express UPSC Essentials brings you December issue of its monthly magazine. Click here to read. Share your thoughts and suggestions in the comment box or at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com.
Subscribe to us UPSC Newsletter And stay updated with last week’s news signals.
of UPSC Articles Indian Express Now on Telegram. Join our Telegram channel- Indian Express Stay updated with UPSC Hub and latest updates.
Let us know what topics you’d like us to cover as part of this new series. Please write to us at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com.
Why should you buy our membership?
You want to be the smartest in the room.
You want access to our award-winning journalism.
You don’t want to be confused and misinformed.
Choose your subscription package