MANTHAN-SESSIONS

CSAT SESSION
PRESENTED BY- ABHISHEK SHUKLA
WHY CSAT IS INCLUDED?

1.Test Analytical and Logical Reasoning Skills

• Civil servants deal with complex problems that require critical thinking, logical
reasoning, and sound decision-making.
2. Evaluate Language and Communication Skills
• Effective communication and comprehension are essential for civil servants in
drafting policies, reports, and interacting with the public.
3. Assess Numerical and Data Interpretation Skills
• Civil servants handle budgets, data, and statistics regularly.
4. Eliminate Memorization and Rote Learning
• Unlike Paper-I (General Studies), which emphasizes factual and conceptual knowledge,
CSAT focuses on skills rather than memory.
5. Improve the Quality of Selection
• Prior to CSAT, the emphasis was solely on General Studies, favoring candidates with
strong academic knowledge.
6. Screen Candidates for Administrative Competencies
• UPSC is not just about academic knowledge; it is about selecting candidates who can
lead, govern, and solve problems effectively in administrative roles.
• CSAT ensures that the selected candidates are well-rounded, possessing not only subject
knowledge but also practical aptitude.
LET’S BURST FEW MYTHS ABOUT CSAT

• Myth-1: Someone from IIT/NIT or a strong math background will definitely clear CSAT.
• Reality: While individuals from these backgrounds may have an added advantage due to
their proficiency in numbers and logics, there is no 100% guarantee of success.
Confidence plays a crucial role, and success depends on more than just academic
background.
• Myth-2: Arts background students will always struggle.
• Reality: Contrary to popular belief, success in CSAT is not restricted by one's academic
background. Anyone with a strong aptitude for numbers and logics can excel,
irrespective of their field of study.
LET’S BURST FEW MYTHS ABOUT CSAT

• Myth-3: Those who have prepared for banking/SSC or other govt. exams can easily
clear CSAT.
• Reality: The nature of CSAT is distinct, and success in other exams does not guarantee
proficiency in CSAT. While individuals with a background in banking/SSC exams may
have an advantage due to their numerical and logical skills, the time dynamics and
question-solving approach in CSAT are unique.
WHY PYQS ARE IMPORTANT?

• PYQs are the best resource for understanding the specific logic and patterns demanded
by UPSC.
• Solve PYQs multiple times to develop familiarity with the kind of questions UPSC tends
to repeat.
• By practicing with PYQs, you'll gradually adapt to the unique logic and problem-solving
approaches used by UPSC.
• Learn to recognize recurring themes and types of questions.
CSAT-2024 PAPER DIFFICULTY ANALYSIS
(EXCLUDING RC)
Questions
Easy
Difficult 21%
30%

Moderate
49%
Easy Moderate Difficult
Let’s have a look at PYQ analysis
 CSAT: Topic Wise PYQ Analysis

SYLLABUS Sr.No. TOPIC 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2024
1 STATEMENTS 6 4 3 0 4 0 2 0 0
2 CODING-DECODING 2 1 1 5 5 4 8 4 8
DATA
3 ARRANGEMENTS & 0 15 13 9 3 1 3 4 2
LOGICAL
RANKING
REASONING AND
ANALYTICAL 4 CUBES 1 1 1 3 2 0 0 0 1
ABILITY 5 PUZZLE 2 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0
&
GENERAL MENTAL 6 DATA SUFFICIENCY 2 0 0 0 1 5 2 3 0
ABILITY 7 BLOOD RELATION 1 0 2 0 1 1 0 2 0
8 SYLLOGISM 3 0 1 0 1 1 3 2 2
9 CLOCK & CALENDAR 1 0 3 0 3 1 5 3 3
10 OTHER 0 3 0 2 1 0 1 0 1
READING
1 QUESTIONS 32 27 34 27 34 26 27 32 27
COMPREHENSION
NUMBERS AND
1 EQUATION 9 2 5 3 3 5 8 7 5
FORMATION
"BASIC NUMERACY
2 NUMBER SYSTEM 0 2 4 3 9 16 6 10 16
AND DATA
INTERPRETATION" RATIO &
3 1 1 3 1 0 1 1 0 0
PROPORTION
 MIXTURE &
4 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 1
ALLIGATION
TIME,SPEED &
5 2 4 1 2 1 2 1 1 0
DISTANCE
6 TIME & WORK 1 2 0 0 0 1 1 1 3
7 AVERAGE 2 2 0 0 3 3 1 1 2
DIRECTION
8 1 3 0 0 2 1 2 1 2
(PYTHAGORAS)
PERMUTATION &
9 4 1 1 3 1 2 2 8 0
COMBINATION
10 PROBABILITY 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
11 PERCENTAGE 3 4 2 2 4 2 4 5 3
DISCOUNT & PROFIT
12 0 1 1 2 1 2 0 0 1
& LOSS
13 GEOMETRY 1 4 2 2 1 3 1 1 1
DATA
14 3 0 0 12 0 1 1 0 0
INTERPRETATION
15 AGE 2 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 2
 CSAT: List of Important Topics with Study Schedule

Syllabus Sr.No. Important Topics (From PYQs analysis) Week Test

1 English alphabet problems (Coding Decoding)

2 Sequence and series (Coding Decoding) Week-1 Test-1
3 Patterns / observations (Coding Decoding) (6 Jan - 12 Jan) (12th Jan - Sunday)
LOGICAL
REASONING AND 4 Arrangements
ANALYTICAL 5 Question and statements
ABILITY
6 Statements and conclusions (syllogism) Week-2 Test-2
7 Calendar problems (13 Jan - 19 Jan) (19th Jan - Sunday)

8 Family tree
1 Number Theory
2 General Numerical Ability Week-3 Test-3
3 Logical Observation (20 Jan - 26 Jan) (26th Jan - Sunday)

4 Clock Geometry
5 Counting and Probability
GENERAL MENTAL 6 Geometrical Arrangements Week-4 Test-4
ABILITY 7 Number Patterns and Counting (27 Jan - 2 Feb) (2nd Feb - Sunday)

8 Statistical Ability
9 Counting and Combinatorics
10 Permutation and Combination Week-5 Test-5
11 Geometric and Visual Ability (Cuboid questions) (3 Feb - 9 Feb) (9th Feb - Sunday)
 12 Backtracking from Options

Week-6 Test-6
1 RC Easy Part- Inference/Crux/Message/Corollary etc
(10 Feb - 16 Feb) (16th Feb - Sunday)
Reading
Comprehension Week-7 Tets-7
2 RC Difficult questions- Assumption type etc.
(17 Feb - 23 Feb) (23rd Feb - Sunday)

1 Number System
2 Divisibility/Factors Week-8 Test-8
3 Work and Days (Time and work) (24 Feb - 2 Mar) (2nd Mar - Sunday)

4 LCM and Its application

5 Algebraic Equations
6 Age Problem Week-9 Test-9
7 Pythagoras/Geometry/Direction (3 Mar - 9 Mar) (9th Mar - Sunday)
BASIC NUMERACY 8 Speed Time and Distance
AND DATA
9 Discount and Profit & Loss
INTERPRETATION
10 Percentage Week-10 Test-10
11 Ratio and Proportion (10 Mar - 16 Mar) (16th Mar - Sunday)

12 Mixture and Alligation

13 Statistics (Mainly Average problems)
14 Basic Summation Week-11 Test-11
15 Permutation and Combination (17 Mar - 23 Mar) (23rd Mar - Sunday)

16 Mensuration
ACTION PLAN FOR CSAT

• CSAT has become equally important as General Studies (GS) in clearing the Prelims.You
cannot ignore CSAT and must prioritize it at par with GS subjects. Here’s how you can
prepare effectively:
Step 1: Start CSAT Preparation Today
• Assess Yourself: Before diving into preparation, take a self-assessment test:
• Attempt the CSAT 2022 paper under timed conditions (2 hours).
• Use an OMR sheet to fill bubbles for a realistic exam experience.
• Calculate your score using the official UPSC answer key.
ACTION PLAN

Step 2: Analyze Your Performance

• Based on your score, follow these strategies:
1. If You Score 90+ Marks:
• You are safe.
• What to do:
• Revise the list of important topics provided.
• Solve PYQs of the last 11 years. Don’t take chance.
• Regularly evaluate your performance through mock tests (Bi-weekly).
ACTION PLAN

2. If You Score Between 60-90 Marks:

• You need to be consistent and dedicated.
• What to do:
• Cover all the important topics systematically.
• Solve topic wise PYQs of the last 11 years.
• Regularly evaluate your performance through mock tests (Weekly or Bi-weekly).
• If required, do attend classes on those topics that are weak.
3. If You Score Less Than 60 Marks:
• This is a serious situation and requires strict focus.
• What to do:
• Follow a structured schedule.
• Take CSAT classes available to you to improve concepts.
• Practice 25-30 questions per subtopic to build confidence. If not confident
then solve these questions again.
• Solve all the 11 years PYQs topic wise. Repeatedly solve them again and
again.
• Dedicate min. 2 hours daily to CSAT preparation until you consistently score
80+ marks in mock tests.
• Regularly evaluate your performance through mock tests (Weekly).
ACTION PLAN

Step 3: Key Preparation Tips

• Focus on the most important topics provided.
• While practicing, aim for conceptual clarity and problem-solving skills.
• Use mock tests to track your progress regularly and adjust your strategy.
Final Note
• Preparing for CSAT requires consistent effort and a balanced approach. Start today,
assess where you stand, and follow the right strategy based on your performance.
Clearing CSAT will give you the edge you need to qualify for the Prelims!
THANK YOU