Civil Services Examination (Prelims) — Paper II – CSAT
About this Exam
Civil Services Examination (Prelims) — Paper II (CSAT)
The CSAT (Paper II) is the qualifying-cum-competitive screening test conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the Civil Services Examination. Designed to assess your reading, reasoning, numeracy, and decision-making under time pressure, it helps you progress toward the prestigious IAS/IPS/other Group A services by clearing the Prelims stage with the required cut-off.
Exam Pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks | Weightage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comprehension | ~13 | ~26 | ~16.25% |
| Interpersonal Skills including Communication Skills | ~13 | ~26 | ~16.25% |
| Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability | ~13 | ~26 | ~16.25% |
| Decision Making and Problem Solving | ~13 | ~26 | ~16.25% |
| Basic Numeracy | ~13 | ~26 | ~16.25% |
| Data Interpretation | ~13 | ~26 | ~16.25% |
| Total | 80 | 160 | 100% |
What This Practice Test Covers
- Comprehension: passages, inference, and meaning-based questions.
- Communication & Interpersonal Skills: logical connections in statements and contextual interpretation.
- Reasoning & Analytics: patterns, syllogisms, and analytical reasoning.
- Numeracy & DI: arithmetic fundamentals, graphs/tables, and data-based conclusions.
Preparation Tips
Start with daily CSAT reading: practise 1–2 comprehension passages and summarize key conclusions in one line. Strengthen fundamentals for Basic Numeracy using timed mixed sets (percentages, ratios, unitary method, basic algebra). For Data Interpretation, focus on question types (trend, comparison, inference) and learn to eliminate options quickly. Finally, attempt full-length mocks to build a steady pace—since there is no negative marking, prioritize accuracy and consistency.