The CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) is the second paper in the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination. Here are the details regarding the timing and structure of the CSAT exam:
Timing and Structure of the CSAT Exam
- Total Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes)
- Timing: Generally conducted in the afternoon session from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM
- Number of Questions: 80 questions
- Total Marks: 200 marks
- Nature of Questions: Objective type (multiple choice questions)
- Negative Marking: Yes, 1/3rd of the marks assigned to the question will be deducted for each wrong answer.
- Qualifying Nature: The CSAT paper is of qualifying nature, meaning you need to score at least 33% (66 marks out of 200) to qualify. The marks obtained in this paper are not counted for the merit ranking in the Preliminary Examination.
Key Areas Covered in the CSAT Exam
- 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.) (Class X level)
- Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc. – Class X level)
Sample Schedule for the UPSC Prelims Exam Day
- Morning Session (Paper I – General Studies)
- Timing: 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM
- Duration: 2 hours
- Afternoon Session (Paper II – CSAT)
- Timing: 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM
- Duration: 2 hours
Tips for Exam Day
- Arrive Early: Make sure to arrive at the examination center well ahead of time.
- Bring Required Documents: Admit card, photo ID, and any other documents specified by UPSC.
- Follow Instructions: Listen carefully to instructions given by the exam invigilators.
- Time Management: Keep track of time and allocate it wisely among the questions.
- Stay Calm: Maintain composure to think clearly and perform your best.
Properly managing your time during the exam and practicing with previous years’ question papers can greatly enhance your chances of qualifying the CSAT paper.
