IAS and UPSC Coaching

The CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) is meant to be qualifying (33% or 66 marks). However, in the last 3 years, UPSC has drastically increased the difficulty level. If you are ignoring CSAT until the last month, you are taking a huge risk. CSAT Strategy for UPSC

At Trademark IAS, we specialize in guiding “Non-Maths” background students. Here is our fail-proof CSAT Strategy for UPSC.

[Image: Student solving a logical reasoning puzzle on a whiteboard]

1. The “66 Marks” Mindset CSAT Strategy for UPSC

You don’t need to top this paper. You only need 66 marks.

• Total Questions: 80

• Marks per Question: 2.5

• Target: You need roughly 27-30 correct answers (net) to be safe.

• Strategy: You can afford to skip 40 questions! The key is selection, not speed.

2. The Three Pillars of CSAT CSAT Strategy for UPSC

A balanced CSAT Strategy for UPSC relies on three sections. You need to master only two to pass.

A. Reading Comprehension (The Savior)

• Weightage: ~25-30 Questions.

• The Trick: Don’t use your outside knowledge. Stick strictly to the passage.

• Focus: Practice “Inference” and “Assumption” based questions. If your English is decent, this is your goldmine.

B. Logical Reasoning (The Scorer) CSAT Strategy for UPSC

• Weightage: ~15-20 Questions.

• Topics: Blood Relations, Direction Sense, Seating Arrangement, Coding-Decoding.

• Why do it? These require zero formula memorization. Just common sense.

C. Quantitative Aptitude (The Villain) CSAT Strategy for UPSC

• Weightage: ~35-40 Questions.

• For Maths Phobia Students: Do not try to learn the whole syllabus.

• Pick & Choose: Focus only on Number System, Percentage, and Average. Skip Permutation/Combination if it scares you.

3. The “Non-Maths” Student Approach

If you hate maths, here is your tailored CSAT Strategy for UPSC:

1. Target Comprehension: Attempt 25 questions. Get 20 correct. (Score: ~45).

2. Target Reasoning: Attempt 10 easy puzzles. (Score: ~20).

3. Target Basic Maths: Solve just 5 easy questions (e.g., Data Interpretation).

4. Total Score: Safe Zone (80+).

4. When to Start?

• Weak in Maths? Start 6 months before Prelims (Sunday only).

• Strong in Maths? Start 2 months before Prelims.

• The Golden Rule: Solve one Previous Year Question (PYQ) paper every Sunday from January.

Conclusion CSAT Strategy for UPSC

CSAT is not a test of intelligence; it is a test of management. Don’t let your fear paralyze you. Join our special CSAT Module at Trademark IAS, where we teach “Option Elimination Tricks” instead of long formulas.

Conquer Your Fear. Download our list of “Most Repeated CSAT Formulas.”

[Download Formula Sheet] | [Watch CSAT Demo Class]