CSAT 2011 Pattern / Format Comprehension

In this section, questions may be based on certain real-life situations. The aim will be to test how good a candidate is at fact-finding, sifting through information, interpreting text, predicting and inferring events and recognising implied meanings.

Inter-personal skills

Inter-personal communication implies face-to-face communication involving few people (typically two) rather than large groups. This section is aimed to test the candidate’s ability to understand and manage the dynamics of social interaction.

Logical reasoning and analytical ability

Logical reasoning measures your ability to understand, analyse and evaluate arguments. Each question is based on a short passage, graph, table or a set of conditions. Analytical ability questions are aimed at measuring your ability to analyse a given structure of arbitrary relationships and to deduce new information from that structure.

Decision-making and Problem-solving

This section measures your ability to use logic in solving problems. The question will generally relate to situations that require you either to take some action, to explain why an action has or would be taken or interpret what the action implies. Questions based on some law and order situations or administrative deadlocks also can be expected.

General Mental Ability (GMA)

In the old pattern, General Mental Ability (GMA) Tests were included in the General Studies Paper. Now it has been shifted to Paper-II. The aim of the GMA Test is to evaluate your cognitive abilities — how proficient are you at learning and finding solutions.

Basic Numeracy

This section includes numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude etc, which are of class X level. The questions will test your ability to use numbers and solve simple numerical problems. The numerical knowledge you need for these tests is school level mathematics.

Data Interpretation

Data Interpretation (DI) questions tests one’s ability to interpret data presented in tables, graphs and charts. It usually requires two basic steps. First, you have to read a chart or graph in order to obtain certain information. Then you have to apply or manipulate the information for an answer.

This section also includes data sufficiency. Each question is followed by two statements — (1) and (2). Your task is to analyse each of the two statements to determine whether it provides sufficient data to answer the question.

Comprehension: This section tests your ability to read and understand written material. Questions in this section will be of class X level and will be tested through passages. The Reading Comprehension test requires a good grasp over the English language. The passage will be followed by multiplechoice questions

CSAT 2011 Syllabus

The new syllabus will now comprise two compulsory papers of 200 marks and of two hours duration each. Paper I will be General Studies (current events of national and international importance, history of India and Indian National Movement, Indian and world geography and the world, Indian polity and governance, economic and social development, general issues on environmental ecology, bio-diversity, climate change and general science).

As far as Paper I is concerned, there will be no significant change in its syllabus, except inclusion of topics on environmental ecology, biodiversity and climate change.

Paper II, which will be the aptitude test, will include aptitude skills including comprehension, interpersonal skills and communication skills, logical reasoning and analytical ability, decision-making and problem-solving, general mental ability, basic numeracy, data interpretation and English language comprehension skills.As per the new syllabus, paper II will have eight types of tests

Books For CSAT

CSAT

There is been a wide perception regarding the establishment of the new pattern, there are already many complaints been filed in a stack in the Supreme Court, regarding the issue. When, you compare the new pattern with the old existed pattern (preliminary exam), you could probably say that the new pattern definitely loses the advantage of the optional subjects. These optional subjects are very popular, as they are very easy to understand and they do not demand any specific backgrounds to learn them.

They would also help to cover the general studies too, for example, if a student is strong in the general studies, then he/she could concentrate on it, and thereby it would be enough to spend less time on the optional subjects. Thus, such benefits would not be available in the new pattern. If the syllabus for the new pattern is designed tougher, than the existed old pattern, then the students would be facing difficult situations in clearing the preliminary exams

CSAT Sample Paper

SAMPLE QUESTIONS BASED ON REVISED PATTERN OF CS(P) EXAMINATION EFFECTIVE FROM 2011

A set of 14 sample questions for Paper-I and Paper-II of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, on the revised syllabus and pattern, are given below. These questions are indicative of the type of questions that may be constructed and used by UPSC in Paper-I and Paper II of CS (P) examination, 2011. However, neither the content nor the structure/type of questions may be construed as being exhaustive or limiting the freedom of UPSC to set questions based on the syllabus prescribed for the examination.

It may be noted that as per the existing practice, both the question papers would be bilingual (English and Hindi), except for some questions specifically intended to test English Language Comprehension skills, which would be in English only. Some more sample questions may be put up subsequently. Hindi version of the sample questions would follow.

CS(P) Examination SAMPLE QUESTIONS

(Based on revised syllabi & pattern effective from CS(P) Examination, 2011)

PAPER-I

1. With reference to Simon Commission’s recommendations, which one of the following statements is correct?

(a) It recommended the replacement of diarchy with responsible government in the provinces.

(b) It proposed the setting up of inter-provincial council under the Home Department.

(c) It suggested the abolition of bicameral legislature at the Centre

(d) It recommended the creation of Indian Police Service with a provision for increased pay and allowances for British recruits as compared to Indian recruits.

2. A geographic area with an altitude of 400 metres has following characteristics:

Month	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
Average	31	31	31	31	30	30	29	28	29	29	30	31
maximum temp. 0C
Average	21	21	21	21	21	21	20	20	20	20	20	20
minimum temp. 0C
Rainfall (mm)	51	85	188	158	139	121	134	168	185	221	198	86

If this geographic area were to have a natural forest, which one of the following would
it most likely be?

(a) Moist temperate coniferous forest

(b) Montane subtropical forest

(c) Temperate forest

(d) Tropical rain forest

3. Other than Jatropha curcas, why is Pongamia pinnata also considered a good option for the production of bio-diesel in India?

1. Pongamia pinnata grows naturally in most of the arid regions of India.

2. The seeds of Pongamia pinnata are rich in lipid content of which nearly half of oleic acid.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

4. If a potato is placed on a pure paper plate which is white and unprinted and put in a microwave oven, the potato heats up but the paper plate does not. This is because:

(a) Potato is mainly made up of starch whereas paper is mainly made up of cellulose

(b) Potato transmits microwaves whereas paper reflects microwaves

(c) Potato contains water whereas paper does not contain water

(d) Potato is a fresh organic material whereas paper is a dead organic material

5. With reference to India, consider the following:

1. Nationalization of Banks

2. Formation of Regional Rural Banks

3. Adoption of villages by Bank Branches

Which of the above can be considered as steps taken to achieve the ‘financial inclusion” in India?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

6. Consider the following actions by the Government:

1. Cutting the tax rates

2. Increasing the government spending

3. Abolishing the subsidies

In the context of economic recession, which of the above actions can be considered a part of the ” fiscal stimulus” package?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

PAPER-II

Read the following passage and answer the given questions. Your answers should be drawn from the content of given passage only.The economy of contemporary India is a great paradox. It is a strange combination of outstanding achievements as well as grave failures. Since independence, India has achieved remarkable progress in overcoming its economic backwardness. From being a very poor country in the 1950s and a ‘basket case’ in the mid 1960s, it has emerged as the fourth largest economy in the world (in terms of purchasing power parity). Our economy has become one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Now the country is one of the leading players in the world knowledge economy with vast intellectual capital and booming software and information technology services. While our country has joined the league of the world’s top five fastest growing economies, we are in the bottom 20 among all countries in terms of the Human Development Index. While the country is celebrating its growth rate and technological wonders, it is witnessing social contradictions and the paradox and ironies of development. Thus, there are ‘two Indias’ in contemporary India.

1. Why is the Indian economy considered ‘a great paradox’?

(a) It is a leading player in information technology services with low levels of
literacy.

(b) There is poverty amidst plenty in agricultural produce.

(c) It is one of the largest economies with low human development.

(d) It has scientific achievements with social contradictions.

2. Why is India being referred to as a leading player in the world knowledge economy?

(a) India’s knowledge base in science and technology is one of the world’s best.

(b) India has huge reserves of human intellectual capitals and information technology services.

(c) India is among the World’s five fastest growing economics and technology reserves.

(d) India has a huge reservoir of human capital and scientific knowledge export potential.

3. What does the author imply by the phrase ‘two Indias’ ?

(a) There is the India that has vast intellectual capital and the other that is largely
illiterate.

(b) There is the India of burgeoning growth and the India of widespread want and
misery.

(c) There is the India of progressive mindsets and the other who are socially
conservative.

(d) There is an India of outstanding achievements combined with gigantic failures.

4. Consider the following statement and also the conclusions. Answer the question that follows:Statement : Education is in the Concurrent List. The State government cannot bring reforms in education without the consent of Central Government.

Conclusion I : For bringing about quick reforms in education, it should be in the State List .

Conclusion II: States are not willing to bring about quick reforms in Education.

Which one of the following is correct?

(a) Conclusion -I only follows from the statement.

(b) Conclusion -II only follows from the statement.

(c) Both conclusions I & II follow from the statement

(d) Neither conclusion I nor conclusion II follow from the statement

5. Five persons P, Q, R, S, T are sitting in a row. Q is between P and T. To find who among them is in the middle, which of the information given in the following statements is/are sufficient?

1. P is left of Q and right of S.

2. R is at the right end.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Either 1 or 2

(d) Both 1 and 2

6. Which one among V2 , , V6 , is the smallest one?

7. The following pie charts show that a man spends 10% on clothes, 20% on rent, 30% on food and rest on miscellaneous items in the month of January and spends 15% on clothes, 25% on rent, 35% on food and rest on miscellaneous items in the month of February.

Consider the following statements:

1. The money spent on food over rent in the month of January is same as the
money spent on food over rent in the month of February.

2. The money spent on rent over clothes is same as money spent on food over
rent in the month of January.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Note:The following question would be in English Language only to test
English Language Comprehension.

8. Whenever I had occasion to indulge in these surreptitious feasts, dinner at home was out of question. My mother would naturally ask me to come and take my food and want to know the reason why I did not wish to eat. I would say to her, ‘I have no appetite today; there is something wrong with my digestion.’ It was not without compunction that I devised these pretexts. I knew I was lying, and lying to my mother. l also knew that, if my mother and father came to know of my having become a meat- eater, they would be deeply shocked. This knowledge was gnawing at my heart.

Why did the author devise some pretexts not without compunction ?

(a) He wanted to keep away from home some times.

(b) Surreptitious feasts thrilled him.

(c) Dinners outside were better than at home.

(d) He wanted to eat meat

CSAT Papers

The new format of the civil services examination is yet to get into practice, but been planned to hit the road from the year 2011 onwards under the category of ‘Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT).’

According to the new scheme, the candidates would be facing an aptitude test in the place of ‘General Studies’ and ‘Optional Subjects’ question pattern that were conducted under the plan called as the ‘Preliminary examination.’ The Union Public Service Commission has been established under the ‘Article 315’ of the Constitution of India for coordinating the effective functioning of the All India Services, common to both the states and the unions.

It is also responsible for conducting the All India Civil Services examinations for appropriate admissions to the civil services, such as Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Forest Service (IFS) and to other government related jobs, which could be grouped under Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ categories