title: CSAT: comprehension, reasoning, basic numeracy module_id: csat
CSAT: comprehension, reasoning, basic numeracy¶
Counts for 11 exams in this list — UPSC civil services and nine state PSC civil services (see the overlap map). Prepare it once.
What it covers¶
The UPSC-pattern prelims aptitude paper (Paper II / CSAT), which the state PSCs below copy:
- Reading comprehension
- Interpersonal skills, including communication skills
- Logical reasoning and analytical ability
- Decision making and problem solving
- General mental ability
- Basic numeracy (Class 10 level) and data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency)
Depth by exam family¶
| Family | What the exam rewards |
|---|---|
| UPSC CSE and IFoS | Prelims Paper II: qualifying (33% to stay in the race); it screens, it adds nothing to merit |
| UPPSC PCS | Prelims General Studies II (CSAT): qualifying at 33% |
| Other state PSCs (APSC, CGPSC, HPSC, KPSC, MPPSC, MPSC, OPSC, UKPSC) | A qualifying aptitude/CSAT paper on the same UPSC pattern; paper number, marks and qualifying rule vary — confirm in each year's notification |
Where it counts¶
Official syllabi¶
- UPSC examinations (notification syllabus, previous papers): https://upsc.gov.in
- UPPSC post-wise syllabus downloads: https://uppsc.up.nic.in/CandidatePages/Syllabus/Syllabus_PostWise.aspx?ID=4
- MPSC syllabus of examination: https://mpsc.gov.in/examination_syllabus/18
- MPPSC syllabus and scheme (via homepage sections): https://mppsc.mp.gov.in
Free resources¶
- NCERT Mathematics textbooks, Class 8–10 (the base of basic numeracy): https://ncert.nic.in/textbook.php
- UPPSC previous-year papers, including Combined State/Upper Subordinate Services: https://uppsc.up.nic.in/OuterPages/PreQuesPapers.aspx?ID=PrevQues
How to practise¶
CSAT is qualifying but eliminates many: solve one timed official previous paper a week and track accuracy per topic (comprehension, reasoning, numeracy). Speed comes after accuracy.