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UPSC CSAT Marks Calculation

18th April, 2023 Prelims

UPSC CSAT Marks Calculation

The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of the most prestigious exams in India, and cracking it requires a thorough understanding of the exam pattern and scoring system. The Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) is a crucial component of the CSE, and it is essential for aspirants to have a clear understanding of how the marks for this paper are calculated as recommended by the UPSC CSE coaching in Kolkata (click here).

In this blog, we will discuss the various aspects of UPSC CSAT marks calculation in detail.

Overview of UPSC CSAT Paper

The Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) is the second paper in the UPSC Preliminary Examination, and it is conducted in two sessions of two hours each as suggested by the civil services exam coaching in Kolkata (click here). The CSAT paper consists of 80 objective-type questions, each carrying 2.5 marks, and it is designed to test the candidate's aptitude and analytical skills. The paper is divided into two sections, namely, General Studies and Aptitude.

Section 1: General Studies

The General Studies section of the CSAT paper consists of 40 questions, each carrying 2.5 marks, and it covers a wide range of topics, including Indian history, polity, geography, economics, and current affairs as suggested by the UPSC CSE coaching in Kolkata (click here). This section is designed to test the candidate's knowledge and understanding of various aspects of Indian society and polity.

Section 2: Aptitude

The Aptitude section of the CSAT paper also consists of 40 questions, each carrying 2.5 marks. This section is designed to test the candidate's aptitude and analytical skills, including comprehension, logical reasoning, data interpretation, and decision-making as suggested by the civil services exam coaching in Kolkata (click here).

UPSC CSAT Marks Calculation

CSAT or Paper II consists of 80 questions. Each question carries 2.5 months, and for each wrong answer, 0.83 marks are deducted.

Now let’s Start with Calculating your CSAT score.

  • Step 1: First of all, match your answers with the Answer Keys. You can easily find it on several websites after the UPSC CSE prelim exam.
  • Step 2: Check out the number of questions you have marked correct, and also the number of questions you have marked wrong.
  • Step 3: Now, multiply the number of questions attempted correctly by 2.5.
  • Step 4: Multiply the number of questions attempted wrong with 0.83.
  • Step 5: Finally, deduct the total marks of wrong answers from the total of correct answers. And here you have the result of your CSAT paper.

Example

Sounds confusing? Then let me simplify it with the help of an example.

Suppose, the number of questions attempted is 80.

The number of Correct questions is 60 and the Wrong answers are 20.

Now, the Total marks of correct Answers are 60*2.5= 150 And, wrong answers Total is 20*0.83= 16.6 Finally, the CSAT score is 150-16.6= 133.4.

The UPSC CSAT paper is evaluated out of a total of 200 marks, with each question carrying 2.5 marks.

 

According to APTI PLUS, the best civil services exam coaching in Kolkata (click here), the marks obtained in this paper are added to the marks obtained in the General Studies paper to determine the candidate's score in the Preliminary Examination.

Once the marks for both the General Studies and CSAT papers are calculated, they are added to determine the candidate's score in the Preliminary Examination as suggested by the UPSC CSE coaching in Kolkata (click here).

The total marks of the CSAT paper are 200 and candidates need to score at least 33% marks to qualify for the next stage of the examination. However, it is important to note that the marks of the CSAT paper are not added in the final merit list. They are only considered for qualifying purposes as suggested by the civil services exam coaching in Kolkata (click here).

While the UPSC provides an answer key for both papers, candidates often have doubts regarding their answers. In such cases, they can challenge the answer key within a specified period of time. If their challenge is accepted by the UPSC, they are awarded the marks for the correct answer as recommended by the UPSC CSE coaching in Kolkata (click here).

How to prepare for UPSC CSAT:

Preparing for UPSC CSAT requires a systematic approach and thorough planning. Here are some tips to help you prepare for the CSAT exam:

  • Understand the exam pattern and syllabus: The first step is to understand the exam pattern and syllabus of the UPSC CSAT exam. This will help you to identify the topics you need to focus on.
  • Develop a study plan: Develop a study plan that covers all the topics in the syllabus. Assign time slots for each topic and stick to the plan.
  • Read newspapers and magazines: Read newspapers and magazines to stay updated on current affairs. This will help you with the comprehension and reasoning sections of the CSAT paper.
  • Solve previous years' papers: Solving previous years' papers will give you an idea of the type of questions asked in the exam and also help you in time management.
  • Take mock tests: Taking mock tests will help you to assess your preparation level and identify your weak areas. This will enable you to work on improving those areas.
  • Improve your vocabulary: Improving your vocabulary will help you with the comprehension and verbal ability sections of the CSAT paper. Read books, newspapers, and magazines to enhance your vocabulary.
  • Practice mental ability and reasoning: Practice mental ability and reasoning questions to improve your speed and accuracy.
  • Stay calm and focused: Stay calm and focused during the exam. Avoid panic and keep a positive attitude.

 

It is also important for candidates to manage their time effectively during the CSAT paper. According to APTI PLUS, the best civil services exam coaching in Kolkata (click here), they should try to attempt all the questions within the allotted time and avoid spending too much time on any one question. Candidates should also ensure that they read the questions carefully and understand what is being asked before attempting to answer them.

In conclusion, the CSAT paper is an important part of the UPSC examination and candidates should prepare for it with equal importance as the General Studies paper. According to APTI PLUS, the best UPSC CSE coaching in Kolkata (click here), understanding the marking scheme and calculation of marks can help candidates to strategize their preparation and attempt the paper in a more effective manner.