Comprehending CSAT: The First Round in the Civil Service Examination Marathon
The Indian civil service examination is a year round affair and is undoubtedly the most rigorous and competitive examination in the world. The examination procedure is divided into three phases the first being the CSAT exam; its qualifying test (May/June), the second level being the Civil Services Mains Exam, held sometime around October/November, and the last phase is the personal interview held in April/May.
The first step is to crack the CSAT (Civil Service Aptitude Test) to qualify for the main examination. The success rate in CSAT is expected to be below 0.1% (3, 00,000 aspirants may appear and only about 11,000 will be successful). The CSAT is a major overhaul of the previous Civil Services Preliminary Exam. CSAT 2011 is designed to test aspirants' logical and analytical skills in addition to the always tested 'general awareness'. As per the new pattern, the first paper will be general studies which shall include current events, Indian history, geography, polity, economic and social development, general issues on environmental ecology, biodiversity and climate change not requiring subject specialization - and general science, while the second paper will be aptitude test which will include aptitude skills including comprehension, interpersonal skills, logical reasoning, decision making and problem solving, general mental ability, basic numeracy and English language comprehension skills of class 10th level. Both the papers will be of 200 marks. CSAT Model Papers can be of great help in understanding the paper pattern and setting down your game plan. You can decide on a particular order of attempting the paper too, the one you are most comfortable with.
Civil service preparation is often undertaken with many a diligent effort and often involves professional coaching. Apart from taking up coaching and solving model test papers, it is also recommended to read journals such as CSR, Frontline and Yojana, books like Indian Year Book and Manorma apart from reading newspapers - The Hindu being the widely read for Civil Services preparation. There is a lot of study material available online for free as well as at a relatively affordable price. NCERT books also provide a lot of fundamentals to help you strengthen out your basics. Current affairs also need a lot of attention as civil servants are expected to have basic understanding about the provisions and problems plaguing the society..
The examination requires good strategy, lot of tactics and excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. The long hours of preparation, the self-belief and the well-thought out strategy will definitely see any aspirant successful. Once qualified, the aspirants secure a position in the highly sought after and prestigious Indian Administrative Services, Indian Foreign Services, Indian Revenue Services and will enjoy the fruits of success for life. The stakes are high, the exertions are immense, but the taste of success compensates manifold for the perspiration. So with diligent planning and exhaustive study material, get ready for the one exam that matters. Happy preparation!
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UPSC CSAT Civil Services Aptitude Test 2011(IAS Preliminary Exam) - Check for CSAT Study Material,CSAT Model Papers Civil Service Aptitude Test, CSAT Practice Tests, CSAT 2011 CSAT Model Papers, CSAT Test Series
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