When you
Content
“When you're prepared, you're more confident. When you have a strategy, you're more comfortable.”
STRATEGY FOR CSAT - PRELIMS EXAM One should always keep in mind that Prelims is the toughest part in the whole process of Civil Services Preparation. This is so because you need to memorize a lot of information with the pressure of negative marking system.
General Studies - CSAT Paper 1
The preparation for General Studies is in fact a tiresome process. The syllabus of GS is like ocean. We have herein prioritized the topics for General Studies based on our analysis and latest trends. 1. Current Affairs. 2. Indian history and Indian Polity. 3. Social-Sector development 4. Science and Technology + Environmental issues 5. Geography. 6. Miscellaneous General Knowledge
ØFirstly Current of the questions tedious job to memorize it. But
Affairs is very vital as nowadays almost 1/3rd are being asked from this section. It is really a keep a track of current developments and one has to do that.
ØSecondly as far as Indian History is concerned nowadays the maximum emphasis is on Modern India. (Specifically 18571947, 1947-2000) There have been only few [or even in some papers there were no questions at all] questions from Medieval India and Ancient India. However we don’t advise you to skip these portions. What we wish to emphasis is that give weightage to modern India. In Indian polity try to correlate various articles and provisions and constitutional amendments. It is in fact very difficult to remember these. At least one should have a broad idea of eliminating the options. Ø Thirdly Social-Sector development. It is almost similar to Paper 2 of Sociology optional paper which is basically on issues in Indian Society. The syllabus readsEconomic and social development – sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, demographics, social sector initiatives etc. Now it is no more pure traditional
economics. It’s socio-economic. Under this the following are the major focus areas:
Human Development Poverty Inclusive Growth Health sector Universalization of Education Unemployment Demographics Gender Development issues Child & Labour welfare Social Security initiatives Population issues Rural Development Urban Development
ØFourthly be applicative in Science and Technology. For example every one of us read newspapers daily. In The Hindu for instance we find at the bottom something written CMYK in different colours. Most of us never bother to know what it is. You may wonder, in Prelims- 2006 there was a question related to CMYK. Similarly whenever we take any branded Curd like Nestle Dahi we never bother to see what is written there on the pack. It is written over that it contains probiotics. For your kind information there was a question related to Probiotics in Prelims 2008. Be scientifically aware of what is around you. Have a clear understanding of basic facts and study in relation to application aspects and current relevance. ØFifthly When you prepare Geography be clear in basic concepts. Try to understand the chapter on Universe along with basic facts like albedo value of planets, their distances from the sun etc. Give emphasis on Indian Geography. However more emphasis may be on geographical issues related to current developments. For example a question in Prelims 2010 related to El-Nino Modoki. The phenomenon of El-Nino Modoki was a recent discovery in July 2009 which is not found in any standard geography text books.
ØSixthly focus on Miscellaneous General Knowledge like Noble Prizes.
Aptitude - CSAT Paper 2
One should remember that "Aptitude is nothing but playing with alphabet and numerical". Every aptitude question has got some hidden pattern in it. If you crack the hidden pattern then it becomes easy to crack the aptitude questions. Cracking the hidden pattern needs good reasoning ability. Good command over the reasoning ability brings with it the required speed and accuracy. 1. Maths section
What is aptitude?
Example 1 - For example if you need to find the value of square of 85, you should not take your pen and pencil. You should immediately tell it is 7225. (i.e) Identify and be conversant with the pattern in it. In this case observe clearly that
5 x 5 = 25; 8 x 9 = 72. So square of 85 = 7225.
Example 2 - To solve -> BC X BC = ADB.
We gave this problem to our students. They all tried every possibility and even after 7 minutes except a few (even this few had found out answers using lengthy procedures), others could not solve it. Observe the inherent pattern in it.
In the tenth place we have "B" [ BC X BC]. Again in the answer side we have "B" in the unit place. It can happen only when C=9 and B = 1. For finding "B" OBSERVE IF B is 2 then 29x 29 does not fit into the answer as given. If B is 3 then 39x39 crosses three digits.[Note: For this don't multiply 29x 29 and 39x39; just do some mental calculations you will understand. If you multiply then you will lose about 2 minutes.] So "B" must be 1 and nothing more or nothing less. Once you crack this pattern, then it is easy. The answer is 19 x 19 = 361. [Rememeber you need to crack this pattern within a matter of less than 35 seconds].
One more important suggestion is please don't go by formula method. Memorizing the formula will hinder your thought process. If you know formula what happen most often is you try to
fit the problem in to the formula. You fail to apply the mind and thinking process. It eats your time. If you are really serious about clearing CSAT Paper go by logic, shortcut, strategy and tactics and not by formula.
In the examination hall after deducting time for shading and understanding the question, you will be hardly left with 35 seconds for a question. Within that 35 seconds you need to solve the problem, that too correctly. This requires that You need to:*Be well versed with the identification of patterns. *Sharpen your skills. *Learn tactics, shortcuts and ensure timing sense. *Have an ample amount of Practice and exposure to variety of questions that can be asked. One should always keep in mind that it is not always possible (even not essential) to solve a problem. You can and you must do some logical guessing and elimination and back calculations to arrive at an answer. All these actions require a sound base in the concepts. The one stop solution to perform well in aptitude tests is "Be cunning with numbers and alphabets". Rest will follow. 2. English section Even in case of English section similar patterns and relations exist. One need to understand and be good at cracking the English section with a good command over the basic rules of grammar and a mastery over vocabulary. Before one week of Prelims- Exam don’t try to study anything new. Be relaxed but focused on revision. Don’t do night study before the day of exam. While answering the questions be careful not to answer a question which is very much blind to you as it may cost your final score. However you can take some calculated risks in case of logical guess and answers which you know with more than 60% confidence level.
PRACTICE MAKES A MAN PERFECT. One can always take the guidance of reputed coaching institutes like www.crackingIAS.com to come out with flying colors.
GOOD LUCK!
STRATEGY FOR CSAT - PRELIMS EXAM One should always keep in mind that Prelims is the toughest part in the whole process of Civil Services Preparation. This is so because you need to memorize a lot of information with the pressure of negative marking system.
General Studies - CSAT Paper 1
The preparation for General Studies is in fact a tiresome process. The syllabus of GS is like ocean. We have herein prioritized the topics for General Studies based on our analysis and latest trends. 1. Current Affairs. 2. Indian history and Indian Polity. 3. Social-Sector development 4. Science and Technology + Environmental issues 5. Geography. 6. Miscellaneous General Knowledge
ØFirstly Current of the questions tedious job to memorize it. But
Affairs is very vital as nowadays almost 1/3rd are being asked from this section. It is really a keep a track of current developments and one has to do that.
ØSecondly as far as Indian History is concerned nowadays the maximum emphasis is on Modern India. (Specifically 18571947, 1947-2000) There have been only few [or even in some papers there were no questions at all] questions from Medieval India and Ancient India. However we don’t advise you to skip these portions. What we wish to emphasis is that give weightage to modern India. In Indian polity try to correlate various articles and provisions and constitutional amendments. It is in fact very difficult to remember these. At least one should have a broad idea of eliminating the options. Ø Thirdly Social-Sector development. It is almost similar to Paper 2 of Sociology optional paper which is basically on issues in Indian Society. The syllabus readsEconomic and social development – sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, demographics, social sector initiatives etc. Now it is no more pure traditional
economics. It’s socio-economic. Under this the following are the major focus areas:
Human Development Poverty Inclusive Growth Health sector Universalization of Education Unemployment Demographics Gender Development issues Child & Labour welfare Social Security initiatives Population issues Rural Development Urban Development
ØFourthly be applicative in Science and Technology. For example every one of us read newspapers daily. In The Hindu for instance we find at the bottom something written CMYK in different colours. Most of us never bother to know what it is. You may wonder, in Prelims- 2006 there was a question related to CMYK. Similarly whenever we take any branded Curd like Nestle Dahi we never bother to see what is written there on the pack. It is written over that it contains probiotics. For your kind information there was a question related to Probiotics in Prelims 2008. Be scientifically aware of what is around you. Have a clear understanding of basic facts and study in relation to application aspects and current relevance. ØFifthly When you prepare Geography be clear in basic concepts. Try to understand the chapter on Universe along with basic facts like albedo value of planets, their distances from the sun etc. Give emphasis on Indian Geography. However more emphasis may be on geographical issues related to current developments. For example a question in Prelims 2010 related to El-Nino Modoki. The phenomenon of El-Nino Modoki was a recent discovery in July 2009 which is not found in any standard geography text books.
ØSixthly focus on Miscellaneous General Knowledge like Noble Prizes.
Aptitude - CSAT Paper 2
One should remember that "Aptitude is nothing but playing with alphabet and numerical". Every aptitude question has got some hidden pattern in it. If you crack the hidden pattern then it becomes easy to crack the aptitude questions. Cracking the hidden pattern needs good reasoning ability. Good command over the reasoning ability brings with it the required speed and accuracy. 1. Maths section
What is aptitude?
Example 1 - For example if you need to find the value of square of 85, you should not take your pen and pencil. You should immediately tell it is 7225. (i.e) Identify and be conversant with the pattern in it. In this case observe clearly that
5 x 5 = 25; 8 x 9 = 72. So square of 85 = 7225.
Example 2 - To solve -> BC X BC = ADB.
We gave this problem to our students. They all tried every possibility and even after 7 minutes except a few (even this few had found out answers using lengthy procedures), others could not solve it. Observe the inherent pattern in it.
In the tenth place we have "B" [ BC X BC]. Again in the answer side we have "B" in the unit place. It can happen only when C=9 and B = 1. For finding "B" OBSERVE IF B is 2 then 29x 29 does not fit into the answer as given. If B is 3 then 39x39 crosses three digits.[Note: For this don't multiply 29x 29 and 39x39; just do some mental calculations you will understand. If you multiply then you will lose about 2 minutes.] So "B" must be 1 and nothing more or nothing less. Once you crack this pattern, then it is easy. The answer is 19 x 19 = 361. [Rememeber you need to crack this pattern within a matter of less than 35 seconds].
One more important suggestion is please don't go by formula method. Memorizing the formula will hinder your thought process. If you know formula what happen most often is you try to
fit the problem in to the formula. You fail to apply the mind and thinking process. It eats your time. If you are really serious about clearing CSAT Paper go by logic, shortcut, strategy and tactics and not by formula.
In the examination hall after deducting time for shading and understanding the question, you will be hardly left with 35 seconds for a question. Within that 35 seconds you need to solve the problem, that too correctly. This requires that You need to:*Be well versed with the identification of patterns. *Sharpen your skills. *Learn tactics, shortcuts and ensure timing sense. *Have an ample amount of Practice and exposure to variety of questions that can be asked. One should always keep in mind that it is not always possible (even not essential) to solve a problem. You can and you must do some logical guessing and elimination and back calculations to arrive at an answer. All these actions require a sound base in the concepts. The one stop solution to perform well in aptitude tests is "Be cunning with numbers and alphabets". Rest will follow. 2. English section Even in case of English section similar patterns and relations exist. One need to understand and be good at cracking the English section with a good command over the basic rules of grammar and a mastery over vocabulary. Before one week of Prelims- Exam don’t try to study anything new. Be relaxed but focused on revision. Don’t do night study before the day of exam. While answering the questions be careful not to answer a question which is very much blind to you as it may cost your final score. However you can take some calculated risks in case of logical guess and answers which you know with more than 60% confidence level.
PRACTICE MAKES A MAN PERFECT. One can always take the guidance of reputed coaching institutes like www.crackingIAS.com to come out with flying colors.
GOOD LUCK!
