UPSC CSAT Practice Paper with Solutions (Paper 2)

This UPSC CSAT practice paper with solutions helps you check your speed and accuracy in Paper 2 of the Civil Services Prelims. It has 13 questions on basic maths, logical reasoning, data interpretation and reading comprehension. Every question is solved step by step, so you can learn the shortcut and not only the answer.

About the CSAT Paper

CSAT is a qualifying paper. It has 80 questions for 200 marks, each question carries 2.5 marks, the time allowed is 2 hours and one-third of the marks are deducted for every wrong answer. You need at least 33 percent (66 marks) to qualify. The marks of CSAT are not added to your Prelims merit, but if you fail to qualify, your General Studies paper will not be considered. So treat it seriously, but do not fear it. The mathematics is of Class 10 level.

Instructions

• Total questions: 13. Suggested time: 20 minutes.
• Solve with a pencil and a rough sheet. Do not use a calculator.
• Mark the questions you found tricky and check their solutions carefully.

Practice Questions

Q1. Find the next number in the series: 3, 7, 15, 31, 63, ?
(a) 95
(b) 111
(c) 127
(d) 131

Q2. What is 15 percent of 240?
(a) 24
(b) 30
(c) 36
(d) 45

Q3. A can finish a work in 10 days and B can finish it in 15 days. In how many days will they finish it working together?
(a) 5 days
(b) 6 days
(c) 8 days
(d) 12 days

Q4. The average of five numbers is 24. If one number, 36, is removed, what is the average of the remaining four numbers?
(a) 18
(b) 20
(c) 21
(d) 22

Q5. A train 120 metres long crosses a pole in 6 seconds. What is its speed in km/h?
(a) 54 km/h
(b) 60 km/h
(c) 72 km/h
(d) 84 km/h

Q6. Rs 900 is divided between two people in the ratio 4 : 5. What is the smaller share?
(a) Rs 350
(b) Rs 400
(c) Rs 450
(d) Rs 500

Q7. An article is bought for Rs 500 and sold for Rs 600. What is the profit percentage?
(a) 10 percent
(b) 15 percent
(c) 20 percent
(d) 25 percent

Q8. A is the sister of B. C is the mother of B. D is the father of C. How is A related to D?
(a) Daughter
(b) Granddaughter
(c) Niece
(d) Sister

Q9. Rohan walks 6 km east, then turns left and walks 8 km. How far is he from the starting point?
(a) 8 km
(b) 10 km
(c) 12 km
(d) 14 km

Q10. Statements: All pens are pencils. All pencils are erasers. Conclusions: I. All pens are erasers. II. All erasers are pens. Which is correct?
(a) Only conclusion I follows
(b) Only conclusion II follows
(c) Both follow
(d) Neither follows

Q11. If MANGO is written as NBOHP in a certain code, how is APPLE written in the same code?
(a) BQQMF
(b) BPQMF
(c) CQQNF
(d) AQQMF

Q12. The monthly sales of a shop in four months were Rs 200, Rs 250, Rs 300 and Rs 350 (in hundreds). What is the average monthly sale?
(a) Rs 250
(b) Rs 275
(c) Rs 300
(d) Rs 325

Q13. Passage: "Plastic waste is not only a problem of garbage on land. Tiny pieces of plastic enter rivers and oceans, are eaten by fish and finally return to humans through food. Therefore, reducing plastic use at the source is more effective than only cleaning up." Which conclusion is most logical?
(a) Cleaning up plastic is useless
(b) Reducing plastic at the source is important
(c) People should stop eating fish
(d) Rivers are not affected by plastic

Answers with Step-by-Step Solutions

1. Q1: (c) Each number is double the previous one plus 1: 63 x 2 + 1 = 127.
2. Q2: (c) 15 percent of 240 = 240 x 15 / 100 = 36.
3. Q3: (b) A does 1/10 and B does 1/15 of the work in a day. Together: 1/10 + 1/15 = 1/6, so the work is done in 6 days.
4. Q4: (c) Total of five numbers = 24 x 5 = 120. After removing 36, the total is 84. The average is 84 / 4 = 21.
5. Q5: (c) Speed = 120 / 6 = 20 m/s. To convert to km/h multiply by 18/5: 20 x 18/5 = 72 km/h.
6. Q6: (b) Total ratio parts = 9. One part = 900 / 9 = 100. The smaller share = 4 x 100 = Rs 400.
7. Q7: (c) Profit = 100. Profit percentage = 100 / 500 x 100 = 20 percent.
8. Q8: (b) D is the father of C, and C is the mother of A and B. So A is the daughter of D's daughter C, that is, D's granddaughter.
9. Q9: (b) Turning left from east means going north. The two paths form a right-angled triangle with sides 6 and 8, so the distance is the hypotenuse: 10 km.
10. Q10: (a) Pens are inside pencils and pencils are inside erasers, so all pens are erasers. But not all erasers need to be pens.
11. Q11: (a) Each letter is moved one step forward: A to B, P to Q, P to Q, L to M, E to F, giving BQQMF.
12. Q12: (b) Total = 200 + 250 + 300 + 350 = 1100. Average = 1100 / 4 = 275 (in hundreds).
13. Q13: (b) The passage clearly supports reducing plastic at the source. The other options are extreme or not stated.

Formulas Used in This Paper

• Percentage: X percent of Y = X x Y / 100.
• Time and work: add the work done by each person in one day.
• Average: total divided by the number of items.
• Speed conversion: metres per second to km/h, multiply by 18/5.
• Profit percentage: (profit / cost price) x 100.
• Right triangle: hypotenuse squared = base squared + height squared.

How to Improve Your CSAT Score

1. Revise basic maths. Learn tables up to 20, squares up to 30 and common fraction-percentage conversions such as 1/8 = 12.5 percent.
2. Practise comprehension daily. Read one editorial and note its central idea in one line.
3. Learn reasoning patterns. Syllogism, blood relations, directions and coding-decoding follow fixed methods.
4. Take timed tests. Solve 20 questions in 20 minutes and then analyse the mistakes.
5. Do not neglect English passages. Most students can score well here with careful reading.

Types of Questions You Will See in CSAT

CSAT questions can be grouped into four families. Comprehension questions test whether you can understand an author's message and avoid your own opinions. Basic numeracy questions test simple calculations on percentages, ratios, averages and speed. Reasoning questions test clear thinking in series, relations, directions and logic. Data interpretation questions test how fast you can read a table or a graph and compute small values. Knowing the family of a question helps you choose the right method in seconds.

A Simple Daily Practice Routine

• 20 minutes: two comprehension passages, with the central idea written in one line.
• 20 minutes: ten maths and data questions with a timer.
• 15 minutes: five reasoning puzzles, such as syllogism, coding or series.
• 10 minutes: check mistakes and write them in your notebook.

Follow this routine for sixty days and you will see a clear improvement in both speed and accuracy.

Time Management Tips

In the real paper you have about 90 seconds for each question. Solve the comprehension passages first because they are usually less risky, then reasoning, and finally the maths and data interpretation. If a question needs more than two minutes, mark it and come back later. Aim to attempt 45 to 55 questions with high accuracy rather than all 80 with many guesses.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Leaving CSAT preparation for the last month.
• Guessing blindly without removing any options.
• Reading passages with your own opinion instead of the author's view.
• Not checking the mistakes after each practice test.

Practise a small set like this daily, keep a mistake notebook and take a full mock every week. With calm practice, CSAT becomes an easy qualifying step on your journey to the Mains. Remember that you do not need a perfect score here, you only need to cross the qualifying line comfortably and then give your full energy to the General Studies paper. Stay regular, stay patient and trust the process.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the passing mark in UPSC CSAT?

You need at least 33 percent, that is 66 marks out of 200, in CSAT to qualify for the Mains. The marks are not counted in the Prelims merit list.

How many questions are there in the CSAT paper?

The CSAT paper has 80 multiple-choice questions, each carrying 2.5 marks, and the time allowed is 2 hours.

Is there negative marking in CSAT?

Yes. One-third of the marks of a question are deducted for every wrong answer, so avoid blind guessing.

What is the level of maths in CSAT?

The maths is of Class 10 level and includes numbers, percentages, ratio, average, time and work, speed and distance, profit and loss, and basic geometry.

How can I improve my CSAT comprehension score?

Read editorials daily, mark the main idea of each paragraph, avoid extreme options and practise previous year passages with a timer.

How many CSAT questions should I attempt?

Most aspirants aim for around 45 to 55 questions with high accuracy. Choose questions you are sure about and skip very time-consuming ones.

How many days are needed to prepare for CSAT?

A beginner can prepare in around two to three months with daily practice and weekly mock tests. Students who are strong in maths and English may need less time.