UPSC CSAT Assessment Test: 30 Questions, 30 Minutes (Medium Level)

About the UPSC CSAT Assessment Test

The UPSC CSAT Assessment Test on Aptitude360 is a free, medium-level mock of 30 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 30 minutes. Each correct answer earns +2.5 and each wrong answer costs −0.83. This follows the one-third negative marking basis given in the UPSC CSE notice. Every question has four options, the test is in English, and the difficulty is pitched at typical real-paper level.

Test pattern and marking

• Comprehension: 10 questions, 10 minutes, +2.5 for a correct answer, −0.83 for a wrong answer
• Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability: 10 questions, 10 minutes, +2.5 for a correct answer, −0.83 for a wrong answer
• Basic Numeracy and Data Interpretation: 10 questions, 10 minutes, +2.5 for a correct answer, −0.83 for a wrong answer

On Aptitude360 each section has its own timer as a pacing aid, and the section times add up to 30 minutes. The real UPSC CSAT has no sectional time limit, so these section times are only a suggested pace.

Topics covered

Comprehension contains 10 reading comprehension questions.

Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability has one question each on syllogism, blood relations, seating arrangement, direction sense, coding-decoding, series, statement and assumptions, calendar and clock, order and ranking, and dice and cube.

Basic Numeracy and Data Interpretation opens with three data interpretation questions. It then has one question each on number system, percentage, average, time, speed and distance, time and work, probability, and arithmetic word problems.

Every question shows its question type in square brackets at the top, for example [Puzzle / Seating Arrangement], [Reading Comprehension], [Data Interpretation] and [Syllogism], so you can see which part of the real exam pattern each question follows.

Key formulas to revise

• Percentage change (N = new value, O = old value): \( \dfrac{N - O}{O} \times 100 \)
• Average of n values with sum S: \( A = \dfrac{S}{n} \)
• Speed, distance and time: \( S = \dfrac{D}{T} \)
• Two workers who take a and b days alone finish together in: \( \dfrac{ab}{a + b} \) days
• Probability with equally likely outcomes (m favourable out of n): \( P = \dfrac{m}{n} \)

Who should take this test

This test suits UPSC Civil Services aspirants who want a quick, timed check of their CSAT readiness across all three areas. It is also useful for anyone who wants to practise accuracy under the one-third negative marking scheme before attempting longer mocks.

How to use the solutions

Every question in this test comes with the correct answer and a short worked solution. After you submit, go through the solutions for this test question by question. Note the topics where you guessed or lost marks, and revisit those topics before your next attempt on Aptitude360.