[analysis] csat paper i (general studies) 2012 « mrunal

8/7/13 [Analysis] CSAT Paper I (General Studies) 2012 Mrunal

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[Analysis] CSAT Paper I (General Studies) 2012

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Overall Breakup

History

Polity

Environment & Biodiversity (enb)

Geography

Economy

Science & Technology (S&T)

Yearbook stuff

Current Affairs vs Static

4TF type of question

Authentic Answerkeys! (lolz)

Make your own answerkey

Why Cut-offs talk is useless

Start preparing for mains

Was the CSAT-paper Tough?

Conclusion

Overall Breakup

In order to see the big picture, We must compare this data with the GS-papers of last two years. See how the topicwise-breakup hasevolved.

Markwise Breakup (From 2010 to 2012)

Note1: column will not add to 100, because Ive not counted the international affairs etc. questions from 2011s exam. Howeverthe total questions were 100.Note2: in 2010, GS paper had 150 questions, including Aptitude. Therefore column will not add to 100. Secondly, in 2010 theydid not have separate EnB section.

This Situation calls for % table.

%wise Breakup (From 2010 to 2012)

For 2011 and 2012, the data will remain same (Because total 100 Questions) but for 2010, Im converting marks into approximatepercentages using 150 as total.

Charts and graphs

HOMEHOME ANALYSISANALYSIS MAY 21ST, 2012MAY 21ST, 2012 92 COMMENTS92 COMMENTS



Data interpretation

History has doubled in its importance from 2010 to 2012. Any sort of predictability helps the coaching classes and seniorplayers, and UPSC hates both of them. Most of us would have thought: history will decrease and S&T will remain steady. So,UPSC does the reverse. Besides, it is my personal opinion, this year History + Polity given heavy emphasis to reverse theScience and Engineer graduates-friendly trends of last two years.Polity increased by more than double. 8% in 2011 and 18% in 2012. And curiously, as the number of questions increased, thedifficulty level of each question decreased!Geography remained steady 11% of the paper for last two years.Economy declined.Science and technology declined: almost halved: From 18% in 2011 to 9% in 2012! To make room for the increased number ofHistory and Polity QuestionsJust like Geography, the Yearbook stuff also remained: Steady 9% of the paper, for last two years.You can do more data interpretation on your own.

Remaining chart

Now time to take a look at individual subjects under General Studies paper.

1.History

A.Ancient and Medieval

1. Dhrupad, one of the major traditions of India that has been kept alive for centuries



2. Distinguish between Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam dances3. hand gesture called Bhumisparsha Mudra. It symbolizes4. religion of early Vedic Aryans was5. Sufi mystics were known to pursue which of the following practices6. guilds (Shreni) of ancient India that played a very important role7. scientific progress of ancient India8. common to both Buddhism and Jainism?9. Nagara, the Dravida and the Vesara

Questions Mostly related to religion and culture.They had asked about Jainism in 2011s paper as well.Thankfully, No dates, places or name of kings though.

Modern India (Freedom Struggle)

1. Ryotwari settlement2. Rowlatt act aimed at3. Contribution made by dadabhai naoroji4. Principal feature(s) of the government of india act, 19195. National social conference was formed. What was the reason for its formation?6. Parties were established by dr. B. R. Ambedkar7. Gandhi undertook fast unto death in 19328. Lahore session of the indian national congress (1929) is very important9. Regarding brahmo samaj

10. Things introduced into india by the english11. Congress ministries resigned in the seven provinces in 1939

Even with the lousiest half-hearted preparation, one could solve question number 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11 from reading NCERTs, GS Manualand Bipin Chandra.

Polity

1. Duty of the President of India to cause to be laid2. Deadlock between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha calls3. Importance of the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)4. Prime Minister of India, at the time of his/her appointment5. Delimitation Commission, consider the following statements :6. Distribution of powers between the Centre and the States7. Fundamental Duties of citizens8. Autonomy of the Supreme Court of India9. Special powers have been conferred on the Rajya Sabha

10. Recommendations of the Thirteenth Finance Commission11. Parliamentary control over public finance in India12. Provisions of the Constitution of India have a bearing on Education13. Adjournment motion14. Directive Principles of State Policy15. Union Territories are not represented in the Rajya Sabha.16. Office of the Lok Sabha Speaker17. Original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court18. Panchayat (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996

In my earlier article 100 Days 4 CSAT? I had given the preparation strategy and study plan for Indian Polity and If you hadthoroughly it, this Polity section was a walk in the park. Atleast 15 questions could be solved without any doubt.Most of these questions are so easy, seems like they framed them to insult the intelligence of a serious player!

update: Answerkey for Polity questions is given in this link (Click Me)

Environment & Biodiversity (enb)

1. National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) help2. National Green Tribunal Act,3. Biopesticides4. Biomass gasification5. Lead, ingested or inhaled, is a health hazard6. Chlorofluorocarbons, known as ozone-depleting substances7. Protected areas in India are local people not8. Pollinating agent/agents9. Carbon dioxide in the air is slowly raising the temperature

10. Acidification of oceans is increasing. Why



11. Category of endangered species12. Millennium Ecosystem Assessment13. Antelopes Oryx and Chiru14. Threats to the biodiversity of a geographical are15. Black-necked crane16. Carbon sequestration/storage in the soil17. Phytoplankton of an ocean is completely destroyed for some reason18. Vultures which used to be very common in Indian countryside19. Government of India encourages the cultivation of sea buckthorn20. Wetlands of India, consider the following statements21. Resistance to the introduction of Bt brinjal in India22. Prospects for which genetically engineered plants have been created23. Which of the above are Tiger

Q. 7 on protected area, was directly discussed in my EnB article: In-situ and Ex-situ conservation.Q. 18 on Vulture question had been directly discussed in my EnB article: Types of Species.Q.14 Threats to biodiversity: the alien species were also discussed in above article (under title Non-native species.)Seems UPSC is making a habit of asking location of some odd wildlife animal every year. (Oryx, Chiru and Crane this year.)Almost 1/4th of the paper (25%) is EnB, because environment must be protected and candidates must be forced to prepareheavily for Environment topic as if theyre going to actually implement everything they read in the books, into their real lives!One interesting thing: about the limits of current affairs, This Sea buckthorn initiative happened in 2010 (according to MoEFpublic notification) and UPSC has asked this in 2012.Anyways most of the questions- not really tough, provided that you had been following

1. The NOS study-material2. Science and Geography NCERTs3. The Hindu S&T4. Website of Ministry of Environment and Forest (www.moef.nic.in )5. General Studies Manual.6. My EnB series articles (vultures, Phytoplanktons)

Geography

1. Polestar2. Duration of the monsoon3. Characteristic climate of the Tropical Savannah Region4. Stages of demographic transition associated with economic5. Chief characteristic of mixed farming6. Crop that is used as pulse, fodder and green manure7. Factors influence the ocean currents8. Predominantly rainfed crop/crops9. Travel in Himalayas, you will see the following

10. Temperature decreases with the increase in11. Particular State in India has the following characteristics

Most of the it from

NCERT Geography books Class 7 to 12.+General Studies manual.Curiously Im not seeing anything from world geography except the Tropical Savannah climate. (Ocean Current falls underPhysical geography so not really a world geography question)

Economy

1. RBI acts as a bankers bank2. Capital gains arise3. Increase in the money supply in the economy4. Foreign Direct Investment in India5. Price of any currency in international market is decided by6. Lead bank scheme7. Why does India import millions of tonnes of coal8. Rare earth metals9. Policy initiative(s) of Government of India to promote

10. Index of Industrial Production, the Indices of Eight Core Industries

If you had been following my articles on Economy, this section was also a walk in the park!

Science & Technology (S&T)

1. Graphene



2. UV radiation in the water purification systems3. Stem cells4. Anti-matter (anti-helium nucleus)5. Evidences for the continued expansion of universe?6. Electrically charged particles from space7. Capillarity8. Advantage does thorium hold over uranium9. Elements was primarily responsible for the origin of life on the Earth

Graphene directly discussed in my Revision Note of Hindu S&T Part II.I forgot to write about water purifiers in the Odomos articleS&T reduced by half: in 2011, they asked 18 questions, this time only 9 but if you look it from a hilltop (combined with heavydoze of Reading comprehension in Paper II) may be UPSC thought since last two years, the Science and Engineering grads hadbeen getting more advantage, so let us for a change, make a room for the Arts and commerce graduates therefore increasedimportance to Polity +History this time and decreased importance of Science & tech.Besides, when you want to force everyone learn EnB and (assuming) that theyll implement climate saving habits in their real life,so how do you make a room? take the space out of Science and Tech distribute it among EnB, Polity and History.

Yearbook stuff

Im combining the rights issue, Empowerment and Government scheme in one category:

1. Jobs of ASHA, a trained community health worker?2. National Rural Livelihood Mission seek to improve livelihood options of rural poor3. Multi-dimensional Poverty Index developed by Oxford4. Social Security coverage under Employees State Insurance Scheme?5. Inclusive Governance6. Janani Suraksha Yojana Programme is7. DRDAs help in the reduction of rural poverty in India?8. National Water Mission9. Consumers rights/ privileges

ASHA worker was discussed in my Yearbook articleSeems UPSC is obsessed with National Rural Livelihood mission because in 2011 Mains GS Paper, they had asked about it.If you had been following India Yearbook and Economic Survey 2012, again most of the question could be solved with ease.

Current Affairs vs Static

Static = from routine books, theory stuff. Majority of the questions this time, are from the static portion.

Over last three years, UPSC has constantly reduced the importance of current affairs: my take, theyre doing it to give levelplaying field to small town & rural candidates, whore unable to purchase lots of newspapers, current-affairs magazines, internetfor following the current affairs.Indian Juntaa doesnt care for sportsmen (Except cricketers), Authors (except those Indian authors who can only write novelsabout adultery and sex), Dancers (Except those who can do item-song) or social activists (except those who get extensive mediacoverage).So over the years, UPSC was feeling sorry for the unknown celebrities and had been asking questions related to persons innews in preliminary exam to give them their due recognition.But finally UPSC has learned the lesson: There is no point in forcing candidates to mugup names of people in news, you cantmake someone love you by holding a gun on his face.

4TF type of question

4TF= four (or two) statements are given, and youre asked to identify the correct or incorrect statement.UPSC has increased the number of 4TF question in last two years.This time, There are approximately 20 normal question (i.e. pick up one from a/b/c/d, and remaining 80 questions are 4TF.4TF have their own advantages and disadvantages

Good: you can eliminate wrong answer choices and certain combinations.Bad: requires thorough grip over the topic.Bad: Time consuming because you have to re-read entire question multiple times to eliminate the wrong choices.Seems theyre trying to frame difficult questions from easy topics. using the 4TF technique.

Authentic Answerkeys! (lolz)

Authentic answerkey is an oxymoron just like Honest Politician.After prelims are over, everybody starts googling for answerkeys and cut-offs. So, in a haste to capture the audience (and toadvertise their mains classes and study packages), the coaching classes and certain websites release faulty answerkeys withoutdoing proper research and homework.UPSC gives you 2 hours to solve 100 questions in the exam hall, so If you manually check the reference book for each and everyquestion, it ought to take you no less than 4-5 hours at home. Besides for certain questions there is no reliable source / book /website to confirm the answer!Many candidates check their paper using multiple answerkeys and from whichever answerkey they get maximum score, they takeit as their official score and start worrying about the cut-offs!



Make your own answerkey

I suggest you look at each and every question individually and find its source.

For example, in this prelims, UPSC asked questions on green tribunal and 13th Finance Commission. If you solve these fromreadymade answerkeys, you will only know the four statements given in the question itself. But if you manually solve everyquestion, youll come across 10 more points related to the topic, which you can use as fodder material for mains exam andinterview. Who knows you might find some direct questions!Caution : donot merely type question phrases in Wikipedia, UPSC did not frame question after reading Wikipedia and Wikipediais not the authentic source. You should first refer the standard reference books to solve these questions and use Wikipedia onlyas last source.

Why Cut-offs talk is useless

As usual, I dont involve myself in cut-off prediction or speculation.If India won 2011s world cup by making 250 runs, does it mean India will win 2015s world cup by making 250 runs? Then whyare you trying extrapolate the RTI replies of previous cut-offs to speculate 2012s cut-offs! Each years exam is a separatething with separate difficulty and separate crowd.

Second, in the online forums and facebook communities, people post their score based on the answerkey which gives themmaximum marks! So you dont get a standard data in the first place.

Third, Mostly three types of people post their scores online:

A. those who performed exceptionally well.B. those who performed terribly bad. They just post unbelievable scores for sadistic pleasure. (particularly in orkut.)C. those who feel they are on border line based on their own cut-off speculation.

But even the combined number of above A+B+C category of people in all internet communities = no more than 2000. While thereare no less than 20,000 serious contenders. (Rest 1-2 lakhs are just JBPS, we are not bothered with their future.) You need a hugesample data to statistically predict the cut-offs.So let UPSC come out with cut-off data, there is no point in you increasing your blood pressure over cut-off speculation.The exam finished in the Evening of Sunday, right now it is tuesday morning, so not even three days have passed, UPSC cannoteven collect back all the answersheets from every exam centre across India India to Delhi in such short time, and yet some peopleare saying theyve confirmed it with reliable sources inside UPSC office that cut off will be *** for 2012.^How is it possible? The OMR bundles are not even opened yet, the answersheets are not even checked yet and youve came outwith the cutoff data confirmed from UPSC itself!

Start preparing for mains

Those of you have the mindset Ill prepare for mains based on cut-offs. If my chances look good, only then I prepare for mains. ^wrong mentality. Youre thinking like a stockbroker but Success in UPSC requires the dedication of a world class athlete and

patience of a gardener. Prelims is over means you have to start preparing for mains. You dont wait for the results until August2012 or waste time in cut-offs speculation. If you wait until August, it will be impossible to cover the syllabus of GS + Twooptional subjects.Your CSAT paper did not go good or Bad. You paper is only over.In school or board exams, youve a pre-set target: 90% or First class therefore you can predict your own chances meraa paperacchaa gaya. / Mera paper kharaab gayaBut in UPSC CSAT or CAT or similar competitive exams, there is no pre-set target, you just have to tick as many questions asyou can accurately without doing guesswork.So dont say meraa paper kharaab gaya. Because 10 of your friends are claiming to have ticked more answers than you did,or just because x member of orkut, or y coaching sir came up with a magical cut-off figure.And dont waste your time or bandwidth asking people online My score is *** so Whatre my chances? = only God or UPSCcan answer that question.

Was the CSAT-paper Tough?

Paper is never tough or easy. Paper is just a paper.Youre not expected to know answer of each and every question.You dont have to tick 90 or 100 answers to crack the exam.All you had to do was study hard, tick answers accurately and leave the rest in the hands of God.IF you believe you had studied hard and youve ticked the answers accurately without doing guesswork, then there is no need toworry. Let the result come in August 2012.And, Dont become a Devdas or Superman after the results. In either case itll be a minor setback or victory, life is long and thereare so many battles yet to be fought.

Conclusion

This CSAT-2012 paper is mere continuation of the trend started by UPSC since 2010 to break the backs of Coaching Factoriesin Delhi and to provide level playing field to the small towners and first timers.Less emphasis on mug-up type of current affairsMore emphasis on theory and standard reference books.Apart from that, there is nothing much to say, same old stuff like in 2010 and 2011.

41 Questions from Guidance and Study material of www.mrunal.org in CSAT-2012

Months before the actual exam, I had posted articles on preparation strategy, booklist and studyplan:



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1. CSAT GS study plan2. 30 Days Revision 4 CSAT3. 100 Days 4 CSAT, where are you?

If you had followed the advice given in them, theneven on a really conservative estimate, even with not-so-really-hard preparation: 6 In History, 15 in Polity, 3 in EnB, 4 in Geography, 7in Economy, 2 in S&T and 4 in Yearbook stuff, that is total6+15+3+4+7+2+4=41 questions could have been solved easily using the study plan and articles provided by me.That is 41 x 2 =82 marks from GS paper alone.



Reply to this comment

try this linkhttp://mrunal.org/2012/05/nos-studymaterial.html

BajiReply to this comment

Sir,please suggest the books used for MPSC (MAHARASHTRA) Preparation pre and main as per new syllabus .

ramyaReply to this comment

really nice one

ABHISHEKReply to this comment

shrutiReply to this comment

sir i m new in dis fieldi qualified in bank po exam dis year as i started my preparation frm jan 2012.now i want to prepare for csat but ido not know how to start as i cant afford coaching classes so i want to prepare on my own sir plz suggest me books for csat whc i caneasily study at home n understand one book of each hist,geo,eco,polity,env&biodiv,s&t,gen studies pls sir help me

MrunalReply to this comment

start reading this five article series:http://mrunal.org/2012/11/strategy-upsc-civil-service-exam-ias-ips-csat-general-studies-part1.html

LeenaReply to this comment

Sir,I had completed my three attempts in civils , i was left with only one attempt. And after 2 years gap(due to marriage & baby) i want to start my civils preparation again. Sir, can u plz suggest me the correct strategy how to start up mypreparation.? my options were public administration and anthropology. i like to give my attempt in 2014. Sir, plz help me..

ARUNReply to this comment

All the best

maniReply to this comment

Hi leena ,intially i apriciate your bold determinatin to fullfill your aim at this stage ,and thing is , you said you gonna attempt in2014,hence no one knows what going to be the patern of the day, So my sugestion to you to go through the basic syllabus of generalstudies like NCRETS and stnadard books for GS along with reviwing current affiars and basic arithmetics .All the best.

sooriyaReply to this comment

which book cover the full syllabus of IAS preliminary exam? sir, I like to prepare in my home because of my engineering studies.please helpme

rishiReply to this comment

sir ..plz give some tips and suggest good books for csat paper2.

ShriReply to this comment

HiPlease,anyone post the link for Analysis of CSAT paper 2 2012.I cant find the articleThanks in advance.



akashReply to this comment

http://mrunal.org/2011/06/topicwise-analysis-aptitude-paper-ii-of.html

jilluReply to this comment

send me post

VijayReply to this comment

Sir, I am an Arts background student and thus a bit confused while preparing CSAT. I purchased books like Pearson and Spectrum but Ifeel that is not precise and clear.Please suggest me some link or material so that I can get quality questions as well as answer key.Thanks

dhondibaReply to this comment

Can I get Nos biodiversity study material in Hindi

ravikaramtaReply to this comment

Is the break breaking move actually relevant for a few years from now on?I mean for how many years do upsc usually stick to major changes in its strategy???Can we actually rely in the concept of break breaking move???

SarveshReply to this comment

I clicked on GSM-12 paper analysis and it brought me here!Correct the link on the left section.

ARUNReply to this comment

SirIs it necessary to cover international issues for prelims..say mali issue r israeli, argentina? Where I can read them with your type ofexample. Hindu simply kills in international issues..I may be wrong r might be, but suggest me plz

AKHILESHReply to this comment

Sir, plz guide regarding CSAT 2 paper. whr to get good passages for solving comprehension? which book should i buy for passage solving


@akhilesh read this for comprehensionhttp://mrunal.org/2013/01/strategy-comprehension-for-csat-paper-2-rules-tips-assumption-inference-free-practice-material.html

RayReply to this comment

How to prepare for questions like role of National biodiversity authority?Is it possible to prepare or I should just leave them. Urgent help needed.

MudasirReply to this comment

Sir,i want to know are there any questions in csat paper 2 which are devoid of negative marking?


yes the Decision Making questions in paper II donot have negative marking.

mithuna




first time to see.wonderful.r u a aspirant or already through it

mithunaReply to this comment

first time to see.wonderful.

praveenReply to this comment

sir give me plan to prepare csat 2013 with in 20 days. i gave my mains in 2010.not cleared prilims 2011&12. this year not prepared becauseof my marrige. now i left with 20 days. give me smart plan for csat 2013

Devender ReddyReply to this comment

Sir,You mentioned that in CGL Preference, Assistant job is good to prepare for civil service. But it was not the case.More file work in Assistant.I have a few Assistant friends and excise inspector friends from tamil nadu. So kindly change that Incometax andexcise inspector posts are good to prepare for UPSC.

saurabhReply to this comment

sir i am at delhi, preparing for ifos (forest).Since forest service is clubbed with civils, i am in a dilemma whether to appear this time or not. Itd be my 1st attempt. Sir i am totallyunprepared for gs. Though i think i can do well in csat paper2.Sir ive a query..if a candidate scores 30marks in gs and 160 in csat and if d cutoff goes 185..whether that candidate would qualify prelim ordue to the mis balance in both the papers he would be disqualified..? I know si doing and making such strategies are not good but if this isthe case i wouldnt waste my attempt. Pls sir try to reply asap.Regards

saurabhReply to this comment

sir i am at delhi, preparing for ifos (forest).Since forest service is clubbed with civils, i am in a dilemma whether to appear this time or not.Itd be my 1st attempt. Sir i am totally unprepared for gs. Though i think i can do well in csat paper2.Sir ive a query..if a candidate scores30marks in gs and 160 in csat and if d cutoff goes 185..whether that candidate would qualify prelim or due to the mis balance in both thepapers he would be disqualified..? I know si doing and making such strategies are not good but if this is the case i wouldnt waste myattempt. Pls sir try to reply asap.Regards

RedReply to this comment

Million Thanks Sir, your help would be definitely rewarded by the Almighty.

gauravReply to this comment

Mrunal, A reputed coaching center in Delhi is saying that Paper-2(csat) has 70% weight-age and (that means) 30% for Paper-1 (gs) is ittrue?


Ask him to provide R.T.I copy or official letter/communication/notification of UPSC that says such thing!in CSAT Both paper carry equal weightage and there is no sectional cut-off.


Haha, Mrunal.@gaurav Now u can remove the word reputed from that Coaching centres name.

abhishekReply to this comment

i have seen that advertisement of career launcher.What I can deduce that they are saying as the general studies have extensive coverage GS contribute only 30% to the final marks ofprelims result.



and the aptitude test depends on the hard work done by the candidate so it contributes for about 70% of the final marks of the prelimsresult.I might be wrong !!!thanks

mithunaReply to this comment

mrunal sir,wat do you think the cut off will be in prelims 2013

Ankit SinghalReply to this comment

Dear Mrunal

Would NCERT and newspaper(Hindu) enough for Prep of CSAT. U briefed about some Manual in your article for UPSC preparation. Whatis that and Where i find it?

CA Ankit Singhal

abhiReply to this comment

sir what about gs 2013 analysis.when u will post sir waiting

prabhatReply to this comment

sir ua awesome thank u so much . u rele rock \,,/ il see u soon ..

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[analysis] csat paper i (general studies) 2012 « mrunal

Documents

general studies paper

gs paper

csatpaper tough

number of questions

howeverthe total questions

data interpretationhistory

polity questionsjust

year history polity