Is the CSAT going to be a Boon or Vain?

Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it
means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident
it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better.
Recently we received lots of enquiries about the proposed change in the Civil Services Preliminary Examination.
Many future aspirants are eager to know about the changing examination pattern and require clarification on,
whether the proposed change will be easier or difficult. I wish to throw some light on the possible changing pattern
of Civil Service Examination.
Aspirants for the civil services will be facing a different pattern of examination from next year (2011). Since the
government has approved a proposal to introduce an aptitude test in place of the existing optional subject paper in
the civil service preliminary exam to shortlist candidates for the main exam. Currently all the candidates will have
to attempt two papers with a General Studies Paper and the other one is the Optional paper in which the
candidate will have to select one subject among the 23 subjects listed by UPSC. After giving effect to the
proposed change in the Preliminary examination in 2011, Candidates will have to appear in two objective-type
papers, which will be a General Studies Paper and the other one will be the General Aptitude Paper. The Aptitude
paper will replace the previously existing Optional subject paper. On effecting this model, Civil Services
Preliminary Examination will be called as Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT).
This change will be effective only for the Preliminary examination and the Main examination will remain
unchanged until a expert committee gives a detailed report for changing it.
Now, lets compare the features of the Civil Services Preliminary Examination and Civil Services Aptitude Test
(CSAT) to have a better understanding on the proposed new pattern
S.N Civil Services Aptitude Test
Civil Services Preliminary Examination
o (CSAT)
Two Objective Papers with one General Two Objective Papers with one
1 Studies and One Optional out of the 23 General Studies and One General
subjects given by UPSC Aptitude Paper
Equal weightage for both General
More weightage for optional with 300
Studies as well as General
2 marks for Optional subject and only 150
Aptitude paper. Both carrying
marks for General Studies
equal marks
Advantageous for people who completed Equally good for All kinds of
3 masters degree and having a grip on graduates creating a level play
Academic Subject ground.
No Transparency in terms of Assessment Complete Transparency in terms of
4
and disclosure of Preliminary marks disclosure of marks
High amount of disparity between one
optional subject and the other, creating No disparity, Equal game to be
5
sense of biasedness on few particular played by all in a equal platform
optional subject.
Easy for Candidates who studied in high All the students have equal
6 caliber institutes compared to a student opportunity, since everyone has to
with Rural background. prepare in similar patterns.
Infuses fresh blood in the
High Competition due to people cramming
7 examination arena such that all the
with the subject knowledge in Optional.
people have to prepare a fresh.
Why is the Change: Various committees including the second Administrative Reforms Commission, in their reports
submitted over the years suggested the changes and laid greater emphasis on the 'aptitude' of candidates than their
knowledge of a subject. The committees argued that specialists or experts in any particular subject might not
necessarily be good civil servants. Moreover the preliminary exam which does not discloses the marks , Cut off to
select the candidates for main exams or the method which they use to compare various optional subjects is
repugnant to the Right to Information Act 2005. It is criticized in various directions and dimension that there is no
transparency in the current format in which preliminary exam is conducted. To overhaul the current process and
create more transparency in the selection process this General Aptitude paper is introduced in the place of the
Optional Paper.
Introduction of Negative marks was the last change in Civil Services Examination. Introduction of Aptitude paper will
be the major change after the introduction of Negative marking pattern. UPSC was talking about the System of
Online Application Procedure (SOAP) that was successfully implemented in the Indian Forest Service Examination
2010.
What is an Aptitude test: Aptitude tests are designed to assess your logical reasoning or thinking performance.
They consist of multiple-choice questions and are administered under exam conditions. They are strictly timed.
UPSC conducts various examinations in any given year and they name those test papers with various names such
as General Studies in Civil Service, General Ability in Combined Medical Exam, General Knowledge in
Combined Defence Service, General Ability and Intelligence in Central Police Force Exam. But they have never
used the nomenclature General Aptitude; this is the first time UPSC going to have an Aptitude test. Attempting
maximum question under exam condition in the given time is the key for success in a normal Aptitude test. The
most common Aptitude test pattern are 1. Verbal Aptitude, 2. Quantitative Aptitude, 3. Abstract Reasoning, 4.
Spatial Reasoning, 5. Mechanical Reasoning, 6. Data Checking, 7. Fault Diagnosis.
We wish to hear Good news, but we cannot interpret and fit the information received as per our preconceptions.
We should do a deep dive analysis. The above given aptitude test pattern are just for your information and no
were UPSC have given any details about the content of the aptitude test. Hence we cannot conclude that the
General Aptitude paper may contain the above-mentioned list of aptitude test. The only hint received from the
Government about the content of General Aptitude test is “Greater emphasis will given to test the aptitude for
civil services as well as on ethical and moral dimension of decision-making” .
The above line makes it clear that the aptitude test will be heavily leaned towards the Psychometric Testing
pattern rather than a normal clerical aptitude test. The ethical and moral decision making test is already in vogue
at various International organizations. This kind of Aptitude test will create a uniform ethical standard for the Civil
Servants. General Aptitude test will check whether the candidate is having integrity and a strong sense of social
responsibility also willing to reflect on and learn from their actions.
There is no formula or algorithm for moral decision-making. It is not a process, which can easily be based on a
determinate set of rules. It is also important to see that good moral decision-making involves more than just acting
on hunches or intuitions. Good moral decision-making involves a) knowing the facts of the situation, and b) careful
consideration of the moral values that are relevant to a given situation. Importantly, it involves sensitivity to the
moral dimensions of everyday situations, and an awareness of the range of interests involved in specific decisions.
Is the Aptitude Test a Combination of Public Administration, Psychology, Sociology and Anthropology
NO, This is a General Aptitude test and no subject will influence or be infused in this paper. May be the above
combination of professionals like Administrators, Psychologist and others can be used to set a question paper. But
for sure the above-mentioned subjects (Theoretical and Purely Subjective) will not play a part in the Aptitude test.
Can a person be trained in the Aptitude test: A person grown up with a sense of moral and ethical values with
consideration towards humanity being logical and taking sensible decisions will find this Aptitude paper easy. But
still, fine-tuning the skills with the assistance of professional trainers will enhance the success ratio of a candidate.
As a word of caution I wish to request all the candidates to wait until UPSC gives clear directions about the subject
content of the General Aptitude test paper. Since the change can be utilized by various people for false
propaganda to sell their books and training programme, which is of no use for the candidates. Until then the
candidates can prepare for their General Studies paper, which remains unchanged.
It's not that some people have willpower and some don't. It's that some people are ready to change and others are
not.
- James Gordon, M.D.
The above quote of James Gordon gives the conclusion such that we shall equip ourselves to face the change
and achieve our ambition. Leave away all the doubts and fears, prepare yourself to embrace the change. Time is
very near to rise and shine. For sure CSAT is going to be a boon for aspiring candidates.
All the best for giving your best efforts, to get the best results
K.Purushothaman
Director, Educasium Civil Services Coaching Centre, Chennai.