UPSC CSAT Books, Best Books for IAS Prelims CSAT Paper
CSAT books are essential to mastering the concepts of the syllabus. A list of the best CSAT books for the upcoming UPSC CSE exam is provided here.
Deeksha Dixit27 May, 2024
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CSAT Books: To crack the UPSC preliminary exam, candidates must have a strong foundation in both papers, making books an indispensable resource for thorough preparation. CSAT books are the primary tool for covering the syllabus, having clarity of concepts, and mastering the essential skills required to succeed in this qualifying paper.
This is why candidates should refer to quality CSAT books recommended by experts and toppers. The objective should be to complete each topic of the UPSC CSAT paper through these books and then practice questions to learn problem-solving and time management.UPSC CSAT Books 2024
UPSC Prelims exam has two papers: General Studies and CSAT. The CSAT paper is a qualifying paper in which candidates are required to score 33%, or 66.67 marks out of 200, to be eligible for the next stage, i.e., UPSC Mains . The choice of books for the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) is significant as it directly impacts the depth of understanding, clarity of concepts, and overall readiness for the examination. Candidates are often confused due to the many CSAT books available in the market, along with online CSAT books PDFs. This makes it challenging to select the most suitable resources for their preparation. CSAT books for UPSC must cover the fundamental concepts of comprehension, logical reasoning, and mathematical aptitude. Hence, go through the syllabus before selecting the books to study.Also Read: UPSC CSAT Answer Key 2024
List of CSAT Books for the UPSC Exam
The UPSC CSAT syllabus includes various subjects like data interpretation, logical reasoning, English comprehension, general mental ability, and basic numeracy up to class X. In this paper of the UPSC Prelims Exam, skills of decision-making and problem-solving are evaluated. That's why it's important to have good CSAT books that cover each topic of the syllabus in detail to aid in solving questions with high accuracy. A list of CSAT books for UPSC is given below:| CSAT Books for UPSC | ||
| Book Title | Author | Unique Features |
| Analytical Reasoning | M K Pandey | Recommended for strengthening the analytical reasoning section. Offer concept clarity in lucid language and question-solving with tricks. |
| The Mantra of CSAT Paper II | Gautam Puri | Adhere to the latest CSAT exam pattern, and have sample exercises for the logical and analytical reasoning section. |
| Cracking the Civil Services Aptitude Test Paper II | Arihant | Covers Data Interpretation, General Mental Ability, and Analytical Ability questions. Complete solutions with the use of charts and tables |
| General Studies Paper II for UPSC Preliminary Examination | Tata McGraw Hill | Cover the CSAT syllabus and provide the previous year's question papers of UPSC along with practice questions |
| A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal | Clear explanation of verbal and non-verbal reasoning. Refer to get clarity in Directions, Analogy, etc. It follows the latest trends in CSAT |
Also Read: How to Choose UPSC Optional subject for IAS?
UPSC CSAT Books by Toppers
In recent years, CSAT has evolved as the deciding factor for many candidates in the UPSC CSE Prelims. For instance, in 2023, the lowest UPSC cut-off was attributed to a highly difficult CSAT paper. Toppers often recommend selecting the right books for the CSAT to excel in the exam. CSAT books recommended by toppers provide in-depth coverage of the syllabus, clear explanations of complex topics, and practical strategies for tackling difficult questions. Here is the list of CSAT books recommended by toppers:| UPSC CSAT Books by Toppers | |
| Book Title | Author/Publisher |
| CSAT Manual | Pearson |
| CSAT Conceptual Approach | P. N. Roy Chowdhury |
| High School English Grammar and Composition | Wren & Martin |
| Analytical Reasoning | M. K. Pandey |
| The Mantra of CSAT Paper II | Gautam Puri |
| Cracking the Civil Services Aptitude Test Paper II | Arihant |
| General Studies Paper II for UPSC Preliminary Exam | Tata McGraw Hill |
| A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal |
| Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | S.Chand |
| Quicker Maths | M.Tyra |
| CSAT (Paper-II) | CL India |
| CSAT Combo Books | Physics Wallah |
Best CSAT Books Offered by Physics Wallah
Physics Wallah offers a comprehensive set of CSAT books designed to help UPSC aspirants build a solid foundation. PW CSAT books are curated by experienced subject matter experts and cover essential topics of the syllabus in a detailed manner. These books include chapter-wise topics, revision formulas, explanations of questions, and practice questions to tackle the CSAT paper effectively. Here are some of the most popular CSAT books from Physics Wallah that are invaluable for efficient exam preparation:| PW CSAT Books | ||
| Books Name | Features | Link |
| CSAT Formula Book | Quick Revision of Important Formulas for UPSC CSAT 2024 | Click Here |
| CSAT Previous Years Solved Question Papers | Topic-wise, 10 Past Years Solved Questions with Free Mock Tests | Click Here |
| CSAT Combo Set of 3 For Civil Services Exam 2024 | Chapter-wise Explanations and Practice Questions for All Three Sections | Click Here |
| UPSC Related Articles | ||
| UPSC Prelims Mock Test 2024 | UPSC Mains Books | UPSC Prelims Admit Card |
| UPSC Study Material | UPSC Scholarship Test 2024 | UPSC CSAT Syllabus |
UPSC CSAT Books FAQs
Which book is best for CSAT in UPSC?
The best book for CSAT in UPSC varies among candidates, but highly recommended ones include Analytical Reasoning by M.K. Pandey, PW CSAT Combo Set, and CSAT Manual by Pearson.
How can I prepare for the CSAT exam?
To prepare for the CSAT exam, understand the syllabus, choose the right books, practice previous year's papers, and take 8 to 10 mock tests to improve time management and accuracy.
Is RS Agarwal enough for the CSAT paper?
R.S. Agarwal's book is good for verbal and non-verbal reasoning, but you should complement it with other books to cover all sections of the CSAT syllabus.
Is Arihant good for the CSAT paper?
Yes, Arihant's "Cracking the Civil Services Aptitude Test Paper II" is good for the Data Interpretation and Analytical Ability section of the syllabus.
What should I study for CSAT in UPSC?
Candidates should study English comprehension, reasoning, class 10th-level basic numeracy, and mathematical aptitude to prepare effectively for the CSAT paper in UPSC.
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