You've probably heard the stories: thousands of aspirants, one coveted IAS post.
The UPSC Prelims is your first important step on this challenging journey. Before you start pouring over textbooks and question banks, let's get one thing straight: it's not just about knowing the answers. It's about outsmarting the questions.
This blog will cover everything you need to know, from how many questions in UPSC Prelims to strategies for maximizing your attempts and scoring higher. Keep reading!
Clearing the UPSC Prelims isn’t just about what you know—it’s about playing smart. One of the biggest decisions you’ll face is figuring out how many questions are there in UPSC Prelims and how many you should attempt. Get this right, and you’re on your way to the Mains. Get it wrong, and you might miss the mark. So, let’s break it down together.
First things first, the UPSC Prelims consists of two papers:
Now, remember, CSAT is a qualifying paper. You only need 33% to pass. But don’t get too relaxed; it’s still important to clear it comfortably.
Alright, we’re getting into the nitty-gritty now—let’s talk strategy for General Studies Paper I, starting with understanding how many questions are there in UPSC Prelims GS Paper I and how to approach them effectively.
General Studies Paper I in the UPSC Prelims covers a range of subjects, including:
Now let’s talk numbers. The General Studies Paper I can be a tricky one. So, how many questions are there in UPSC Prelims GS paper I?
You’ve got 100 questions, each worth 2 marks, totaling 200 marks. Sounds easy, right? Not so fast. Every wrong answer cuts into your score by 0.66 marks.
How many should you attempt, then? Well, aiming to answer around 70 to 85 questions correctly is a good ballpark figure. Here’s why:
Cut-off Trends: The cut-off marks for GS Paper I change every year, depending on the difficulty level of the paper and the performance of candidates. For instance, in 2023, the cut-off for the General category was 75.41 out of 200. In 2020, it was higher at 92.51 out of 200. This makes it clear: you can’t afford too many wrong attempts.
Accuracy Over Guesswork: To be confident in your preparation, knowing how many questions are there in UPSC Prelims is really important. Aiming for 70-85 questions allows you to balance risk and reward. Attempting fewer might put you below the cut-off while attempting more without accuracy could lead to unnecessary deductions.
Here’s a practical example: If you attempt 80 questions, and 10 are incorrect, you’d lose 6.6 marks (10 x 0.66). If the cut-off is 100 marks, you’d need 53 correct answers to clear the cut-off safely. This is why aiming for 70-85 questions, with a focus on accuracy, is a solid strategy.
So, you've got your strategy down; now, let’s dive into the details, starting with how many questions are there in UPSC Prelims for each subject. Let’s break it down, subject by subject.
Want to know where to focus your UPSC Prelims prep? Let's break down how many questions in UPSC Prelims GS Paper I by subjects. This will give you a clear picture of where to invest your time.
Key Observations:
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Now, let's shift our focus to the CSAT Paper II and figure out the optimal number of questions you should aim to attempt.
CSAT, or Civil Services Aptitude Test, is the second paper in the UPSC Prelims. It's designed to test your basic problem-solving and analytical skills. But before we dive into the details, you might be wondering, how many questions are there in UPSC Prelims CSAT paper?
This paper has 80 questions, each worth 2.5 marks, totaling 200 marks, with a negative marking of 0.83 marks for each wrong answer.
CSAT covers a range of topics:
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Minimum Marks to Qualify: To pass CSAT, you need at least 33% of the total marks, which is about 66 marks. Focus on getting enough correct answers to hit this target. It’s more about being accurate than just trying to answer a lot.
Ideal Number of Questions: Aim to answer at least 50-55 questions accurately. By doing so, you not only clear the paper but also give yourself a better margin for error, ensuring a stronger overall performance.
What to Focus On: Focus your preparation on the Comprehension and Logical Reasoning sections. These areas tend to be more predictable and can significantly impact your score. For instance, if you excel in these sections, you'll be in a strong position even if Basic Numeracy is less familiar.
Here's a practical example: If you answer 55 questions correctly but get 10 wrong, you lose 8.3 marks (10 x 0.83). This approach helps you stay above the cut-off while managing the impact of incorrect answers effectively.
Alright, now that we've got a handle on question attempts, let’s dive into the subject-wise weightage to see where you should focus your energy.
Wondering how many questions are there in UPSC Prelims, specifically in the CSAT paper?
Let’s break down how these questions have been divided over the years, section by section, to help you understand where to focus your efforts.
Interesting patterns, right? Now, let's explore how these topics impact the cut-off scores.
Now that you know how many questions are there in UPSC Prelims, let’s move on to the cut-off marks for the UPSC Prelims. These cut-off marks vary each year based on the paper's difficulty and the candidate's performance.
By examining past trends, you can get a clearer idea of what to aim for. This helps in determining how many questions you need to attempt and answer correctly to stay above the cut-off.
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Note: PWD in the UPSC exams refers to the five categories of Persons with Disabilities: (1) Blindness and Low Vision, (2) Deaf and Hard of Hearing, (3) Locomotor Disability including cerebral palsy, (4) Intellectual Disability, and (5) Multiple Disabilities.
See the pattern? It’s like trying to predict the weather – sometimes it’s hot, sometimes it’s cold. So, don’t just look at one year’s numbers. Check out the trend.
Knowing the trends is great, but understanding how many questions are there in UPSC Prelims and the cut-off is even more crucial, dont you agree by now?
But what drives these cut-offs?
When preparing for the UPSC Prelims, understanding what affects the cut-off is crucial for tailoring your strategy. The cut-off can vary each year based on several key factors. Knowing these factors helps you gauge the level of competition and adjust your study plan accordingly.
Here are the main factors that influence the UPSC Prelims cut-off:
The difficulty level of the questions plays a major role. If a year's UPSC Prelims paper is easier than previous years, the cut-off might be higher as more candidates score well.
The cut-off is influenced by how many candidates take the exam. Around 13.4 lakh candidates appeared for the 2024 Prelims. With such a high number of participants, the competition is intense, which often leads to a higher cut-off.
The total number of vacancies available impacts the cut-off. For the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2024, there are 1,056 vacancies. More vacancies can sometimes lead to a higher cut-off, as more positions mean more candidates can qualify.
If most candidates perform well, the cut-off will be higher. When many candidates score above the average, the cut-off has to adjust accordingly.
Looking at past cut-off trends can give you clues. If the cut-offs have been rising over the last few years, this trend might continue. Keep an eye on historical patterns to adjust your preparation strategy.
Important: It's crucial to remember that out of the massive 13.4 lakh candidates who appeared for the UPSC Prelims 2024, only 14,627 qualified for the Mains stage. This stark reality underscores the intense competition and the need for a well-prepared and strategic approach.
Let's dive into the essential do's and don'ts while you're attempting questions to maximize your score.
The UPSC Prelims is a battle against the clock and your own mind. To win, you need a smart strategy. Knowing how many questions are there in UPSC Prelims is a key part of that strategy.
Let’s get into some essential do’s and don’ts.
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Speaking of staying sharp, it’s essential to keep in mind how many questions are there in UPSC Prelims as you prepare. Let’s wrap up with some closing insights.
Also read: How Many Hours Per Day Required To Study For UPSC IAS Exam?
There you have it! This guide has shown you how to approach the Prelims smartly.
Cracking the UPSC Prelims isn't rocket science, but it's no walk in the park either. You need a solid plan. We’ve given you the map—covering how many questions are there in UPSC Prelims, what to focus on, and where to aim.
Now, it’s time to get down to studying. Put in consistent effort, follow a smart study plan, and practice regularly. Keep an eye on the exam pattern and cut-off trends—they’re crucial for your success.
SuperKalam is here to be your partner in this journey. With our comprehensive study materials, expert guidance, and interactive platform, we'll help you crack the UPSC Prelims with flying colors.
Also read: Significance of Test Series in Clearing UPSC Prelims