Students aren't to be blamed for this reality. The middle-high school education has systematically imbibed in them the fear that maths is a leviathan.The last time they met this 'demon' was in their 10th standard. Many had by-hearted the expected questions and corresponding answers to handle Maths and a ' significant minority' had the answers dictated in the examination hall !
CSAT is a part of the CIVIL SERVICE PRELIMINARY examination conducted under the aegis of UPSC. This was a definite killer for non-maths students and it made its 1st appearence in 2011. The Q paper had 80 questions out of which around 35-36 questions were drawn from mathematics.
The questions covered basic numeracy , logical reasoning, data interpretation (sounds complex but was about simple graphs) .
An above average 10th standard student could have solved atleast 30 questions without any assistance.
The voice is clear from the roofs of UPSC that the 'aptitude' they expect is definitely not more than what a good 10th standard student would have. For conceptual clarity , NCERT Maths from 6-10 th standard would more than suffice.
But given the way our students especially from the rural background have passed the math papers in their schools , it is necessary for them to relearn the high-school maths to get back into the game .
My sincere advise to you guys fighting the 'maths-terror' is to understand the basics (6-10 maths) again and keep solving the aptitude papers of
1. National Talent Search Exam (8th std) (guide/previous year q.papers of NTSE is available in bookstalls)
2.Bank PO/clerical (take up previous year papers)
3.Pratiyogita darpan (monthly magazine)
everyday.
Standard books for apti
R.S Agarwal (there are separate books for verbal and non-verbal too)
Arun Sharma (level 1 and level 2 problems in this book shall suffice )
For Kannada medium students,
Guide publication's book by Anjanappa
Sparda Chaitra publication's book by Ashok Kumar Rathode and Yellappa - "Samanya manassamarthya "
Solving mental ability questions for 1 hr everyday(the word 'everday' is seen everywhere but has enormous potential if realized! ) shall definitely make a non-math guy hit a 100% in the aptitude part of CSAT.
It needs certain conceptual clarity and practice.Once these are done the demarcation between a BA and BE would subside as far as CSAT is concerned.
Bottom line is that CSAT paper is not a ' leviathan ' rather it is a harmless kitten , u need not fear , play with it , 'everyday' without fail , it sees your boredom off too!!
All the Best.
PS: I am requested to teach high-school maths by a few , if there are enough requests i shall take up Basic Maths class for 15-20 days for non-maths students.
