Practising old question papers before UPSC Prelims can boost up your preparation. So here we have recommended some of the best book available for practising old question papers of Prelims (paper 1 & 2)
Let’s start with IAS Prelims Paper 1
Here we are going to suggest the two most popular books among aspirants. Prelims paper 1 is consist of 100 questions with 200 marks to be completed in 120 minutes. The questions are based on General Studies and Current Affairs. So by practising any one of the books given below you can understand the syllabus and type of question asked.
1st Choice
23 Years CSAT General Studies IAS Prelims Topic-wise Solved Papers 1995-2017
Average Rating – 3.8/5 stars
Disha Expert claims it to be their bestseller and also recommended by Mrunal. Well, we are not sure about that but what we found that it is popular among aspirants with 3.8/5 stars. So you can buy it but before that, you can look at the pro and cons of this book.
| Pro | Cons |
| Helpful for practice | Binding is not good |
| Useful for both the General Studies papers (1 and 2) | Printing Mistakes (rare) |
| Designed in 2 colors to improve readability | Factual errors |
| Topic wise collection of questions | Yearly wise collection not available |
| Also covered past papers of Mains | Kindle version is in the wrong format |
| Available on | Amazon @ ₹ 212.00 | Flipkart @ ₹ 219.00 |
2nd Choice
23 Year’s Chapterwise Solved Questions General Studies Paper I
Average Rating – 4.2/5 stars
This book is exclusively designed for General Studies Paper I, here you will get year wise compilation of old questions with along with topics. The book has been divided into 11 chapters namely Indian History, Art and Culture, Geography, Environment and Ecology, Indian Polity, Indian Economy, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Science and Technology and Miscellaneous, each containing the ample number of previous years’ questions asked in the General Studies Paper 1 Examination. The average rating for this book is 4.2/5 stars.
| Pro | Cons |
| Topic wise compilation of questions | Price is not competitive |
| Detailed explanations | Current affairs is not included |
| Good paper quality | Factual errors (rare) |
| High Accuracy | No additional questions for practising |
| Good binding | Kindle version not available |
| Available on | Amazon @ ₹ 230.00 | Flipkart @ ₹ 230.00 |
Books For IAS Prelims Paper 2
Here again, we will suggest two most popular books among aspirants. Prelims paper 2 is consist of 100 questions with 200 marks to be completed in 120 minutes. The questions are based on Aptitude, comprehension and numerical skills. So by practising any one of the books given below you can understand the syllabus and type of question asked.
1st Choice
Cracking the CSAT Paper-2
Average Rating – 3.9/5 stars
This book has been divided into 8 Sections –Comprehension, Basic Numeracy, General Mental Ability, Data Interpretation and Sufficiency, Decision Making and Problem-solving, Interpersonal Skills including Communication Skills, Logical Reasoning, and Analytical Ability and English Language Comprehension, with complete coverage of study material as per the prescribed syllabus and pattern by the UPSC.
| Pro | Cons |
| Good for practice | Outdated |
| 5 Full-length Mock Test for Paper 2 | Not properly organised the content |
| Special coverage of comprehension | Factual errors (rare) |
| Previous years questions of States PCS | Poor quality of the page |
| Solved Papers is also given | Kindle version not available |
| Available on | Amazon @ ₹ 433.00 | Flipkart @ ₹ 386.00 |
2nd Choice
CSAT – Solved Papers for Civil Services Preliminary Examination
Average Rating – 4.7/5 stars
This updated book contains the fully solved CSAT (GS Paper II) solved papers from 2011-2016 as well as the fully solved questions of reasoning and mathematics from 1995-2010. Such a comprehensive collection of fully solved question papers will enable aspirants to prepare thoroughly for this paper.
| Pro | Cons |
| Just for practice | Additional practice set not available |
| Fully solved papers of CSAT 2 (2011 -16) | No detailed explanation |
| Solved questions of reasoning and Mathematics (1995 – 2010) | No special coverage |
| Good binding and paper quality | Only for beginners |
| Solved Papers is also given | Kindle version not available |
| Available on | Amazon @ ₹ 151.00 | Flipkart @ ₹ 214.00 |
So with this detailed review now you can choose the best book for practising the old question papers for civil services preparation. If you want any suggestion or help just comment your queries below.