Overview
The MaargX Philosophy Optional Test Series (SAATHI, "Saath to Success") is a personalised, flexible and exam-oriented 12-test roadmap for the UPSC Philosophy syllabus: 8 sectional tests across Paper 1 and Paper 2, then 4 full-length tests. It combines Micro-Mentoring with an Apply & Appreciate approach.
Course at a glance
| Detail | What you get |
|---|---|
| Total tests | 12: 8 sectional tests and 4 full-length tests |
| Phases | 5: Indian Philosophy, Western Philosophy, Socio-Political Ideologies, Philosophy of Religion and the Final Simulation |
| Full-length tests | Two on the full Paper 1 syllabus and two on the full Paper 2 syllabus |
| Scheduling | Completely flexible dates, set according to your personalised strategy, with personalised rescheduling of any test |
| Mentoring | A dedicated mentor, a detailed date-wise schedule and weekly one-on-one P2P Micro-Mentoring |
Built around your specific needs
- Hyper-personalised guidance: every candidate receives a dedicated mentor who develops a personalised strategy tailored to individual needs and availability, with a detailed date-wise schedule.
- Apply & Appreciate methodology: topic-wise hand-holding and note-making assistance, strictly limited to an Examable approach that focuses entirely on examination needs.
- Absolute flexibility: personalised rescheduling of any test to suit your preparation pace.
Related courses and resources
For personal guidance, see the GS Mains Mentorship. For another optional-subject series, see the Anthropology Optional Test Series or the Sociology Optional Test Series.
Test Schedule
Syllabus Map
The 8 sectional tests follow the Philosophy syllabus in order: Indian philosophy and Western philosophy in Paper 1, then socio-political philosophy and philosophy of religion in Paper 2.
Paper 1: foundational thinkers and traditions
| Test | Area | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Sectional Test 1 | Indian Philosophy | Carvaka, Jainism, Buddhism, Samkhya, Yoga, Sri Aurobindo |
| Sectional Test 2 | Indian Philosophy | Nyaya-Vaisesika, Mimansa, Vedanta |
| Sectional Test 3 | Western Philosophy | Plato and Aristotle, Rationalism (Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz), Empiricism (Locke, Berkeley, Hume), Kant, Hegel |
| Sectional Test 4 | Western Philosophy | Moore, Russell, Early and Later Wittgenstein, Logical Positivism, Phenomenology, Existentialism, Quine and Strawson |
Paper 2: society, state, ideologies, faith, reason and the divine
| Test | Area | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Sectional Test 5 | Theoretical Foundations | Social and political ideals, sovereignty (Austin, Bodin, Laski, Kautilya), individual and state (rights, duties), forms of government, political ideologies |
| Sectional Test 6 | Modern Challenges | Humanism, secularism, multi-culturalism, crime and punishment, development, social progress, gender and caste discrimination |
| Sectional Test 7 | Core Concepts | Notions of God, proofs for the existence of God, problem of evil, soul, reason, revelation, faith; immortality, rebirth, liberation |
| Sectional Test 8 | Experience and Language | Religious experience, religion without God, religion and morality, pluralism; religious language: analogical, symbolic, cognitivist, non-cognitive |
Final Simulation
The Final Polish is a set of four comprehensive full-length simulations, two on the complete Paper 1 syllabus and two on the complete Paper 2 syllabus. Mentor guidance continues through this phase, to ensure peak exam readiness and final strategy adjustments.
| Test | Paper | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Full-length test 1 | Paper 1 | Full syllabus |
| Full-length test 2 | Paper 2 | Full syllabus |
| Full-length test 3 | Paper 1 | Full syllabus |
| Full-length test 4 | Paper 2 | Full syllabus |
Mentoring Loop
The P2P Micro-Mentoring loop goes beyond grading: each test feeds a cycle of evaluation, discussion and one-to-one mentoring that targets your unique weaknesses.
- The test attempt: choose from the 8 sectional or 4 full-length tests, based on your flexible schedule.
- Personalised evaluation: detailed analysis and customised evaluation of your specific answers.
- Regular discussions: broad thematic breakdowns of the test paper with faculty.
- Weekly P2P mentoring: one-on-one Micro-Mentoring sessions to target and resolve your unique weaknesses.
Flexibility
All dates are completely flexible: your test dates are set according to your personalised strategy, and any test can be rescheduled to suit your preparation pace.
- Dedicated mentor: builds a personalised strategy around your needs and availability.
- Date-wise schedule: a detailed schedule is provided at the start.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MaargX Philosophy Optional Test Series?
It is a personalised, flexible and exam-oriented 12-test series called SAATHI for the UPSC Philosophy optional. It has 8 sectional tests across Paper 1 and Paper 2, then 4 full-length tests, with Micro-Mentoring.
How are the 12 tests divided?
There are 8 sectional tests and 4 full-length tests. Tests 1 to 4 cover Paper 1 (Indian and Western philosophy), Tests 5 to 8 cover Paper 2 (socio-political philosophy and philosophy of religion), and the 4 full-length tests follow.
Which thinkers and topics are covered in Paper 1?
Sectional Tests 1 and 2 cover Indian philosophy, from Carvaka, Jainism and Buddhism to Nyaya-Vaisesika, Mimansa and Vedanta. Tests 3 and 4 cover Western philosophy, from Plato and Aristotle to Kant, Hegel, Wittgenstein, Phenomenology, Existentialism, Quine and Strawson.
What does Paper 2 cover in the series?
Tests 5 and 6 cover social and political philosophy, including sovereignty, rights, ideologies, secularism, crime and punishment and gender and caste discrimination. Tests 7 and 8 cover the philosophy of religion, including proofs of God, the problem of evil and religious language.
How are the full-length tests organised?
There are four full-length tests: two on the full Paper 1 syllabus and two on the full Paper 2 syllabus. Mentor guidance continues through this phase.
What is the Apply and Appreciate methodology?
It is topic-wise hand-holding and note-making assistance, strictly limited to an Examable approach that focuses entirely on what the examination needs.
Can I reschedule a test?
Yes. All dates are flexible and set according to your personalised strategy, and personalised rescheduling of any test is available to fit your preparation pace.
What mentoring do I get?
Every candidate gets a dedicated mentor, a detailed date-wise schedule and weekly one-on-one P2P Micro-Mentoring sessions, along with regular thematic discussions of each test paper with faculty.
How can I enrol?
Use the Explore Course / Enroll Now button at the top of this page, or call MaargX UPSC on +91-7877885089 or write to contact@maargxupsc.com.
