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 |
| Mode | Online and offline |
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: available in online and offline modes, with 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.
- Online and offline: every test is available in both modes.
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.
Is the series available online and offline?
Yes. The series is available in both online and offline modes.
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.
