How to Surpass CSS

Divide the time equally and follow it while

attempting the paper as CSS is the exam of
planning and management.
Democracy Rekindles
Saturday, May 01, 2010

In the previous article, it was suggested how to prepare for CSS/PMS with special focus on English
essay and composition as the majority of our students fail in these papers. Owing to the request of
hundred of students, I would do my best to guide you how to prepare other optional and compulsory
papers.
Now comes to correction and revise all the basic rules of it. The best way to prepare is to solve at
least 10 years CSS past papers and BA papers. By solving the past papers, candidates know all the
rules and nature of the past papers asked by FPSC. Same technique should be employed for direct and
indirect and active and passive and then get them checked by an English teacher. For vocabulary
preparation, Gre test is strongly recommended as the examiners usually consult the vocabulary lists
from Gre test. The method should be to revise a list daily and after one week revise all the lists which
you have memorized during one week. Those words which are still confusing should be highlighted
and tried to memorize them again and again. This is the best and practicable strategy to build your
strong vocabulary not only for CSS but for general application.
The above English essay and composition tips are the part of your graduation preparation and also aim
at preparing for CSS. Before appearing in the exams, the past papers of the last 10 years should be
solved and get these papers checked by the expert teachers as his assessment will tell the candidates
whether they will go through the exams or not. So keep in mind the past papers and syllabus which

provide the candidates a right direction and track.

Now I would come to Islamiat Paper. Take an extra pain by making your own notes. But the question
often asked me how to prepare notes. The nature of each subject varies from others. Firstly, take a
view of CSS Islamiat syllabus and then consult the last 5 years papers. This exercise will make you
enough mature what is the pattern of the paper. For making notice, consult the recommended books
of Islamiat in CSS syllabus like Prof. Khurshid Ahmad. This is the best book for preparation and
references.
Before making a notice of a particular topic; for example the topic is Tauheed, take its definition from
Khurshid Ahmads book as this thing will convince the examiners your broad consulted books
approach. After writing a particular definition from this book, write the verbal meaning of Tauheed
then take a one or two Quranic verses such as Surah Akhlas and Ayyatul Kursi and heading should be
According to the Holy Quran. Write either in Arabic or its translation in urdu and then explain it by
connecting to the main topic in the light of this Quranic Verse. The next heading should be According
to the Ahdees Mubaraka. Quote one or two Ahdees relating it to the main topic then continue your
rest question according to the asked question. These things are very attractive for the examiners and
he is bound to award you maximum numbers.
During the last many years, there are some general questions like terrorism, suicide attacks etc. For
such topics, articles in Opinion page in DAWN on Friday should be consulted for its preparation.
For the preparation of 20 marks Mcqs, read the Islamiat books published by Jahaghirs sons. I have
already noticed that the students do not care preparing the 20 marks mcqs.
For Current Affairs paper, students should read the newspapers and note down the current happening
events. This paper also helps you prepare English essay as well. If we go through the last five years
papers, following is the trend in current affairs paper; Pak-US relations, Pak-Sino relations, Indo-Pak
relations including resumption of Composite Dialogue, US-Sino relations, Palestine crisis, Iran Nuclear
Issue, US interests; in Middle East, The Great Game, Oil Politics, Central Asian States, etc. Global
crunch, Emerging Chinese economy and the US concerns over it, US policies in Iraq and Afghanistan
and exit plan, and the important organizations; SCO, ASEAN, OIC, ECO, SAARC etc. The local issues
can be provincial autonomy, Balochistan Package, NFC Award, Energy Crisis, Terrorism, importance of
Gwadar port etc.
Divide the time equally and follow it while attempting the paper as CSS is the exam of planning and
management. The strategy how to attempt a question is that the candidate should first give
introduction of the topic by writing it as heading. Then discuss all the aspects and give figures, facts
and reasons. The last paragraph should have the heading of Critical Analysis. In this passage, student
should give his\her own point of view about a said topic.
The average length of each question should be between 6 to 7 pages. It should be remembered that
the length of all question should be equal. For mcqs portion, solve the objective of last 10 papers and
note down all the important incidents and news before three months of commencing the exams. Books
on general knowledge are very helpful for its preparation.

When a candidate appears in the candidates, he is advised to

make an outline of each question in the start of question by
mulling over the main points as this thing shows that the
students know all the points which an examiner requires.
For Pakistan Affairs paper, the following topics are very important in phase-I; Spread of Islam in the
subcontinent, Role of Sufis in this regard, Causes of downfall of the Muslims, Two Nation Theory,
Hazrat Mujadid Alf Sani, Shah Wali Ullah, Ahmad Shaheed Bralvi, Titu Mir, Dudu Miyan, War of
Independence and its heinous effects only on the Muslims, Role of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and his
Aligarh Movement, Deoband and Nadwa tul Ulema.
Phase-II includes; Partition of Bengal, Simla Deputation, Formation of Muslim League, Mintoy Morley
Reforms, Lucknow Pact, Montague Chelmsford reforms, Khalifat Movement, Nehru Report, Quaid-eAzam Fourteen Points, Allahabad Address, Round Table Conferences, 1935 Constitution, 1937
elections, Lahore Resolution, Cabinet Mission Plan, Redcliffe Award and 3 June Plan.
The phase-III includes; problems after the partition, Objective Resolution, 1956, 1962 and 1973
constitutions; comparison and discuss the drawbacks of each constitution, Devolution Plan, Industrial
and Agricultural problems and solution, Pakistans Foreign Policy and Geo Strategic Position of
Pakistan. Now comes to attempting the paper technique. Use as much headings as you can. Start the
question by giving the heading introduction and give a brief of your question. For example the
question is Quaid-e-Azam Fourteen Points, it does not mean just to memorize and write down all the
points. Firstly, give reasons why Quaid-e-Azam gave fourteen points; a brief introduction of Nehru
Report and its draw backs. Then write 14 points after that provide the different views of Hindus, and
other members what they think about Fourteen Points. The last paragraph should contain the any one
heading, critical analysis, conclusion, concluding remarks etc.
When a candidate appears in the candidates, he is advised to make an outline of each question in the
start of question by mulling over the main points as this thing shows that the students know all the
points which an examiner requires. The length of question should be between 5 to 6 pages.
It is high recommended that students should note down the speeches and axiom of Allama Iqbal and
Quaid-e-Azam and write these speeches or sayings either in the start or in the end each question. If
the students have time they can read the below books and give quotation from the books of I.H
Quershi, The Struggle for Pakistan and K.K Aziz, The Making of Pakistan. Before one months of
commencing the examination, students should take test to the relevant subject specialist and improve
the drawbacks. Majority of the people agree that the presentation of the paper and handwriting help
award you higher marks.

Zahid Ashraf