FPSC may replace old marking system of CSS
* Proposes new aggregate marking for English exam to help candidates * Proposal forwarded to premier for approval

By Abdul Manan
Daily Times

LAHORE: The Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) said on Monday that they are likely to replace the old system of passing marks in essays and compositions by introducing a combined marking system for English papers in the Central Superior Services (CSS) examination.

According to sources, the FPSC had submitted proposals in this regard to Senate Chairman Mohammadmian Soomro, during his time as caretaker premier in the last caretaker setup.

According to statistics, the initial criteria to qualify for the CSS written exams was 25% of the total marks and was later increased to 33 % by General Zia ul Haq. The qualifying criterion was then made 50% during General (r) Pervez Musharraf’s era.

Consists: The CSS examination has six compulsory papers of 600 marks and other optional papers of 600 marks.

A minimum of 40% is necessary in the compulsory subjects to pass the written examination. An overall of 50% is required in all papers to qualify.

Compulsory subjects in CSS examination are English (Essay and Composition), General Knowledge (GK), which includes Pakistan Affairs, Current Affairs and Everyday Sciences, which carry 100 marks each, and Islamic Studies, which carries 100 marks.

According to the FPSC, candidates have to secure 120 marks in the GK papers. If candidates obtain 30 marks in Pakistan Affairs, 20 marks in Current Affairs and 70 marks in Everyday Science, the candidate will be able to pass GK. While the individual pass marks in GK papers is 40%. The FPSC introduced an aggregate marking system to facilitate candidates.

The English papers carry 200 marks; 100 marks for Essays and 100 marks for Composition. According to the FPSC, candidates have to secure 40 marks in each of the English papers to pass. If any candidate gets 55 marks in Essay and 35 marks in Composition, then the candidate is not eligible to qualify the CSS written examination.

According to sources, the FPSC is likely to re-send its proposals to Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to sanction the collective marking system. If approval is granted, this will be advertised, FPSC sources said. This would allow candidates to obtain aggregate marks of 80 in both English papers.


Source: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...-9-2008_pg7_36