Academies are important but only for giving right direction to the candidate. But it depend upon your mind and abilities. When you join academy you have to spent lot of time in a day as to go there for study and return at home and you tired if you have distance. and if you want to prepare yourself at your own it is better and time saving. A complete silent environment and internet is enough. I'm from Mozang Lahore. My CSS subjects are Public Admin, IR, Journalism, Sociology, and Islamic History. If anyone have combination of these selective subjects can contact me for group study. Group study is very helpful for preparing CSS exam. my cell no. is *************