Before solving any question in the css exam, selection of question itself is very crucial, in css examination, there is abundance of choice but even then we see a great difference in the marks of candidates so there are some important decisions that are needed to be taken on the spot,

Selection of question:

• Decide area of your interest (some people can write well on factual topics, others who are poor in cramming prefer general questions, so it is always better to understand your own strengths and weaknesses )
• Nature of question from examiner’s point of view : Factual vs general: Although css examiners are unbiased, expert, experienced and neutral but still there are some human limitations and biases which has an impact on marking system, examiner will try his/her best to assess your skills and abilities on the basis of question you have solved BUT general questions are always better to select, because through a general question you can better provide your insight, analytical skills, uniqueness in your answer because in css exam you have to provide an out of the box thinking to create your individual impact, examiner will judge you from your writing because you will not present in front of examiner when he/she will be marking your paper so try to be as different and impressive as possible.

For example in the question of Quaid-e-Azam’s 14 points you don’t have much room for giving your inputs, you have to cram 14 points in any case and then you can get some additional marks if you will analyze these points well in the given context, but for a totally non-bookish question like ‘’how to improve political instability in Pakistan/how to bring reforms in education system:’’ you will have to provide your opinion, so it has more chances of impressing examiner.

NOTE: If you are 100% sure that you can solve a factual question well, then without a second thought go for it, as you will have grip on that particular topic.

• Don’t waste too much time on selecting the questions, be vigilant but prudent.
• Once you have selected the questions start from the one you know the best (just like we use to do in our school/college/university exams)
• Decide the time you have to give to each question, but on the average following should be the sequence:
1st question: 45 minutes
2nd question: 40 minutes
3rd question: 35 minutes
4th question: 30 minutes
Objective part: 30 minutes

Sometimes you will be able to complete objective part in 20 minutes or even less, in that case set the time accordingly.

Solving question:

• Break the question in parts,
Following are the two example, these are the questions in Islamiyat paper 2011:

Q. it is necessary to establish priority of law for the development of society. What is your point of view that today Islamic punishments are regarded as Savagery? While discussing the Islamic philosophy of the reward and punishment also describe the basic characteristic of Islamic concept of punishments.

Following are the requirements of this question, that examiner has in his/her mind.

1. Importance of establishing priority of law for the development of society (in one paragraph)
2. What is your point of view that today Islamic punishments are regarded as Savagery? Give your clear cut stance first in yes or know or if you have neutral opinion
3. Discuss Islamic philosophy of reward and punishment
4. Explain basic characteristics of Islamic concept of punishments

You are supposed to divide 20 marks in these sub-divisions and the give answer accordingly to each part according to their marks. People often do mistake of focusing one part extensively leaving behind the rest of the parts of question and get less marks.

Q.To follow an ideal is very necessary for the progress of nation. In your view what are basic characteristic of ideal and how Islamic ideology of life affects the individual and communal life with reference to basic characteristic of Islamic ideology? Elucidate.


Requirements:

1. Explain a bit “ideal is very necessary for the progress of nation’’
2. What are basic characteristic of ideal
3. How Islamic ideology of life affects the individual and communal life with reference to basic characteristic of Islamic ideology.

• After this breakage, it will be easy to explain each part and first make outline at the back of answer sheet (rough page) the shift it on the actual page of answer.
• Start writing according to outline, it will be systematic, well-managed and comprehensive answer. It is time taking process, but will pay you, remember practice is from now then you will be expert on the actual day of exam.
• Take care of handwriting, it definitely has an impact.

Essential parts of your answer/general ingredients of outline
• Introduction
• Body (including the broken parts of question)
• Examples
• Arguments
• Justification of your stance
• Flow sheet/ Graphical or diagrammatic demonstration if any (additional impact)
• Real life situations
• Comparisons
• Problems
• Solutions
• Positive and negative aspects of a given situation
• Conclusion

This is a general sketch you can mould it according to the question and situation. If you remember some point at some later stage don’t be panic and adjust it anywhere in the answer tactfully.

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what humbugs we r,who pretend to live for beauty and never see the dawn :)