English Precis and Composition
You can divide this paper into two segments:
• Segment – I : 65 marks
Precis – 25 marks
Comprehension – 20 marks
Expansion – 20 marks
• Segment – II : 35 marks
Change of narration – 5 marks
Correction of sentences – 5 marks
Idioms – 5 marks
Pair of words – 10 marks
Antonyms/Synonyms – 10 marks
(The examiner may, however, ask other segments like change of voice as well)
Segment – II is mathematical as your correct answer would accrue full marks. Here it becomes key for success as if you manage to score 30 in this segment your chances of clearing this paper become high. For this purpose practise this segment from the past papers and please do not cram sentences written in common guide books available in market.
Segment – I is significant as it is a test of your command over language. However, this fact should be kept in mind that this is an examination for the CSS and not a paper of English Literature. So you should be very clear about what is required of you. You have to demonstrate your skills of comprehending a piece of writing and communicating in writing in a precise and effective manner.
Practice is a key in this segment. You have sufficient time available. Try to solve all 40 past papers questions of
précis and comprehension passages. Try to make it your habit as time management is very important in this paper. The
précis passage mostly consumes around one hour. Practice can help you serve time in other parts.
As far as important topics for essay for this year are concerned, it is usually safe to attempt an essay on current issues as you have ample knowledge base for these issues.
Everyday Science
I thought, after going through just last five years papers, this paper is a piece of cake and I would easily score 90-95 marks in it. So, I did not prepare well and the paper was a nightmare. So forget about your background of science and prepare schematically for this paper.
Everyday Science paper is a unique of all papers in the sense that it awards 5-95 marks to the candidates. You would find DMCs of allocated candidates who obtained 30-40 marks in this paper. An extra in this paper may prove a key factor in determining your final standing in merit list.
Attempting this paper is skill of which selection of questions is very important.
Generally, Everyday Science paper consists of:
Objective Portion:
• 50 MCQs (attempt them in the order of surety; should be; exclusion formula; and logical guessing)
Subjective Portion:
• Two questions usually consists of parts carrying one mark each
• Two-three questions comprise five parts each carrying two marks
• Two questions comprising two parts each of five marks
• One question usually carries 10 marks
In objective portion, there is no choice so you have to attempt all. From subjective portion, prefer those questions which carry one mark because chances of getting full 10 marks in that question are more. Similarly, second preference should be two marks questions and lengthy questions should be avoided.
One mark questions are usually of scientific units and abbreviations and reasoning. These questions are fairly simple and very often repeated. If you go through past 10 years papers, you would find many such examples.
In science paper, diagrams carry nearly half marks of each question. So, practise drawing them as much as possible and try to draw neat diagrams with proper labeling in paper.
Do consult the past papers as the books on Everyday Science in the CSS market are too voluminous. They carry a lot of unnecessary material and therefore, confuse the candidates.
One mark questions are usually of scientific units and abbreviations and reasoning. These questions are fairly simple and very often repeated. If you go through past 10 years papers, you would find many such examples.
Current Affairs
Scoring high marks in this paper demands that the candidate must be well prepared having up-to-date knowledge of all current topics. To ensure better preparation, candidates may divide this paper into following segments:
1. Foreign Policy: Foreign Policy and Pakistan’s relations with China, India, Iran, Afghanistan, US, Russia and Muslim countries.
2. International organisations: UN, OIC, NAM, SAARC, ECO, SCO, EU, ASEAN
3. International issues
4. Domestic issues
In this paper, candidates should try to write to the point answers in a precise manner. Drawing a map is a requirement of most of the questions of this paper. A candidate should practice four maps in this regard.
Pakistan’s map
Central Asia’s map
South Asia’s map
World map
Maps printed at the back of diaries can be used for practice.
For this year’s paper, organisations and foreign relations should be thoroughly covered. It has been a trend in foreign relations questions that the examiner asks the impacts of two countries relations with Pakistan. So this aspect must be kept in mind. On international stage, Wikileaks and global warming have gathered a lot of attention.
Moreover, the visits of President Obama to India, etc. and Chinese Prime Minister’s to Pakistan and India should be thoroughly covered. Chromic issues like Afghanistan, Palestine, Kashmir and Iran are also important.
Domestic issues include
Disaster management and floods
Crises (energy and sugar)
Bad governance
Corruption and NRO
Problems and suggestions for industry, agriculture, exports and tourism
Role of media
Democracy in Pakistan
Natural and human resource potential of Pakistan
Problems of education and health sector