Hi, I did BSc Computer Science and currently working in a govt organization as a Computer Operator. I want to appear in CSS exams. Following are the optional subjects that I think I should select:

1. Computer Science 100marks
2. Pure Maths 200marks
3. English 200marks
4. Journalism 100marks
Total 600marks
+ other compulsory subjects.

Please suggest and recommend me for which post I should apply ???

Why are you taking English? Do you have english literature background?

Computer Science is now a 200 marks subject and Pure Mathematics and English Literature are both 100 marks subjects. Take a look at new groups and subjects here: http://www.cssforum.com.pk/syllabus.pdf

BTW, was your BSc a 2 or 4 years program?

I think you dont have basic information about CSS. Follow the beginner's guid link present at top right of this page. Once you are familiar with basics then finalize your subjects.

Regards

1st of all Wajeeha lets talk about your subjects. Your subject combinational is very unusual. Selecting subjects and their books is most important decision for CSS. For selecting subjects. Look at all the optional subjects again here
http://www.cssforum.com.pk/syllabus.pdf
Never select a subject by just seeing a name.
How to choose a subject...?
1- Tick subjects related to your back ground (Now only 1-3 subjects can be from your back ground and rest you have to chose by taking many factors in consideration). It is also not necessary to take subject of your back ground. You can always choose subjects which are general and can be attempted by anyone.
Now go through syllabus of subjects in which you have back ground. If you feel confident that you are familiar with almost 80 % concepts at least and you can learn rest (on your own or by coaching) go for it. If it is not the case, you can always attempt international relations or political science which can be attempted by anyone and no back ground is required. As you have computer background so do this procedure for computer science
2- You have chosen pure mathematics. As you have back ground in computer science so you do not have major in mathematics but I am assuming you have studied that subject as minor subject in your graduation. Well maths is not a subject which can be learnt on your own so coaching of qualified teacher and lots of practice is required in this subject. Again go through its syllabus and than decide. Also mathematical subjects are risky. No doubt they are scoring but too much risky as well. It is not necessary to take subjects from all groups. If you feel that you are not more interested in this subject you can check other subjects in this group or can skip that group entirely.
3- About English literature. Well 1st I need to know if you have additional degree in English literature or not. If not than let me tell is it is a very difficult subject for those who do not have back ground in it. Also coaching is must in this subject as well. It is only recommended for those who have back ground. Go through its syllabus and keep in mind that coaching will be required in this subject. After that you can decide. Someone might have excellent command on subject but literature is different from other English exams. You already have two English exams in compulsory subjects which are least scoring and mostly people fail in those. So, I do not think so your choice is rational. Other great choices from same group of subjects are gender studies and environmental sciences. Easy to prepare. No coaching required. Highly interesting and high scoring trend as well (on CE-16 result basis).
4- Journalism. It is good subject. Can be easily prepared at home and with good preparation can fetch you good marks.
5- Other safe subjects which you can choose
From group 3- Public administration (Keep it as your last resort optional choice only)
From group 4- 1st choice (Us history as it is shortest history and it also compliment other subjects and high scoring trend) other wise Indo Pak history is also a good option
From group 6- international law- easy but technical subject (only 2 books are more than enough to cover entire syllabus)
From group 7- In case you decide to drop journalism ( psychology & your regional language)

Now about applying for post. You are not required to apply for any post separately. CSS is general exam conducted by FPSC on all Pakistan basis. Every year exam is conducted in Mid of February. There are many optional groups. Application invites will be displayed on
http://www.fpsc.gov.pk/icms/user/index.php
& will also be published in leading newspapers of the country according to following schedule just advertised by FPSC
http://www.fpsc.gov.pk/icms/admin/fi...ce_English.pdf

Only one application is made for all the posts offered by FPSC for CSS. You are only required to number them according to your preference. All are permanent job of 17 grade. Some groups are choice of everyone like PAS (Pakistan administrative service and you become Assistant commissioner if get selected), FSP (foreign service of Pakistan and you go as diplomatic agent of Pakistan to different countries and also some posts are in Pakistan as well) & PSP (Police service of Pakistan and you become ASP in pilice directly at 17 grade) almost everyone tick them as their 1st preference.
One can number them according to their choice. No need to separately apply.

Being new to CSS you must go through these two threads 1st
1- http://www.cssforum.com.pk/beginners-guide.php
2- http://www.cssforum.com.pk/css-rules.php

What matters 1st is to pass CSS written exams. As almost everyone prefer these groups so candidates who are on the top of the list get these groups. To pass CSS written is the 1st step and after that one can say that she has won half battle. A lot of and work is required to pass written examination and if you want to get selected in groups of your choice extra effort is also required. That means you have to do what normal candidates are not doing.
So, after one has passed CSS written, you will go through medical tests. After that psychological evaluation. Their detail is immaterial at this stage. After that finally interview in which you will get a second chance to change your groups.
After interview FPSC compiles results. Usually 150-350 seats are present every year. They can be more and less as well. They are filled according to merit, women and provincial quota etc. In merit list, students on top of the list gets allocation in top groups. Rest are allocated depending upon number of vacancies in each group merit wise. It is not necessary that even finally passed candidates will get allocation a all because seats are limited and candidates are more. In last 3-5 years pass ratio of candidates to total number of candidates is around 2%. Almost 90% of them get allocation rest despite of passing try their luck again. Passing ratio is low but do not get demotivated. Keep your aims high. So, main goal is not only to pass but also to pass with high scores to ensure not only your allocation but allocation in group of your choice.

So, here is what you need to do 1st:
1- Carefully choose your options- Trust me its very important
2- Choose what books/ notes/ journals you are gonna use- Do not use two much source as you will get distracted and this can waste your time. Keep at least one book in hard form rest you can get in soft copies etc. Go through relevant section of each subject and search few latest threads after mid 2015 to get suggestion about books and their latest links if available online
3- Make notes (two kinds of notes: One comprehensive by using all the books you are following make your own notes & second short notes they are vital for exam revision as FPSC takes two papers in a day on consecutive days. You cannot revise long notes on exam night). If want to make only 1 notes. Keep highlighting stuff on books and soft files and with small notes write with each topic book of name and its page number from which data was written. It will help you later.)
4- Read dawn news paper daily. It will help you in many exams for example in case of compulsory subjects CA, PA, GS&A and essay paper. It can also help in optional subjects as well. It will also enhance your vocabulary. You will also learn new writing styles. You will find many new idioms which can make your paper impressive if you use them. Make list of words what you learn from dawn along with their meaning (synonym)/ antonym.
5- Starting preparing English from start both subjects in compulsory section. Write at least 1 essay in a week. Practice precis and comprehension paragraphs. Start learning new pair of words, idioms etc on daily basis. Practice punctuation & translation as well.
6- Prepare essay. English precis & composition subject and Islamiyat well as most of candidates fail in these subjects.
7- Make plans depending upon time you have and start studying hard but smartly. There are many tips by CSP's on each subject which you can use in exams to get good marks.

I hope your query has been sufficiently replied. Let me know if you need more help. You can ask on forum by posting it in relevant section of forum or you can contact me personally on my email as well which is in my profile. I will try to guide up to my best knowledge.
Good Luck.

__________________
WA-TU-IZZU MANTASHA; WATU-ZILLU MANTASHA

my optionals are ,

geography
int relations
int law
governance policies
islamic history

Kindly comment .

i can't post a threa because i have not got 10 posts

Your previous qualification?

__________________
WA-TU-IZZU MANTASHA; WATU-ZILLU MANTASHA

I need also a suggestion please. I got confused after attending Kips demo class of International law(introductory class).I found the aforementioned subject really interesting, although I had made my mind for history of USA but now I want to alter it with INTERNATIONAL LAW.
My background is Master in physics and the rest of my optionals are
PHYSICS (200)

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (200)
PASHTO (100)

HISTORY OF USA (100)

OR

INTERNATIONAL LAW (100)

I will be highly grateful if any experienced person. Help me out of this.
Thanks in anticipation.

__________________
All the quotes in the world won't make us a pious person, It's our actions that are going to be judged...!! !

It is recommended to create your own thread in case you need to ask anything. I suggest IL. It has short course, easy to understand concepts, and mostly paper contains contemporary affairs. IL is a high scoring subject.

Regards

I am taking both subjects as my optional subjects. US history has always been a scoring subject. It does help in many subjects. It is the shortest history subject.
IL was never regarded as extremely high scoring subject but when we see at the score of CE-16 aspirants have achieved, we see surprisingly high scores even I have seen one of the candidate has scored 92 which is a huge score. So, change of syllabus had a great impact on it as scoring trend has been dramatically changed. IL is also a good choice when your other optional is IR. Easily understandable concepts. For US history you need to consult 2-4 sources at least for good score but for IL law 2 books are more than enough to cover the whole syllabus and you can score well in it.
I will recommend IL.
There is also one more great choice for you in case if you need suggestion. That is environmental sciences. Students have scored exceptionally well in this subject in CE-2016. It is also easy to prepare and very interesting. 1 book and internet is enough for that. It will also help you in GS&A paper. As you have mentioned physics as your back ground, I want to mention one more fact. I have gone through its syllabus and my opinion about the subject is that people of science back ground can score well in it.

My recommendation is that choose IR or ES instead of US history. Rest choice is yours and it totally depends upon your interest. Before making your final choice go through syllabus of all 3 subjects in detail.

__________________
WA-TU-IZZU MANTASHA; WATU-ZILLU MANTASHA