I do not think one can secure admission/scholarship in the universities of English speaking countries by merely obtaining a band 7 in the IELTS. The universities have a screening standard (usually a 6.5 or 7 band) to be eligible for the admission, just as a graduate degree is prerequisite for the CSS exams. It does not guarantee an admission, additionally, the PhD programs are highly competitive and you need to have good references, GRE scores and high percentage in your Undergrad/Masters transcripts.

I am currently residing in an English speaking country and have completed my Masters from here on scholarship. I got a band 7.5 when I appeared in an IELTS exam and got a direct university scholarship, but one of my friend got a band 8 and could not get into his desired university.

dear lak sahib
it depends upon you how you tackle the things,i am in final year of my PhD with indignous scholarship and by the grace of Allah i've passed css-2011 written exam too. only course work consumes time,research work can be managed in any way you like.
i suggest you not to waste time for a foreign scholarship,i had IELTS band 7,GAT general etc..i goe overseas for gemany but couldnt avail...so dear just believe in Allah and start both..for css never put your studies at stake..css is something unpredictable but PhD will secure your future,just start both.
may Allah be with you and all others.

remember me in your prayers

regards

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main is karam k kahan tha qabil..Huzoor SAW ki bnda prwari hai

Thank u very much for ur reply mian sb. And best wishes for ur final interview
To ap yeh kehtay hen k yahan par hi admision le kar phd aur css shuru kar doon
Aur mian sb yeh indignous to i think sab Ph.D scholars ko hi mil jata ha na GAT ki base par
Ya tough hota ha is ka milna b

thanks brother for your kind wishes
dear as far the criterion for indigenous batch 7 is concerned,it was awarded to all enrolled phd students.so you please secure your admission in any hec recognized university.if you go abroad for phd,how will you compete for CSS?
so if you have both dreams..stay here

may Allah bless us all

regards

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main is karam k kahan tha qabil..Huzoor SAW ki bnda prwari hai

Nice to know this Sajjad that you cleared CE 2011. I also decided the same what you are doing. I am selected for Ind. batch Vll, and my MS course work is complete. So, now working on MS thesis and looking for CSS in 2013 attempt.
Can you please tell me how did you manage both the things simultaneously? I mean how much time did you give to CSS studies from daily schedule. I have almost 1 full year for 2013 attempt. So, want to take things alng from now. Your guidance will be really helpful for me.

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I am not interested in power for power's sake, but I'm interested in power that is moral, that is right and that is good.

What I have seen in most of the doctorate-fellows is the greed to earn surname. PhD was thought to be pursued by highly obsessed people, who cant sleep without working in their field and research. Ordinary people who workout to earn a surname and money never do good in their respective fields.

CSPs are thought to be quite a learned people and that is all, no-one has ever seen a CSP been able to advice government to go for a mere foundry for Pakistan, a cancer hospital, revival plan for our language or something else. Technocrats are heard the least. CSPs can administer and make flows (not more than copy pastes/ foreign diktats or western decrees).

Civil service is an administrative job, you are not going to win Nobel in any case. You are not going to put a micro-economic theory or a great circuitry. Or anything that may make Pakistan as the ONLY COUNTRY THAT DID SOMETHING indigenously. By the way it has been a great deal of time since we have seen people like Altaf Gohar, Qudrat ullah, mumtaz mufti. Do CSS, because the history of 17 scientists gathering in a small house of Dr. Inam Shah, in 1966 to start our Nuclear Plan, will be repeated in every field. No matter, if a politician or bureaucrat may hijack the concept. We need CSPs who can change the typical abusive bureaucracy (excluding a few good).

I will recommend you to pursue CSS rather PhD. You will be able to get leaves and scholarships once you clear this CSS. Passing CSS is really great and tough at times. It is exam of nerves that need one to be disciplined.

Best of Luck

P.S. Counter-argument will be welcomed. While replying, be polite and use soft words in countering my argument. Anyone trying to be personal will not be answered.

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~Yaseen~

FRIEND , phd is not a dual minded job , if your are not willing , so lets prepare your exam ist , because css demand energy and spirit ..
so don't waste your time by jumping here and there , be on your target .
good luck .....

dear usman
my plan of work was simple
i started preparation in november 2010
i used to b in lab from 8-3
then one-two hour sleep
then study for 5-6 hours
i studied books only...did not go for shrotcuts
i think one can give 5 hours daily to study...2013 is still far away and you have a lot of time...dont be confused...start now

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main is karam k kahan tha qabil..Huzoor SAW ki bnda prwari hai

Yar i have heare if u have 18 years of education nd one year govt experience you can apply for denmark immigratìon
Is it true?

The one and only css. PHD will make a teacher and css a leader.