Just a couple of questions..
 

Hello and AoA everyone!

It's great to see so many people actively participating in this forum!
I have made up my mind about appearing for the CSS Examinations in 2014 and had a couple of questions to ask. Before that i would let you know a little about my educational background. [LIST=1][*]Schooling + O Levels + A Levels from Beaconhouse School System[*]Bachelors in Business Administration (Honors.) from one of the top Universities in Lahore.[*]Masters in Management from U.K[/LIST]
My English Language is good, but after looking at the past-papers i realise that i need some practice to come up to speed. I have studied, Economics and Business Management related courses throughout. I love reading books and have been reading and writing regularly since school.
This is my first time appearing for the CSS Examinations, and i intend to keep it that way by working hard and giving it my best shot inshaAllah !
Anyway.. back to the questions :)

[B]1.[/B] Is it actually useful to go to an academy to get the basics of the exams? Do they teach students things which we can not learn from books or the internet?

[B]2.[/B] Time. I have heard people saying that ''you will have to study for 10 months daily and for 8-10 hours, stop any social activities and stay at home all day and study!'' - How true is this? Frankly speaking, i have never been able to concentrate more than just a couple of hours at a stretch. Will i have to change my self for this ?

[B]3.[/B] Subject selection. First of all, what do experienced people suggest - is it better to have more subjects because they might be easier for you or is it better to study less subjects because there would be lesser subjects to study? For example: I have come up with a couple of combinations but have not decided yet because i want to study the syllabi further.
Option A: Public Administration, Sociology, Journalism, US History, Constitutional Law and International Law.

Option B: Economics, Sociology, Journalism, US History and International Law.

Option C: Economics, Political Science and Islamic History.

Now. I really like option A, but i will have to study 6 different subjects where as in option C i will only have 3 subjects (but again, those 3 subjects have a really lengthy syllabus and I'm uncertain about Islamic History)
So.. is it worth going for Option A/B or is it better to go for option C?
Out of these which ones are usually considered as scoring and which ones are usually tough?

[B]4.[/B] Books. Are there any set of good books for the mandatory/compulsory subjects? I do not want to read people's notes. Can any one recommend a single book for each subject? (Or is it better to study from more than one book?)

[B]5.[/B] I am currently working full-time and plan to leave my job around August/September so that i can fully concentrate on CSS preparations because these days i only have some time on the weekends. Would you recommend this? Or would you suggest that either i keep on with the job, or leave it next month i.e May ?


I would be grateful for answers and recommendations to the above questions.
Hats off to the good people managing this forum! God bless!

Asslam u Allikum , !

Bro welcome you on this great site. what i think regarding your questions is as follows ,
[QUOTE]1. Is it actually useful to go to an academy to get the basics of the exams? Do they teach students things which we can not learn from books or the internet?[/QUOTE]

in my point of view, BIG NO for any academy.

[QUOTE]2. Time. I have heard people saying that ''you will have to study for 10 months daily and for 8-10 hours, stop any social activities and stay at home all day and study!'' - How true is this? Frankly speaking, i have never been able to concentrate more than just a couple of hours at a stretch. Will i have to change my self for this ?[/QUOTE]
this depend on person's stamina . i think there is no need to cut off your self from social activities , friends etc. yes it is important that you should give proper time to your studies on regular basis.

[QUOTE]3. Subject selection. First of all, what do experienced people suggest - is it better to have more subjects because they might be easier for you or is it better to study less subjects because there would be lesser subjects to study? For example: I have come up with a couple of combinations but have not decided yet because i want to study the syllabi further.
Option A: Public Administration, Sociology, Journalism, US History, Constitutional Law and International Law.

Option B: Economics, Sociology, Journalism, US History and International Law.

Option C: Economics, Political Science and Islamic History.[/QUOTE]

again it depends on you.select subject which are easy for you.

[QUOTE]4. Books. Are there any set of good books for the mandatory/compulsory subjects? I do not want to read people's notes. Can any one recommend a single book for each subject? (Or is it better to study from more than one book?)
[/QUOTE]
see the recommend books by fpsc .

[QUOTE]5. I am currently working full-time and plan to leave my job around August/September so that i can fully concentrate on CSS preparations because these days i only have some time on the weekends. Would you recommend this? Or would you suggest that either i keep on with the job, or leave it next month i.e May ?[/QUOTE]
again it depends on you. if you are able to give proper time to your studies then it is better to not leave your job.

Wishing you best of luck for ce2014.

Regards

[QUOTE=SPRR;583813]Hello and AoA everyone!

It's great to see so many people actively participating in this forum!
I have made up my mind about appearing for the CSS Examinations in 2014 and had a couple of questions to ask. Before that i would let you know a little about my educational background. [LIST=1][*]Schooling + O Levels + A Levels from Beaconhouse School System[*]Bachelors in Business Administration (Honors.) from one of the top Universities in Lahore.[*]Masters in Management from U.K[/LIST]
My English Language is good, but after looking at the past-papers i realise that i need some practice to come up to speed. I have studied, Economics and Business Management related courses throughout. I love reading books and have been reading and writing regularly since school.
This is my first time appearing for the CSS Examinations, and i intend to keep it that way by working hard and giving it my best shot inshaAllah !
Anyway.. back to the questions :)

[B]1.[/B] Is it actually useful to go to an academy to get the basics of the exams? Do they teach students things which we can not learn from books or the internet?[/QUOTE]
First of all welcome to the forum. In my opinion it is not mandatory to go to an academy. You can get the guidance from books, internet, seniors etc. On this very forum there are many csp officers who can guide you in a very effective manner since they have successfully gone through the whole process.

[QUOTE][B]2.[/B] Time. I have heard people saying that ''you will have to study for 10 months daily and for 8-10 hours, stop any social activities and stay at home all day and study!'' - How true is this? Frankly speaking, i have never been able to concentrate more than just a couple of hours at a stretch. Will i have to change my self for this ?[/QUOTE]
Time for preparation depends upon your ability to manage that time. I myself gave less than 2 months to my preparation and qualified by the grace of Allah. I never left any of my social activities and moreover believe me I can't study consistently for more than 20 mins. So it is actually upto you to decide who much time you need to prepare yorself for CSS.

[QUOTE][B]3.[/B] Subject selection. First of all, what do experienced people suggest - is it better to have more subjects because they might be easier for you or is it better to study less subjects because there would be lesser subjects to study? For example: I have come up with a couple of combinations but have not decided yet because i want to study the syllabi further.
Option A: Public Administration, Sociology, Journalism, US History, Constitutional Law and International Law.

Option B: Economics, Sociology, Journalism, US History and International Law.

Option C: Economics, Political Science and Islamic History.

Now. I really like option A, but i will have to study 6 different subjects where as in option C i will only have 3 subjects (but again, those 3 subjects have a really lengthy syllabus and I'm uncertain about Islamic History)
So.. is it worth going for Option A/B or is it better to go for option C?
Out of these which ones are usually considered as scoring and which ones are usually tough?[/QUOTE]
Subject selection should totally be based upon one's aptitude and interest. one should also go through the past papers and the syllabi before finalizing one's subjects. As far as syllabi are concerned, you can yourself figure it out that subjects of 200 marks have a lengthy syllabus as compared to those of 100 marks. You can fearlessly go with option A or B if you have interest in these subjects. The problem with option C according to me, is pol science. It has a much lengthy syllabus and is often low scoring. You can replace it with subjects like geography, psycholpgy, Arabic etc. Choice is yours.

[QUOTE][B]4.[/B] Books. Are there any set of good books for the mandatory/compulsory subjects? I do not want to read people's notes. Can any one recommend a single book for each subject? (Or is it better to study from more than one book?)[/QUOTE]
One good book is sufficient for each subject.
For Essay, read daily dawn and Jahangir world times.
For precis and composition, go through High school English grammar by Wren And martin OR you can go through Exploring the world of English by Saadat.
For EDS, Kashmiri's book is sufficient
For current affairs, read dawn newspaper as well as International journals.
For Islamiat, Islami nazria e Hayat by Khursid Ahmed OR if you want to opt it in english then, Islamic way of Living in the light of Sirah by Liaqat Ali Khan Niazi
Pak affairs by Imtiaz Shahid.

[QUOTE][B]5.[/B] I am currently working full-time and plan to leave my job around August/September so that i can fully concentrate on CSS preparations because these days i only have some time on the weekends. Would you recommend this? Or would you suggest that either i keep on with the job, or leave it next month i.e May ? [/QUOTE]
You can continue your preparation with your job. There are many csp members of this forum who did a full time job yet they achieved there goal.

Regards.

First of all, Welcome to CSS Forum!

Good to hear that you want to appear in CSS 2014.

[B][B]1.[/B] Is it actually useful to go to an academy to get the basics of the exams? Do they teach students things which we can not learn from books or the internet?[/B]

Not the institutes, but your own will power can bring you to the understanding of particular subject.
Thoroughly go through the CSS forum for each subject, you will find the very useful Threads/posts regarding subject guideline.
Then subject selection, or subject basics will not be any more problematic for you.

[B][B]2.[/B] Time. I have heard people saying that ''you will have to study for 10 months daily and for 8-10 hours, stop any social activities and stay at home all day and study!'' - How true is this? Frankly speaking, i have never been able to concentrate more than just a couple of hours at a stretch. Will i have to change my self for this ?[/B]

As its totally depends upon you skill. If you have good writing, reading skills, you will surely cover in less time. Its better to give 6-8 hours will full concentration than giving 10-12 hours with here and there concentration.

[B][B]3.[/B] Subject selection. First of all, what do experienced people suggest - is it better to have more subjects because they might be easier for you or is it better to study less subjects because there would be lesser subjects to study? For example: I have come up with a couple of combinations but have not decided yet because i want to study the syllabi further.
Option A: Public Administration, Sociology, Journalism, US History, Constitutional Law and International Law.

Option B: Economics, Sociology, Journalism, US History and International Law.

Option C: Economics, Political Science and Islamic History.[/B]

Go for the subjects in which you have the basic knowledge. History subjects like Islamic history, are easy tocover because no need for the guidance/tutions. You have done BBA, you can go for your field subjects. Language subject selection is also useful.
Further, don't make your elf confused, go for the subjects which you can easily cover.

[B]
[B]5.[/B] I am currently working full-time and plan to leave my job around August/September so that i can fully concentrate on CSS preparations because these days i only have some time on the weekends. Would you recommend this? Or would you suggest that either i keep on with the job, or leave it next month i.e May ?[/B]

If you think you have to give proper time otherwise you can't cover the subjects, then you can plan for leave. If job really doesn't dist rub the preparation then dont go for the leave.

Now decision is Yours.

Best of Luck!

Thank you every one for your replies !

I will review the subjects again and will take a look at the syllabi and past papers before deciding and starting with a subject.

I think i will go to my job for a couple of months then will quit.. probably around August, because after that i want to study with full concentration.

Hope we all keep in touch. :)

[QUOTE=SPRR;584244]Thank you every one for your replies !

Hope we all keep in touch. :)[/QUOTE]

Pleasure!
For thanking a member, use the THANKS button at the bottom of his/her post.
Regards.

I would also like to ask..

Is it better to go for 5-6 subjects which have shorter syllabi and ones you are more comfortable with? i.e. Journalism, Public Admin, Sociology, Constitutional Law, International Law etc.

OR

Is it better to take lesser subjects (3-4) of more marks which usually have lengthy syllabi i.e., Economics, Political Sciences and History subjects?

For me, all of the above mentioned subjects are of interest.

[QUOTE=SPRR;584381]I would also like to ask..

Is it better to go for 5-6 subjects which have shorter syllabi and ones you are more comfortable with? i.e. Journalism, Public Admin, Sociology, Constitutional Law, International Law etc.

OR

Is it better to take lesser subjects (3-4) of more marks which usually have lengthy syllabi i.e., Economics, Political Sciences and History subjects?

For me, all of the above mentioned subjects are of interest.[/QUOTE]

If one is interested in a number of subjects, then one should check the syllabi and the scoring trends. Some of the subjects are considered more scoring than the others. One should, in this situation, opt those subjects which are more scoring.