Institutions/Academies

[qasimahmadilyas]

Asalam-Alikum!
I have studied for two years in a 4 years baccalaureate program (Psychology and Political Science) but I could not continue for some obvious reasons. Then, I took the B.A examination of Punjab University. I am waiting for result, which i believe, will be good. Additionally, I have an excellent educational background, and I am a committed student.
However, the thing which perplexes me is that you, guys know that there is a list of academies claiming to prepare the aspirants for the CSS examination. Personally, I do not like academies because they spoil individuals ability to cope under tightening conditions, and [perhaps] for this reason, the result of previous year (2013) is not encouraging.
So I need your guidance through the answers of these following questions:

• Is it necessary to get preparation from an institute?
• What is the cost and benefit analysis of joining an institution/academy?
  
• Can anybody dedicatedly prepare by himself using efficiently various online resources plus strategic study plan?
• What cost does the individual has to bear if he or she prepares it without group study?
• The quality or quantity, what do the examiners prefer?

The rest things are easily accessible in this forum, and the study plans etc. etc. are not new to me.

[Muhammad Ali Chaudhry]

Is it necessary to get preparation from an institute?

It is not necessary to prepare from any institution . And Why it is not necessary ? , because according to my own experience of whole one year , i cannot see any advantage in joining any academy or institution . Every institution says in its seminar that we are the beat . But , after getting your money , they show that who they are . Simply , they do not care about you , they just care about money .

What is the cost and benefit analysis of joining an institution/academy?

In real terms , just academy gets whole profit i.e your money . You cannot get a single benefit from any institution . If you say that notes are one of the benefits , then , notes are always available there at photocopy shops e.g STC PU etc. You would have to give nearly 30 to 50 thousands as a fee , then more money will be spent if you do not live in the city having that academy . And , benefit = zero

Can anybody dedicatedly prepare by himself using efficiently various online resources plus strategic study plan?

If you have got one or two people that can guide you in an effective manner , then , surely you can prepare online . In fact , online available material is far more than that of the material that we study for prep i.e books ,notes .

What cost does the individual has to bear if he or she prepares it without group study?

Nothing , as i have said aspirants just need a little bit of guidance . You can prepare better if you keep on studying individually . For me , groups are just a waste of time .

The quality or quantity, what do the examiners prefer?

I have given this attempt . So , result will make it clear . But , i think both quantity and quality matters .


P.s : I think if anyone wants to join any institution or academy , and it is a final decision , then it is better to approach any teacher individually i.e to get tuition from a subject speacialist .

[qasimahmadilyas]

thank you bro. The books recommended in CSS Syllabus are enough to prepare from?

[Muhammad Ali Chaudhry]

Originally Posted by qasimahmadilyas

thank you bro. The books recommended in CSS Syllabus are enough to prepare from?

The recommended books are more than enough . But , usually aspirants prepare from the books that are easily available in the market , and covers most of the syllabus . For these books you would have to search the relevant section regarding your optionals and compulsory subjects . You can post your query in the Section of book suggestions too .

[qasimahmadilyas]

Originally Posted by Muhammad Ali Chaudhry

The recommended books are more than enough . But , usually aspirants prepare from the books that are easily available in the market , and covers most of the syllabus . For these books you would have to search the relevant section regarding your optionals and compulsory subjects . You can post your query in the Section of book suggestions too .

Here is what I am considering the subject combination:
Indo-Pak History
Political Science
Psychology

What do you think about the combination?

And What do you recommend about this combination:
Indo-Pak History
Political Science
Punjabi
International Law

[Muhammad Ali Chaudhry]

Originally Posted by qasimahmadilyas

Here is what I am considering the subject combination:
Indo-Pak History
Political Science
Psychology

What do you think about the combination?

And What do you recommend about this combination:
Indo-Pak History
Political Science
Punjabi
International Law

I am not the authority , but i would have gone for;

Indo-Pak history
Punjabi
International law
Psychology

[qasimahmadilyas]

why not Political Science, and why Psychology?

[Muhammad Ali Chaudhry]

Originally Posted by qasimahmadilyas

why not Political Science, and why Psychology?

In my opinion , hardest paper of psychology can be solved with good preparation , on the other side it is not same for Political science . In the same way , vast course contents of Political science is another aspect .

[qasimahmadilyas]

Originally Posted by Muhammad Ali Chaudhry

In my opinion , hardest paper of psychology can be solved with good preparation , on the other side it is not same for Political science . In the same way , vast course contents of Political science is another aspect .

Anyone, who has analytic and critical reading skills, can succeed in psychology. I've studied psychology for two years in Forman Christian College as a baccalaureate program. Psychology is a very interesting and stimulating subject. I bought books last night for Political Science but later on when I was going through the past paper of Psychology, I realized my fatal decision to opt political science. I think that psychology is not only high scoring subject but also it is utterly helpful in interview.