Best Way of Approaching Preparation

Toru · #1 Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Given that we're left with exactly 7 months till the exam, I would like to take this chance for inviting suggestions regarding the best way to approach preparation.

Many candidates scan truckloads of material to sift important data and make notes, while others read, re-read and re-re-read to familiarize themselves with the material and attempt question papers directly for practice.

While notes do prove useful in preparing for the exams, they're also very demanding with respect to time. Making notes after thorough reading once takes the same amount of time as reading the syllabus two to three times over.

What I mean to ask here is regarding the suitability of either one of the approaches with respect to the CSS examination. Faced with a scarcity of time and more subjects to prepare following the restructuring under the new scheme of things, which strategy should one adopt?

Suggestions in addition to those mentioned will be welcome.

Aik Admi · #2 Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Aoa Toru,

I was faced with exactly the same dilemma but I didn't really find myself as having a choice: the time left does not allow a candidate who is appearing for the first time to even consider making notes. I think I'd hardly be able to cover the whole syllabus only once... The time I am left with, I'd prefer devoting to practising past papers in exam like setting...and may be preparing some notes based on past papers' important questions

I think once you have acquired the basic grasp of subject material it is better to move on towards mastering the art of producing good answers in limited time...and of course preparing very short notes on most likely questions...

Toru · #3 Thursday, August 20, 2015

Precisely. I was, and still am, faced with this conundrum. Given that all of us have 10-12 papers to prepare in what remains of the already insufficient time available. Devoting 10-12 hours of daily study as is typically cliched usually will only barely cover the syllabus once as you have rightly pointed out. In the end we could either revise or practice with both exercises being immensely important. I do hope we sail through smoothly..

By the way, I was meaning to ask you if the commission has done away with pre-1970 for Pakistan Affairs? And what optionals will you be taking?

Aik Admi · #4 Thursday, August 20, 2015

I don't think there's any reason to think Fpsc has done away with it just because they haven't mentioned it. They've never been that precise and there's no one who could challenge them, if the case is otherwise. Besides, everything is so interconnected that you'd better know all major happenings till today 1800 onwards to produce a profound response to any question. That said, a major proportion of your time for Pak Affairs prep should obviously go to more recent history and happenings, especially post-70, as you said

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