How I cleared CSS 2020 without joining an academy
 

[B]Moneeza Rafiq
Reg. no 36573
Merit no. 60
General Merit All Pakistan
Group Allotted: OMG[/B]

I would like to begin by saying that my success/hard-work is nothing compared to ALLAH's will and His plans, and I would be nowhere without Him.

Many of you will be tempted to join an academy for CSS preparation as soon as you are close to finishing your Bachelors degree. Having met with and interacted with academy-goers who have spent Rs 60,000 and above at various CSS academies with hopes that they will pass the exams, I can say with confidence that at least 60% of the guidance given at academies can be outdated, ridiculous and misleading.

Here is how I got allocated in CSS 2020 without having gone a single day to any academy whatsoever:

1) [I]I had the freedom to pick subjects that were purely based on my interest and field.[/I] Academies only teach subjects they think are 'good scoring'. As soon as you enroll, they force you to pick the subjects of their choosing. You end up studying something you have zero interest in.

2) Due to my high interest in my selected optionals, I was able to study with passion and give my all. I selected Psychology, Philosophy, English Literature ... the kind of subjects that academies don't teach and tend to discourage. I am proof that no matter what mythological 'scoring trend' they want you to trust in, [I]you will score marks in a subject you are interested in[/I]. Period.

3) I was able to make my own notes from recommended books, Youtube videos, websites etc and tailor them to suit my needs, instead of relying on old, outdated academy notes which are often full of grammatical mistakes and written by non-experts.

4) I made several practice outlines not only on Essay topics related to fields of current affairs, but especially on topics related to philosophy, morality and literature. [I]This really helped sharpen my critical and analytical skills, a necessity in CSS exams[/I].

5) With the freedom to make my own notes and hand-pick my own sources, I was able to link various topics together, think critically, and build my own opinions. This is something academics don't teach. They want you to memorize things, facts and figures, which can be a help, but are never the center of any CSS paper. I did not put unnecessary effort into learning a plethora of dates, names, timelines etc, except the most important ones. [I]CSS examiners don't want a mountain of facts and dates, they want to know your opinion. [/I]

6) [I]I was free to go at my own pace and make my own timetable. [/I]Whether it was to give 15 days, or a month to a particular subject, I was the one in-charge, and I was free to adjust my timetable according to my personal needs. This meant I was free of any kind of rush or stress to finish a certain subject on someone else's timetable.

7) I focused on the 'content' of the subject and actual understanding, rather than rote memorization.

8) Because I was in-charge of my own CSS journey, rather than handing it to some CSP officer in an academy, [I]I developed confidence, self-reliance, and a sense of self-worth[/I] which are typically sapped out of you in academy. Academies create this oppressive competitive environment where you are so focused on outshining others that you lose focus on your own strengths and weaknesses.

9) My confidence, trust in Allah, and a sense of comfort in my own skin was a big contributor in my Interview success.

10) While the academy-bred candidates were bogged down with discussing silly, unimportant rules like hand and feet placements, the amount of curve your smile can have, the kind of shoes that will ensure success, I realized that appearance (no matter how important) is always, ALWAYS secondary to the substance in your words and your manner.

11) Help others out. The more you help people, the more you will learn and your own knowledge will increase.

Let me make this clear, if it isn't already: ACADEMIES DON'T GUARANTEE SUCCESS. They are a business. Their goal is not to get you allocated, but to make money off of you. They are not invested in your success. Yes there are some amazing teachers in academies, but there are also a vast majority of those who see you purely as business and nothing more. Many CSP officers don't know the ABCs of teaching, and are even horrible at it.

For success in CSS exams, you need only two things: full belief in ALLAH's plans, and your own hard work, stemming out of your own passion. That's pretty much it.

Congratulations! As you have passed essay twice, do write a comprehensive post on this subject. Thank you.

[QUOTE=MuneezaRafiq;1121059][B]Moneeza Rafiq

Reg. no 36573

Merit no. 60

General Merit All Pakistan

Group Allotted: OMG[/B]



I would like to begin by saying that my success/hard-work is nothing compared to ALLAH's will and His plans, and I would be nowhere without Him.



Many of you will be tempted to join an academy for CSS preparation as soon as you are close to finishing your Bachelors degree. Having met with and interacted with academy-goers who have spent Rs 60,000 and above at various CSS academies with hopes that they will pass the exams, I can say with confidence that at least 60% of the guidance given at academies can be outdated, ridiculous and misleading.



Here is how I got allocated in CSS 2020 without having gone a single day to any academy whatsoever:



1) [I]I had the freedom to pick subjects that were purely based on my interest and field.[/I] Academies only teach subjects they think are 'good scoring'. As soon as you enroll, they force you to pick the subjects of their choosing. You end up studying something you have zero interest in.



2) Due to my high interest in my selected optionals, I was able to study with passion and give my all. I selected Psychology, Philosophy, English Literature ... the kind of subjects that academies don't teach and tend to discourage. I am proof that no matter what mythological 'scoring trend' they want you to trust in, [I]you will score marks in a subject you are interested in[/I]. Period.



3) I was able to make my own notes from recommended books, Youtube videos, websites etc and tailor them to suit my needs, instead of relying on old, outdated academy notes which are often full of grammatical mistakes and written by non-experts.



4) I made several practice outlines not only on Essay topics related to fields of current affairs, but especially on topics related to philosophy, morality and literature. [I]This really helped sharpen my critical and analytical skills, a necessity in CSS exams[/I].



5) With the freedom to make my own notes and hand-pick my own sources, I was able to link various topics together, think critically, and build my own opinions. This is something academics don't teach. They want you to memorize things, facts and figures, which can be a help, but are never the center of any CSS paper. I did not put unnecessary effort into learning a plethora of dates, names, timelines etc, except the most important ones. [I]CSS examiners don't want a mountain of facts and dates, they want to know your opinion. [/I]



6) [I]I was free to go at my own pace and make my own timetable. [/I]Whether it was to give 15 days, or a month to a particular subject, I was the one in-charge, and I was free to adjust my timetable according to my personal needs. This meant I was free of any kind of rush or stress to finish a certain subject on someone else's timetable.



7) I focused on the 'content' of the subject and actual understanding, rather than rote memorization.



8) Because I was in-charge of my own CSS journey, rather than handing it to some CSP officer in an academy, [I]I developed confidence, self-reliance, and a sense of self-worth[/I] which are typically sapped out of you in academy. Academies create this oppressive competitive environment where you are so focused on outshining others that you lose focus on your own strengths and weaknesses.



9) My confidence, trust in Allah, and a sense of comfort in my own skin was a big contributor in my Interview success.



10) While the academy-bred candidates were bogged down with discussing silly, unimportant rules like hand and feet placements, the amount of curve your smile can have, the kind of shoes that will ensure success, I realized that appearance (no matter how important) is always, ALWAYS secondary to the substance in your words and your manner.



11) Help others out. The more you help people, the more you will learn and your own knowledge will increase.



Let me make this clear, if it isn't already: ACADEMIES DON'T GUARANTEE SUCCESS. They are a business. Their goal is not to get you allocated, but to make money off of you. They are not invested in your success. Yes there are some amazing teachers in academies, but there are also a vast majority of those who see you purely as business and nothing more. Many CSP officers don't know the ABCs of teaching, and are even horrible at it.



For success in CSS exams, you need only two things: full belief in ALLAH's plans, and your own hard work, stemming out of your own passion. That's pretty much it.[/QUOTE]Muneeza so thankful to you for all of this can you help me for preparation of css.i will be so thankful to you for this

Sent from my SM-J730F using Tapatalk

[QUOTE=Darkness;1121060]Congratulations! As you have passed essay twice, do write a comprehensive post on this subject. Thank you.[/QUOTE]
Sure, I will make posts on my essay writing success InshaAllah.

[QUOTE=ZAHID MAQSOOD;1121067]Muneeza so thankful to you for all of this can you help me for preparation of css.i will be so thankful to you for this

Sent from my SM-J730F using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]
What kind of help do you need?

Congrats on your allocation, Muneeza!
Would love to know how you prepared for IR since I too lack any interest in cramming and rote learning.

Sorry for reply you lately .
I want to clear css. But I can't understand that from where and how I start preparation. I tried alot of time but I can't do.
So please help me . I will be so thankful to you .
If you want then I can pay for this.
But please bring me in right track .

Please help me if you can??

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Please contact me on my email address

Sir, firstly congratulations for acing CSS, secondly I want to ask about your technique for preparing philosophy. I am planning to appear for KPK PMS exam, while reading through the content I feel like I have found my niche and I study it with great interest but the problem is my pace is quite slow which renders me still playing with basics also could you plz recommend some books for "philosophical methods" part and logic.
I shall owe you a great debt of gratitude for your kind reply.
Jazakallah

Sent from my Redmi Note 9S using Tapatalk

For Philosophy, I went topic by topic and divided them over days which I had allotted for the entire subject. If you want to strengthen your basics, you might want to check out a book titled 'Philosophy Made Simple' and a Crash course on Philosophy found on YouTube.

Hi, I need Some Help
 

First of All congratulations for clearing your css exam.
I am actually a final year mbbs student and I am quite interested towards css and I don't know where to start... And I am quite shy to ask someone in the public. However, if you don't mind can you please tell me how did you started like which books you read and videos you watched. Which subjects did you preferred ( the subjects you listed are also of my interest ). Can you also share your notes with me? I know I am asking alot from you but I just want to take a start . Thanks

Congrats, need guidanceregarding IR
 

Ma'am, many congratulations that you have made it without academy. Could you please guide me regarding IR prep? Thank you very much

[QUOTE=Muhammadwasay;1121133]First of All congratulations for clearing your css exam.
I am actually a final year mbbs student and I am quite interested towards css and I don't know where to start... And I am quite shy to ask someone in the public. However, if you don't mind can you please tell me how did you started like which books you read and videos you watched. Which subjects did you preferred ( the subjects you listed are also of my interest ). Can you also share your notes with me? I know I am asking alot from you but I just want to take a start . Thanks[/QUOTE]
Please contact me on my email address so that I can share info

I will make a post on this forum about IR soon

[QUOTE=MuneezaRafiq;1121140]Please contact me on my email address so that I can share info[/QUOTE]

I sent an email to your email address please check

Congratulations!
 

Hi, Glad to see someone else also uses CSSForum still.

Congratulations Muneeza!Looking forward to meeting you in CSA!

Thank you so much for sharing such a good experience.

Hi sister

What was your approach while attempting [B]'Do we really need literature in our lives?'[/B] Did you write an argumentative essay by presenting your arguments, counter-arguments and then by refuting the counter-arguments? Or did you write a persuasive essay by mentioning only your key arguments in support of your thesis?

Kindly write down the basic structure of your outline, i.e., main headings, to clear such ambiguities.

[QUOTE=Darkness;1123901]Hi sister

What was your approach while attempting [B]'Do we really need literature in our lives?'[/B] Did you write an argumentative essay by presenting your arguments, counter-arguments and then by refuting the counter-arguments? Or did you write a persuasive essay by mentioning only your key arguments in support of your thesis?

Kindly write down the basic structure of your outline, i.e., main headings, to clear such ambiguities.[/QUOTE]
Student of Sir.Atiq spotted. :)

[QUOTE=MrNobody;1123925]Student of Sir.Atiq spotted. :)[/QUOTE]

Haha no.... took lectures of Dr. Arif Javed. After learning Hegelian dialetical method of argumentation (thesis, anti-thesis and synthesis), it is getting hard for me to digest the common approach of writing more points of your side, and weaker and lesser points of the other side, and then, directly jumping on to the conclusion without resolving the whole discourse.

[QUOTE=Darkness;1124003]Haha no.... took lectures of Dr. Arif Javed. After learning Hegelian dialetical method of argumentation (thesis, anti-thesis and synthesis), it is getting hard for me to digest the common approach of writing more points of your side, and weaker and lesser points of the other side, and then, directly jumping on to the conclusion without resolving the whole discourse.[/QUOTE]
Ok je. Good luck, Bhai Jan. Allah Tala Kaamyabi Dy.

[QUOTE=Darkness;1124003]Haha no.... took lectures of Dr. Arif Javed. After learning Hegelian dialetical method of argumentation (thesis, anti-thesis and synthesis), it is getting hard for me to digest the common approach of writing more points of your side, and weaker and lesser points of the other side, and then, directly jumping on to the conclusion without resolving the whole discourse.[/QUOTE]
What I have learned is exactly the same you mentioned earlier. However, I would add a few things. For me, the sketch of an argumentative goes like this:
1.Intro
2.first Argument
3.2nd argument
4.3rd argument
5.4th argument
6. counter argument and refute it
7. counter argument and refute it
8. one or two para(s) of recommendation (NOT APPLICABLE IN EVERY ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY)
9.Conclusion




Having said that, you can add one para after the introduction about the topic. For instance, if you are asked to write an essay on 'Is colonial mentality impeding Pakistan's progress?' you can write a short para on what Colonial mentality actually is and what it entails. And then move on to your first argument.

Any disagreement is happily welcome. Regards.

[QUOTE=MrNobody;1124019]What I have learned is exactly the same you mentioned earlier. However, I would add a few things. For me, the sketch of an argumentative goes like this:
1.Intro
2.first Argument
3.2nd argument
4.3rd argument
5.4th argument
6. counter argument and refute it
7. counter argument and refute it
8. one or two para(s) of recommendation (NOT APPLICABLE IN EVERY ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY)
9.Conclusion




Having said that, you can add one para after the introduction about the topic. For instance, if you are asked to write an essay on 'Is colonial mentality impeding Pakistan's progress?' you can write a short para on what Colonial mentality actually is and what it entails. And then move on to your first argument.

Any disagreement is happily welcome. Regards.[/QUOTE]


I would like to ask: Are those counter-arguments at tangents to thesis arguments you wrote, or will they be like an answer with an evidence to the thesis arguments?

For Example, I see people do this while arguing and still call it argumentation:

[B]Pro:[/B] No economic growth during this government's tenure.

[B]Anti:[/B] This government has digitized the electoral process.

This approach looks more like a school debate or more like presenting positives and negatives, where none of the arguments are relevant to each other.

[B][U]Here is the method I am following:[/U][/B]

[B]1- Introduction [/B]
Thesis Statement:

[B]2- Overview

3- Thesis[/B]
a. .
b. .
c. .
d. .
e. .

[B]4- Antithesis[/B]
a. Antithesis of 3a
b. Antithesis of 3b
c. Antithesis of 3c
d. Antithesis of 3d
e. Antithesis of 3e

[B]5- Synthesis[/B]
a. Disproving 4a, proving 3a to be true.
b. Disproving 4b, proving 3b to be true.
c. Disproving 4c, proving 3c to be true.
d. Disproving 4d, proving 3d to be true.
e. Disproving 4e, proving 3e to be true.

[B]6. Recommendations[/B] (If time/essay permits)

[B]7- Conclusion[/B]


But what confused me is that there are certain topics, like 'Do we really need literature in our lives', where the counter-arguments do not have much evidence available, or even if it is available, it is quite difficult to brainstorm in just 3 hours for an unseen dimension of the theme posed in the paper.