1. Opt for subjects that you have a HIGH apptitude for.Go through the last ten years to help you decide.

2. Practice writing on blank sheets.You'll be given these at the time of the
exam.

3.Preparing notes well in time is a good idea but arranging for already prepared notes is an even better one.

4. Candidates are advised to reserve the last TWO months for revision only,if they hope to sustain any information.

5. Current Affairs should be the last subject prepared.However,this doesn't mean that you become oblivious to it and casually toss the dailys aside.In other words,scanning NEWSPAPERS everyday should become a second nature to you.If pressed on time,issues later than the second last month can be safely ignored as the question papers are prepared atleast a month before the actual exam.The recommended dailies are DAWN and the FRIDAY TIMES.Develop a command over the issues in them cause the latest trend is current affairs oriented papers.Classical examples of this can be seen in the PAKISTAN AFFAIRS,ESSAY,and ISLAMIAT papers of 2005 pasted on another thread.

6.Don't overburden your self with books and material.I know of a batchmate who did and ended up exhausting all three attempts due to this.

7. For the recommended books on the compulsories and optionals,refer to the thread concerned with the issue.

8. Never ignore the last year's paper in this case 2005's papers.Most of the times the MCQ'S,and sometimes the DESCRIPTIVE questions are repeated to test one's indepth knowledge.

9. CSS is all a game of nerves so don't loose them.Take enough sleep but don't loose focus during your preparation and specially during the exams.

10. The exam lasts for maximum 3 hours,with exception to disabled candidates who get extra 15 minutes.DIVIDING and ALLOCATING your time to each question well in advance will be a good idea.Reserve 15 minutes for revision and unexpected disturbances.

11. At the commencement of each exam,devote the first FIVE minutes to read the question paper carefully and completely.Make your choices pragmatically.

12. At times the question is cunningly divided in 2,3 and even 4 parts,sometimes to test your knowledge and at others,just your nerves. Marks are reserved for each part of the question so ensure that you know the answer to each part before you select a question.

E.g: "What are POLITICAL PARTIES?Discuss various theories on their origin and elucidate their functions.Do you think the political parties in Pakistan are loyal to their constitutions?

13. "Basically educational in character,the Aligarh Movement was not devoid of political objectives". Discuss.
This type of question is called a JUSTIFICATION.It must be divided into 2 parts.The first providing data in support of it's being EDUCATIONAL in character and the second OPINING with SOLID arguments whether the Aligarh Movement was political or not.

14. A CSS candidate's answers are expected to depict more QUALITY than QUANTITY.Your answers should be well worded and written neatly but with the minimum possible margin between lines.The examiner can always see through an attempt to use extensive space and this might be encouraged in INTERMEDIATE but not CSS.

15. Avoid any political leanings in your answers.It's best to agree with your examiner unless you have strong arguments to support your case.But don't disagree just to prove your potence. Your delibarations should be mature.

16. Last but not the least,with the exception to the ESSAY paper,your answers should ideally confirm to the following chronological order:

(a)----- INTRODUCTION
(In a few terse lines,it should contain an answer to the question asked

(b)-----EXPLANATION
(Witholds the main body of the answer.The answer proceeding the explanation paragraph should be divided into subheadings,the more the merrier but must hold relevance)

(c)-----CRITICISM/APPRAISAL/CRITICAL ANALYSIS/CANDIDATES OPINION
(Justify here whether you agree or disagree,your observations and suggestions on the topic)
E.g:Whether the Devolution Plan is a success or failure.If failure,why...if successful then why again...Suggest measures to improve it also.This will reveal mature mental processes)

(d)-----CONCLUSION
(Make logical dedutions and close your question here)


NT:This is a feeble attempt to share my observations with you as i made them during the CSS exam and certainly not an exhaustive list of rules to remember.Any addition will be appreciated.

Regards

For subject selection,please keep in mind the following important points:

Try to have the subjects that you have studied before and u have natural tendency for the subjects as when u study you do not feel boredom

Don’t ever go for “that easy subject”, try to find out its scoring value . we will discuss it once we get first lost of ur selection

Previous statistics show that subjects with 100 marks give more score than subjects with 200 marks.

Science subjects are more scoring than their arts counterparts.

People even have scored 2 marks in some subjects like Constitutional Law and 0 marks because they thought it was too easy.

Languages are usually high scoring subjects.

Indo-Pak History and islamic history does not usually result in a high score--avoiding it as generally helpful.
However, other history subjects have better scoring averages.

courtesy:_www.css.com.pk

AoA,
Saaz:the writing practice on blank sheets means that you should be very very well-versed in writing beautifully and quickly on the blank sheets..of course CSS is an exam of your over all capabilities including your writing legibly on blank sheets..No doubt the examiner would love to read straight and very legible text on blank sheets..
Just start practising it,if you wanna hit it..love
regards

Salaamz,
Saz,when i say BLANK SHEETS,I'm, referring to the ones without margins/lines,the ones used for typing and printing purposes.
I have reasons to believe that you have overlooked the basic essence of the question asked,Mr.Seehar,but your effort to address the query well in time is nevertheless acknowledged and appreciated.

Getting to more serious business now,recently a valuable piece of information (inside news) has surfaced,that will immensely benefit the candidates desirous of taking this exam.

It is said that apprently,people of AVERAGE INTELLIGENCE are required for a country's civil services,therefore candidates displaying the ABILITY TO CONTRADICT are generally kept away from the power corridors,for obvious reasons ofcourse.
This observation refers to URBAN candidates specially who tend to thump their chests on being strongly opinionated,both,during the written stage and the interview,not realizing that their abilities,in reality,are an obstacle to the choice of their career.

I'll leave the morales,deductions and interpretations for you to make.

Good luck to all !!!

__________________
No one is listening,until you make a mistake !!

AoA,wisegirl particularly n the forum in general,
Thank u very much wisegirl for apprising me of my overlooking the basic essence of the question raised by Mr.Saaz,a respecable member.Nevatheless i believe that even a school-going kid in Pakistan would know the difference B/W a blank sheet and a lined/marginalized one..Well,when the members like me write anything on this augustus forum,they invariably assume that the readers/CSS aspirants would at least be knowing these basics i.e blank sheet/lined sheet/marginalized sheet,and the readers would at the minimum be in their graduation or off their intermediates...
Moreover,if u had also politely overlooked my inadequate voluntary effort,you would definitely have spared your honour of calling somebody in public Sloppy..Anyways,i never mind such trivia...
As for your breaking the news here that all the CSS aspirants need to pose as average-minded,despite being excellent-minded ones, and not be opinionated at all,i flatly object to it...of course, for the better cause of all the members, as me myself is one of them...
Coz,
The people ambitious of becoming CSPs must know even before preparing for CSS that the beaurocracy in Pakistan, or anywhere in the world, is like a well-interacted machine which runs our country & the CSS is the only mode whereby you can become a part of that system in Pakistan.Given the toughness of the CSS exam, we have forums like this and, no doubt,every Tom,Dick & Harry or any Tomboy in Pakistan is never able to join this system or become a part of this machine,which is in fact the soul of my beloved Pakistan..Had it been so,God forbid,.......
The Beaurocracy in all essence all over the world means toeing the line unflinchingly...Having perfect command over the language of beaurocracy i.e English in case of us,never ever means that you are desperately needed to join the system..Attempting CSS & then joining Beaurocracy & then working superbly therein requires far more than only knowing the language of beaurocracy...Of course,it requires superb,above-average,excellent minds who can filfull the commands of their superiors perfectly in the shape of perfect subordinates..
The Rules of becoming a good subordiante CSP officer are given below:
Rule No.1:Always believe that your boss is right.
Rule No.2:If u have any objections,simply keep silent.
Rule No.3:Just believe that your boss is right.
Remember 1 thing,ALWAYS SALUTE THE RISING SUN...this is the basic motto which we inherited along with this beaurocracy system....
If somebody blindly believes that he/she is superior to civil services,he/she better go for some private sector..It only in p;rivate sector that somebody can be rewarded for his/her due objections to his/her boss...but never in public services of ours...
So,advising the excellent-minded CSS aspirants here to pose like average-minded and below is like to ask them to ruin their ambitions with their very hands...they should better pose with like what qualities Allah Almighty has so graciously bestowed them with...
How would u ever be able to join any system with a pre-carved out approach that"Yahan ka system he hay kharab"...
If you nevertheless believe that you are superior to superior services,then better try to become a politician...this is the only way whereby you can prove the deficiencies of this system and change it altogether.....
And finally become the leader of this nation instead of a public servant.....
Wish ya all the gud luck in the world....
Regards

Hi Everyone


1. Read DAWN everyday. read the front and back pages of DAWN, its pages about the International Affairs and its EDITORIAL pages. remember, u have to read DAWN religiously! u may skip other subjects, u can skip ur meals but not DAWN!

2. Then after reading the articles on the Editorial Page of DAWN, select any one or two articles n write their summaries IN YOUR OWN WORDS. do it every day. DO IT AS RELIGIOUSLY AS U READ DAWN.

2. Then i think that Exploring the World of English is also a pretty f9 book as far as CSS is concerned. Add to it the book, "Improve your English" by J.S. Bright and B.R.Mullick. it's a very good book for vocabulary, idioms, pair of words as well as sentence correction.

3. As far as vocabulary is concerned, memorize the 35,00 word list from BARRON's SAT. although 3500 may sound big but still it's much easier than memorizing even a POCKET DICTIONARY.

4. Read either often or even ocassionally novels. In the beginning u can read those cheap "CHAALU" novels .....by Sidney Sheldon but personally i would go for novels by Jeffery Archer and John Grisham.

I think as far as English is concerned, these tips are more than sufficient......

N YES......one thing u MUST need for CSS......is DETERMINATION. nothing else, not even intelligence or the aptitude for CSS but DETERMINATION......just determination to work hard is the key to success in not only CSS but every other field.

Those people who tend to brag about having a certain aptitude and INTELLECT for CSS r nothing else but BULL-SHITTERS.....EVERY PERSON CAN DO IT....what u need is just HARD WORK N DETERMINATION!

Courtesy :Karar

I hope Adil My this post will not irritate you!!!
And for all memebers who emailed me...So here is reply to ALL!!!!
Hope it suffice you pplz...
ALL THE BEST!!!

My Golden Tip
=============
Notes are a good thing only if u made them yourself...Donot read anyone notes as they are made from their understanding of subjects..not from your point of view.Each person has his own way of understanding but if u can understand them it is really good omen for you!!!!!

================
About Subjects!!!
===============
English Essay,Current affairs
=========================
Read Dawn newspaper or anyother English newspaper daily and try to form your own opinions regarding any issues..Dont copy the authors view point(if you agree with them jot down your own views in your own words).
Newspaper reading is must as in 2005 all papers included Current affairs so time spent in this activity is beneficial for you.
Another option is read "Contemporary affairs" by Shahid Imtiaz.He has beautifully arranged all the topics and related essays in daily newspapers of pakistan.Second approach would be more beneficial for you if you dont have much time!!!
While reading newspaper..You may come across some difficult word so in order to handle it..I would recommend you to make flash cards and place them with you while you are reading newspaper.Note the word on card and any good ideas on seperate flash card...and if possible keep a good dictionary or be near your PC and by using a good dictionary software as I am using Bablyon or may be using MS word you can write down it meaning..It will take time but it will also improve your vocabulary..

English Comprehension
=====================
O'Level English books and General paper for A'level are really good source..(wish I had learnt that before giving my papers )
I have used Chambers book for idioms

Everyday Science
================
I used Kashmiri book...and using Syllabus outline tried to make notes about them...but I only succeeded in making notes for 3/4 topics It take such a long time but it do increases my knowledge..and I also used O'level books of chemistry,biology and physics) + search for individual topics on google..as I have googled myself..this give far better results.

Pakistan Affairs
==============
My worst prepared subject..Just relied on my old knowledge.So ask any other person abt it

Islamiat
======
If preparing in urdu..Used Khursheed Ahmad Islami Nazria Hayat and in English a book by same author named Islam it meanings and message.Islamiat book for O'level written by Farkhunda Noor is also good

Physics
======
Halliday,Resnick and Krane Vol 1 and 2
My way of studying was read a topic and then write main points on a seprate notebook and also write(I recommend) on book to ensure that what are the keypoints discussed in topic as it will help you go easily in Revision time.

Islamic History
=============
A Short history of Islam By Mazhurl Haq
A short History of Saracens by Syed Ameer Ali (A must read book and I only realised it while preparing for interview)
Plus used Google to get information about Turkey Sultanat-Usmania

Statistics
=========
Used Books used in Bachelors course of statistics in PUNJAB University LAHORE!!!

Computer Science
================
Books used in your Bachelors or Master degree for subjects mentioned in syllabus

=================================
Regarding Time spent to prepare...!!!
=================================
Well it depends on your subjects..
Scientific subjects only need to get you basic idea about them and once you understand you can reporduce them in your own words.
History subjects:You have to get a through reading of subject because you cannot manipulate history to your will as it is past...but you can give your views/opinions about where they went wrong etc...
As i have these two subjects as my optionals...so I spent the early days preparing for unknown subejects to me like Islamic history and side by side an easy subject like I have done stats..
So what I suggest is you have to read newspaper daily,One of news/tough subjects first and in parallel some easy subject/what you may have read before and have good material with you.. Donot overburden you by reading all time..Five time prayers in a day and reading Quran also helps you al lot.It creates a will in you and in the end you succeed..Donot set your aim to read all things...but to get maximum knowledge out of them and forming your own opnions.
Parents prayers also play a key role
If you are doing some sort of job.I'll recommend take a holiday for 2 months at least..cuz after office work..may be you are in mood to study but had to take book anyway just to make that u hv to study..this leave you sleepless and you couldnot study well also..so dont make your body and mind overwork..
=============
About Books!!!
=============
I think just look at the syllabus outline and visit library or may be books in your own home...and see the index and compare them with outline...If they give you material.
It is impossible to buy all the refrence books and most difficult is to read them all...So I suggest..you use your own books that you have used while preparing for your14/16 years of studies.Its really nonsense...buying all the books...but I dont recomend Dogar or any publisher book as so many are using them and they express the same idea in their papers...which leave a bad impressions...So dont follow the trend.
Making your own views and writing in your own style is the key to success and be in touch with ALLAH.He is the one who give you strength to do work.Always rememeber HIM..as HE says..If you remember ME I will sure rememeber you..

__________________
Need your prayers,
Aaminah

Hello Officer!!!!

I can't see why your Post will 'irritate' Mr.Memon,unless ofcourse intelligence has become an irritable factor in his life,specially if coming from the opposite gender!! lolzz

Coming back to your observations now,I've been watching you closely since your appearance on the scene.And among many other skills that you've displayed,I feel it's your uniqueness that has helped you get through.
This quality is reflected through both,the spelling of your name and the books you've chosen for preparation and I'm sure it was visible in your papers as well!

Prayers are ofcourse a plus.Without them,MAN PROPOSES AND GOD DISPOSES!!! I strongly believe this was the only area I lacked in during my attempts but thanks to the inspiration provided by yourself,Mr.Noman,Busharraf and one of the Admins,I've mended my ways... (well..ok..atleast I'm trying)!!

Anyhow,thankyou for taking out the time to visit us.
It's sincerely hoped that you shine brightly in all the future endeavours you undertake,particularly the interview.

Best regards,
Moi.

__________________
No one is listening,until you make a mistake !!

Salam everybody!

Nice tips from Aaminah, thankyou for such nice and working guidelines. Taking noteces or making points during study of any books helps a lot during the revisions and exam days so it must be the part of every aspirant's preperation to jot down important points preferably in form of notes for help in the later days,

And for sure the prayers change the fate and helps one to achieve the goals and the five time pray boost up the confidence level, so keep praying as much as possible,

Regards,

Sajid.

Salaam,

Miss Aaminah, I guess scores between us have already been settled down.

Miss Chaudhary, your complaint is warranted and registered officially. Self-consciousness of the macho-disorder has aroused in my mind. I accept my past mistakes and seriously speaking I am trying my best to bridle/rein the 'super-Man inside me'. I apologise if I have ever hurted you. I wish this clears your heart and mind for me. From now on, no conflicts. [on terms of no provocation from the opposite side]

I agree with all Sajid bhai, Aaminah and Chaudhary regarding the importance of remembrance of Allah. I can just say that nobody can do without it. My elders have always suggested me to attend prayers regularly with punctuality. My mamoo [an outdated CSP] often calls me from Spain to know if i'm attending the prayers or not?

Praying regularly helps one maintaining a strict schedule for studies. It promotes punctuality of time. It helps in bringing luck to one.

May Allah set us on the straight path. Aameen!

Regards,

__________________
"The race is not over because I haven't won yet."

Adil Memon
Police Service of Pakistan (P.S.P)
37th Common Training Program