How much time does it takes to prepare for CSS? This is probably the most asked question by aspirants and the common answer is anywhere from 8-12 months with 10+ hours of daily study. My experience suggests otherwise

I prepared for 2011 exams in less than a month (with average 6 hours/day study), and I feel that anyone can prepare and pass CSS with preparation of 2 months maximum. Any time more than 2 months is a sheer wastage of time and resources.

Before going with how to prepare for CSS is 2 months or less, let me disclose here that I havn't yet passed the exams, so skepticism on your part won't be unwarranted but as the same time also let me tell you that my result should not matter with this strategy because every person has a unique mind with varying degrees of knowledge and experience. If I pass the exam, it wouldn't mean that this strategy would work for everyone and if I fail, this wouldn't mean that this strategy does not works.

Also in short, the theme behind this whole 'Within 2 months prep' is the notion that "You can do it", and that you just have to have belief in yourself. DO NOT listen to anyone who says you can't prepare for CSS in X time period or that XYZ who was a topper failed after preparing for a year. Your attitude should be that you are sharpest and most intelligent amongst all and that everyone else will never be able to match you. Off-course it goes without saying that there is a very fine line between overconfidence and confidence. The second backbone of this strategy is smart work instead of hard work. Now that we are done with the basics lets get to the fine details

Assumptions

1)You have good command over written and spoken English. You did your O and A levels and scored a minimum of B in O levels English. You have or currently do read English books such as novels/magazines etc

2)You are generally a sharp/intelligent student (Do note that I am not talking about hard-work). You have a decent memory

3)You are confident and can speak on any occasion with anyone. You also have regularly debated on current issues with your friends or family

Preparation

English Essay

The most vital part here is Outline preparation. Once you have developed a strong outline, lets say with around 20 points, it shouldn't be hard for you to write 3000 words on it. Write and develop a few outlines on hot topics (Pakistan's economic issues, women, islam as a religion, global warming, politics/democracy) and ensure you prepare only a maximum of 5 outlines. With each outline, prepare appropriate quotes and events. There is no need to write an essay however if you are not confident about your speed, you may practice 1/2 essays. All this shouldn't take more than 2 days. Internet should be your best friend

English Precis & Composition

This is probably the easiest paper. Just prepare antonyms, synonyms, proverbs and idioms from any book of your choice.

You don't need to prepare composition as you have already done it extensively in O levels. Trust me, in CSS its much easier than O levels

As far as precis is concerned, it is quite easy, contrary to what people say. You have to summarize in easy words in 1/3 the word count. Once again consult any book for solved precis of past papers which should give you an idea and you are all set to go

For short notes, once again the quotes and events are your gateway to success. You do not need to prepare for this because writing 300 words shouldn't be difficult for you especially when coupled with quotes and events which alone would take up at least 100 words

This paper therefore shouldn't take more than 2 days to prepare too.

EDS

The most scoring subject which you should ace.

All you need to do is read Everyday Science book of Kashmiri. 1 reading shouldn't take more than 2 days. Revise at least 3-4 times whenever you feel like. Also get solved papers of last 10 years and you are all set to go. No need to do anything else

Current Affairs

There is no need for you to read Dawn daily! Yes, no need to read any newspaper! Reading dawn takes atleast 1-2 hours daily and main time consuming activity of all other CSS aspirants. You on the other hand do not need to read it except on weekends. For CA prep, get the following

1)Quarterly Journal (4 editions come in a year)
2)Jahangir World Times magazine (all 12)

Go through these a couple of times and you are all set to go. Off-course, here my earlier assumption also comes into play that you have debated in life previously and therefore have analytical skills. You also have good english etc etc. If needed or if you feel like, you may read Opinion/Encounter of Dawn on a daily basis.

Thus preparing for CA should take max 1 week

Pakistan Affairs

Ikram Rabbani: Thats it! Read this book only till Zia-ul-Haq era and no more. Prepare your own pointers from the internet on agriculture, manufacturing, education and water crisis in Pakistan. Go through this book a couple of times as it contains everything you need to pass in Pakistan Affairs.

Do get solved past papers and give special attentions to MCQs and topics like Sir Syed, Shah Walli Ullah, Pakistan movement, Ideology of Pakistan etc

Max time 4-5 days

Islamiat

Solve Islamiat in English because you are good at it (earlier assumption). Get the following books

1)Islamiat by Dogar Sons
2)Jahangir Exam Cram series

Go through both these books and repeat if necessary. Also important here is that you look at Friday Feature of Dawn. No need to buy a dawn on Friday though or even look at it each friday for the next 52 weeks. You can search on Google and get articles from any period. Once again, last 10 years solved papers are important.

Give a full week to Islamiat prep as it is a difficult subject and questions are generally contemporary in nature.

Geography

Sarfaraz Bajwa: Thats it! Your paper A should be complete within 3 days max

For paper 2 get latest edition De Blij and read up on population/migration/urbanization. Also get Jahangir Exam cram series and prepare paper 2 from it. When you are done with it, take a look at past papers and search for important figures from the net and note them down.

For both papers, once again last 10 years solved papers are indispensable.

Prep time for both subjects shouldn't take more than 5 days

Journalism

Journalism by Mehdi Hassan and Exam Cram series: Both books should not take more than 2 days max

Forestry

Masood A A Qureshi (Book 1 only): Thats it!

Indopak History/British History

This wasn't my subject in 2011 papers (Accounting was) so I can't really guide you but Exam Cram series should be your friend and practice diagram drawing (for British History). Hopefully I will write an update for these subjects in a couple of days.


Basically, the crux of whole preparation is on hard work and 1/2 books max. If you add up the number of days, it hardly takes around 40 days. You should spend rest of the time revising. It is imperative that you follow this strategy just before exams to ensure maximum possible retention.

Let me repeat here that this a general strategy which I felt worked for me in 2011 exams. It may not work for everyone, but it may also work wonders for someone with a bit of modification. All I would say is that whatever strategy you follow, do not let anyone else tell you that you can not do it or that it isn't possible.

Also do not rely on academy notes. The underlying notion behind my assumptions, mentioned at the top, was that you can think critically and analyze yourself. Utilize your skills!

Helpful, Thank you. I will be appearing in 2013 inshAllah. I'll try to follow your guidelines. If I needed help, I'll email you (don't have your email ID though :o)

Ahaan.....

I am agree with you !!

You just have to develop your confidence on your self & Believe on Allah

&

Second important thing is you should be Confident instead of OVER CONFIDENT !!

Wishing you Luck for your Result..

Do let us Know how's that

__________________
The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen.

Current Affairs

There is no need for you to read Dawn daily! Yes, no need to read any newspaper! Reading dawn takes atleast 1-2 hours daily and main time consuming activity of all other CSS aspirants. You on the other hand do not need to read it except on weekends. For CA prep, get the following

1)Quarterly Journal (4 editions come in a year)
2)Jahangir World Times magazine (all 12)

Go through these a couple of times and you are all set to go. Off-course, here my earlier assumption also comes into play that you have debated in life previously and therefore have analytical skills. You also have good english etc etc. If needed or if you feel like, you may read Opinion/Encounter of Dawn on a daily basis.

Thus preparing for CA should take max 1 week


@ css aspirants

Dawn newspaper is very essential during css preration.
Benefits of reading this;
1. Help in vocabulary
2. essay paper
3. current affair
4. Pakistan affairs
5. Islamiat
6. In optionals

The need here only is how sb wud study newspaper.

World times is also good.

__________________
People will always throw stones in your path, it depends on you whether you make a wall of difficulties or a bridge of success.
Fail to Plan is Plan to Fail.

Compulsory Subjects;


Essay;

U should prepare top ten Essays. Recent package of Sir zahoor + other important essays relating to current affairs. Prepare another 5 essays. So ur total essay will b 15. Also study guideline of Sir HOW TO ATTEMPT ESSAY IN EXAMINATION HALL.
Inshallah u will qualify essay paper.

Method of choosing Esay Topic;

1. Study paper for 10 mints.
2. Select easy topic.
3. Make outline in 2o mints at the end of paper sheet.
4. Choose topic from current issues.
5. Add statics where u can add.
6. Becarefull in writing introduction and conclusion, Give 15 mints each, Write other essay body in remaining time.

Composition.

Solve precies of Previous years rom 1971. Also study comprehension of previous papers. Cram pairs and ideoms of previous papers. Study narration and voices MAID EASY by Prof. Afzal Mufti. Also Study Pairsd, Ideoms And Correction of F.A and B.A level. For Expansion of Idea, U study Sun Dry Reflections by Prof Manzoor Mirza. Cram All Short essays, u can leave sum topics like literary tpes.
By doing this Inshallah u will Pass composition paper.

Method of Attempting;

1. First attempt grammar portion. Which can not attempt leave place for that and attempt it in the end. In vocabulary first u mark with lead pencil on computr sheet and then check it, then fill the box with marker. While filling the box u check ur breathe so u fill box accurately. Time for vocabulary will b 10 mints. U should solve Other grammar portion in 20 mints.
2. Then attempt expansion of idea. Time u spend for it should b 30 mints.
3. Then solve comprehension. Time for it u spend 45 mints
4. Then solve precies in 5o mints

In remaining time u will study paper and correct ur mistakes.

__________________
People will always throw stones in your path, it depends on you whether you make a wall of difficulties or a bridge of success.
Fail to Plan is Plan to Fail.

u should cram objectives of all papers. Take objective question very seriously. Only objective question will raise ue score from 40 to 50 marks. It is essential to gain at least 16 marks out of 20 marks. In EDS, u should score 40 out of 50 marks in objective question.

Now u follow this technique:


u see papers of al subjects from 1971 to date.
u should form 3 bundles of questions.

1: Most repeated 20 questions

2: FIve most repeated questions

3: Five most repeated questions

First bundle 20 questions will cover 80% paper

2nd bundle alongwith first will cover 88% paper

3rd bundle alongwith above two will cover upto 93% paper INSHALLAH

Now first prepare first bundle, then 2nd. If u find time then prepare 3rd one.
ur al material should b in the form of files not in book shape. Each question photocopy should b separated from other that wil create easiness in revising material near and during exam. Wen u prepared one question, also prepare its short key. Also make files of keys of each subject.

Formation of keys is vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvery important.

In each question in paper, u observe that it is possible to make diagram, write statistics . make graphics

__________________
People will always throw stones in your path, it depends on you whether you make a wall of difficulties or a bridge of success.
Fail to Plan is Plan to Fail.

i agreed.......... many candidates fail in css due to lack of confidence and confusion.

__________________
last edge of the world

@mani1
thanks ,very very useful and encouraging post for the aspirant.
how you prepare mercentile law?

sir where can i get this expected essay topics of sir zahoor that you have mentioned?

from bookshop

__________________
Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking.