Some strategies to prepare compulsory papers of CSS.

Muzzamil · #1 Tuesday, June 03, 2014

Dear Members of the forum,

I am sharing some strategies to prepare compulsory papers of CSS. These guidelines have been compiled in the light of my personal experience and guidance of many senior members of the forum and other CSPs. Senior members of the forum are requested to give their valuable feedback so that other young aspirants of CSS may take advantage of our fruitful discussion.

English Précis & Composition:
• Introduction:
This paper can be divided into following sections:
Précis - 25 marks
Comprehension - 20 marks
Expansion - 20 marks
Vocabulary & Grammar (Synonyms, Antonyms, Idioms, Phrasal Verbs, Homonyms, Change of Narration, Correction of Sentences, Active Voice & Passive Voice etc) - 35 marks
• Books:
i. Exploring the World of English by Saadat Ali Shah
ii. English Précis by Joya & Jappa (caravan Publishers)
iii. Brush Up Your English by ST Imam ( Chap 13 & 14)
• Strategy for preparation:
i. Give due time to this paper.
ii. Solve past papers.
iii. Practice to make précis of paragraphs and get checked by expert of English language.
iv. Time management is very essential for this paper.
v. Practice is Key to success.
• How to attempt paper:
i. Time management is very important in this paper. Précis consumes much time around one hour, so try to save time from other questions. Solve précis question on last rough page and then final draft on main page(s). Give suitable title to the paragraph.
ii. Grammar & Vocabulary Section is mathematical and it can earn maximum marks. Vocabulary MCQs should be solved by formulas: a) Surety formula, b) exclusion formula, c) logical guess of answers.
iii. Always keep your nerves in your control and try to do your best in the paper.

English Essay:
• Introduction:
Essay paper is considered the toughest paper. This first paper decides your eligibility to succeed in the examination. Writing practice can make your task easy. In essay paper one needs to discuss specific issue which was asked to be address.
• Books:
Although there is no need to prepare specific book for this paper but you may get an idea of English essay from one or more books. You may go through the following books:
i. Top 30 English Essays
ii. Current/Contemporary Essays
iii. Any other good book(s)
• Strategy for preparation:
i. Prepare your own notes of English essay
ii. Practice to make outline(s) of the essays. That’s very important technique to produce best English essay.
iii. Support your essay with arguments/quotes/statistics etc. (Read editorials of a good English newspaper to develop your analytical skills.)
iv. Practice is Key to Success.
• How to attempt paper:
i. In examination Hall, read all topics of English Essays very carefully and choose the one which you have prepared very well. Make outline on the last rough page and also write introduction on the rough page. After making best outline, re-write it on the front page and then Introduction afterwards. Try to do your best in the paper. Give your conclusion at the end of the essay. The conclusion should summarize the whole debate and do not introduce new ideas in conclusion. After writing complete essay, read it for possible errors/omissions and correct them accordingly.
ii. Some other important tips for essay are: a) There should be relevancy and coherence in the essay. b) Quality matters not quantity so don’t worry about number of words. c) Only focus on that aspect of essay which is asked to discuss, so don’t beat about the bush. d) Don’t try to attempt an essay on controversial topic.

Everyday Science:
• Books:
i. Everyday Science by Dr. Akram Kashmiri
ii. Encyclopedic Manual of Everyday Science by Dr. Rab Nawaz Samo
iii. Any other good book (s)
• Strategies for preparation:
i. It is very scoring subject comprises of 50% Objective/MCQs and 50% Subjective. Reasonable time is required to prepare this subject and pays you a lot.
ii. MCQs should be solved by formulas: a) Surety formula, b) exclusion formula, c) logical guess of answers
iii. Solve all available past papers.
iv. Practice making diagrams. Diagrams can help in getting good marks in this paper.

Pakistan Affairs:
• Books:
i. Pakistan Affairs by Ikram Rabbani (Caravan Publishers)
ii. Top 20 questions of Pakistan Affairs (Jahangir Publishers)
iii. Any other good book.
• Strategies for preparation with reference to important topics:
i. Pakistan Affairs paper can be divided into two major portions i.e. Pre-Partition and Post-Partition periods. In pre-partition period following questions should be prepared in best manner:
a. Evolution/Establishment of Muslim society in Sub-Continent/India
b. Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi (Mujadid Alf Sani R.A) and his movement/role
c. Shaha Wali Ullah and his movement
d. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and Aligarh Movement (Every aspect)
e. Khilafat Movement/Faraizi Movement
f. Comparison among Aligarh, Deoband & Nadwatul Ulema Educational Movements
g. Two Nation Theory/Ideology of Pakistan
Post-Partition period may prepared with reference to contemporary affairs of Pakistan which will help you in Current Affairs paper. Following are the important topics for post partition period:
a. Lahore Resolution
b. Objective Resolution
c. Nehru Report vs. Fourteen Points
d. Lucknow Pact and Hindu Muslim Unity
e. Constitution of Pakistan/Constitutional Crisis in Pakistan
f. Contemporary Issues: Kashmir issue, Balochistan Issue, Water Issues/Crisis, Corruption, Unemployment, Increasing Population, Terrorism & Insurgency, Militancy & Extremism, Educational Problems, Economic Issues, Energy Crisis etc.
g. Foreign Policy of Pakistan
h. Geo-political and geostrategic importance/significance of Pakistan
i. Other contemporary/current affairs of Pakistan

• How to attempt paper:
a. One may attempt two questions from above mentioned portion and the remaining two questions may be attempted from Post-Partition period or Current/Contemporary Affairs of Pakistan.
b. The questions may be attempted with headings and sub-headings.
c. Give Critical Analysis and Conclusion (wherever possible).

Current Affairs:
• Introduction:
Current Affair paper can be generally divided into following segments:
a. Domestic/National Affairs: Good governance, Democracy in Pakistan, Political & Administrative Issues/matters, Militancy & Extremism, Unemployment, Illiteracy and Lack of Education, Economic Issues, Energy Crisis, Water Crisis/Issues, Corruption, Increasing Population, Poverty etc. Different Scandals, Ethnic & Sectarian violence, Lack of National integration, Role of Media (Conventional & Social), Pakistan Protection Ordinance 2013 and current domestics issues/matters
b. International Affairs: Foreign Policy of Pakistan, Pakistan’s relations with China, India, Afghanistan, Iran, USA, Central Asian Countries and the Muslim World, US-India relations & implications for Pakistan, US-China relations, India-China relations & implications for Pakistan, India-Afghanistan relations & implications for Pakistan, Withdrawal of NATO forces & implications for Pakistan, IP gas pipeline, Geo-political and geostrategic significance of Pakistan,
c. International Issues: Kashmir issue, Palestine issue, Muslim Ummah’s issues, Global Warming/Climate Change,
d. Organizations: UNO & its organs (every aspect), OIC, SAARC, ASEAN, SCO, EU etc
• Books/Magazines/Digests/Newspapers:
i. Jahangir World Time Magazine
ii. Contemporary Affairs by Imtiaz Shahid
iii. Dawn or any other English Newspaper
• Strategies for preparation:
i. Read the articles/columns on above mentioned issues and develop your own opinion based on arguments & critical analysis.
ii. Practice is Key to success.
• How to attempt paper:
i. Attempt the questions which you have prepared very well.
ii. Give suitable headings/sub-headings wherever possible.
iii. Give critical analysis and conclusion.
iv. Time management is very important so take care of time while attempting long questions.

Islamiat:
• Books:
i. Islamiat by Hafeeza Bano Butt (Caravan Publishers)
ii. Top 20 questions (Jahangir Publishers)
iii. Islami Nazria-e-Hayat by Khursheed Ahmad
• Strategies for preparation:
i. This paper can be divided into two major segments. First segment deals with pure Islamic matters/teachings (Quran, Revelation,Toheed, Akhirat, Prayer, Zakat,Hajj, Fasting, Jihad, Ijtehad, Ijma etc) and second segment deals with contemporary affairs with respect to Islamic perspective.
ii. Prepare segment one with respect to Verses and Hadiths.
iii. Prepare segment two with respect to Islamic interpretation of contemporary issues.
• How to attempt paper:
i. Quote Verses and Hadiths wherever possible.
ii. Make headings and sub-headings.
iii. Positive approach should be adopted in second segment.
iv. Give argumentative analysis of contemporary affairs in the light of Islamic principles.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Islamic and Pak-Studies Papers (PCS) Compulsory	Xeric	Past Papers	10	Saturday, April 21, 2018 09:53 PM
How to CRACK compulsory papers!	zuhaib ahmed	Arena of Golden Tips	4	Sunday, August 12, 2012 12:05 AM
Islamic and Pak-Studies Papers (PCS) Compulsory	SaadatAli	Past Papers	1	Wednesday, June 20, 2012 04:06 PM
Accountancy and Auditing Papers 2007	Last Island	CSS 2007 Papers	1	Thursday, October 11, 2007 12:15 AM

The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to Muzzamil For This Useful Post:
Abdullahkhaan (Wednesday, July 30, 2014), Alexkahn (Tuesday, June 24, 2014), moazabbas (Sunday, March 22, 2015), useful (Monday, January 12, 2015)