A few TIPS by Top Position HOLDERS!

zuhaib ahmed · #1 Sunday, July 29, 2012

I believe that written part of CSS is not a test of knowledge of the candidates; Rather it is the test of their analytical skills. Most of the questions in the papers are of application level in which candidates are required to apply their knowledge. So in order to get good marks in written, the candidates need to improve their analytical and application skills by practising questions from the Past Papers after they have completed their preparation.

ASP Mufakhar Adeel
2nd Position, CSS-2006

English Essay is the only paper to evaluate writing skills of the candidate on any topic. Students must have good understanding and knowledge about societal issues like poverty, gender discrimination, social inequality, women empowerment; economic issues like tax reforms, budget, national finance commission award; religion like Islam and West, Islamophobia, Islam and terrorism, pluralism; scientific issues like global warming, pollution; national issues like democracy, military intervention, provincial autonomy , energy crisis, indepedence of judiciary, media; international issues like global terrorism, credit crunch, new world order.

-Syed Nadeem Abass
37 common, PSP

Two things play vital role: firstly, consultation of the original source helps you get the top position. Secondly, written tests, as many as you can, are very beneficial for getting highest marks. And I adopted the same strategy for topping written exam.

Abdullah Khuram NiaZi
2nd Position
PMS Competitive examination 2009/10

I got 215 marks in interview and they are considered to be quite high. The main theme in interview is your confidence. In interview they are looking how well you communicate verbally. so you should speak good English with correct pronunciation. Next what matters are your regarding various national and international issues. You should have clear views which you should be able to support when called upon. One should not have extremist views- a moderate and balanced approach is preferable.

-Zeeshan Shafique Siddiqui
8th Postion, CSS 2007, PSP

zuhaib ahmed · #2 Tuesday, July 31, 2012

A candidate must consider his/her own ability to understand and grasp all those subjects which he/she thinks appropriate for selection. The second consideration must be based on choosing those subjects which can fetch good marks.

Hussain Sarder
Deputy Secretary (Finance)
Government of the Punjab.

zuhaib ahmed · #3 Wednesday, August 08, 2012

Those who get proper guidance at the time of selecting their optional subjects, they remain very comfortable throughout their preparation and also get the desired result in the long run. So the subject selection must be given due consideration in the beginning.

ASP Mufakhar Adeel
2nd Position, CSS-2006

zuhaib ahmed · #4 Wednesday, August 08, 2012

Key steps:

. Excellent written expressions
. Taking regular tests
.Reading newspaper
.Solving the past papers of all subjects
.United and cohesive answers of all the questions
.Proper paragraphing and length of answers must be same
.Proper introduction and ending of a question

Muhammad Shahrukh Niazi
11th position PMS

zuhaib ahmed · #5 Wednesday, August 08, 2012

I did masters in English and LLB. But I neither took English nor any subject of law as my optional. I went for entirely new subjects, the subjects in which I had the interest. My combination included Islamic history, Urdu, Sociology and journalism. It was mainly because of these subjects that I managed to score 76% marks in optional subjects and hence secured second position overall.

ASP Mufakhar Adeel
2nd Position, CSS-2006

zuhaib ahmed · #6 Saturday, August 11, 2012

The first and foremost requirement is good command of English language. Every candidate should be able to represent himself/herself. Actually, when one joins the Civil Service then the official language is English; so one has to communicate and interact with people in this language.

Ahmed Farooq FSP
28th common

zuhaib ahmed · #7 Monday, August 13, 2012

Practise the basics of English grammer , the candidates should also start learning pair of words, idioms, GRE vocabulary, etc.It is a matter of fact that more than70 percent candidates usually fail in English Essay or English Composition.

It is also very important that the candidates should opt for those subjects which are scoring. For this, they need to elect Islamic History and Culture, Geography, International Law, Punjabi, Journalism, Public Administration and Psychology. For such subjects, you do not need to have a background of these particular subjects.

Zahid Ashraf

zuhaib ahmed · #8 Tuesday, August 21, 2012

It is handy to give a brief outline of every question before attempting full answer. This technique shows the checker that the student knows the answer and he/she is hitting it directly. Make intelligent use of blue pen and black marker to create a good impact. In my opinion, candidates should put more emphasis on preparing for those compulsory subjects where most of the students fail in those subjects.

Ali Waseem
1st Position,
PMS Competitive Examination 2009/10

zuhaib ahmed · #9 Thursday, August 23, 2012

Regarding getting 2nd position in PMS Competitive Exams, I want to say that this is the exam of strategy and proper allocation of time. To spend 10 or 12 hours does not matter. Actually, to the point studies and productive studies matter a lot. As far as the strategy is concerned, the students ought not to rely on notes. They should consult original text books and extricate their own notes from those text books. These notes are beneficial for only those students who make their own efforts. In addition, reading quality newspapers are also lucrative for streamlining your concepts.

Abdullah Khurram Niazi
2nd Position,
PMS Competitive Examination 2009/10

I think, the best way to succeed in the competitive exams is will power. I suggest to the candidates that they should opt for a wise selection of optional subjects, work hard and keep in touch with the contemporary affairs. I urge the candidates to broaden their vision and approach and this thing will not only help them succeed in competitive exams but also in life.

Ameer Hasan Qureshi
3rd position,
PMS Competitive Examination 2009/10

zuhaib ahmed · #10 Friday, August 24, 2012

The strategy for preparing any competitive exams includes the following tips; proper management including short and long term, choosing elective subjects according to one’s interest and keeping in mind the scoring trends, preparation of notes in two fold manners consisting of comprehensive notes and short/brief notes, reading of journals and newspapers, time management, writing practice and performance during the exam. Frankly speaking, I believe in smart work but as far as the proposition of luck is concerned, God awards you when you show Him your commitment and perseverance.

Kaiser A. Rind
4th position,
PMS Competitive Examination 2009/10

Either it is a CSS or PMS, One should prepare it by allocating full time. First of all, the selection of subjects is very vital; go through the subjects and opt for those which are scoring. Secondly, after having completed the preparation, candidates should take tests for final touch. Finally, in the examination hall, while attempting the paper, one should solve those questions in priority which the candidates know the answer very well then second, third and fourth. Dividing the time of each question is a key to success.

Abdul Latif Khan
5th position,
PMS competitive examination 2009/10