Here's the way to attempt Precis & grammar paper

xaara~hussain · #1 Tuesday, February 08, 2011

After discussing with some seniors and observing the FPSC's 'mood swings' (

/

), here I can guess that this time English Grammar & Composition is going to be that very "qurbani ka bakra" jo Islamiyat tha in 2010. (Allah kre mera verdict ghalat ho)

In this exam, here are few points I have chalked down and I feel that one should keep in mind while attempting this paper. So, I am taking my time to jot down those things!

---This exam is right after Essay Exam, so whatever u did in Essay, woh exam-hall main hi chor k ayein. Don't let it get over ur mind & get u un-necessarily worried, that may affect ur next exam too.

---Order of the paper:
This should be the order of attempting the paper;

1. Do all those cute little questions first like starting with antonyms/synonyms/Pair of words/ Idioms .
2. Follow with Direct/Indirect, followed by correction of sentences (let's call them sweet questions)
3. Now start the monster questions (dont worry fellows, monster is liye nahi k they r tough but they take a lot of time) do the Idea Expansion first followed by Comprehension
5. and lastly Precis

(there are few reasons to it.)

---Timing matters more than anything; let me put down the division I have decided; as mentioned above, 1st 4 'cute' questions should be done in 20 mins,
2ndly sweet questions should be done in 20mins, Idea expansion in 35mins, Comprehension in 45 mins, and lastly precis' in 45-50 mins. remaining 15mins r a back-up or u can use them for rechecking ur paper.

This is the formula:
20mins(cute questions)+20mins(sweet questions)+2hours and 5mins(monster questions )+ 15mins (back-up minutes which hardly will be left as back-up)

---When u do precis, Do it in rough first, and keep refining it until u reach a satisfactory level and ur "conscience" tells u that now it is done (last part was intended to be humorous, lol but hope u guys understand). One big offense in precis writing is using "Flory" language like we all like to do here, the rule is The Simpler, the Better

---in Idea expansion, take 5-10 mins and jot down an outline of how u would do justice to the topic. Remember, here U can use all the 'Flory' words here but do not overdo them. Quote examples, be precise and don't be 'emotional' (like I do and end up sounding like a motivational speaker)

---Comprehension maybe a bit tricky and handle it with great care. phoonk phoonk k qadam rakhain, I mean be to-the-point and reproduce in ur own words. never ever copy paste the wording from the passage or some students invent a couple of formula "statements" that almost fit all the questions. Avoid any sort of shortcuts!

---and lastly, not to forget, in every exam, Feel smart and trust me u will turn out to be smart (omg, Philosophy ) so, before u sit down in ur exam hall, sit down alone and have an insight of what makes u feel confident,smarter and better; It can be anything from dressing to chewing a gum How I feel smart and confident is a bit funny but it works out. Maybe for a lot of peeople, this will sound foolish but I shared it because I know for some people, it really (read it 'truly') works!!!

Wish u all the very best! and keep me in prayers too

Kamran · #2 Tuesday, February 08, 2011

I believe,one should attempt precis question first irrespective of time factor.Precis is considered the most important part of composition paper and for attempting precis one needs to have full concentration,and initial time of paper will surely help.Precis should be followed by comprehension OR Expansion question.Sweet questions(Direct & Indirect,etc) can be attempted even in last 20 to 25 minutes.

Regards.

Note:This is my personal opinion,so anyone may differ with this.

xaara~hussain · #3 Tuesday, February 08, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamran

I believe,one should attempt precis question first irrespective of time factor.Precis is considered the most important part of composition paper and for attempting precis one needs to have full concentration,and initial time of paper will surely help.Precis should be followed by comprehension OR Expansion question.Sweet questions(Direct & Indirect,etc) can be attempted even in last 20 to 25 minutes.

Regards.

Note:This is my personal opinion,so anyone may differ with this.

precis is such a questions if u start doing it u cannot leave it in between n start another question! and we may not realize the amount of time it may be actually taking, but after doing every question, good 50mins at the end and free mind would be a healthy approach. thats what I think. but yes this can be another way around and u being senior may be right!

Kamran · #4 Tuesday, February 08, 2011

Quote:

precis is such a questions if u start doing it u cannot leave it in between n start another question! and we may not realize the amount of time it may be actually taking

You shouldn't start another question till you are done with Precis.Make a good precis even if it takes more than one and half hour.

Quote:

good 50mins at the end and free mind would be a healthy approach.

Are you sure?Composition paper is the second paper of the day,and time is from 2pm to 5pm,and you are keeping last 50 minutes for the most important quetion.I think,its not a wise decision.Pls keep this thing in mind that one really gets exhausted in last hour of paper.

Anyways,Final decision surely lies with you.

Regards,
Kamran

xaara~hussain · #5 Tuesday, February 08, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamran

You shouldn't start another question till you are done with Precis.Make a good precis even if it takes more than one and half hour.

Are you sure?Composition paper is the second paper of the day,and time is from 2pm to 5pm,and you are keeping last 50 minutes for the most important quetion.I think,its not a wise decision.Pls keep this thing in mind that one really gets exhausted in last hour of paper.

Anyways,Final decision surely lies with you.

Regards,
Kamran

oh valid point

but yes its really a matter of one's own discretion

Mehrankhan · #6 Tuesday, February 08, 2011

Me will leave space for precis and do other questions first..

At the end will do precis..

Examiner will take it as my first.. hence the decorum of paper will be maintained..

xaara~hussain · #7 Tuesday, February 08, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mehrankhan

Me will leave space for precis and do other questions first..

At the end will do precis..

Examiner will take it as my first.. hence the decorum of paper will be maintained..

thats a great idea! waise mera b yahi khyal tha!

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The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to xaara~hussain For This Useful Post:
Call for Change (Tuesday, February 08, 2011), geefarid (Tuesday, February 08, 2011), Rehan Mehmood (Wednesday, February 09, 2011), younis_78 (Tuesday, February 08, 2011)

The Following User Says Thank You to Kamran For This Useful Post:
xaara~hussain (Tuesday, February 08, 2011)

The Following User Says Thank You to Mehrankhan For This Useful Post:
xaara~hussain (Tuesday, February 08, 2011)