[QUOTE=saraimran87;1042604]i also watched a lot of YouTube videos. instead of the print version i just kept tabs on the online version. i also made sure to keep an eye out for foreign op eds like in the Guardian/, nyt and new yorker. more than facts examiners wants your analysis and opinion. There is this one person, moeed yusuf, he has tremendous insight on politics and international affairs.

Mcqs are always tricky. sometimes they can be mostly on dates and stuff but other times, like this time around they were based on theories, especially in the gender studies and sociology papers. so, i guess the trick is to know your source material. often times mcqs are repeated over the years. so, i found it useful to gloss over the previous papers.[/QUOTE]
Congratulations. Will you throw some light on how we can effectively utilize Youtube for ameliorating Current Affairs part. I will be much obliged if you can add other things that will help aspirants.

[QUOTE=Mary88;1042992]Qualified Allhamdullah... roll number 18407[/QUOTE]

Congratulations
Best of luck for future endeavours.
Mention the Essay that you opted. Was that Feminism? If so then to what extent your Optional Sub - Gen Studies helped in this regard

Was just watching program 'Meray Mutabiq' on Geo today (October 08) and this is what Hassan Nisar had to say about the 'quality' of CSS qualifiers.

"312 applicants managed to pass this year but the standard has dipped so much that if you talk to them you'll be ashamed at how clueless they are (many of them) despite passing the exam (as most won't be able to have a decent conversation)."

I'd say his comments too harsh but just wanted to put it here.

[QUOTE=UmerrTariq;1043084]Was just watching program 'Meray Mutabiq' on Geo today (October 08) and this is what Hassan Nisar had to say about the 'quality' of CSS qualifiers.

"312 applicants managed to pass this year but the standard has dipped so much that if you talk to them you'll be ashamed at how clueless they are (many of them) despite passing the exam (as most won't be able to have a decent conversation)."

I'd say his comments too harsh but just wanted to put it here.[/QUOTE]He is right. But this is not true for all of them. The problem is because of old and idiotic exam and syllabus structure. Jis mulk main psychological test ki tayaari academies karwati hain what can you expect ? Most of the aspirants fake the test after practising lol. Engineers ko koi puchta nahi. I am an agricultural engineer and only 50 marks ka paper ata hai css main. While physics chemistry stat etc 200 marks. I am done with css now and looking for a phd scholarship.

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[QUOTE=UmerrTariq;1043084]Was just watching program 'Meray Mutabiq' on Geo today (October 08) and this is what Hassan Nisar had to say about the 'quality' of CSS qualifiers.

"312 applicants managed to pass this year but the standard has dipped so much that if you talk to them you'll be ashamed at how clueless they are (many of them) despite passing the exam (as most won't be able to have a decent conversation)."

I'd say his comments too harsh but just wanted to put it here.[/QUOTE]

almost similar wording in his today's coulmn. but this is not true for all, i know the people who are more than just decent human beings. but of course one can comment on validity and reliability of CSS as an exam. as per recent international HR practices, CSS/PMS or single papers are neither reliable nor valid as a recruitment method.

I had similar apprehensions regarding the validity of the recruitment process. Though it may never be clear that how transparent and merit-based is the induction process itself, as there will always be speculations regarding the HR functionalities of the Commission. But I can narrate my experience. Whilst it may be that the qualifying candidates are not so well-groomed, but one thing is clear, they are better as far as written exam is concerned. Many of the qualifying candidates I have met, I found them quite eligible in terms of paper presentation, clarity of expression, and they seemed quite well-versed in the art of examination. Since this exam is primarily based on writing, so we can assume that men of poor personality, but enriched in paper technique do have claim over the merit list.

[QUOTE=UmerrTariq;1043084]Was just watching program 'Meray Mutabiq' on Geo today (October 08) and this is what Hassan Nisar had to say about the 'quality' of CSS qualifiers.

"312 applicants managed to pass this year but the standard has dipped so much that if you talk to them you'll be ashamed at how clueless they are (many of them) despite passing the exam (as most won't be able to have a decent conversation)."

I'd say his comments too harsh but just wanted to put it here.[/QUOTE]

I believe that Hassan Nisar criticising the CSS qualifiers in this manner is very rude. I am preparing for CSS for the first time and as far as I think, the syllabus and subjects equips you with such diversified knowledge, that it distinguishes one from other graduates like myself. One could and should criticize the system, not the person. As far as I am concerned, I am actually enjoying the learning process. If Hassan Nisar doesn't have the heart to congratulate the qualifiers, maybe for a change he should stop whining and degrading them.

[QUOTE=Hypatia;1043137]I believe that Hassan Nisar criticising the CSS qualifiers in this manner is very rude. I am preparing for CSS for the first time and as far as I think, the syllabus and subjects equips you with such diversified knowledge, that it distinguishes one from other graduates like myself. One could and should criticize the system, not the person. As far as I am concerned, I am actually enjoying the learning process. If Hassan Nisar doesn't have the heart to congratulate the qualifiers, maybe for a change he should stop whining and degrading them.[/QUOTE]

Hassan Nisar chose the wrong words (rude and below the belt) for criticizing the process but he does have a point about the quality of aspirants as well as passing candidates (of course not all).

Thanks for your offer of cooperation but I cant find your email ID there

Well, actually, Hassan Nisar is right. But certainly his comments do not apply to all passed candidates. This exam is definitely not reliable. That's for sure. It's unpredictable and uncertain. You never know whether you're going to pass Essay and Precis or not. It's common to find toppers of one year to fail the very next year. For instance, just this year, a girl failed and her name was amongst the top 10 qualifiers of CSS 2016. And after relying on luck in Essay and Precis, you also need to pray that your subjects prove to be scoring. Scoring trend is another problem. People have, say, 80 marks in one subject. The very next year, they get in 40s and 50s with the same amount of effort and performance. CSS is terribly unpredictable. It needs to be standardized as soon as possible.

Now as far as validity of this exam is concerned, I think it does not measure what it intends to measure - intellect. Someone who's got Agriculture cannot be compared to someone who's got Anthropology. I mean what is it that is being measured through these two different subjects.