TO those who have opted for Indo Pak in their previous CSS attempts, kindly provide your insight. I am repeatedly being told that INdo Pak is not a very scoring subject and that one would have to WORK REALLLY HARD (as in really really hard) to make a decent score. My quesiton is, what is a safe score for a subject which carries 200 marks? Is indo Pak history along with International Relations a bad idea? I am just beginning my preparation for CSS 2014, and though i know it is quite late, i would like to make the best of my effort. Please guide.

I have similar question

Dear Tahira,

First of all its not too late. In fact you have more than ample time to secure a very thorough and good command over all the subjects.

Secondly, before commenting on the selection of Indo-Pak as an optional, i would like to share my view about subject selection. It can/should be based upon the following:

-Interest: Self-explanatory
-Minimizing Efforts: For example: Indo-Pak reduces the study load. You prepare for 200 marks and appear in 300 marks (Pakistan Affairs).
-Easy/Small syllabus: Some subjects are famous amongst the candidates for their short syllabus, simple paper or easy marking. Examples include: Regional Languages, Public Administration, Forestry, etc.
-Risk Mitigation: Selecting 100 marks optional subjects increase the risk of a failure (that will ultimately lead to a lower merit. remember: one can afford to fail an optional)
-Fatigue Mitigation: When it boils down to the papers, preparing 600 marks (6 optionals with different background) is very tiring process. 200 marks are better in that scenario.

Coming to Indo-Pakistan selection:

-2010 Attempt: i scored around 103 marks (or 101 marks)
-2012 Attempt: i scored 139 marks

The difference between the 2 attempts is the level of preparation that i have had for the subject. In 2012 it was a thorough attempt (smart work rather than hard work). Prepared the topics carefully (for example: i prepared: the 1906-to date period and left the education reform movements etc. similarly for paper 1 i prepared the Delhi Sultanate, Arabs, the Turk Invasions and left the Sufi Movements, and the Mughal Empire).

You can secure good marks with a bit of hard work. You should go for this particular subject. Please keep in mind, the FPSC guys have a habit of targeting a subject once in a while. That should not act a deterrent!

__________________
Umar Abbas Babar
I Know I am Bad But When Bad is the Best, Bad is the Only Choice

Thank you Mr. Abbas for your detailed reply, May I know what was your other choices and why thy were so??

Dear Farain, below are my other choices and the reasons:

-Geography: 200 marks, On the whole this subject is scoring (if you know how to prepare and what to prepare). Most predictable paper in CSS exams (you can easily identify the trends and 90% of the times the trend is followed).

Paper 1 very simple: you either know the answer to the question or you don't. No need to write anything extra, to the point answers required. Paper 2: it is more or less based on General Knowledge. I skipped the ratta sections for this paper: i.e. the major crops, industries etc etc.
Score: 2010 Attempt: 101
2012 Attempt: 120

-Pashto: A regional language is a better and safe option. but as always, sometimes even they are on the target list of FPSC.

Score: 2010 Attempt: 73 with no preparation at all (total preparation time 5 days)
2012 Attempt: 39 with a detailed preparation and in depth study (1 month)

-Public Administration: A very simple subject (although 2013 was an exception). Short syllabus. With 100% preparation, Ratta and all, you can cover this subject in 10-15 days. Straight forward questions with to the point answers.
Score: 2010 Attempt: 60
2012 Attempt: 60

__________________
Umar Abbas Babar
I Know I am Bad But When Bad is the Best, Bad is the Only Choice

I totally agree with Umar abbas.
In my first attempt i secured 105 marks in Indo pak history. The paper was based only on my critical analysis and I coudnt memorize or retain in my memory the quotes of historians to substantiate my answers.

In 2012 I have 120 marks. This time i worked harder on the subject. Still i feel that i should have, and could have scored more in it. However, an increase in these marks is due to the correctness of my mcqs, and the references that i wrote and gave in the paper this time.

Though there are subjects that can take you up and up in the merit list, it doesn't mean you cant score well in others. For me, history is of great interest. So i opted for it in my second attempt too with more hard work and input.

Choose and opt wisely prioritizing your interest in the subject and a little bit of knowledge of marking trend too

Though this might not be the right thread to give opinions on public admin. However, Its also scoring. Despite of the downward trajectory of sociology and to the surprise of many journalism too, public ad didn't disappoint that much. I had 72 marks in 2011, and now i have 60. So, still it's easy and scoring. Its safe to go with it...

__________________
It is not the ability but desire that creates success....!!

i secured 122 marks in indo pak in 1st attemt .
It depends on your knowled and technique the way you put ur impression on examinar.

Aniya is right. In 2010 I opted for the questions that demanded analytical answers. I tended to avoid simple yet ratta demanding questions. in 2012 I was up and ready for both above all it is pure luck

__________________
Umar Abbas Babar
I Know I am Bad But When Bad is the Best, Bad is the Only Choice

My Original Choice was Arabic but I was made to believe by some seniors Arabic is not as scoring as Indo Pak History is it so?

What is you take on that

Many seniors last year scored high in arabic. Including position holders from punjab and sindh. One person can score high in a subject, another can be marked very low in the same. The crux is luck, your preparation, your way of attempting the paper and your techniques to impress the examiner all come into play as far as CSS is concerned! While opting for subjects, sunain sbki, but do what you think is best for you. No one will take the blame of your loss, but theyll be there to take the credit for your success for sure

__________________
It is not the ability but desire that creates success....!!