you should option it again as u have been study it and it is easy as compared to other histories.and indo pak history paper of 2011 was really very tough as compared to this paper .u got 80 marks last time but by a little effort in the subject which u have already knowledge can get high marks rather to choose a new one.

The way CSS has becoming a mysterious and unpredictable examination, nothing can be said with utmost truth. There can only be wild guesses, estimations, speculations, anticipations, hopes, fears and of course the good lucks. I substituted this subject at the eleventh hour with Arabic. I studied it for good three months and prepared study plan as you can see above and the notes as well. Upon seeing the final result of the hapless 2010 candidates, I decided once for all to replace it. I cannot say whether my decision was right or wrong...it was at least a calculated decision. What I have heard is that FPSC usually sets a trend (though it's not in their constitution but paper checkers show their innovation) and follows it barely for 2-3 three years. In 2012 it would be third consecutive year for Islamic History if God forbid it proved fatal for 2011 candidates too. In that case, it would be least likely that it succeeds in recording a hat-trick at beating the crap out of candidates. The logic behind all this mania is that the average tenure of a Paper setter/checker appointed by FPSC is 2-3 years. In such a scenario, I would recommend opting the Islamic History for CE2012.

P.S This is again my speculation and is no way a final wording on the topic. Any aberrations are likely and may contradict with the above said statement.

__________________
Verily, His command, when He intends a thing, is only that He says "Be!" - and it is! (Al-Quran)

Bro i respect your reservations about scores .. But i would also suggest you to have a look at DMS of 2010 successful candidates .. Some of the high scorers got very low marks in 2 or 3 subjects, especially in optionals .. Even then they were able to earn a respectable merit ..

One of the reasons is that scoring trend is the same for all .. If a subject fluctuates on scoring basis, its for all and not for an individual or two ..

So basically if you prepared every subject with equal determination and work, it won't matter at all if one or two subjects don't yield as much as you had expected ..

Another honest opinion is that if well prepared, no matter how ill-scoring a subject is, you will be marked as per your preparation .. Like if normally students scored around 100 or 110 in that very subject and you scored 120 or 125, that will be a much better score overall and you will have an upper hand over others ..

In conclusion .. Go for what you are interested in and make that a good choice for yourself by preparing it well enough .. I've opting Islamic History and I know I'll have to prepare somewhat differently than others to score good ..

Rest, the choice is yours ..

Best of luck ..

__________________
You Have To Keep Breaking Your Heart Until It Opens .. !! Rumi ..

@STUNNER
I beg to differ frm u in this regard that its hard works which pays u off in css contrarily its scoring trend which is ultimate deciding factor.in 2010 FPSC was brutal to islamic history both papers were crushed which is quite unusual practice.the candidates whom u r talking abt had indo pak history in which 2nd paper gave handful marks.i have become victim of this illogical policy while u r staying outside the grin.its bitter reality tht once fpsc decides to persecute a subject then even if u copy entire book marks will not be awarded.its fact

arabic

@REDMAX
BROTHER as u replaced islamic history with arabic so tell me how did u study arabic ?was it easy or difficult?how much time u gave to it? plz can i have ur cell number plz i want to take guidance frm u in arabic
plz will be gratefull

You are precisely right. While I do not disregard intrinsic worth of hard work, i cannot simply dispel the trends mantra and fpsc's aberrations.

Arabic is comparatively difficult than Islamic History. Especially, if you start from inertia, it's like learning a new language, it's grammar, vocabulary, composition etc. Then comes the comprehension part. You got to know the history of Arabic literature, trends, writers and genres etc. It's relatively difficult than Islamic History. I prepared it in less than 2 months time coz I could not afford giving it more than that. As mentioned earlier, I substituted it after the result i.e end october or early november. Anyways, I guess I could prepare it much better if I had more time. For the cell number, kindly send me an email (in my profile) i will write back my number in reply.


Regards,

__________________
Verily, His command, when He intends a thing, is only that He says "Be!" - and it is! (Al-Quran)

@ redmax

I am in a fix either to opt Arabic or not? I have discussed it with many experienced members here but the thing which enhanced my problem concerning Arabic is that few members said "coaching is necessary for Arabic." What if someone cant afford that coaching and doing self study?

Although I have background of Islamic Studies but its fact that Arabic as language is new for me. So share your experience that how to tackle it? how can one get good marks especially in paper II? Everyone is referring famous notes of Punjab university so whats unique in attempting paper while using same material?

Your suggestions, observations, experience and detail reply will be highly appreciated.

Regards,

__________________
Main ne Allah ko apne iradon ke tootne se pehchana ... !!

As you have already discussed with many experienced members some of them to my assumption would be qualifiers too, my wording on the issue may not seem to be quite different that them.

Though Islamic History and Arabic have much in common, these two subjects are entirely wide disciplines of study in their own domain. You may not know Arabic but you can still possess knowledge about Islamic History whereas you cannot skip Islamic History while reading Arabic Literature. In a nutshell, you have an added advantage if you opt Arabic.

Yes, they say it right, when they tell you that Arabic requires coaching especially when you are novice at this subject. You will have to deal with this subject in the similar manner as you dealt with English during your middle school or college years. You will learn Arabic alphabet, grammar, vocabulary, composition and of course comprehension. You would require a guide to check your progress and correct you where you err. Do NOT opt it if you are not availing a good coach for it.

Lastly, the notes available at PU photocopy shop are not comprehensive as the ones prepared by a Prof. of International Islamic University Islamabad. I studied both and found the latter ones more reliable and easy to comprehend. In Lahore, these notes are available with some of the members of this forum including Tassawur.

You may want to give it a try and check out the syllabus and notes etc (without getting them copied or buying books) for a day or two. After all, you can always revert to your own stronghold in Islamic Studies in case you find Arabic a hard nut to be cracked.


I wish you good luck!

__________________
Verily, His command, when He intends a thing, is only that He says "Be!" - and it is! (Al-Quran)

I made no specific study plan for Everyday (Science). I prepared it by adhering to its name ~ Everyday! You study Everyday Science almost everyday knowingly or unknowingly. However, past papers are a key to mastering this subject for the purpose of CSS exam. (In 2011 EDS Paper, I could identify almost 9-10 MCQs taken from past papers.)

__________________
Verily, His command, when He intends a thing, is only that He says "Be!" - and it is! (Al-Quran)

dear seniors i,ve bought both the books by K Ali & and mazhar ul haq. but now i,m too confused whether to study ist one which is too concise or the 2nd one which is too lengthy to even go through.

To be very precise, read K.Ali in its entirety and select passages quoting in the paper from any of the book preferably Phililp K. Hitti.

__________________
Verily, His command, when He intends a thing, is only that He says "Be!" - and it is! (Al-Quran)