I am a CSS 2010 aspirant. I am in a fix whether I should opt for geography or not.I have never studied this subject before. I analysed the DMS of successful candidates in CSS2008 and found that most of the candidates, having geography as their optional subject, scored over 150 marks in it. That is why I am tempted to opt for this subject. I wnt to know 2 things about this subject: 1 Are there too many scientific concepts involved in it to pose great difficulty to one like me having background only in arts subjects? 2 Will it take more time to prepare it? I cannot cram scientific things and if I try to do so, then it will take so much of my time that I may not prepare other subjects satisfactorily.

bismarck, since i did not have geography myself i will let someone else comment on one part of the query and address the remaining.

when i started my css preparation, i did not have any background of political science, indian history, muslim law and constitutional law. the latter two subjects are relatively technical and need a technical bent of mind. i still opted them and did relatively well.

having a background of css subjects makes it easier for you. but you don't necessarily need it. it comes all by itself with you study the subject for some period.

regards,

__________________
"The race is not over because I haven't won yet."

Adil Memon
Police Service of Pakistan (P.S.P)
37th Common Training Program

Adil Memon!
can you please guide me about Muslim law and jurisprudence ? I want to opt it for css 2010 . Please mention which books did you consult ? Important topics and your preparation strategy for this subject.

nageen,

muslim law and jurisprudence is based on two parts: muslim personal law and jurisprudence. the books for both parts are recommended by FPSC. they are:

1) mohammedan law (m.d. mullah)
2) muslim jurisprudence (sir abdur rahim)

see if you can get an older edition (1990s) of the book on personal law. the book has been revised each year to add legal references to each topic which are useless for a css candidate. an older book will be thinner and more convenient to handle.

i opted the subject after studying the muslim personal law part only. didn't know what surprises the jurisprudence part would hold for me. and it turned out to be a lot more tougher than the personal law part.

the personal law part of the subject is interesting and easier to deal with. in this part you deal with things like inheritance, marriage, divorce, pre-emption, gift, will, waqf and different acts like muslim family law ordinance, dissolution of muslim marriage act etc. you should concentrate on this side and make sure you don't spare any question in the exam from this aspect of the subject.

in jurisprudence, you study the construction and application of islamic law. in this part, you deal with things like sources of islamic law, application of law and stuff like sources of revenue, legal capacity, acts, rights, punishments, family law etc. understanding this part can be sometimes very difficult. this part requires real effort. but don't skip this part altogether.

please predict the questions yourself as i am out of touch.

tips:

1) you have to prepare for the mcq part while reading the books. underline important things for the objective part of the paper. there's also a book on objectives of muslim law, by jahangir success series or something. it's with a purple cover and quite useful.

2) concentrate on the personal law part. you have to attempt all questions from that part because it's easier.

3) in the personal law part, the text of the law sometimes conflict with their application in court cases. remember, you have to follow the texts, not their applications.

4) if a question on inheritance is expected in your turn, make sure you prepare that side well. it's solid marks.

5) don't skip the jurisprudence book. it's also important.

this is all i have in mind at the moment. i shall answer your queries regarding the subject if you have any.

regards,

__________________
"The race is not over because I haven't won yet."

Adil Memon
Police Service of Pakistan (P.S.P)
37th Common Training Program

Salamz dear
I appeared in 2009 css exam and opted geography as my optional. I suggest u first go through the syllabus of geography and the past question papers then decide.
Dear as mr adil has already told you that he had no back ground wotever subject he opted. In css exam all candidates have different study back grounds i-e medical, engineering, social sciences, arts etc. and many candidates even do not find the subjects of their study back ground and instead of that they pass with flying colors. So its not necessary that one should have study back ground. .[/QUOTE]

You are right dear this subject is scoring one and if one study it thoroughly and with interest then he can get up to 170 marks.
Dear this subject has 200 marks and two papers . paper I is lilttle bit scientific but it doesn’t contain too much scientific terminology like other science subject do. PaperI is about earth, heavenly bodies, oceans, winds, land forms, earth quake, tempratures etc
And most of the things of this paper u have to study in EDS aswel .
Paper II is not scientific and that is general type and contains many topics related to sociology, current affairs, etc so paper II can be studied without much efforts.
I have already said that go through syllabus and past question papers. You will get the idea.
dear if any subject is read with due planning and time management then I think it must not take more than 15 days. And it also depends upon your mental capacity of understanding the things and the method of study aswell. I suggest you go through the past question papers and select the most important topics and that will not take too much time and u will also b able to attempt the questions in exam easily.
Now ball is still in your court.

regards

Please suggest me books for Geography for both paper I and II.

plz visit the following link for the books of geography
http://www.cssforum.com.pk/central-s...phy-books.html

regrads

well anyone tell me that what is the essence of diagrams though i can guess these would be of paramount but where exactly these help in covering the last questions.

The following should prove useful for paper 1

a. "Physical Geography"by Stahler , recommended by FPSC for Geography

b. Goh chen long certificate of physical geography by oxford press

c. and Das Gupta on principles of Physical Geography

The fist two are sometimes hard to find but the third one is easily available in the market

These following should help in paper 2 of geography

comprehensive geography" by "M Jahangir Sanpal" also marketed by the exam cram series of Jehangir books

Geography of Pakistan by Fazl-e-Karim

I studied all three books for paper 1, though the main emphasis was on the certificate of Geography with the other two books being used as referencing and detailed versions of topics.

For paper 2 visit wikipedia site for specified topics that you cant find updated info on. to get the hang of the general concept, read the book by Fazal Karim and then go for the Sanpal one, you should be able to get the hang of it.

There is also another book for the maps and the classification systems thereof, but i forget its name right now. Do consult that any good book on maps as MCQs in paper 1 tend to come from there as well

Also go through the past 5 years papers of Geography of CSS exams.

As to whether you want to go for it or for any other subject, its a gut feeling combined with intuition. I had studied it in high school, and felt i could score decent marks in it ( which I did )

If you don't have a background in it, then give it more time in preparation.

@ PArtixlean

P.S. Diagrams are a must. Majority of your answer should have one or more whether in paper 1 or 2. They are easy to remember and draw in a short time.
No diagrams = Low score

Tc
Regards
Vsvsr

__________________
~*~ Every answer contains a new quest : A quest to non existence, a journey with no end~*~

anybody having notes of geography regarding css
send to me @ diggro@yahoo.com
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