How to Crack Compulsory Papers

The candidates must keep this fact in mind that success in the CSS demands a good individual effort.
Pak-China relationship New Horizons
Saturday, January 01, 2011

CSS is generally considered the toughest examination in the country and plainly it is. Most of the people the aspirants of CSS2011 that I have been asked to address through this writing must have been preparing for this exam for at least past few months. I shall also be specifically focusing on the myths and false notions that have been created in the minds of the CSS aspirants by the mushrooming industry of the CSS preparation academies. Their purpose behind creating such false notions is to confuse the aspirants in order to ensure that the candidates join their academy. This not only causes waste of money and time of the candidates joining these academies, but also creates confusion in the minds of many talented candidates, who cannot afford their skyrocketing fee structure. However, the candidates must keep this fact in mind that success in the CSS demands a good individual effort. But their effort must be honest and well-directed. In order to be successful in a competitive exam, a candidate has to put some extra effort to make his/her paper better than others. So, studying good books enables a candidate to be better prepared and giving the answers with an excellent presentation is equally important for scoring higher marks. In this piece of writing, I shall try to discuss some tips to attempt the compulsory papers. It has been observed that most people get less marks in compulsory papers. However, with an effective approach, a candidate can get reasonably high marks in these papers.

My own score in optional subjects was very low as compared to my fellow candidates of higher rankings but a higher score in compulsory papers brought me in top 10 candidates. Also very often some brilliant candidates miss out in one compulsory paper despite getting very high score in all other papers. So the compulsory subjects carry key significance in the CSS. I shall discuss these papers one by one. English Essay Essay paper is considered as the toughest nut to crack. It is believed that this very first paper decides one is going to pass the exam or not. Most of the candidates failed in this paper. A glance at past papers of English essay would reveal that the essay topics on which a candidate is asked to write are generally only one aspect of the issues that the candidate may have prepared. If the candidate does not make a distinction between the issue and the specific aspect(s) of that issue being asked in the paper, he is likely to annoy the examiner. Here it proves my point when I criticise the commercial aspects of so-called precious notes and essay as the candidates cram these answers and write them as such in the paper. For instance, one very hot issue of the past three-four years is War on Terror or Terrorism. Let us have a look at the last two years papers: 2009 Pakistans war on Terror and its impacts on our national psyche and politico socioeconomic fronts. 2010 Dialogue is the best course to combat terrorism. In both these papers, only one aspect of the issue is asked and any generalised answer would not, therefore, accrue any merit. This was the reason why most people attempted these essays and failed. The very outline of these essays would be enough to depict whether a candidate has attempted it in a correct way. What, then, would be the proper outline for essay? Let us try and solve the 2009 essay. Pakistans War on Terror and its impacts on our national psyche and politico-socio-economic fronts - analysis of this statement reveals that the examiner has asked us to write on these issues: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Pakistans War on Terror (The word Pakistans is key here) Its impacts on national psyche Impacts on political front Impacts on social front Impacts on economic front

Now make an outline. Introduction Pakistans War on Terror

A brief overview of this war. Is this really Pakistans war? Are we friends or foes of our allies? Drones and Do more. Impacts on National Psyche Demoralisation and pessimism Depression and freight reactions Desensitisation and disinhibition Impacts on Political Front Division of politicians over the ownership of war A halt to political activities in the country Militarisation of radical groups Alienation of nationalist leadership Leadership cut away from people Impact on Social Front Widening gulf between radicals and liberals Society is least integrated Social sector development being ignored Public life-style is threatened Impacts on Economic Front Shattering blow to the booming economy Dried up foreign direct investment Soaring security expenditures Halt to industrial progress and unemployment

Suggestions War on military front improving defence capabilities War on social front a more vibrant civil society War on psychological front demands a concerted response War on economic front a challenge for the government War on political front demands political maturity War on international front improving our tarnished national image and protecting our sovereignty If the candidate does not make a distinction between the issue and the specific aspect(s) of that issue being asked in the paper, he is likely to annoy the examiner. Conclusion Another important aspect is the length of essay. In my view it is quality and not the quantity that matters. Examiner usually sets a limit of 2500-3500 words limit to trap the candidates. But it would not bother him much if you put up a good effort which falls short of the words limit. My essay contained around 1700 words and with this quantity and the above mentioned fairly simple outline, I got 72 in essay. So surely the length of essay does not matter much.

Tips for Essay 1. Carefully read all essay tips and select those issues which you have prepared the best. 2. Now select that essay which you can best attempt considering thoughtfully the aspect which is asked. 3. Now turn your sheet and cross the page No. 25 the last page and start doing your rough work on that page. 4. Thoroughly explore your mind and bring out all relevant points of that issue on paper. 5. Now pick those points which are most suitable for your outline. 6. Make a logical outline depending solely upon the statement or topic of essay set by the examiner. 7. Reconsider each point for its relevancy and order in the outline. 8. Review your points and see if the used words can be replaced with more catchy or striking words. Remember, outline is like a cover of your essay which clearly depicts what is wrapped inside. So give it due consideration and time before starting your essay. 9. On rough pages, write an introduction for the essay. Articulate it with best words possible. 10. Now reconsider your outline and introduction and assess whether it fulfills the demands of the given essay. Only if you are satisfied with that rough draft proceed with the essay, otherwise reject it and attempt your second best essay on similar pattern. This is important because you would not get a second chance before one year if you fail in this paper. This exercise would certainly take time but do not be panic even if it takes 40-45 minutes because you have done all the hard work. All you have to do is to write that outline and introduction neatly on your answer sheet and then proceed with the essay following the outline that you have already prepared. As far as important topics for essay for this year are concerned, it is usually safe to attempt an essay on current issues as you have ample knowledge base for these issues. I can mention a few topics but please do not limit yourself to these and use them as a guideline only. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Governance and the crises in Pakistan Role of media: freedom versus responsibilities Extremism/Terrorism in Pakistan Global warming Problems of education in Pakistan Status and rights of minorities Corruption in society and politics Women status and rights Democracy in Pakistan

English Precis and Composition You can divide this paper into two segments: Segment I : 65 marks Precis 25 marks Comprehension 20 marks Expansion 20 marks

Segment II : 35 marks Change of narration 5 marks Correction of sentences 5 marks Idioms 5 marks Pair of words 10 marks Antonyms/Synonyms 10 marks

(The examiner may, however, ask other segments like change of voice as well) Segment II is mathematical as your correct answer would accrue full marks. Here it becomes key for success as if you manage to score 30 in this segment your chances of clearing this paper become high. For this purpose practise this segment from the past papers and please do not cram sentences written in common guide books available in market. Segment I is significant as it is a test of your command over language. However, this fact should be kept in mind that this is an examination for the CSS and not a paper of English Literature. So you should be very clear about what is required of you. You have to demonstrate your skills of comprehending a piece of writing and communicating in writing in a precise and effective manner. Practice is a key in this segment. You have sufficient time available. Try to solve all 40 past papers questions of prcis and comprehension passages. Try to make it your habit as time management is very important in this paper. The prcis passage mostly consumes around one hour. Practice can help you serve time in other parts. As far as important topics for essay for this year are concerned, it is usually safe to attempt an essay on current issues as you have ample knowledge base for these issues. Everyday Science I thought, after going through just last five years papers, this paper is a piece of cake and I would easily score 90-95 marks in it. So, I did not prepare well and the paper was a nightmare. So forget about your background of science and prepare schematically for this paper. Everyday Science paper is a unique of all papers in the sense that it awards 5-95 marks to the candidates. You would find DMCs of allocated candidates who obtained 30-40 marks in this paper. An extra in this paper may prove a key factor in determining your final standing in merit list. Attempting this paper is skill of which selection of questions is very important. Generally, Everyday Science paper consists of: Objective Portion 50 MCQs (attempt them in the order of surety; should be; exclusion formula; and logical guessing) Subjective Portion Two questions usually consists of parts carrying one mark each

Two-three questions comprise five parts each carrying two marks Two questions comprising two parts each of five marks One question usually carries 10 marks

In objective portion, there is no choice so you have to attempt all. From subjective portion, prefer those questions which carry one mark because chances of getting full 10 marks in that question are more. Similarly, second preference should be two marks questions and lengthy questions should be avoided. One mark questions are usually of scientific units and abbreviations and reasoning. These questions are fairly simple and very often repeated. If you go through past 10 years papers, you would find many such examples. In science paper, diagrams carry nearly half marks of each question. So, practise drawing them as much as possible and try to draw neat diagrams with proper labeling in paper. Do consult the past papers as the books on Everyday Science in the CSS market are too voluminous. They carry a lot of unnecessary material and therefore, confuse the candidates. One mark questions are usually of scientific units and abbreviations and reasoning. These questions are fairly simple and very often repeated. If you go through past 10 years papers, you would find many such examples. Current Affairs Scoring high marks in this paper demands that the candidate must be well prepared having up-todate knowledge of all current topics. To ensure better preparation, candidates may divide this paper into following segments: 1. Foreign Policy: Foreign Policy and Pakistans relations with China, India, Iran, Afghanistan, US, Russia and Muslim countries. 2. International organisations: UN, OIC, NAM, SAARC, ECO, SCO, EU, ASEAN 3. International issues 4. Domestic issues In this paper, candidates should try to write to the point answers in a precise manner. Drawing a map is a requirement of most of the questions of this paper. A candidate should practice four maps in this regard. Pakistans map Central Asias map South Asias map World map Maps printed at the back of diaries can be used for practice. For this years paper, organisations and foreign relations should be thoroughly covered. It has been a trend in foreign relations questions that the examiner asks the impacts of two countries relations with Pakistan. So this aspect must be kept in mind. On international stage, Wikileaks

and global warming have gathered a lot of attention. Moreover, the visits of President Obama to India, etc. and Chinese Prime Ministers to Pakistan and India should be thoroughly covered. Chromic issues like Afghanistan, Palestine, Kashmir and Iran are also important. Domestic issues include Disaster management and floods Crises (energy and sugar) Bad governance Corruption and NRO Problems and suggestions for industry, agriculture, exports and tourism Role of media Democracy in Pakistan Natural and human resource potential of Pakistan Problems of education and health sector Pakistan Affairs This paper generally gives low marks but some candidates do score 65 plus marks every year. So it is a challenge for every candidate to score higher in this paper. This paper may also be divided, for schematic preparation, into following segments: Historical perspective: one two questions Pakistan Movement: one two questions Pakistan 1947 Present: three four questions This paper demands a critical approach in every attempted question. Moreover, suitable quotations from good sources may be given to support the argument. For this purpose, select two-three good books and read them thoroughly. The candidates may even pick analytical arguments from these books and use them in paper. The candidates should focus, apart from other topics mentioned in syllabus, on these topics as well: Muslim Society in Subcontinent Ideology of Pakistan Reform movements; Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi (RA) Sir Syed Ahmad and Aligarh Comparison of Deoband and Nadwa Pakistan Resolution Constitution making in Pakistan Geostrategic significance and natural resources in Pakistan Agriculture and exports of Pakistan Problems of health and education Scoring high marks in current affairs demands that the candidate must be well prepared having up-to-date knowledge of all current topics.

Islamiyat Last years result surprised many as most of the failed candidates were a victim of this paper. Purely for the sake of paper, set aside you confidence in your command over your faith and seize this opportunity to study Islam in detail. The failure of so many candidates does not mean that their faith is incomplete, rather they fail to understand the essence of questions. There are also many false notions and myths about this paper that the candidates must give moderate views in paper or otherwise prepare to be failed. These notions are false and absurd. There is no room for confusion in Islam so give your clear cut view but do not forget to prove it with effective argumentation and examples. Pakistan Affair paper demands a critical approach in every attempted question. Moreover, suitable quotations from good sources may be given to support the argument. Moreover, try to understand contemporary problems from Islamic point of view. One more confusion about this paper is about attempting it in Urdu or English. This is no issue as the main purpose is checking your knowledge. English or Urdu does not carry any marks of their own, but your argumentation and presentation does. So choose the language in which you can best attempt the paper. One more confusion is about the number of Ayats and Hadith references one has to quote. It purely depends on the question. If you remember any relevant references you should write preferably with other pen and some extra margin left on sides. But even if you do not quote any references, this would not mean a big difference if you answer the question effectively. Many candidates, including the writer, could not quote a single reference in Islamiyat paper last year (2009) and still scored 70 per cent marks in it. Similarly, use of headings is purely defined by the question asked. If you have any suitable heads for your arguments, use them with marker in bold style. But if questions demand critical analysis, you might not need more than a few. Islamiyat paper may also be divided into segments: Islamic concept and practices Contemporary problems faced by Muslims The candidates should focus on both segments. Some topics for guideline may be: Islamic concept of Universe and Humanity Problems of life and Islamic solution Beliefs on Risalate and Akhirat Blasphemy question Social and moral codes in Islam vs Western Ethics Islamic political system in comparison with modern democracy Women rights in Islam and legislations against veil in West Political and economic instability in Muslim World Sectarian violence and terrorism in Pakistan Sources of Shariah; Ijtehad

In the end, I would like to remind the candidates that this is just an exam for a job. Success or failure in it would not mean an end to life. Just keep faith in your abilities and try to give it your best. Leave the rest to Almighty God as He is the most Merciful. But make sure that you present Almighty God your honest effort. I wish everyone of you reading this a very best of luck in all future endeavours of life. May Allah bless you all. Email: whackky@gmail.com Dr Waheed Asghar (CSP)