Hello Dear Friends,

I will in this thread share with you my experience of CSS exams. I have cleared the written part of CSS exams in my first attempt and I already know that I am going to be allocated for 39th Commons Training Program. In other words my seat is confirmed because (fortunately) I am from Sindh (Urban).

My Background

I am a son of an army officer. I have been a very spoiled person. I never took interest in academic activities but managed to complete my BBA (hons. in Marketing) and MBA (HRM) from Szabist Karachi. All my life I have been facilitated by my father in ‘getting things done’ my way. But for the CSS, there was no ‘sifarish’ and no way to rely on my father’s charm. So I had to apply myself and utilized all my energies to their full potential.

My Journey to the CSS

Since 7th grade I have been doing three things consistently; listening to all kinds of music, playing guitar and reading Dawn Newspaper. So my listening and reading skills were always getting better as the years passed by. These two skills ultimately proved to be my biggest assets.

In the year 2008, my father got me into National Accountability Bureau as a grade 17 investigation officer. During my NAB interview, the General advised me, “although you are being selected but this job is not for you son. Spend some time here and get the exposure but you must go for CSS exams. You can do it son. Just commit to it and apply yourself.” My listening skills were playing their part. So I quit NAB within a year and went on to explore the world of CSS. My reading skills helped me in that regard.

Exams Preparation

I selected the following optional subjects after thorough analysis

Indo Pak History (it covers Pakistan affairs and is also useful for current affairs)
Political Science (I am deeply in love with this subject. It automatically covers constitutional law. It also helps in essay and in my case it helped me in Islamiat paper as well. Plus it provides a great arsenal of quotations)
Constitutional Law (Easy to prepare and a very useful subject for CSS)
Business Administration (It was a natural choice as I am an MBA)

I was told by many seniors to drop history and political science and instead go for scoring subjects like geography, sociology, journalism etc. But I stuck to my decision. I believe one should go for those subjects that one finds interesting, enjoyable and easy to prepare without considering the scoring trends)

I started making my own notes in August 2009 and finished this process by mid November 2009. After that I started the revision process and never looked back.

Now I am going to share some useful tips regarding Compulsory Subjects.

Essay

Just stick to the basics which are:
1.   solid but brief outline covering all the aspects of topic
2.   reasonable opening and a sound conclusion.
3.   paragraphs must be equal in length
4.   paras must be cohesive and one para must deal with one topic at a time
5.   the opening words of a para must match the words in outline. To make it more clear have a look at the following outline on the topic “Global Warming”:

1. The sky is falling
1.1. Global warming
1.2. Greenhouse gases
1.3. Greenhouse effect

2. Causes of global warming
2.1. Ice ages theory
2.2. Ocean activity theory
2.3. Sunspot activity theory
2.4. Human activity theory
• Burning Fossil fuels
• Correlation between population growth and rising temperatures
• Cutting the forests

3. Effects of global warming
3.1. Rising of the sea level
3.2. Changing climate and weather patterns
3.3. Changing ecosystems

4.  Solutions
4.1. Common people’s actions
4.2. What states can do
• What Pakistanis can do
• Alternative sources of power
• Public transportation
• Subsidies against taxes
• Natural gas
• planting and protecting the forests
• Public education
4.3. International solutions

5.  Conclusion

Now the opening para should be like…

(1. The Sky is Falling) —–> From outline.
The sky is falling, the sky is falling! Growing up we heard this phrase in folktales as a “wolf cry”. A cry that is so ridiculous that nobody would believe it. Now that global warming is a major environmental issue, the saying doesn’t sound so out of place. Most people might say: what is global warming? But if they look around and observe the environment around them then they might find the answer to this question. Years are becoming warmer and weather patterns are finding it difficult to stay at the same course. The changes are small so far, but these are expected to accelerate uncontrollably. Within the next fifty to hundred years the earth may be much hotter place than it has been in past million years.  However, the real question is why this is happening and what is the connection of humanity with global warming?

(1.2. Global Warming) —–> From outline.
Global warming is commonly referred to as an increase in the temperature of the lowest layers of Earth’s atmosphere. Scientists estimate that average temperature could climb up to two degree Celsius in twenty years time because of global warming. Global warming has occurred in the distant past as the result of natural influences, but the term is most often used to refer to the warming predicted to occur as a result of increased emissions of greenhouse gases………. ……………..and so on…

In my view diagrams and headings must be avoided in an essay.

Précis and Composition

Prepare and solve the last 10-20 past papers. “Exploring the world of English” by Saadat Ali Shah is the ultimate authority regarding English papers i.e. essay and composition.

General Knowledge

Everyday Science

For objective portion prepare all the MCQs from 1990 to the last paper.
For subjective Kashmiri’s book and past papers are enough.

Current Affairs

Dawn Newspaper especially the editorial section and the articles. Read the news and topic of the editorial and then try to write your own editorial on that news topic. Then match with the Dawn’s editor. Other sources like internet, TV, mags etc are also very useful.

Pakistan Affairs

I only covered the topics before1947 Independence of Pakistan. Learn by heart all the dates and events. Draw a timeline and memorize it. All the events from 1857 to 1947 must be crystal clear to you. Also cover all the prominent religious and political personalities like Mujadid Alf Sani, Sha Wali Ullah, Haji Shariatullah, Syed Ahmed Shaheed, Dudhu Mian, Sir Syed, Allama Iqbal, Quaid e Azam, Liaqat Ali Khan etc. Read all the events after 1947 at least once.

Islamiat

Only attempt in Urdu if you are 110% confident otherwise always go for English. I prepared Islamiat in Urdu for about a month but when I saw the paper, I instantly decided to attempt in English. I was damn right. This year Islamiat has proved to be a disaster for those who attempted this paper in Urdu. Anyway, go for English and at least learn 15 – 20 verses by heart with correct chapter and verse references. Memorize 6 to 8 verses in Arabic as well with English translation.

Some Suggestions

The best course of action is to prepare own notes. Consult at least three different sources for preparing an answer to a particular question. Also search the Internet for your answers.

I suggest that one should prepare three types of notes for a particular question. That are; full length notes, short notes (only headings and main points in bullet form) and code notes (code words for headings and main points).

Take command of your subject. You should strive to become an authority on your subjects. Always be willing to walk an extra mile. Consistent hard work, determination and will to succeed are the key ingredients for success in CSS. Tell yourself that failure is not an option for you. Write as much as possible on blank papers. Test yourself by randomly choosing a question from any past paper and try to solve it.

Save the last month before exams for revision.

Never use fancy words. Just write in simple readable English. Avoid overuse of quotations, poetry, diagrams, idioms, jargons etc. Such things only waste the time and create confusion. Stick to the basics please.

Go out for running, walking, jogging for at least 30 mins 5 days a weak. Eat healthy food and sleep minimum 8 hours everyday.

Most importantly say your prayers and ask Allah to open up your mind. Constantly seek your Lord’s help, mercy and blessings. Believe in yourself and have blind faith in Allah’s help. Inshallah success will be yours in the exams.

And Remember

When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream. (Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist)

Best luck for your preparation and exams.

regards,
pinkfloyd

Source: My Journey to the CSS by Pinkfloyd

1. Broadly speaking only three months are left for the preparation. I, time and again, emphasize that for CSS preparation, time management is the key to success. Since only three months are left, aspirants need to recalculate the time at hand and study burden. Once done with it, they must distribute the time accordingly.

2. In my personal view, I would say that aspirants must target the Feb 15, 2010 as the deadline and keep rest of the 15 days till commencement of examinations for revision, relaxation and final touches. I and many of the qualified fellows had the similar strategy.

3. The writing practice once again is important. Try to practice writing as much as you can.

4. By Feb 2010, the papers must be final. So, give secondary importance to new current affairs items. Read daily Dawn for follow up and developments on the older issues and spend more time on other subjects and writing practice.

Now I have set the ball rolling please feel free to put forward your queries.

(In my next post, I will try to write something about the eleventh hour strategy before examination and in examination hall.)

My sincere wishes and prayers are there for all those who appeared. God bless them!

The result can be checked at the link below:

The CSS 2009 Result

Source: The CEP Forum

The detailed Result of Competitive Examination 2008 (CSS) can be found at ‘The Competitive Exams Forum’.

It is further declared by the FPSC that the among 684 final qualifiers 527 are male and 157 are females. Total pass percentage is 16.1 per cent and tt is far more than the last year when only around 5 per cent candidates were declared qualified in CSS 2007 finally.

The FPSC notification no. F2-2/2009 CE stated that the CE are postponed and the new date for commencement of the CSS 2009 examination is Saturday April 25, 2009. Further, it is being notified that the reasons of postponement are administrative.

With this, the aspirants are having few more days to study but to many this delay in papers is not good since they will have to wait for 1 and a half month more.

Having passed Central Superior Services (CSS) Examination Pakistan, I feel that, simply studying is not enough. We need to understand the art of passing it and it is only possible when one has a guide who can provide him with timely advice on preparation related issues. For that matter, I happened to start a series of advice columns that received a very encouraging response by my readers and it kept me motivated to continue writing. To me, this was not enough. I always wanted to go for a better option but limited time never allowed me to run an extra mile. The things went on as such until Prometheus came up with idea of starting a CSS related forum. I was impressed with his work plan and motivation so agreed to help him out with all my heart and soul. Time proved that Prometheus was serious when he discussed this idea with me so with his firm determination he has started this Forum named “The Competitive Exams Preparation (CEP) Forum”. The Competitive Exams Preparation Forum aka The CEP Forum at the moment is passing through its beta but it has already a good collection of material on almost everything related to Competitive Exams Preparation. In this post I will provide you a detailed insight.

The Forum is divided in six categories namely:

• General
• The Central Superior Services Examination
• The Competitive Examinations other than CSS
• Miscellaneous opportunities
• Past Papers and learning Resource
• Common Room

General

It is place for general discussions, news and article sharing, introductions, everything and anything one can imagine. Simply, the user can post the things of general interest out here for everybody to see and discuss.

The Central Superior Services Examination

This place is a heaven for those who are aiming to get through CSS examination. One can find CSS FAQs, information about compulsory and optional subjects around. Moreover, one can share his experience, tips and tricks around. Apart from this, if you have some query related to CSS, you can post it here.

The Competitive Examinations other than CSS

Besides CSS, there are several other Competitive Exams in Pakistan and this category helps those who want to go for them. In this category, one can find information about exams like PMS, PCS, Ministry of defence Jobs, Judiciary etc. Apart from this, a board is dedicated to ISSB exam for recruitment in Pakistan Army, Navy and Airforce.

Miscellaneous opportunities

This category deals with Scholarships, Jobs and other related opportunities.

Past Papers and learning Resource

In this category, the past papers of CSS and other competitive exams are shared with the forum user. Apart from this, learning resources like websites etc are also shared by users here. In this category, the Boards for Past Papers are read only and one need to register before gaining access.

Common Room

Last but not least, the category named Common Room is a hang out for all those who are tired ready serious things. One can share Islamic information, General Knowledge, Poetry, Jokes, do informal chit chat aka Gup Shup, wish fellow member birthdays and tons of other things. Moreover, board for Site Feedback is included in this category so that users can put forward their suggestion and ideas for improvement.

Lastly, I would like to say that this forum has just started and I see a strong growth potential in it to meet preparation related requirements of aspirants. I personally think and encourage all my readers to join this forum for exploiting it to meet their CSS help and guidance needs. Moreover, I have agreed to visit them frequently so one can catch me there time to time for assistance on regular basis seven 5 days a week since weekends are mine and I wish to spend them my way.

Gilani said it was necessary to keep the age limit at the existing level in order to attract the best among the country’s youth.

Retirement age: Commenting on the issue of increasing retirement age from 60 to 63 years, the prime minister informed the cabinet that the federal government was not considering any such proposal, as it would hamper the promotion prospects of younger officers.

The cabinet also approved in-principle to start negotiations on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) regarding bilateral political consultations between the governments of Pakistan and Namibia.

Gilani said once the MoU were signed, efforts should be made towards its implementation.

The cabinet also granted permission to a summary moved by the Ministry of Labour and Manpower to start negotiations with the Italian government for an agreement to strengthen co-operation on migration matters. The MoU will facilitate formalising arrangements with the Italian government for job placement of Pakistani professionals and workers in Italy.

The water and power minister briefed the cabinet members about the water and power situation in the country. He said although water in dams was less than the required level, every effort would be made to ensure adequate water supply to farmers.

Gilani directed all ministers to maintain close liaison with the media and facilitate access to information, so that government policies for socio-economic development of the people are properly projected.

Source: Daily Times

Ahmed Shaukat

Dear Ahmed Shaukat,

To me appearing in CSS is a separate decision from deciding the field of study. You must take in account to what will happened if by any chance you are going to fail in all the three attempts of CSS. Please don’t take it as an offence, I only want to point it out that at times things do not take the shape as we want them to take and in such a situation, your degree qualification will help you out. Therefore, please do not base the decision of your studies solely on CSS. I think you are carrying my point. I wish you all the very best for your future in your preferred field.

i am working with united nation peace corps.
i am happy but as desire and dream i always wanted to work as civil service officer .
what you suggest as i had master in IR from washington state university.

Atta

Dear Atta,

I am glad that you want to serve your country, but decision is all yours. In my personal case, I was serving in WHO international before qualifying CSS 2007 and I had many options but I preferred staying in Pakistan. In your case, it is all about your personal choice.

is it true that there is an age relaxation for two years and now a person can appear in the CSS exams till the age of 30.

Zainab

Dear Zainab

No it is a rumor!

i wanna ask u one thing that i am in the final year of d-pharmacy so the question is that i want to gv css exam after compeletion of d-pharmacy so is there any restriction regarding my degree plz do ans me soon im in a great worry

Hira

Dear Hira

No there is not restriction for details visit the CSS FAQs page.

Hello there Sir,

Iam a graduate in Business Admin, now doing my MBA and after lots of thought regarding my career.. I have come upon the decision of preparing for the CSS examination.
I need to inquire regarding two things, First being, iam a shortsighted girl, with an eyesight of -5.00 for both the right and the left eye, and I am interested in the Foreign services field, am i not eligible for it because of my eyesight?

and secondly, I dont agree with having to cram history, why doesnt the board think of revising the syllabi and on the whole make it more intellectual based?

Many Thanks.

Moomal Ahmed

Dear Moomal,

You are o.k for Foreign services of Pakistan being short sighted. You can take a look at the precedent of Saima Saleem, who is blind and passed the CSS 2007 and is allocated with a seat in Foreign Services of Pakistan. About FPSC revising the Syllabus, this is long discussion and beyond the scope of this post, so we can discuss it latter or you might consider writing a guest post in this context for my blog. I wish you all the very best.

Salam !
Can Any1 plz temmi sum information regarding CSS classes or coaching centers in Peshawar?

Anna

Dear Anna,

I have no clue about it.

aa,sir i start the reading of dawn but due to high vocab i m not fully understand theme of paragraph.is it due to start of prepraration.secondly i m not understand the implmplementation of world map.explain it with example.from where i can buy these maps.lastly,how can i contact wth sir mehdi hassan and sir jafri sb.sir this is may second reply.waiting anxiouslt.thanks

Hasnain Zaidi

Dear Hasnain Zaidi,

You need to stick around with your routine of reading daily dawn and your word power will built progressively and you will come to understand every word of it in long run. About map, all you need to do is that when you read some news of some foreign country, kindly see if you can find it on map, once you have found it on map, have a look at the boundaries of the country and other countries bordering it. About contact of Prof. Mehdi Hassan and Jafri Sahab, I have not clue.

Q.1 Should I “FREEZE” my MBA & go for CSS or CONTINUE it ??

Q.2 Officer’s Academy, Lahore Vs English language professor??

Q.3 How is my subject selection of following subjects??

Samar Ellahi

Dear Samar Ellahi,

I am responding to your queries one by one in above order:

1. This will be the biggest mistake you will ever commit. Freezing your studies will not help in any way. So better continue it and latter you can give CSS a try.

2. To me officers academy Lahore is preferable, it might be the other way around with somebody else but if I had to choose I would have dealt it that way.

3. Your subject selection is at par if you have genuine interest in them.

Salaam to Every One,
Actually I want to appear in css 2009 examination, so will you plz tell me the last date of submission of application…and also tell me about prepration…Allah Hafiz

Omer Farooq

Dear Omer Farooq,

The closing date for CSS 2009 is Jan 1^st, 2009.

sir its well done i need of css 2009 guess paper of essay and current affairs

Murtaza

Dear Murtaza,

I have no such papers with me.

Lastly, the following fellows sent me the queries and I feel that I have already replied their queries in frequently asked questions (FAQs) at Silence. Therefore, those whose names are in the list below are requested to please check out the CSS Pakistan FAQs here.

Sameera Bashir, Zahid Hussain, Murtaza, Sadaf, Zulqarnain, Dr. Sadia Haidar, Zahida Khan, Waqar Younus, Hasnian, Mohammad Ali Zagham, Aisha Mumtaz, Sana Saeed, Madiha, Sobia Afridi, Nusrat, Shamiala, Sohail Nasar Roghani, Syed Jawwad, Sheel, Umar Khitab, Amina Amjad, Aqsa, Muhammad Rustam Ali, Raza, Rana M. Iqbal, Muhammad Noman, Gull Malik, Irha, Bilal, Mudassir, Sehar, Sonia, Mona, Asim, Hina Faiz, Shahnawaz Khan