It is said that great achievements take a lot of time to realize. You may have to brace for a lot of sacrifices, criticism, rejections, and failures. A good example to quote in this regard is that of Napolean. You have to convert your failures into big, resounding successes through hard but smart work.
The same rule applies to the civil service exams. In simple words, a number of aspirants take part in these exams, but a thin majority are able to get through them. The reasons for this sad failure have been elaborated on in this article. In this article, I will enumerate step-by-step how to crack CSS in your first attempt.
Why Failure is the Ultimate Reality in CSS?
A lot of aspirants are unable to qualify even for the written part of CSS. I have given a list of the various factors that render this a sad reality.
How to Ensure Your Success on First Attempt?
Now we shall dissect the tips and techniques that will enhance your chances of success in CSS.
A Sense of Discipline Should be Inculcated
First, when you decide to take CSS exams, you must develop a disciplined approach to your preparation. It means that you have to remain consistent throughout your preparation. You need to manage your work daily without getting bored. A sense of lethargy may come to you but you must remain consistent and disciplined.
An Aspirant Should Develop Motivation and Dedication
In the same way, you must have a lot of motivation and dedication in yourself. You must know that you may have to face a lot of bone-breaking difficulties, you may have to face social rejections and you may have to give some extra sacrifices. But you must know that the reward will be much greater than your efforts. You will get power, pomp, and pelf. You can watch the videos and podcasts of CSPs to keep yourself motivated. It has been said,
Rome was not built in a day.
Set Your Daily Deadlines and Long-Term Goals
Likely, you must set your daily deadlines along with long-term goals. When you create a timetable for yourself, it will create a sense of responsibility in you. You will be surprised to know that when you will you complete your daily tasks, it will boost your confidence. It will help you to complete your monthly and finally yearly goals in time.
Join Any Renowned Institution for Your Guidance
The ultimate key to success also lies in seeking guidance from any well-known CSS institution or any individual. You must not seek consultancy from mentors who lack exposure or from failed and negative aspirants. They will guide you in the wrong direction. They will try to diminish your morale. So be positive and trust Allah, you should join any good mentor to remain on track.
Start from Your English Expression
If you want to start your preparation from scratch, you should allow at least three hours for your English preparation. You can start from daily Dawn. Read its editorials and opinions carefully. If you find any new or catchy phrase, jot it down in your register. You must try to imbibe the new words and phrases and use them in your daily life. Prepare a register for this vocabulary portion. Try to write at least five pages a day to improve your written expression.
Put Your Daily Updated Data in A Register
It is the most important part of your preparation. You should make a register and then make different heads like the economy, politics, women, social issues, governance, terrorism, global issues, Pakistan and international relations, etc. Then jot down the related data and quote under the head. After two or three months you will find a lot of data at your fingertips.
Do Work on Your English Grammar
You must buy a good English Grammar book like Wren and Martin along with its key and read it on a daily basis to consolidate your grammar. Start practicing grammar from Syed Saadat Ali Shah or Prof. Muzzafar Bukhari’s book also.
Build up Your PEST Analysis
If you want to develop your critical analysis for CSS, you must dissect the causes, reasons, impacts, and suggestions of any issue. Also analyze it through the prism of political, economic, social, climatological, strategic, religious, literary, and technological perspectives.
Start From Quality Books and Materials
You must read at least one recommended book of FPSC for each subject along with a book of JWT. You must subscribe to JStore to get updated material regarding the topic at hand. You must read the Daily Dawn, JWT magazine along with The Weekly Economist.
Make Your Compact But Comprehensive Notes
Similarly, give a book a first reading then prepare comprehensive notes on your second reading. You must incorporate the gist of the topic, quotations, reports, and updated data as well in your notes. Your notes shall not be more than four pages.
Then before two months of exams, convert these comprehensive notes into a one-pager for a quick revision. You can do this through the condensation of your previous notes.
Practice to the Maximum
You must practice as much as you can and check it from a senior or a mentor. You must write at least one full-length essay and a précis once a week. Write a summary of opinions and editorials or any book that you read.
Choose Your Optional Subjects Carefully
You should choose your optional subjects carefully. On this topic, we have written an article on this website, you may read it. Your subject should be based on your interest, and background, look out for subjects with a short syllabus, and finally choose those subjects that are complementary to the other subject.
Cover Your Syllabus At least Twice
For sure success, you must cover your entire syllabus twice. You should prepare your syllabus as per the trend of past papers.
How to Ace Essay Paper
We have talked about this in our previous article. You must read those ideas. I guarantee if you read those carefully then success is sure in the essay. You must watch the lecture of Syed Suleman Kazmi on YouTube and also read this compendium of books.
How to Get Through Your Precis Paper?
A lot of aspirants remain perplexed about this portion. But you must you that precise is only a question, not an entire paper. So if you prepare the grammar portion, prepositions, punctuation, phrasal verbs, and idioms well, you are going to ensure your success. You must also prepare a GRE word list as there are 20 MCQs from this portion. You must analyze the paper and prepare each and every topic holistically to maximize the chances of your success.
Cracking Islamiat
A lot of aspirants remain bewildered about the preparation of Islamiat. You must cram all the related Quranic verses along with their surah and ayat number, ahadith, and related references. You must incorporate an outline before your answer. Read the book of Prof. Khurshid Ahmad along with that of Karimdad Chugtai.
Tips to Attempt GK Paper
In CSS, the GK paper comprises of Current Affairs, Pakistan Affairs, and General Science and Ability. There is a rule that a candidate who scores 120/300 in these subjects, has cleared these subjects collectively. Besides these subjects are scoring. You just need to incorporate maps, tables diagrams, flowcharts, quotations, and data to embellish your answer.
Go for Mocks
You must take at least two mock exams before your final exams. It will groom your time management facilities along with highlighting your mistakes.
Time Management
The most important thing is that you must allot each question time which every question demands. For example, there are 20 minutes for the objective part. Now you are left with 2 hours and 40 minutes. Divide this time into five questions and you will find that you have almost 35 minutes for each question.
Paper Presentation Techniques
Paper presentation matters a lot when it comes to CSS/PMS exams. You should draw margins. Then there should be paragraph sequencing and proper sequence in the lines. You must incorporate maps, diagrams, flowcharts, use of markers, quotations, pictorial presentations, and use of technical terms in each optional subject.
Improvisation is the Key to Success
You must be aware of the technique of improvisation. It means that you can incorporate the philosophy of one author into the philosophy of others on the same topic. For example, when you write about Aristotle’s concept of state, you can incorporate the analysis of Plato too.
In Punjabi, when you are writing an assignment, improvise it through the viewpoints of English writers and Rumi too.
All the Theories and Terms of Each Optional Should be at Your Fingertips
Last but not least, when you are preparing for an optional do cram all of its technical terms and theories as you have to critically analyze through the prism of theories and terms of the related subject,
Wrapping Up
To sum the whole discussion up, we may conclude that taking the CSS exam demands consistency, discipline, motivation, and dedication. If you build the edifice of your preparation on these above-mentioned fundamental points then trust me you can ace it on your very first attempt.
Do not pray for an easy life but pray for the strength to oar your challenges. Then your living shall not be a miracle but you yourself shall be a miracle.