How to Crack Compulsory Papers.

The candidates must keep this fact in mind that success in the CSS demands
a good individual effort.
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 socio-economic 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 4045 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-to-date 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.
Courtesy Dr Waheed Asghar (CSP)