Competitive examinations require certain techniques,
a strategy and skillful approach more than laborious study. Proper guidance and
papers-oriented study are key to success otherwise one's effort may turn into a
leap in the dark. Keeping in view the pattern of the papers, and contents of
the past examinations, the News and Analysis team in
collaboration with the experienced PMS Officers and CSPs has prepared the following
package of guidance and tips for the aspirants of the competitive examinations.
Subjects in the examinations.
The subjects are broadly categorized into two:
The compulsory and the optional subjects. The compulsory part include: (each
carrying 100 marks. =600)
1.English Essay
2.Precise and composition
3.Everyday Science
4.Current Affairs.
5.Pakistan Affairs and
6.Islamyat.
How to score higher and what
strategy is to be followed.
1. English Essay. This is indeed a difficult
paper and most of the candidates flunk the same in the examination. But have
you ever thought that why it is so, the answer is simple that there are no hard
and fast rules of essay except the general guidelines which are to be followed.
a) Discourse
of the topic. The first thing which all the candidates must
inculcate is the very discourse of the given topic. It is the primary requirement
if it was misunderstood the whole essay will lose its purpose. Once the
discourse of the topic is understood, then proceed to the structure of the
essay.
b) Outline: The next step is to outline the topic, categories your ideas about the
topic keeping in view the requirements of the discourse, if the discourse
demands arguments for and against, or your suggestions, outline them. The
outline should be clear and simple, showing a clear introduction, climax
leading to conclusion.
c) Transition: Transition is an essential element of the essay, which implies that there
should be a logical development in your thoughts which must be shown in the paragraphs,
one paragraphs must lead your reader to the next without any confusion. All the
paragraphs must be logically linked with one another.
d) Conclusion. Your conclusion must be brief yet a "comprehensive" sketch of
the whole ideas you have discussed in your essay. Do remember there should not
be anything new in your conclusion which you introduce at this stage, rather
wind up the things you have already introduced.
e)Diction. DO KEEP IN MIND that simplicity of
diction is one of the tools which can secure credit from the examiner. Do avoid
difficult words and uncommon structures. Refrain from Shakespearean diction and
Lyly's structure. Put your ideas in the simplest words and plain structure.
f) Quotations,
references and statistics: it better to put some
quotations but not too much. Put the quotations with references. Give references
of the known reports and surveys, and famous organizations like UNO, EU,
Transparency International, Amnesty International etc.
2. Précis and composition.
a) Grammar: It includes basics of English grammar, such as parts of the speech,
tenses, change of voices and narrations. All of them are somewhat familiar areas
yet a good book of grammar may be helpful for revision.
b) Précis: A brief but convincing summary of an unseen paragraph is to be written.
The candidates must thoroughly read the paragraph and then put the central idea
of the paragraph in their own words, try to minimize borrowing of words from
the original. Do not write examples, references and your own thoughts. The candidates
must practice making précis of one paragraph daily.
c) Usage: In this part the candidates are required to use some vocabulary items or
idioms in sentences or produce their meaning (as the case may be). Try to write
shortest possible sentences.
d) Comprehension. An unseen paragraph is given with questions at the end to supply answer
for them. Candidates must read the paragraph between the lines and then produce
the answers in their own words; the ideas must those mentioned in the paragraph.
f) Translation:
In the new syllabus of CSS a short Urdu passage needs to be translated
into English.
3.
Everyday science.
This is one of the high score yielding subjects
among the compulsory, but needs technical approach. One should thoroughly study
the basics of biology ,physics, and
chemistry. it is advisable to study the metric and Fsc level books of the said
subjects. The candidates should memorize the scientific units, abbreviations
and scientific instruments. In addition earth science, environmental issues, computer and IT and the currents developments in these sectors
must be studied.
4.
Islamyat:
Most of the candidates flunk this paper as well.
It is due to their traditional view regarding Islamyat. They take Islmayat as a
paper in which one is supposed to write everything that seem good and involves didacticism,
which is indeed a faulty approach. Islamyat on the forum of competitive
examination needs familiarity with the Islamic history, sources of Islamic law
and fundamentals of Muslim jurisprudence. Exaggeration is discouraged in all
the papers and Islamyat is no exception in this regard.
5.
Pakistan affairs.
This paper
is divided into two parts. First, freedom movement and the events and
personages pertaining thereto, and social and religious reformers ( Sir sayed ,
Sheikh Ahmad sirhindi and Shah Waliullah in particular).Major constitutional
packages introduced in the colonial era.
6.
Current affairs:
Candidates are advised to stay focused on national political and
economic issues. Regional and international politics, globalization and its
aspects and impacts. International organizations, and major issues of middle
East and Afghanistan .In addition the structure and operational procedure of
organizations like UNO,EU,SAARC and OIC are important. Make a critical and
comprehensive approach to the topic, explore all the possible aspects of a
topic. For example
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READ ALSO
Political issues of Pakistan.
SOCIAL ISSUES.
CRITICAL CURRENT ISSUES
