Preparation
English Essay
The most vital part here is Outline preparation. Once you have developed a
strong outline, lets say with around 20 points, it shouldn’t be hard for you to
write 3000 words on it. Write and develop a few outlines on hot topics
(Pakistan’s economic issues, women, islam as a religion, global
warming, politics/democracy) and ensure you prepare only a maximum of 5
outlines. With each outline, prepare appropriate quotesand events. There
is no need to write an essay however if you are not confident about your
speed, you may practice 1/2 essays. All this shouldn’t take more than 2 days.
Internet should be your best friend
English Precis & Composition
This is probably the easiest paper. Just prepare antonyms, synonyms,
proverbs and idioms from any book of your choice.
You don’t need to prepare composition as you have already done it
extensively in O levels. Trust me, in CSS its much easier than O levels
As far as precis is concerned, it is quite easy, contrary to what people say.
You have to summarize in easy words in 1/3 the word count. Once again
consult any book for solved precis of past papers which should give you an
idea and you are all set to go
For short notes, once again the quotes and events are your gateway to
success. You do not need to prepare for this because writing 300 words
shouldn’t be difficult for you especially when coupled with quotes and events
which alone would take up at least 100 words
This paper therefore shouldn’t take more than 2 days to prepare too.
Read about tips to clear css in first attempt
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EDS
The most scoring subject which you should ace.
All you need to do is read Everyday Science book of Kashmiri. 1 reading
shouldn’t take more than 2 days. Revise at least 3-4 times whenever you feel
like. Also get solved papers of last 10 years and you are all set to go. No need
to do anything else
Current Affairs
There is no need for you to read Dawn daily! Yes, no need to read any
newspaper! Reading dawn takes atleast 1-2 hours daily and main time
consuming activity of all other CSS aspirants. You on the other hand do not
need to read it except on weekends. For CA prep, get the following
1)Quarterly Journal (4 editions come in a year)
2)Jahangir World Times magazine (all 12)
Go through these a couple of times and you are all set to go. Off-course, here
my earlier assumption also comes into play that you have debated in life
previously and therefore have analytical skills. You also have good english etc
etc. If needed or if you feel like, you may read Opinion/Encounter of Dawn on
a daily basis.
Thus preparing for CA should take max 1 week
Read about CPEC in detail
Pakistan Affairs
Ikram Rabbani: Thats it! Read this book only till Zia-ul-Haq era and no more.
Prepare your own pointers from the internet on agriculture, manufacturing,
education and water crisis in Pakistan. Go through this book a couple of
times as it contains everything you need to pass in Pakistan Affairs.
Do get solved past papers and give special attentions to MCQs and topics like
Sir Syed, Shah Walli Ullah, Pakistan movement, Ideology of Pakistan etc
Max time 4-5 days
Read about tips to clear css in first attempt
Read the success story of Qasim Ali
Read the success story of a blind csp officer
Read the story of Ikhlaqullah who secured third position in css
Islamiat
Solve Islamiat in English because you are good at it (earlier assumption). Get
the following books
1)Islamiat by Dogar Sons
2)Jahangir Exam Cram series
Go through both these books and repeat if necessary. Also important here is
that you look at Friday Feature of Dawn. No need to buy a dawn on Friday
though or even look at it each friday for the next 52 weeks. You can search
on Google and get articles from any period. Once again, last 10 years solved
papers are important.
Give a full week to Islamiat prep as it is a difficult subject and questions are
generally contemporary in nature.
Read about top Pakistani things here
Indopak History/British History
This wasn’t my subject in 2011 papers (Accounting was) so I can’t really guide
you but Exam Cram series should be your friend and practice diagram
drawing (for British History). Hopefully I will write an update for these
subjects in a couple of days.
THE END!
Basically, the crux of whole preparation is on hard work and 1/2 books max.
If you add up the number of days, it hardly takes around 40 days. You should
spend rest of the time revising. It is imperative that you follow this strategy
just before exams to ensure maximum possible retention.
Let me repeat here that this a general strategy which I felt worked for me in
2011 exams. It may not work for everyone, but it may also work wonders for
someone with a bit of modification. All I would say is that whatever strategy
you follow, do not let anyone else tell you that you can not do it or that it isn’t
possible.
Also do not rely on academy notes. The underlying notion behind my
assumptions, mentioned at the top, was that you can think critically and
analyze yourself. Utilize your skills!
Read about tips to clear css in first attempt
Read the success story of Qasim Ali
Read the success story of a blind csp officer
Read the story of Ikhlaqullah who secured third position in css
