Preparing the CSS: Right Thing, Right Time

Take an extra pain by making your own notes. But the question often asked me how to prepare notes.

In the previous article, how to prepare English precis and composition was discussed highlighting various techniques and tips to have command over the English subject. Now I will discuss how to prepare the remaining compulsory and optional subjects in a series.

Now I would come to Islamiat paper. Take an extra pain by making your own notes. But the question often asked me how to prepare notes. The nature of each subject varies from others. Firstly, take a view of CSS Islamiat syllabus and then consult the last five years papers. This exercise will make you enough mature what is the pattern of the paper. For making notice, consult the Urdu book of Islamiat by Prof. Khurshid Ahmad and for English take help from the Islamic Studies written by me.

Before making a notice of a particular topic; for example the topic is Tauheed, take its definition from the book as it will convince the examiner your broad consulted books approach. After writing a particular definition from this book, write the verbal meaning of Tauheed then take one or two Quranic verses such as Surah Akhlas and Ayyatul Kursi and heading should be ‘According to the Holy Quran’. Write either in Arabic or its translation in Urdu and then explain it by connecting to the main topic in the light of this Quranic Verse. The next heading should be ‘According to the Ahdees Mubaraka’. Quote one or two Ahdees relating it to the main topic then continue your remaining question according to the asked question. These things are very attractive for the examiners and he is bound to award you maximum numbers.

During the last many years, there are some general questions like terrorism, suicide attacks, etc. For such topics, articles of Opinion page in Dawn on Friday should be consulted for its preparation.

For the preparation of 20 marks MCQs, read the English Islamiat MCQs book published by Jahangir Book Depot. I have already noticed that the students do not care preparing the 20 marks MCQs.

For Current Affairs paper, students should read newspapers and note down the current happening events. This paper also helps you prepare English essay as well. If we go through the last five years papers, following is the trend in current affairs paper; Pak-US relations, Pak-Sino relations, Indo-Pak relations, including resumption of composite dialogue, US-Sino relations, Pak-Afghan relations; history, Soviet invasion, Talibansation, 9/11, Pak-Afghan relations post 9/11, role of India in Afghanistan and their consulate, especially on the border of Pakistan causing instability in Balochistan, US exit strategy and its implications not only on Pakistan but also on the region, AF-Pak Policy,

Group of G-4, Indian wish to become Security Council’s permanent member and its implications on Pakistan, Palestine crisis, US interests; in Middle East, The Great Game, oil politics, Central Asian States, etc. Global crunch, emerging Chinese economy and the US concerns over it, US policies in Iraq and Afghanistan and exit plan, and the important organisations; SCO, ASEAN, OIC, ECO, SAARC- importance should be given to those organisations whose meetings recently held before the CSS Final exam, etc. The local issues can be provincial autonomy, Balochistan Package, NFC Award, energy crisis, global warming; globally and its effects on Pakistan, issues of economy and its suggestions, terrorism, importance of Gwadar Port, etc.

Divide the time equally and follow it while attempting the paper as CSS is the exam of planning and management. The strategy how to attempt a question is that the candidate should first give introduction of the topic by writing it as heading. Then discuss all the aspects and give figures, facts and reasons. The last paragraph should have the heading of critical analysis. In this passage, student should give his\her point of view about a said topic.

The average length of each question should be between six to seven pages. It should be remembered that the length of all questions should be equal. For MCQs portion, solve the objective of last 10 papers and note down all the important incidents and news before three months of commencing the exams. Books on general knowledge are very helpful for its preparation.

For Pakistan Affairs paper, the following topics are very important in phase-I; spread of Islam in the Subcontinent, role of sufis in this regard, causes of downfall of the Muslims, Two-Nation Theory, Hazrat Mujadid Alf Sani, Shah Wali Ullah, Ahmad Shaheed Bralvi, Titu Mir, Dudu Miyan, War of Independence and its heinous effects only on the Muslims, role of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and his Aligarh Movement, Deoband and Nadwa tul Ulema.

Phase-II includes; Partition of Bengal, Simla Deputation, formation of Muslim League, Mintoy Morley Reforms, Lucknow Pact, Montague-Chelmsford Reforms, Khalifat Movement, Nehru Report, Quaid-e-Azam’s Fourteen Points, Allahabad Address, Round Table Conferences, 1935 Constitution, 1937 elections, Lahore Resolution, Cabinet Mission Plan, Redcliffe Award and June 3 Plan.

The phase-III includes; problems after the partition, Objective Resolution, 1956, 1962 and 1973 constitutions; comparison and discuss the drawbacks of each constitution, Devolution Plan, industrial and agricultural problems and solution, Pakistan’s foreign policy and geo-strategic position of Pakistan. Now comes to attempting the paper technique. Use as much headings as you can. Start the question by giving the heading introduction and give a brief of your question. For example the question is Quaid-e-Azam’s Fourteen Points, it does not mean just to memorize and write down all the points. Firstly, give reasons why Quaid-e-Azam gave Fourteen Points; a brief introduction of Nehru Report and its drawbacks. Then write 14 Points after that provide different views of Hindus, and other members what they think about Fourteen Points. The last paragraph should contain heading, critical analysis, conclusion, concluding remarks, etc.

When a candidate appears in the candidates, he is advised to make an outline of each question in the start by mulling over the main points as it shows that the students know all the points which an examiner requires. The length of question should be between five to six pages.

It is highly recommended that students should note down the speeches and axiom of Allama Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam and write these speeches or sayings either in the start or in the end of each question. If the students have time they can read the below mentioned books and give quotation from the books of I.H. Quershi, ‘The Struggle for Pakistan’ and K.K. Aziz, ‘The Making of Pakistan’. Before one month of commencing the examination, students should take test to the relevant subject specialist and improve their drawbacks. Majority of the people agree that the presentation of the paper and handwriting help award you higher marks.