Jahangir's World Times First Comprehensive Magazine for students/teachers of competitive exams and general readers as well.
Believe in yourself, give your best and leave the rest up to the Almighty Allah
Jahangir’s World Times (JWT): First of all, please tell us about your educational background?
Mohammad Haider (MH): I did matriculation from Punjab School in 2007-09. I got enrolled at the Government College University, Lahore, from where I completed FSc (Pre-engineering) in 2011. Later, I did LLB (Hons) from Punjab University Law College, Lahore, in 2011-16 session. I also have a Post Graduate Diploma in International Affairs from the same university.
JWT: How was your experience at the World Times Institute?
MH: I studied at the World Times Institute for a full session of four and a half months in 2016 (April to September). I must say it was a very rewarding experience as well-qualified teachers and very cooperative management made a great combination to provide me and my fellow students with the requisite guidance to get through the prestigious PMS exam.
Well-qualified teachers and very cooperative management at the WTI made a great combination to provide me and my fellow students with the requisite guidance to get through the PMS exam.
JWT: What, in your opinion, is the key to getting through compulsory papers of PMS exam, especially that of General Knowledge?
MH: I would point out three things in this regard: first, a well documented assessment on what areas are tested in the compulsory papers; second, very good teachers as they help students in working on the important areas; and third, and undoubtedly the most important, hard work and determination of the aspirant.
JWT: How answers should be written to get maximum marks in the written part of PMS exam?
MH: Arguments you write on the answer sheet should be well articulated and to the point and they must be supplemented with an excellent introduction and a befitting conclusion. Always try to, and prefer, writing your own thoughts; cramming an answer would never be a wise option.
JWT: Should there be some word limit kept in mind while writing answers?
MH: Word limit should be decided keeping in view the time you have at your disposal to write answers to the required number of questions.
JWT: How did you structure your Essay?
MH: While writing the essay, an aspirant must set a good context in the introduction. Then, quoting authentic references and important, related quotations, (s)he should write the main body of the essay. This portion should properly convey your ideas and thoughts on the topic to the examiner. The main body should seamlessly lead to the conclusion that should also be very impressive and should end on a positive note. I followed all these things.
JWT: What was your strategy for the General Knowledge paper?
MH: Time management! I prioritized questions and answered those keeping in mind the aspect of negative marking for wrong answers. I focused more on my strengths and handled this important paper in a way that there was the least chance of losing marks.
Read More: In Conversation with M. Uzman Chaudary, 15th in Punjab, PMS-2016
JWT: As interviewers usually grill the interview candidates, how did you manage the situation?
MH: Having a strong belief in my abilities and the knowledge I had, I gave simple, to-the-point answers. I didn’t resort to guesswork because during the interview part of a competitive exam, it is better to say sorry than to give wrong answers. To PMS 2017 interview candidates, I would say only one thing: listen to the interviewer attentively and give short, to-the-point, and well-thought-out answers.
JWT: Who deserves the credit for your success?
MH: Only I.
JWT: How one should choose Optional Subjects?
MH: In my opinion, an aspirant should go for the subjects (s)he has studied in his/her academic career and is also familiar with its nitty-gritty.
JWT: Is it better to attempt optional papers in Urdu or one should go with English only?
MH: It is up to the candidate to decide the medium. For me, English was a better option.
Advice for fresh aspirants
To PMS 2017 interview candidates, I would say only one thing: listen to the interviewer attentively and give short, to-the-point, and well-thought-out answers.
