Jahangir's World Times First Comprehensive Magazine for students/teachers of competitive exams and general readers as well.
WTI is the best institute for CSS preparation in Lahore. With best faculty and grooming environment, it is performing huge service to CSS aspirants.
Jahangir’s World Times (JWT): First of all, please tell us about your educational background?
Ummar Awais (UA): I did my matriculation from Fauji Foundation Model School and College, Jhelum. Afterwards, I did intermediate from Government Islamia College Civil Lines, Lahore. Later on, I did graduation from Computer Science & Engineering Department, UET, Lahore.
JWT: What feature of Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) attracted you most?
UA: The horizontal and vertical mobility is the most-quoted attribute of Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) which makes this service the most attractive. But, for me, there is another dimension of this attribute, that is, this mobility provides huge chances of serving my fellow countrymen. This aspect of performing khidmat attracted me the most.
JWT: How much helpful did you find Jahangir’s World Times (JWT) during your preparation? And, how was your experience at the World Times Institute?
UA: Jahangir World Times (JWT) is a very useful magazine for beginners but for advanced level CSS preparation in-depth study is also very important. This is the area where JWT needs to work. Nevertheless, I used to consult it regularly.
As far as WTI is concerned, it is the best institute for CSS preparation in Lahore. With best faculty and grooming environment, it is performing a huge service to CSS aspirants.
JWT: What, in your opinion, is the key to making a difference in written part of CSS examination?
UA: Proficiency in English, sound knowledge base and attractive presentation in paper are the three basic pillars through which huge difference in written part of CSS exam can be achieved.
JWT: Generally, compulsory subjects are considered low-scoring, what was your strategy to get through these very papers?
UA: Proper focus on MCQs, thorough understanding of the topics, in-depth study, notes-making using mind map technique, using presentation tools like graphs, pie charts, maps, etc., taking mock tests, are few very important techniques/strategies through which high score can be fetched, not only in compulsory subjects but also in the optional ones.
JWT: What were the toughest and the easiest parts in the whole process of CSS exam?
UA: Toughest part was written examination and the easiest one was interview.
JWT: Anything important about your CSS journey you want to share with the aspirants?
UA: During my CSS preparation, my father was battling with stage IV cancer. He was a very brave person. He died four days after my written exam. Life didn’t give him chance to see my success, which was indeed his success.
JWT: How answers should be written to fetch maximum marks?
UA: First of all question should be understood thoroughly. For this, focusing on keywords in the questions can be beneficial. Afterwards, try to encompass all the aspects. Make an outline of your answer and write it down. Make as many headings as possible. Use of markers is recommended. Try to present your statistics, facts and figures in diagrams, graphs, charts and other such useful tools. Try to facilitate the examiner as much as possible.
JWT: Should there be some word limit kept in mind while writing answers?
UA: I believe time limit is more important than word limit. Equal time should be allocated to all answers. One should write as many pages as possible in given time but the content should be relevant and presentation should be outstanding.
JWT: How did you structure your Essay?
UA: The basic structure of an essay is: Introduction, Main body and Conclusion. I wrote evidence-based essay. In such essays, main body contains twenty-five to thirty pieces of evidence proving the thesis statement. The topical sentence of the paragraph has two parts, Main Idea and Controlling Idea. Main idea connects the paragraph to the topic of the essay while controlling idea provides the argument and substantiates thesis statement. In this way, coherent paragraphs are written and essay becomes a well-structured piece of writing.
JWT: How did you handle de-motivations, in any?
UA: Throughout my preparation, I remained highly motivated as it was my first attempt. But aspirants do face de-motivation. The best way to avoid it is to have a mentor who got success in this long process.
Tips on:
Selection of optional subjects
One should choose optional subjects keeping one’s interest in mind. In this way, one can invest one’s energies into the subjects wholeheartedly.
Notes-making
One-liners should be prepared because they help a lot in mock tests, revisions and exams.
Revision
Revisions are necessary. Without them, absorbing the gathered knowledge is very difficult. For this purpose, all subjects should be revised three times and three months should be kept aside. While revising, past papers should be attempted and their assessment should be sought.
My Advice for fresh aspirants
Those who have very strong nerves and unquenchable thirst for public service should come forward to serve because CSS provides a unique opportunity to become a valuable son of the motherland.
