Jahangir's World Times First Comprehensive Magazine for students/teachers of competitive exams and general readers as well.
Precisely, World Times Institute is a nursery of bureaucrats.
Jahangir’s World Times (JWT): First of all, please tell us about your educational background?
Syed Fazul Shah (SFS): I acquired basic education till 7th class from Iqra Public Middle School Gandawah. In 2008, I applied for “Presidential Scholarship Test for Students of Balochistan” and topped my district Jhal Magsi. I was sent to Cadet College Sanghar for five years on the basis of scholarship by government. I did FSc from there but, unfortunately, could not get admission to a prominent university due to low scores. Therefore, I did simple BA as a private candidate in 2015. Later, I appeared in CSS 2017 exam and by the grace of Allah, passed it in my first attempt at the age of only 22. Allah has also bestowed on me the honour to be the first CSP Officer from my city and the first-ever PSP Officer from my district.
JWT: As you have been allocated to Police Service of Pakistan (PSP), what was the feature of this service that attracted you most?
SFS: I had always the spirit of serving people. Police Service of Pakistan (PSP) provides an officer with ample opportunities to serve the people and help the helpless. PSP fascinated me because the first step towards providing justice begins at the police station as it is the first door people knock for seeking justice. Moreover, my background and experience of leadership role at Cadet College Sanghar naturally attracted me towards a uniform job. So, I think, being a part of this Service, I will be able to provide justice to the people.
JWT: How was your experience at the World Times Institute?
SFS: I prepared for interview at the World Times Institute and found it the best academy in Pakistan. It has definitely played a crucial role in making me explore my hidden abilities and polish and groom myself for the interview. I would call it my first university. WTI is a well-organized institute and provides high-quality services of professionals to the aspirants. Precisely, I would say, it is a nursery of bureaucrats.
JWT: What, in your opinion, is the key to making a difference in written part of CSS exam?
SFS: The aspirants can create difference in their written exam by using flawless, beautiful English expressions, giving quotations, providing facts and figures and drawing maps and charts, as well as giving references from authentic books as per the demand of the question. Besides, legible handwriting, use of blue and black markers and pens and writing only the relevant, qualitative answers would be of great help in this regard.
Read More: In Conversation with Abdul Qadeer (PAS), 24th in Pakistan, CSS-2016-17
JWT: Generally, compulsory subjects are considered low-scoring, what was your strategy to get through these very papers?
SFS: Yes, they are considered low-scoring by most aspirants; however, they can secure excellent marks in these subjects by preparing them well and presenting their answers effectively in the light of the above-mentioned tips.
JWT: What is the key to your phenomenal success?
SFS: It is persistent struggle, strong faith in Allah, confidence in my strengths and obviously, prayers of my parents. Please don’t confuse faith and prayers with luck. Simply, the more the hard work, the more the help of Allah Almighty.
JWT: How answers should be written to get maximum marks?
SFS: In my opinion, answer should be given as per the demand of the question statement. One can also make an outline in the beginning to facilitate the examiner.
JWT: Should there be some word limit kept in mind while writing answers?
SFS: I never counted the words I wrote for my answers. Examiner won’t also bother to do it. Your answer should quench the thirst of your answers. Give relevant headings and to-the-point answers.
JWT: How did you structure your Essay and what was your strategy for Précis and Composition Paper?
SFS: The Essay paper for CSS 2017 was somewhat out of the box. Despite that, I had complete control on my nerves and great confidence in my writing skills. I chose the topic “Is colonial mentality impeding the progress of Pakistan?” I supported this stance. First, I brainstormed and then wrote an outline on a rough page. Then, I presented it on the answer sheet in an impressive way so as to facilitate the examiner. I wrote almost twenty arguments or paragraphs to prove my stance. The language I used was simple yet flawless.
For P&C paper, I divided time and areas; did précis in the first hour, solved pairs of words, idioms, correction, translation, punctuation, etc. in the second and attempted the comprehension question in the last one.
JWT: How a new aspirant should start his/her preparation?
SFS: A new candidate should focus on both reading and writing. (S)he can start with the Dawn, World Times magazine to better prepare for compulsory subjects. I personally started with JWT magazine and newspapers to build my vocabulary, expressions and enhance my knowledge on current affairs.
My Tips on: Selection of optional subjects
While selecting the optional subjects, an aspirant should consider three things: (1) Scoring trend; (2) Personal interest; and (3) Educational background.
Notes-making
Make your own notes as this plays a crucial role in your preparation for CSS exam. Try to jot down important points, references from books, relevant quotations, poetry, etc, in your notes. Make notes in bullet points.
Revision
Revision requires effective time management. So, plan wisely as per your comfort. Moreover, your topic-wise notes-making should be complete maximum by November. Revise at least three subjects a week. The more the revisions, the more the chances of good score! Do revise MCQs of past papers as well.
My advice for fresh aspirants
Stay focused and consistent. Avoid negativity. Work hard as much as you can. Try to play on your strengths.
My Interview Experience
It was remarkably nice. I enjoyed that 35-minute discussion with the panellists. Since one has to sell oneself during the interview; therefore, I tried to play on my strengths. For example, Ma’am Nargis Sethi asked me a question about women empowerment and I started my answer with some verses of Urdu poetry. Overall, they were happy with my performance. Particularly the honourable Chairman appreciated my success in CSS written exam at a very young age and that to on the basis of BA, and being from a backward area.
Precisely, it was more like a friendly, enjoyable discussion. Though I dropped some answers, yet I remained confident.
