Anam Saghir

14^th in Punjab, PMS 2018-19

 

JWT helps aspirants a lot through authentic data it publishes every month. So, it helped me too. It is absolutely a time-efficient and reliable source for PMS exam preparation.

Jahangir’s World Times (JWT): First of all, please tell us about your educational background? 

Anam Saghir (AS): I got my early education from Ghakhar, a city near my village. I, then, joined University of Gujrat from where I did my BS (Hons.) in Zoology and also secured a Gold Medal. I have also worked as a research scholar with IJSER and in many other journals.

 

JWT: How much helpful did you find Jahangir’s World Times (JWT) in your preparation for PMS exam?

AS: For every aspirant, it is hectic to collect current affairs from dailies. JWT helps aspirants a lot through authentic data it publishes every month. So, it helped me too. It is absolutely a time-efficient and reliable source for PMS exam preparation.

JWT: What, in your opinion, is the key to getting through compulsory papers of PMS exam, especially that of General Knowledge?

AS: I believe preparing relevant topics from all possible, but authentic, sources and making notes can help you get good marks in compulsory subjects. Insofar as General Knowledge paper is concerned, it requires detailed study. Moreover, learning short tricks from videos on YouTube can also help you get through.

JWT: How answers should be written to get maximum marks in the written part of PMS exam?

AS: I suggest the answers should be relevant and qualitative, and the length of each answer should be, more or less, same. Furthermore, graphical representation and diagrammatic additions can also facilitate the examiner.

JWT: How did you structure your Essay?

AS: First, I read all the topics and selected those on which I had sufficient material in my mind. Secondly, I selected the final one on which I would be writing the essay. It took me 30 minutes to write the outline on the basis of which I wrote a comprehensive essay. To all PMS and CSS aspirants, I recommend that essay should be expressive with topic sentence, facts, examples, analysis and opinion. Easy, simple and expressive essay is requirement, not a flowery or bulky one.

JWT: What was your strategy for the General Knowledge paper?

AS: My strategy for this very crucial paper was to memorize all data by making short keys and timelines. I applied short tricks to do this. Solving past papers and current MCQs added to my success too.

JWT: Should there be some word limit kept in mind while writing answers?

AS: To me, yes, as a good answer needs to be qualitative as well as quantitative in nature. I wrote 6 pages for answer of a question, but with proper introduction and conclusion. One thing I would like to specially mention here is that I allocated almost equal time to each answer.

JWT: Is it better to attempt optional papers in Urdu or one should go with English only?

AS: Although it is true that one should go with one’s interest, what I recommend is that one should go with English because you have to prepare for essay paper and some other subjects in English. So, attempting optional papers in English would be a better choice.

JWT: How one should choose Optional Subjects?

AS: One should choose optional subjects rationally. Interest, scoring trend, length of syllabus and required preparation time should help to prioritize the choice of your optional subjects.

JWT: Who deserves the credit for your success?

AS: Honestly speaking, my father deserves the whole credit of my success as my mother had passed away and he is the one who supported me against all odds. I learned hard work and consistency from him. My family also pampered me a lot in different ways. My friends were also a source of great help. In fact, I am very lucky to have good people around.

JWT: As interviewers usually grill the interview candidates, how did you manage the situation?

AS: Being relevant in interview and honest in answers can spur interviewers to ask you more. Positive conduct and concrete content with an unshakable confidence, even if you do not know the answer, are key points to get success in interview.

Advice for Fresh Aspirants

One step towards right direction is better than thousand steps towards wrong direction. So, be careful in your strategy.

My Interview Experience

First of all, Mr Chairman asked me about my interest and job. After that Mr. Durrani asked questions on general knowledge, besides some token questions plus their background. Mr Seerat asked me about book reading and Islam in detail as I am interested in Islam. Mr. Ahsan inquired me about public administration, Islam and spiritualism. At the end, Mr Chairman asked me some suggestions-related questions, and some on current affairs.