Ahmed Ali Cheema
The CSS/PMS examinations in Pakistan are competitive exams that aim to recruit candidates for the civil services of the country in the federal and provincial governments. The exam consists of written and oral tests, as well as medical and psychological assessments. The exam is conducted by the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) for the Central Superior Services (CSS) and by the Provincial Public Service Commissions (PPSC) for the Provincial Management Services (PMS).
The CSS exam is held once a year, usually in February, and is open to candidates who are Pakistani citizens, have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and are between 21 and 30 years of age. The exam has 12 papers and 6 optional papers, each carrying 100 marks. The compulsory papers include English Essay, English Precis and Composition, General Science and Ability, Current Affairs, Pakistan Affairs, Islamic Studies, and Comparative Study of Major Religions. The optional papers are chosen from a list of subjects divided into groups, such as Economics, History, Law, Philosophy, etc. The candidates have to pass all the compulsory papers and at least four of the optional papers to qualify for the oral test, which is also known as the viva voce. The oral test carries 300 marks and assesses the candidates’ personality, communication skills, general knowledge, and suitability for the civil services. The final merit list is prepared based on the aggregate marks of the written and oral tests.
The PMS exam is held by the PPSCs of each province, usually in October or November, and is open to candidates who are domiciled in the respective province, have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and are between 21 and 30 years of age. The exam has 6 compulsory papers and the optional papers, each carrying 100 marks. The compulsory papers include English Essay, English Precis and Composition, General Knowledge, Pakistan Studies, Islamiat, and Urdu. The optional papers are chosen from a list of subjects divided into six groups, such as Agriculture, Commerce, Education, etc. The candidates have to pass all the compulsory papers and at least two of the optional papers to qualify for the oral test, which carries 200 marks and assesses the candidates’ personality, communication skills, general knowledge, and suitability for the provincial services. The final merit list is prepared based on the aggregate marks of the written and oral tests.
To prepare for the essay and precis papers, the candidates need to develop their writing skills, vocabulary, grammar, and content knowledge. The essay paper requires the candidates to write an analytical and coherent essay of about 2500 words on one of the given topics, which are usually related to current affairs, social issues, literature, economy, politics, etc. The precis paper requires the candidates to write a summary of a given passage of about 1000 words, as well as a comprehension, expansion, and translation of some sentences. The following are some tips and guidelines for preparing for these papers:
- Read extensively and regularly from various sources, such as newspapers, magazines, journals, books, etc. to enhance your general knowledge, vocabulary, and expression. You can also consult some online resources to get relevant and updated material for the exam.
- Practice writing essays and precis on different topics and get feedback from someone who has experience or expertise in the subject. You can also use some online tools, such as Grammarly, Hemingway, Quillbot, etc. to check and improve your grammar, spelling, punctuation, style, and plagiarism.
- Follow the proper structure and format of the essay and precis papers. The essay should have an introduction, a body, and a conclusion, and should be divided into paragraphs with clear transitions and headings. The precis should be concise, accurate, and complete, and should retain the main idea and tone of the original passage. The comprehension, expansion, and translation should be done according to the instructions and rules of the language.
- Use a variety of sentences, words, and expressions to make your writing interesting and engaging. Avoid repetition, redundancy, and ambiguity, and use appropriate examples, quotations, facts, and figures to support your arguments. Use simple and clear language, and avoid jargon, slang, and colloquialisms. Use formal and academic style, and avoid personal and emotional opinions, unless asked for.
- Manage your time and space effectively. You have to write two papers of 100 marks each in three hours, so you have to allocate your time wisely. You should spend about 15 minutes on planning and outlining your essay and precis, and about 45 minutes on writing each paper. You should also leave some time for revision and editing. You should write neatly and legibly, and use a blue or black ballpoint pen. You should also follow the instructions and rules of the paper, such as the word limit, the number of questions, the marking scheme, etc.
To prepare for the PMS/CSS examinations without academies and preparing them at home, the candidates need to have self-discipline, motivation, and dedication. They also need to have a proper study plan, material, and guidance. The following are some recommendations for preparing at home:
- Make a realistic and flexible study schedule that suits your learning style, pace, and goals. You should allocate sufficient time for each subject, paper, and topic, and also for revision and practice. You should also set short-term and long-term objectives, and monitor your progress and performance regularly.
- Gather relevant and reliable study material from various sources, such as books, notes, past papers, online resources, etc. You should also consult the syllabus and the recommended books for each subject and paper. You should also update your material according to the latest trends and developments in the field.
- Seek guidance and feedback from experts, mentors, or peers who have experience or knowledge of the exam. You can also join some online platforms, such as forums, groups, blogs, etc. where you can interact with other aspirants, share your queries, doubts, tips, and resources, and learn from their experiences and insights. You can also take some online courses, mock tests, or coaching sessions that can help you prepare better and faster.
- Stay focused, motivated, and confident. You should avoid distractions, procrastination, and stress, and maintain a positive attitude and mindset. You should also take care of your physical and mental health, and balance your study and leisure time. You should also celebrate your achievements, learn from your mistakes, and seek inspiration and encouragement from others.
Lastly, the CSS/PMS are the examinations of writing expression. Therefore, the aspirant should know how to write qualitatively and fast. They must have an objective and analytical approach in their writing. The best way to prepare for competitive examinations at home is to write more and more as if one is sitting in the examination room. If a candidate can write all the answers in the allotted time and that too qualitatively, one has a better chance to succeed.
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