In the Name of Allah SWT, Rabb al Aalimeen

TIPS & TRICKS CE PREP

DR. TALHA RAFEEQ ALAM
(1 S T POSITION CSS 2022 , PAS 51 CTP, PMS PUNJAB 12)
 SCOPE/ SEQUENCE
SEQUENCE 1. Basic Orientation to CE
2. Components of CE Prep
3. Mental Approach to CE
4. Selection of Subjects/ Syllabus Analysis
5. Resource Selection
6. Paper Attempting Techniques
BASIC ORIENTATION TO
COMPETITIVE EXAMS

SECTION 2 – FIVE SLIDES

 COMPETITIVE EXAMS
 Entry level exams for State Bureaucracy/ Civil Service

 On scope of service, three categories of exams:

 Federal: Central Superior Services

 Provincial: Provincial Civil Service (Baluchistan), Provincial Mgmt Services

 Institutes/ Ministries: FIA, NAB, IB, Traffic Police

 CSS EXAM - INTRODUCTION
 Oldest, most prestigious exam for selecting state bureaucrats

 Inherited from the British as a means to ensure meritocratic induction in state

machinery

 Aspirants get allocated as Officers on Basic Pay Scale 17 in 12 different

departments, as per merit and preference considerations
 CSS OCCUPATIONAL GROUPS
Sr No Abbreviation Name Of Group Full
1. PAS Pakistan Adminstrative Service
2. PSP Police Service of Pakistan
3. FSP Foreign Service of Pakistan
4. PCS Pakistan Customs Service
5. IRS Inland Revenue Service
6. OMG Office Management Group
7. PAAS Pakistan Accounts and Audit Group
8. CTG Commerce and Trade Group
9. IG Information Group
10. POSTG Postal Group
11. MLCG Military Lands & Cantonements Group
12. RCTG Railway, Commerce and Trade Group
CSS OCCUPATIONAL GROUPS PREFERENCE
 PHASES OF CSS EXAMS
Phases of Exam:
Sr No Phase of Exam Pattern of Testing Marks Value

1. Screening/ MCQ 200 MCQs, 33% passing rate No marks value

Based Preliminary overall in CSS
Test
2. Written Test 100 marks written papers, 6 1200 marks, 600
compulsory subjects and rest compulsory and
optionals 600 optionals

3. Interview/ Viva Interview by FPSC four 300 marks

Voce membered panel
COMPONENTS OF
CE PREP
COMPONENTS OF CE PREP
Selection of
Mental Subjects/
Approach to CE Outlining
Syllabus

Gathering Paper Attempting

Knowledge Specifics
 MENTAL
APPROACH TO CE
 SUGGESTED
PRINCIPLES OF
MENTAL
APPROACH
 1. Success and Failure
is the Sole Decree of
Allah Almighty
MEHNAT FORMULA
 THE MEHNAT FORMULA
“My success comes only “And that each person “You honor whoever You
through Allah. In Him I will only have what they please and disgrace who
trust and to Him I turn” endeavour towards” You Please”
(Al Hud 11: 88) (Al Najm 53: 39) (Al Imran 3: 26)

Taufeeq Mehnat Outcome

COMPONENTS OF MEHNAT – EXAM
BASED
MEHNAT Meticulous Planning
Consistency through Self Discipline
(Academic
Exams) Presence of Mind during lectures/ self study
Ability to Incorporate Provided Feedback
Quality and Diversity of Resources
Past Paper Analysis
Practice in Exam Setting
Ability to Cope with Failures
 2. Excellence is not an
Act, it is a Habit.
WHEN YOU TREAT EXCELLENCE AS THE MEANS,
NOT THE END; PROCESS, NOT THE OUTCOME –
THAN YOU BECOME EXCELLENT .
3. Consistent Smart work,
rather than Hard work, is
the Key to Success.
 4. Dream Big.
AIM FOR THE STARS, MISS AND YOU HIT THE TREES
AIM FOR THE TREES, MISS AND YOU HIT THE GROUND
 5. Think Small to
Accomplish Big
Things.
REF DAILY TIME MGMT SCHEME
6. Be Honest and Strict
with Yourself – No Let
offs.
7. Constant and Never
Ending Improvement.
YOUR PREP WILL CONTINUE TILL THE LAST
HOUR BEFORE EXAM
 SELECTION OF
SUBJECTS/ OUTLINING
SYLLABUS
 MARKS VALUE CSS
Written Comp
(1200) (600)
MARKS
VALUE CSS Optionals
Interview (600)
(300)
COMPULSORY SUBJECTS
DIVISION
GENERAL
RED GROUP
KNOWLEDGE

English GK 1 -
Essay GSA

English GK II -
Precis CA

GK III -
Islamiat
PA
 6 POINT OPTIONALS SUBJECT
SELECTION
6 Pt 1. Professional Background provides you a
Optional competitive edge over aspirants
Subject
Selection 2. Interest in Subject Matter
Criteria Example: Humanities

3. Comparison of Syllabi – Length

Example: Public Ad Vs Criminology
IMPORTANCE OF INTEREST IN
SUBJ SELECTION

Interest Capacity Hardwork

 6 POINT OPTIONALS SUBJECT
SELECTION
6 Pt 4. Comparison of Past Paper Analysis – Breadth of
Optional Syllabus
Subject
Selection 5. Scoring Trend
Criteria Example: IR Vs Pol Sci, Physics/ Chem, Humanities

6. Combination of Optional Subjects

Example: Pol Sci & Cons Law, IR and I Law
 APPROACH TO SCORING TREND
 Recommended Approach to Scoring Trends:
“ Your Preparation should be of such a caliber, that it renders Scoring Trends
Irrelevant”
 High Scoring Subjects/ Years: If majority are getting high 60s, your prep must
propel you to 80.
 Low Scoring Subjects/ Years: If majority are failing an exam, your preparation
must keep you safe in 40s or 50s.
 Example: Pak Affairs in CSS 2022
 IMPORTANCE OF PAST PAPER
ANALYSIS
 Importance of Past Paper Analysis:
 Syllabus tells you what can be asked, however, what is usually asked and how
it is usually asked can only be deduced through past paper analysis.
 Simply put, PPA highlights for you the important areas present in your syllabus

 Conducting a thorough PPA at the start of your prep will differentiate Donkey
work from Monkey Work
 Here are some examples:
PPA ENGLISH
ESSAY
TYPES OF ESSAY QUESTIONS

Types of Essay Qs

Descriptive/
Argumentative Abstract
Expository
 SYLLABUS – TRENDS OF
QUESTIONS
Trends of Asked Questions
9

0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Descriptive Abstract Argumentative

IDIOMS/ PAIR OF
WORDS
 IDIOMS/ POWs TREND PP
ANALYSIS
Idioms/ Pow Trends
12

10

0
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

Idioms Pair of Words Column1 Column2

PPA Current Affairs
 THE 3 PILLARS of CA

CURRENT AFFAIRS
Pakistan
Domestic Pakistan Relations Global Issues
Affairs (20 (40 Marks) (40 Marks)
Marks)
 SYLLABUS – TRENDS OF
QUESTIONS
Trends of Asked Questions
7

0
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

Pak Domestic Pak Relations Global Issues

PPA Pakistan Affairs
 THE 3 PILLARS of PA

PAKISTAN AFFAIRS
Pre 1947
Pakistan Relations, Pakistan Domestic
(Ideology, MRM, Foreign Policy and (Post 1947 Hx, Social,
Muslim Rule in Regional Role Pol and Eco Issues)
SC)
PILLAR 2 – PAKISTAN’S RELATIONS,
FP and RR

PILLAR 2

Pakistan’s Foreign Regional

Relations Policy Role
 PILLAR 2 – PAK RELATIONS, FP & RR
 Pakistan’s Relations:
Pakistan’s Relations with following are critical:

 Pak Relations with Neighbors e.g Pak India

 Pak Relations with Int Multilateral Org e.g Pak role in UNO, Pak – IMF

 Pak Relations with Global Powers e.g Pak – US Relations

 PILLAR 2 – PAK RELATIONS, FP & RR
1. Pak Relations (Countries - US):
Discuss changing trends in Pak – US relations since 2001 (2018)

 Discuss the issues and mistrust in US-Pakistan relations after the withdrawal of the US
troops from Afghanistan (2022)

Discuss revival of Pak – US relations in context of present US – Taliban peace process.

(2020)
 PILLAR 2 – PAK RELATIONS, FP & RR
1. Pak Relations (Countries - India):
What are major provisions of Simla Agreement between Pakistan and India? How was
it helpful for durable peace in region? (2020)
 Enumerate the measures adopted by Pakistan to spotlight on the plight of Kashmiri
people in the Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir after 5th August 2019 (2021)

Discuss Kashmir Problem in its entirety, throwing light on its background and possible
solutions … (2016)
 PILLAR 2 – PAK RELATIONS, FP & RR
1. Pak Relations (Organizations):
Explore Significance of SCO for Pakistan? (2017)

 Why did Pakistan join Western Defense Pacts? What cost does it have to pay for that?
Explain (2020)

China, Pakistan and Russia will find suitable support in SCO? (2020)
 PILLAR 2 – PAK RELATIONS, FP & RR
2. Foreign Policy:
Write a note on post 9/ 11 Foreign Policy of Pakistan. What role do you see in regional
and global politics (2016)

 Every state designs its foreign policy on its National interests rejecting feelings and
emotions. Why did Pakistan prefer emotions, feelings, and ideology in its foreign
policy? Also, analyze its impact (2022)
 PILLAR 2 – PAK RELATIONS, FP & RR
3. Regional Role:
CPEC is a flagship project of OBOR and regional game changer (2017)

 Elaborate. Pakistan is located on the cross-road of South Asia. Explain its geo-
strategic/political importance and challenges (2023)
 SYLLABUS – TRENDS OF
QUESTIONS
Trends of Asked Questions
7

0
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

Pre 1947 PR, FP and RR Pak Domestic

 KNOWLEDGE
GATHERING/ RESOURCE
SELECTION
RESOURCES FOR CSS

Internet 5 main resources for preparation of CA:

 With regards to ease of access and

Newspapers
variety of available material, Internet is
the best resource
Magazines  With regards to quality of material, good
books and established magazines are
Books paramount
 With Regards to updated knowledge,
Research Pprs Newspapers
 With regards to stat collection, Research
pprs
 RESOURCES FOR CSS
1. Internet Websites:
 Wikipedia
 Thoughtco/ Pocket
 Youtube Videos e.g Al Jazeera Start Here Series, Prof James Ker Lindsey
 UPSC/ IAS Preparation Sites
2. Newspapers:
Combine one local newspaper such as Dawn with International News Papers
such as Guardian, BBC or the Diplomat
 RESOURCES FOR CSS
3. Magazines:
a. Magazines Based in Pakistan:
 NOA Current Affairs Magazine
 WTI Monthly Magazine
 Journals of Policy Consultancy Institutes – Pak Journal of Criminology
b. Magazines Based Abroad:
 The Economist
 Foreign Affairs Magazine
 Foreign Policy Magazine
https://magazinelib.com/
 RESOURCES FOR CSS
4. Books:
a. Foundational Reading on Pakistan:
 Pakistan a Hard Country by Anatol Lieven
 Pakistan Beyomd Crisis State by Maleeha Lodhi
 Governing the Ungovernable by Ishrat Hussain
 Courting The Abyss by Tilak Devasher
 Extremism in Pakistani Society by Madiha Afzal
b. Pak Foreign Policy and Relations:
 Pakistan Foreign Policy by Abdul Sattar
 RESOURCES FOR CSS
4. Books:
c. Global Issues:
 Why Nations Fail by Daren Acemoglu, James A Robinson
 New World Order by Henry Kissinger
 How Democracies Die Steven Levitsky
 How to Lose a Country by Ece Temulkran
 Revenge of Geography by Robert Kaplan
d. Local Books Covering CA Syllabus:
 NOA/ JWT/ Caravan book latest edition
 RESOURCES FOR CSS
5. Research Papers:
a. Policy Research Institutes based in Pakistan:
 IPRI
 PIDE
 SDPI
b. International Policy Research Institutes:
 Economist Intelligence Unit
 Wilson Center
 Stimson Center
 Stockholm Strategic Studies Institute
 TAKEAWAYS
 Key Takeaways from Discussion:
 A well rounded candidate will have an well rounded mix for extracting
knowledge
 Time is a key determinant in Resource selection – if sufficient time available,
go for foundational reading
 If attempt is less than six months away – internet and research papers are
your best friends
 All sources will be adequately consulted so that knowledge is high in quality,
updated, critically arranged and factually backed by credible authorities
PAPER ATTEMPTING
TECHNIQUES
 PAPER TIME
FORMATTING MANAGEMENT

PAPER
READABILITY

WELL ATTEMPTED PAPER

 PAPER FORMATTING
1. Usage of Pens:
a. Select your Standard Pen Well in Advance, following can be used:
 Ballpoint pen – Piano 0.8mm, Piano Click, Note, Dollar
 Gel pens – Uniball Signo, Uniball eye micro
 Usage of ink pens is not recommended
b. Combine with Three other pens, 4 shade formula for Paper:
 Blue Marker for Primary Headings and Major Sub headings
 Black Pointer for Minor Sub headings – Example, CIP, and Quoting sources
 Blue Pointer to write quotes, substance of examples and figures
 PAPER FORMATTING
2. Formatting of Paper:
a. Format your Paper as if it was a Word Document:
 Primary Headings must be of a larger font than Major Headings
 Major Subheadings must be of a larger font and different shade than minor
subheadings
b. Use Indentation:
 Margins should be drawn before starting paper
 Major Points should begin from margin, sub points should begin after
leaving some space from margin
 PAPER FORMATTING
c. Usage of Line Spacing:
 Congestion on Paper throws checker off, adequately spaced paper fools the
examiner into thinking that he/ she has less material to read
 Be consistent in your spacing patterns, one line space above and below
headings is recommended
 Avoid writing headings at the bottom of a page
d. Demarcate Ending of Questions:
 Draw an end line where Question ends
 Start Question from Next page
 PAPER READIBILITY
1. Usage of Illustrations:
a. Rule 1: Point which you feel will make a good impression with the examiner
must always be in an illustration
b. Rule 2: Illustration must be interactive and engaging, should either be making
or supporting a point
c. Rule 3: Illustration should be drawn with a pen that contrasts the standard pen
you are using
d. Rule 4: Illustrations should have self explanatory captions
 TYPES OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Illustrations 1. Flow charts/ Concept Diagrams
That You
Can Use Example: Relation of Energy Crisis with Economy

2. Cycles to show Self Reinforcing Nature

Example: Circular Debt

3. Maps to Demonstrate Geographical Linkages

Example: Pak Geostrategic Location
 TYPES OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Illustrations 4. Depiction of Maps with Shapes
That You
Example: Russia – Ukraine Conflict
Can Use
5. Tables to Depict Bird Eye View/ Statistical relations
Example: Philosophers Overview/ Female Education

6. Charts to depict Trends

Example: Population/ Inflation
TIME MANAGEMENT FORMULA
Replicate in
Mock Exams
Calculate to Solidify
Desired Time Regimes
Calculate for Each
Components Component
Calculate of Desired
Total Time Paper
TIME MANAGEMENT FORMULA
APPLIED ENGLISH ESSAY

Total Time: Topic Dumping

3 hours Selection of Mind

Rough
Composing
Outline/ Intro Neat Outline
Main Body
Draft
TIME MANAGEMENT FORMULA
APPLIED ENGLISH ESSAY

180 15
5 Minutes
Minutes Minutes

10 120 30
Minutes Minutes Minutes
 HOW TO ATTEMPT
A QUESTION?
SECTION FOUR - SLIDES
 BASIC STRUCTURE
Question Outline/ Key Components:
1. Introduction :
Three Cs – Creative, Concise and Complete
 Creative – First Impression impactful, attract and retain Examiner’s attention
thorough instruments such as Quotations, Statistics or Storytelling narratives
 Concise – Ideal length is 3/4th of the Answer Sheet, One side. Do not waste
your words with fillers.
 Complete – Must carry a background, main stance and indications at a way
forward
 BASIC STRUCTURE
Question Outline/ Key Components:
2. Body – Key Fundamentals:
 Divide arguments into Minor Headings, the more the merrier
 Headings should not be one word declarations, rather self explanatory phrases
are preferable
 Dividing Minor Headings into further sub headings is recommended
 Complete arguments fetch more marks – include supporting points and
examples
 Value of Ideas represented in maps, tables, charts and flow diagrams is greater
than ideas represented through long paragraphs
 There is no ideal length for an answer
 BASIC STRUCTURE
Question Outline/ Key Components:
3. Apply Theoretical Paradigms if Applicable:
 After main body of arguments, apply a theory, thesis or principle if
applicable to the question at hand.
 Example: When talking about Anti – Corruption Reforms, you can cite
Theory Of Change which is used in Management Studies.
 BASIC STRUCTURE
Question Outline/ Key Components:
4. If Global Issue, Give Role of and Implications on Pakistan:
 Never forget that you are primarily looking at all issues through a Pakistani
lens.
 Example: If talking about Climate Change or global security flashpoint,
provide role and implications on Pakistan in your answer even if not asked.
 BASIC STRUCTURE
Question Outline/ Key Components:
5. Way Forward/ Solutions:
 Three Ps – Practical, Precise and Positive.
 Refrain from undue criticism, or ominous warnings.
 Enlist in for of Subheadings and draw flow charts to represent a favorable outcome.

6. Conclusion:
 Answer is incomplete without a conclusion
 Ideal Length is 1/2 of Exam Sheet
 May end with a Quote to leave lasting impact
QUESTIONS?