Books of compulsory subjects and FAQ

Q1. How to choose optional subjects ?

There is no calculated trick has classified for choosing optional but our veteran members organized a trick to choose optional. Most of beginners look for high scoring subject but true aspirant never be trapped in the intricacy of high or low scories because it depends upon grip on subject. the way of attempting the questions of aspirants that make it a high scoring or low scoring subject


1. Choose the subjects according to your aptitude. Subjects which u have studied in your academic period. Subject which are more crediable to acquire flying colours. u have natural tendency for the subjects as when u study you do not feel exhausted.

2. Choose subjects which are homogeneous in structure of compulsory subject. For instance, Indo-pak history (part 2) covers through PA , IR covers through CA .

3. Choose subjects which are not too lengthy such as journalism. In the light of a CSP suggestion , He covers the syllabus of journalism with in 10 days.

Aspirants should check out syllabus & past papers ere selection of optional subjects.


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Q 2. How to prepare study plan schedule ?

Study plan is most important thing for CSS preparation . Aspirants should prepare study plan schedule at first . After preparing schedule, Aspirants should commence acting upon it. According to a veteran member study plan , Essay writing & precis writing must be applied as a daily routine. While Aspirant are prefered to start preparation with PA & EDS. CA will be covered through daily newspaper reading but aspirant must be updated through contemporary affairs . CA should be the last subject prepared .





Q 3. How long an aspirant should study a day ?

Atleast 8 hours a day for 9 months (suggested by a CSP)



Q 4. How many words should we write in essay paper ?

There is not any hard and fast rule to mention specific words in essay. Write appropriate words which reveal all aspects of topic. It is not must to write redundant-words . Around 2500 to 3000 words in essay is an ideal length for essay. A CSS candidate's essay is expected to depict more QUALITY than QUANTITY.



Q 5 . How to read news paper.

1. Starts from 1st page only
2. Editorial page (very very important)
3. International page
4. Business page (only fact & imp news)
5. friday features of dawn

Originally counselled by veteran CSS candidate




Q 6. Which books / material should we follow for compulsory subjects ?


Under guideline of CSP`s and Veteran members , following books are prefered for compulsory subjects.

English :

A practical english grammar by A.J Thomson Or Wren & Martinet
Exploring the world of english by syed sadat ali shah
Direct Indirect made easy
Active passive made easy.

Pakistan Affairs :

Pakistan Affairs by Imtiaz Shahid
Struggle for Pakistan by I H Qureshi



Current Affairs :

Read Dawn Extensively
Contemporary Affairs by Imtiaz Shahid (atleast 2 or 3 latest additions as it is series)
Keep updated with the economic survey of pakistan & annual budget include other business reports

EDS :

Everyday sciences by Prof. Dr Akram Kashmiri
Encyclopedia of EDS by Dr. Zafar Saeed Choudry

Islamiat :

Islami Nazria Hiyat by prof Khursheed ahmed
Islamic articles on friday in dawn
Islamiat for CSS by Zahid Hussain Anjum (Dogar Publishers




Q 7. Which notes should we follow ?


Always prepare own notes. It is extemely important that you make notes for all the subjects except Essay and English. It has two reasons , Firstly your material / notes will have discrimination beside other`s material. It will gain the interest of checker. Secondly all the syllabus will be well reflected because u ll have studied it before. It will make easier your reading. Always prepare concised notes, It has clear reason that u will have 3 hours to answer 10 questions. Moreover concise notes reveal all the aspects in few words . for example : if u write many paragraphs checker will sign single mark to a paragraph. Where as , if u describe point wise , checker will sign for each point separately.


Q 8. How to accumulate material for notes ?

you will need to research your topic thoroughly to find information . Use each of these three methods.

1. Personal experience : use the knowledge u already have on the topic
2. Reading : use information found in books , magazines and pamphlets from the library and the internet
3. Interview & inquiry : ask question of people who know about the topic.


Note : I compose this thread in order to save time of posting same answer again and again. Beginners are requested to find their queries in this section. Other question will be answered under this thread as soon as possible.
-Suresh sashi on CSS forum