In this world, to pull through, one needs to ignore the lion’s share of his past. Yes, that’s verisimilitude. To draw breath, we have to shrug off our life gone by. However, there are memories which you always want to keep closest to your heart. I, too, have such a memory stuck in my mind – my experience of giving the so hailed CSS exam. Although, my words may not seem authoritative; but, I do have a reason for it. For me, it is an abstract idea not really fully realized, yet. I haven’t, thus far, reached the other side of the bridge. I am waiting for the lucky draw – yeah, that’s what it is called, once you are done with your papers – where my fate lies. Nonetheless, yours truly will try hard to deliver to you the so called informed-opinion.
I’ll pen down my musings with respect to CSS. Also, I’ll endeavor to answer a few queries usually raised by aspirants: how to ace the exam; what to do and what not to do; how to cope with the pressure during preparatory phase; what sort of material to use and which kind of books to concern?
CSS is not a bed of roses; and, at the very same time it is also a piece of cake. Two very unparalleled and contradictory thoughts, isn’t it? If you got a chance to visit CSA – despite the fact that i have never been to it, sadly – you will come across a variety of students, each with his own unique and distinctive story. Some made it to it, effortlessly and comfortably; whereas others had their all energies drained in a course of 3, 4 and 5 years to make it to the elite academy. Boldly speaking, there is no single and straightforward ‘formula’, or for that purpose a ‘mantra’ to get to it. Make sure you share it with me, if you find one. But, there are certain qualities one has to inculcate and embed firmly within, to make it happen. Those qualities will transform into hard work and consistency which will ultimately lead to your success. I am not going to tell you what qualities are needed – them being too common and vivid yet it slips our eyes. Ponder over it, and you will understand.
Undoubtedly, passing the exam is an achievement in its own. Emphatically asserting, it is actually the struggle which is worthy and that counts. It is that struggle which becomes a memory; and, we get to learn a great deal from it. Certainly, the harder you strive, the more you enjoy. Believe me.
CSS is not a religion; that the beliefs of which could be imposed on someone. For instance, I often tried to convince my younger sister for CSS; nevertheless, all my efforts were in vain. Anything so ever, the reason might have been: not knowing the perks of being a civil servant, drained out of all her energies, recalling my books covering the room floor, or prioritizing other things over CSS. Be it what it may, but I deduced that CSS is something you can’t foist on or press for.
Waking up at 6 and sleeping at 11 is not an easy task. Keeping up a monotonous routine for months is not a serene task. Reading those dozens of books with clumps of knowledge per page is truly mind-numbing. Holding on to that strenuous pressure is laborious, sometimes ending up with serious repercussions. Isolation for time unmemorable helps in manufacturing psychopaths. You need to be prepared, to become one. Not every man with mustaches is ready to undertake the arduous journey; as, not every woman screaming feminism can lift the sky for Hercules.
It is motivation alone, coming from within and not without, making it possible for one to step up. Truly speaking, this motivation springs from the realization that one has to achieve something noteworthy. Once you feel the need of changing the status quo, you are into the game.
Moving on to what lays within the word ‘CSS’. I’ll tell you that there is a big misconception about CSS – one has to use lofty, perplexing and sesquipedalian words while attempting the papers. However, this is nuisance. The only thing you need to work on is your writing. So that, the capability of expressing thoughts in grammatically correct and descent English is established within you. That’s all you need to work on, if I am not exaggerating. And, you need to practice writing; because, it alone can rescue you from failing.
One has to develop an opinion about almost everything. Standing by your stance, proving it with logics and rationale based on facts and figures, is all one needs. It’s not the usual copy paste of the rotted material; it’s reading as much as one can, and then reproducing the same in one’s own judicious way.
Usually, students are confused in which material to use and which not to use. For me, the best material one should concern is the ‘recommended books’ by FPSC. Don’t use any guides, don’t use notes and don’t try to find a short cut – although, there is none. Read as much as you can to understand the world. Flick through a wodge of books about Pakistan. Just try to make a sense out of everything.
The most important thing is choosing optional subjects. Never ever pick your optional subjects randomly. There are dozens of subjects from which you can choose. Try not to opt for easier subjects, but for interesting ones. If you have an inbuilt interest for a subject, start nurturing it today. Without falling in the trap of boredom, you will be able to read a lot more.
For example, I opted for Pashto. Being Pukhtoon, I knew yours truly have inherited nationalist traits. So, the ground was fertile to nurture it. Honestly speaking, I didn’t even know how to write in Pashto. What I knew was: I do have love, deep inside, for my own language. So, yours truly literally started from grade 1 Pashto books. I used to read it and then practiced writing through mere imitating. And, today I know more than one with a master degree in Pashto. Thus, it is the interest which entails motivation.
One of the most effective things in CSS is reading. Develop a habit of reading. One, who reads more, succeeds in the test. Also, your depth of general knowledge matters, a lot. One doesn’t necessarily needs to be intelligent – although, it helps – but, hard work, consistency and a bit of luck are the main ingredients.
There are times, during preparatory phase, when you feel fed up. But, that’s normal. Try to divert attention, by reading a book encompassing your favorite topics, to cheer yourself up. Finding a way out through movies, seasons, and friends never help. Remember, once you’ve decided to sit in the exam, there shouldn’t be an escape route: all doors locked, all tunnels blocked and all bridges broken. It’s only books and you, till the very last day of the exam. Also, as earlier said, do not mislead yourself with superstitious fantasies. Never allow yourself to be de-tracked with flopped words. Most importantly, do not take advice from everyone. Remember, too much cooks spoil the broth. Find your own path, make your own way and, win the race.
Moving on to essay, that’s the only part you need coaching for. Not the usual tuition, but some kind of guidance is necessary to understand what essay basically is and how it is to be attempted. Be expressive in your essay. Stay away from illogical and baseless content. Controlled writing should be your utmost concern while attempting this paper. Secondly, write as many essays as you can. I wrote more than 40 essays. And, it helped, a lot. Do nurture your base. As already said general study is more important and matters a lot, than anything else in this prestigious exam, specifically in case of essay.
What more can I say, what more should I say? You must have heard a lot about CSS already. That’s enough. I don’t need to thrust upon those ideas and thoughts. I don’t write for the sake of writing, but for the sake of understanding.
Grab your books, isolate yourself, and get started. It’s never too late or too early, it is always now. This is your moment. Sit down, believe in yourself and make it happen. And, you’ll love doing it if you are motivated enough. The path to your goal is thrilling, not the goal itself. Signing off…
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