CSS Subject Selection and Detail of CSS Exam:
Confusion and indecision are the worst enemies of aspirants when they come to subject Selection. More than 50 subjects in different groups, and choice of only one from each is quite hard but not as hard as it is assumed. Whenever aspirants come to subject Selections they face these ambiguous terms: Scoring trend, easy subject, punished subject, short syllabus, long syllabus, this or that combination etc. What happens? They don't choose at all, or choose whatever they don't want to study, often irrelevant subject.
My opinion is very simple: choose a subject whichever pleases you. Every aspirant has different aptitude, different backgrounds, different readings and obviously different interests. One might be good in History and bad in mathematics; a silly one may opt literature and score above eighty, god knows, silencing the whole world times. So, choice of subjects is always your choice.
Who exactly knows scoring trend? obviously no one, only guess and supposition work every year. A clever aspirant will definitely agree with me on a fact: low score is far more satisfactory than utmost failure. It means getting failed only for following the scoring trend is very stupid. So choose a subject that seems easy to you does not matter if it is botany or zoology or philosophy or urdu literature. Whatever you choose, work hard on it. You will also agree with me on one more fact that 'subjects you hate most are the hardest to prepare,' and definitely boredom lingers you and you keep ignoring the syllabus of that one satanic subject until arrives February. So don't opt subjects that you hate the most.
Here are some of my observations that seems very logical to me and very sincere:
There are some key points to be considered before selection of the optional subjects.
1: Background
2: interest
3: Visit syllabus and past papers
4: Overlapping subjects
5: Time factor
6: Aptitude
COMPULSORY SUBJECTS (600 MARKS)
|
Code No. |
Subjects |
Marks |
|
1. |
English Essay |
100 |
|
2. |
English (Precis and Composition) |
100 |
|
3. |
General Science & Ability |
100 |
|
4. |
Current Affairs |
100 |
|
5. |
Pakistan Affairs |
100 |
|
6. |
Islamic Studies OR Comparative Study of |
100 |
|
|
Major Religions (For Non Muslims) |
|
|
Total Marks |
600 |
|
OPTIONAL SUBJECTS (600 MARKS)
GROUP 1: To Option for One Subject Of 200 Marks.
|
Code No. |
Subjects |
Marks |
|
11. |
Accountancy & Auditing |
200 |
|
12. |
Economics |
200 |
|
13. |
Computer Science |
200 |
|
14. |
Political Science |
200 |
|
15. |
International Relations |
200 |
1) Accounting & Auditing: This subject requires your strong background. Those who possess professional accounting degrees ACCA, CA, ICMA, etc can go for this subject. It is a high scoring up to 90%. It has been a low scoring subject and difficult since 2011. Those who want opt, review past papers for 10-15 years.
2) Economics: This subject requires your strong background. Aspirants should not opt on BSc basis even M.Phil, PhD don't score high.
3) Computer Science: This subject requires your strong background. MCs, BS 4 years can opt this subject with the lengthy syllabus. This subject is considered as a time consuming subject. One can score up to 120-130. Aspirants possessing 1 year diploma/ courses should not opt this subject.
4) Political Science: Anyone can opt this subject. This subject needs aspirant who has good cramming power. No background is needed for this subject. This subject mostly overlaps with constitutional law but constitutional law is low scoring below average whereas average is 120-125 scoring.
5) International Relations: No background is needed for this subject. This subject mostly overlaps with Pakistan Affairs, Current Affairs, International Law (approx. 60-65%) & US History (approx. 30-40%). This subject fulfills knowledge deficiency, and gives you essays material. This subject isn't considered as high scoring (120-125) marks
GROUP 2: To Select One Subject of 200 Marks
|
Code No. |
Subjects |
Marks |
|
16. |
Physics |
200 |
|
17. |
Chemistry |
200 |
|
18. |
Applied Mathematics |
100 |
|
19. |
Pure Mathematics |
100 |
|
20. |
Statistics |
100 |
|
21. |
Geology |
100 |
1) Physics: MSc Physics holder can go for this subject. This is a time consuming subject. Aspirant can complete the subject in 2 or 3 weeks. This is a numerical based subject. It's 100% risky subject either you will score full marks out of 20 marks (for a question) or zero, no middle way. If one wants to opt this subject, he /she should attempt past papers at least of 10-15 years. The syllabus of this subject is of graduation level but paper is of masters level.
2) Chemistry: MSc Chemistry holder can go for this subject but good in some ways. This is a numerical based subject. Solve past papers at least of 10-15 years.
3) Applied Mathematics/ Pure Mathematics: MSc Mathematics holder can go for this subject. Either you will get full marks against each question or zero. Never think of mid marks against each question.
4) Statistics: Any MSc holder can go for this subject. It is not a high scoring.
5) Geology: Previously, it was a subject of 200 marks but now of 100 marks. Thus, the syllabus is still same lengthy, not much high scoring.
GROUP 3: To Select One Subject of 100 Marks
|
Code No. |
Subjects |
Marks |
|
22. |
Business Administration |
100 |
|
23. |
Public Administration |
100 |
|
24. |
Governance & Public Policies |
100 |
|
25. |
Town Planning & Urban Management |
100 |
1) Business Administration: Aspirant having degree of MBA Finance should opt.
2) Public Administration: It's for all. Especially, this subject is for those who have good conceptual mind. This subject is considered as 60% scoring.
3) Governance & Public policy: This subject mostly overlaps with Public
Administration. This subject is suitable for conceptual learners.
4) Town Planning & Urban Management: This subject can be done without any difficulty but syllabus is extensive. Civil engineers can go for this subject..
GROUP 4: To Select One Subject of 100 Marks
|
Code No. |
Subjects |
Marks |
|
26. |
History of Pakistan & India |
100 |
|
27. |
Islamic History & Culture |
100 |
|
28. |
British History |
100 |
|
29. |
European History |
100 |
|
30. |
History of USA |
100 |
1) History of India & Pakistan: The syllabus of this subject is lengthy. This subject was a low scoring (50-55 marks out of 100 marks). Now, the syllabus is more extensive w.r.t 1947-1999. This subject overlaps Pakistan Affairs.
2) Islamic History & Culture: The syllabus of this subject is lengthy. One has to study from Pre-Islamic History till present. This subject can be prepared in one month. This is scoring subject better than Indo-Pak History. This subject overlaps with Islamiat.
3) British History: The syllabus of this subject is short in period wise history but area of this subject is more extensive. You have to go through this subject from A-Z. Time required to prepare this subject is 35-40 days. This subject is better scoring than Indo-Pak History but less scoring than Islamic History
4) European History: This subject is too much extensive
5) History of USA: In this subject, you have to read the USA History from 1400 A.D till today. This is a high scoring subject. One can prepare this subject within 10-14 days. Papers of USA History to be checked by US Embassy. They encourage so that more people will know about their history....
GROUP 5: To Select One Subject of 100 Marks
|
Code No. |
Subjects |
Marks |
|
31. |
Gender Studies |
100 |
|
32. |
Environmental Sciences |
100 |
|
33. |
Agriculture & Forestry |
100 |
|
34. |
Botany |
100 |
|
35. |
Zoology |
100 |
|
36. |
English Literature |
100 |
|
37. |
Urdu Literature |
100 |
1) Gender Studies: This subject is easy and can be done without background. This subject gives essay material related to women. One question in Islamic Studies is related to the Gender Studies. This subject overlaps with Sociology.
2) Environmental Science: This subject requires your strong background of Biology or BSc Background (Botany, Zoology, Chemistry). The syllabus of this subject is extensive. This subject overlaps with 10-15% of General Science & Ability.
3) Agriculture & Forestry: This subject requires your educational background. This is a high scoring subject. This subject requires 15-18 days to be prepared. Aspirants should be focused on scientific terminology of this subject. This subject is combination of two subjects: Part-1) Agriculture 50 marks, Part-2) Forestry 50 marks
4) Botany: Any MSc holder can go for this subject. S/he will feel ease to prepare this subject within 18-20 days otherwise it is time consuming for those who have no background. The syllabus is same when it was of 200 marks. Aspirants carried 140 out of 200 marks. Now, candidates pass this subject with 70-75 marks when it is of 100.
5) Zoology: This subject has been a low scoring subject throughout past years.
6) English Literature: This is a low scoring subject. Aspirants having M.A English shouldn't go for this subject. The paper is checked by professors of University of Punjab, Lahore.
7) Urdu Literature: Anybody can go for this subject. This is a scoring subject up to 70%. The syllabus is 50% related to history of Urdu and 50% related to present literature. Aspirants opting this subject should have following qualities:
a. Clear writing with Speed
b. Strong Urdu Vocabulary
c. Interest in Poetry
GROUP 6: To Select One Subject of 100 Marks
|
Code No. |
Subjects |
Marks |
|
38. |
Law |
100 |
|
39. |
Constitutional Law |
100 |
|
40. |
International Law |
100 |
|
41. |
Muslim Law & Jurisprudence |
100 |
|
42. |
Mercantile Law |
100 |
|
43. |
Criminology |
100 |
|
44. |
Philosophy |
100 |
1) Law: Aspirants seeking graduation in Law. This is 65% scoring subject.
2) Constitutional Law: This subject is good for crammers. This is a low scoring subject.
3) International Law: Anyone can opt this subject. This subject is based on concepts. No background is needed. This is a high scoring subject overlapping slightly with International Relations
4) Muslim law & Jurisprudence: Anyone can go for this subject. This subject can easily be done. This subject overlaps Islamiat. This is a low scoring subject with short syllabus. Paper of this subject is checked by IIUI, Islamabad. Aspirants should be at home in basic Islamic laws.
5) Mercantile Law: This subject requires your educational background. This is a mid scoring subject.
6) Criminology: This subject overlaps with Psychology. The syllabus is lengthy. No background is necessarily required.
7) Philosophy: This subject overlaps Political Science. This subject can give you 65% marks. Maximum time required to prepare this subject is two months. You have to broaden your spectrum of mind in this subject.
GROUP 7: To Select One Subject of 100 Marks
|
Code No. |
Subjects |
Marks |
|
45. |
Journalism & Mass Communication |
100 |
|
46. |
Psychology |
100 |
|
47. |
Geography |
100 |
|
48. |
Sociology |
100 |
|
49. |
Anthropology |
100 |
|
50. |
Punjabi |
100 |
|
51. |
Sindhi |
100 |
|
52. |
Pashto |
100 |
|
53. |
Balochi |
100 |
|
54. |
Persian |
100 |
|
55. |
Arabic |
100 |
1) Journalism and Mass Communication: This subject can be done without background. This subject gives essay material related to media. This subject can give you 65 - 70% marks. The syllabus is extensive.
2) Psychology: This is a high scoring subject and can be done without background. The syllabus is extensive and can give 80% marks in the paper
3) Geography: This subject has lengthy syllabus. Neither high scoring nor low scoring. In this revised syllabus, regional geography portion has been excluded.
4) Anthropology: This subject is introduced recently. The syllabus of this subject is Masteris level.
5) Sociology: Anyone can opt this subject. No background is needed. This subject is based on concepts. This is a high scoring subject overlapping Gender Studies. This subject badly beats after every 3-4 years. This subject gives you essay material related to social topic.
Regional Languages:
(These are high scoring subjects. Most aspirants secured top Position due to the selection of regional language subject. Aspirant should opt this subject if it's his or her mother tongue. This paper can give you 20 out of 20 marks against each question. In Punjabi Paper, you are given English passage to be translated into Punjabi. These subjects needs legible writing and writing speed is necessarily required.)
6) Punjabi
7) Sindhi
8) Balochi & Pashto
9) Persian
10)Arabic
A Point to Understand:
It is you who is going to finalise the subjects. Don't leave it to someone else. Nor you should follow someone's advice blindly since there is difference between your aptitude and background and that of other person.
