ART OF ATTEMPTING PAPER       Your future hinges on the 3–hour performance that you actually give on paper in the examination hall. ...

ART OF ATTEMPTING PAPER     

Your future hinges on the 3–hour performance that you actually give on paper in the examination hall. It‘s always better to do some written practice along with your reading process. See, it might happen with you during the paper that you feel yourself overstuffed with knowledge about a given question but struggle to find the right words to express them. Or it might happen that you are clueless about how to start your answer. All this is a result of no written practice and it may prove disastrous at the end. So, I will advise you all to make it a habit to write for at least 1 to 1.5 hours continuously daily for not less than 45 to 60 days before the start of papers as this will help you a lot. The additional aspect of this written practice should be that in your initial days, you must write about something that you have prepared in the whole day. For example, if you have gone through 10 questions of Indo–Pak History today, ask your friend to randomly give you a topic and you start writing about it. During the next phase, it should be so that if you have prepared 10 questions today, write in one hour a gist of all these events in a chronological order. It is very significant that you are able to make connections between different events and draw allusions from different sources as they will add real spice to your answers. So while you are undergoing the written practice, try to inculcate this habit into your expression. Remember, your performance in a paper overwhelming relies on good expression; so the refiner you expression is the better chances you have to accrue maximum benefit from the examiner.

While answering a question the most significant thing to keep in your mind is to communicate your viewpoint strongly through convincing arguments using lucid language. Let's have a look at 10 steps that will surely help you answer the question in a way that convinces the examiner.

SELF–ANALYSIS AND SELF–CONTROL:

This is what you have to do well before you actually sit in the examination hall. Many candidates fail because they couldn't defeat their fears. That makes your target difficult and formidable. Know yourself and control your emotions. All CSS candidates are, more or less, of same intellect; however, calmer and more rational individuals get through. You can also be one of those few if you take into consideration two basic things: (i) accept the reality and (ii) look ahead and find solutions. For instance, you are not a good memorizer, you cannot write well, sitting too long is difficult for you, you have some problems in finishing your answer properly, a sudden emotional setback or some tragedy has overwhelmed you, and so on; many such issues can be challenging for you. But to accept this challenge and overcome it is the real key to success. Don't shy away from your weaknesses and unfavourable circumstances; unfold and rectify them.

TIME MANAGEMENT:

Time management is a skill and you need to attain it. Time is very crucial; especially when you are sitting in exam hall. You have 2 hours and 30 minutes to attempt 4 questions i.e. 37½ minutes per question. Unless you have developed the habit of finishing your answer within 30 minutes and have practiced it well before examination, you will start feeling the pressure as soon as you get the question paper. Remember, time should be managed in such a way that you ward off unwanted pressure that can destroy your efforts and can let you down.

READING QUESTION PAPER:

It is absolutely self–destructive to read the first question and start writing the answer offhand. Give at least 3 readings to the question paper. First reading is just cursory. In second reading, decide which questions you can answer the best. In third reading, mark those questions and be sure about them.

BRAINSTORMING & OUTLINING:

Next, do brainstorming and make outlines of questions you are going to attempt. This can be done while the third reading. This saves your time and makes your written expression eloquent. Brainstorming clarifies that for which question you have ample material. Outlines will make it clear that how to answer and how much to answer and your writing will be more coherent and fluent.

SEQUENCE OF ATTEMPTING QUESTIONS:

Generally, candidates attempt the best question first and the weakest question in end. This is a passive approach. All questions must be, preferably, given equal time while the weak one should be given due importance as giving up on your 20 marks isn't a wise choice.

OPENING THE ANSWER:

Always give proper beginning to your answer. The starting point must be the introduction of your question. Give a comprehensive introduction. Remember, Background or History is a different thing. Opening sentence must be the topic sentence. Talk expansively about the topic and in the end give thesis statement. You can certainly begin with quotation or reference but it must be relevant to the statement of question.

USE OF HEADINGS, QUOTATIONS, FIGURES, MAPS AND REFERENCES:

Headings should be elaborate; avoid one–word headings to facilitate the examiner. When quoting, use proper quotations and mention the reference too. In Islamiyat paper, while quoting from the Holy Quran and the Ahadith, don't ever quote without proper reference. Give maximum quotations to support your argument.

Also give facts and figures with references. Vague, untrue and bogus figures must be avoided. Reference of any official document can be given from which figures have been quoted. Draw diagrams or maps wherever they are part of answer. As in Geography I, diagrams elucidate answer and in Geography II, maps are drawn to elaborate answer.

BUILDING ANSWER:

Build answer with cogent arguments. Pragmatic and logical opinion containing statistics, references, sociopolitical, religious and economic factors; and domestic and international aspects should be covered. Always avoid sweeping statements, biased views and planted answers. Try to make a separate heading of ―Analysis‖ and give very comprehensive and to–the–point remarks.

CLOSING THE ANSWER:

Conclusion must be as strong as introduction was. Recapitulate all the ideas that you discussed and finish answer strongly. Analysis and Conclusion can be brought

under single heading such as ―Final Comments or Concluding Ideas‖ or ―Ending Remarks or Suggestive Note‖. Your answer remains incomplete without conclusion so never ignore it!

CONCLUSION:

Write relevant, overcome your weaknesses, manage your time well and control your emotions. It is totally an absurd idea that CSS Exam is a game of chance or a matter of luck. Work hard consistently, think positive, stay focused, prepare scientifically and leave rest to the Almighty. Enhance your knowledge base. Your expression should be convincing and logical. You should practice 6 hours writing on the pattern of real exam so that you do not feel.