CSS Exams: A Test of Knowledge, Aptitude, and Attitude
- Comprehensive Preparation is Key: CSS demands rigorous study, quality reading, consistent writing practice, and deep conceptual understanding beyond shortcuts and guidebooks.
- Mental Resilience Matters: Building mental strength and managing stress are crucial to overcoming the high-pressure environment of competitive exams.
- Accountability Over Blame: Success requires personal responsibility, disciplined effort, and a focus on self-improvement rather than blaming the system.
The Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) has recently announced the written results of the Special CSS Competitive Examination 2023, with a pass percentage of just 3.40% among the appeared candidates. Unfortunately, the reaction of the failed aspirants has remained unchanged, with many blaming the system for lacking transparency in evaluating their competence. As a CSS mentor who interacts with numerous aspirants daily, I have observed that a significant number of them fail to grasp the basic nature and requirements of competitive exams. The lack of understanding leads to fundamental flaws in their preparation and, ultimately, failure, which seems almost inevitable in many cases.
Competitive exams differ fundamentally from board and university examinations. These are not mere academic tests for obtaining a degree but assessments determining one’s career endeavors. Success in these exams can dramatically alter one’s social status, power, and financial prospects. Moreover, they are designed to be competitive, requiring candidates to stand out among thousands struggling for the same positions. These high stakes exert immense pressure on aspirants, often leading to anxiety and fear that undermine their performance despite adequate knowledge or preparation. From the prelude of their journey, candidates must work on building mental resilience alongside academic preparation. Unfortunately, many fail to address this critical aspect, which leaves them vulnerable to the pressures of the exam and diminishes their chances of success.
The journey of CSS is anything but easy. It demands stepping out of comfort zones and sacrificing social activities, relationships, and even family time. Success requires long hours of study, consistent writing practice, and relentless dedication, not just for months but for years. However, many aspirants are misled by the illusion created by some civil servants on social media, who claim to have passed the exam with just a few months of preparation. Such claims often lead candidates to underestimate the effort required, leaving them in a “fool’s paradise.” In reality, success in CSS demands rigorous and sustained hard work. The famous saying, “The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war,” aptly applies to this exam. For most aspirants, attempting the English Essay and Precis papers feels like a battle, underscoring the need for a disciplined approach to preparation.
Another common reason for failure is the shallow knowledge and lack of conceptual clarity, as highlighted in FPSC reports. Many candidates rely on shortcuts, such as social media posts, guidebooks, or video lectures, instead of engaging with core texts and primary sources. The surge of academy culture has further deteriorated reading habits. To carry out their material hunger, these academies often make exaggerated promises, claiming that their lectures, notes, and keys are sufficient for success. Such false assurances lead aspirants amiss, leaving them unprepared when it comes to demonstrating depth and originality in their answers—qualities that examiners prioritize. In a competitive exam, your answer sheet must reflect not only your knowledge but also your ability to differentiate yourself from others. Without comprehensive reading and critical engagement with quality material, candidates are unlikely to meet the expectations of the examiners, leading to failure.
Despite broadening knowledge, quality reading plays a crucial role in improving writing expression and command of the English language. The English Essay paper is particularly challenging for most aspirants, as evidenced by the high failure rate. The primary reasons for this are a lack of regular writing practice and inadequate quality readings. Writing is a skill that requires consistent effort and cannot be mastered overnight, as practice makes a man perfect. However, many aspirants shy away from writing even a single paragraph daily, focusing instead on other subjects. Successful candidates, on the other hand, dedicate significant time to writing practice, recognizing its importance in refining their expression.
Another issue that I identified is the lack of mature ideas and substantive arguments in aspirants’ essays, which is also akin to their shallow reading habits. Without engaging with diverse perspectives and quality texts, candidates fail to develop the depth of understanding required to tackle essay topics effectively. Additionally, reading the works of accomplished writers helps improve writing style and expression. Unfortunately, the decline of the reading culture in society has left many aspirants ill-equipped to handle the demands of the English Essay paper. Despite being aware of these shortcomings, most candidates fail to address them in their preparation and ultimately blame the system for their failure instead of taking responsibility for their mistakes.
Doubts about the transparency and credibility of the CSS examination system are also common. However, these concerns often seem misplaced. The CSS exam is largely merit-based, which is alien in a society like Pakistan where nepotism and corruption are rampant. It offers an opportunity for individuals from underprivileged backgrounds to improve their social and economic standing through hard work and dedication. The anonymity of the evaluation process ensures fairness, as examiners are unaware of the candidates’ identities, educational backgrounds, or personal details. They evaluate candidates solely based on their written answers, focusing on the diversity of thought, depth of analysis, and coherence of arguments.
Finally, self-motivation is an essential ingredient for success in competitive exams. Aspirants must have clarity about why they want to join the civil services. A strong sense of purpose drives commitment and determination, which are critical for harnessing the challenges of the CSS journey. Candidates who fail to articulate a clear vision or rely on external pressures, such as parental expectations or societal norms, often lack inner motivation.
In short, competitive exams like CSS are not only a test of knowledge but also aptitude and attitude. Aspiring candidates must adopt a balanced approach, focusing on all aspects of preparation, including mental resilience, comprehensive reading, consistent writing practice, and self-motivation. Trusting in the transparency of the system and taking responsibility for their preparation is vital for success. Without these elements, even years of hard work may not be enough to achieve the desired outcome.
The writer is a police officer.
