Subject Selection for CSS

Subject Selection in CSS

The written part of CSS carries 1200 marks. These 1200 marks are equally divided between compulsory subjects and optional subjects. Compulsory subjects are 6 in number and each of them carries 100 marks. Among optional subjects, some subjects carry 200 marks while others carry 100 marks (consult CSS syllabus for that purpose). Selection of these optional subjects is the key to success. It often decides the merit of candidates. It could make or break your future. For selection of optional subjects, there are different criteria. Some of these criteria are given below:

Background knowledge:

If you have already studied some subjects that appear in the list of optional subjects, consult their question papers of last 10 years and see whether you can handle them. If yes, go for those subjects, otherwise, go through the list again to find other subjects.

Scoring trend:

                        The analysis of CSS (written) result of past 10 to 15 years has revealed that there is a scoring trend of optional subjects. Some subjects, that used to give high marks some years back, are not good scoring now and vice versa. But, there are some subjects that are ever-green with respect to scoring trend. They include local languages like Punjabi, Sindhi etc. So, while selecting optional subjects, scoring trend should be kept in mind.

                        From past couple of years, International Relations, History of USA, and Gender Studies etc. are being targeted (giving low scores). On the other hand, Accounting & Auditing, and Political Science are fetching good marks. For engineers and chemists, physics and chemistry are good subjects respectively.

Length of Syllabus:

                        Length of syllabus also helps in subject- selection because many subjects, despite carrying equal marks, have different lengths of syllabi. Some could be easily covered in 10 to 15 days while others take a month or more. Subjects like History of USA, Criminology, Gender Studies, and Local Languages (Punjabi, Sindhi etc.) have shorter syllabus as compared to other optional subjects carrying equal marks.

Overlapping Subjects:

                                Some subjects overlap with each other. Some over-lapping subjects are: English Essay and all the other subject; International Relations, Pakistan Affairs, Current Affairs, and International Law; Political Science and Constitutional Law etc.

Choice for CSS 2021:

                                Some good subjects for CSS 2021 could be: Physics, Computer Science, Political Science, Governance and Public Policies, Constitutional Law, British History, Any local language.