#How_to_Start_CSS_Preparation_at_Home
How to Begin Preparing for CSS exam at home? This is the most important question almost all CSS aspirants have when they think of cracking the CSS exam. After all joining a coaching class is not the first strategy that beginners to CSS exam have. This article lists the best ways to start FPSC exam preparation from your home.
Number 1: #What_is_Your_Age_and_Qualification?
This is very important to know since CSS preparation should be started at the right time, neither too early nor too late. As per FPSC data revealed in its annual reports, most candidates who clear the civil services examination fall in the age bracket of 24-28 years. Of course you can start preparing for CSS exam earlier and later than this age bracket as well. But starting CSS preparatin when you are, say, 15 years old (in school) may be too early. You can start preparing for CSS when you are in your final year of graduation, usually, 20-22 years.
Number 2: #Know_the_Basics_of_the_CSS_Exam
Before you start preparing for CSS exam from or outside your home, you should know some important information related to the civil services examination including: What is the CSS exam, the eligibility for CSS exam, and syllabus. Once you have good knowledge of the basics of the CSS exam, you will realise that CSS preparation requires an integrated approach to final exams. Only the preparation method varies. The syllabus is well-defined so you know what to cover but you have to cover every aspect of this well-defined syllabus since the exam is descriptive or written.
Number 3: #Get_the_Right_Books_for_CSS_Exam
When you plan to prepare for CSS from your home means you are currently not looking to enroll for some coaching class, which is just fine as CSS exam can be cleared without coaching. But you will need to get recommended books for CSS. Read these books at least twice: The first time from cover to cover and the second time read the most important chapters again and again to get the most out of these CSS books. Of course, if you can go through the books once again before the Exam it is an added boost since your memory will be fresh right before the exam.
Number 4: #Read_the_Right_Newspaper_and_Magazines
If you didn’t already know this, Current Affairs and General Awareness are very important topics for CSS and you can expect at least 30-40 Current Affairs and general awareness questions in General Knowledge Papers. So how do you cover these topics when you start your CSS preparation? You should read atleast one good newspaper daily and one good current affairs magazine. You can read the Indian Dawn. This is good sources of current affairs and important editorials that will help you in your Exams. Know How to Read Dawn Newspaper for CSS how to read dawn. I also suggest you should read a reliable magazine like monthly Jahangir’s World Times (available in English) when you begin your CSS preparation from home.
Number 5: #Prepare_a_Schedule_and_Follow_It
When you’re starting your CSS preparation from your home there’s always the danger of falling in the comfort zone and becoming complacent. That’s why you need to prepare a 10-12 month preparation plan on how you will cover the entire syllabus so that it helps in the Exams. If you’re preparing full time I will suggest you devote 5 hours to Optional Subjects daily and 2-4 hours to Compulsory. You should devote 30-60 minutes to reading newspapers and current affairs.
Number 6: #Test_Your_Preparation
Even if you’re preparing for the CSS exam from the comfort of your home, you should drill this fact in your mind that your preparation can never be complete unless and until you test your preparation. This is all the more important if you are starting your CSS preparation from your home without any coaching. But why test at all? Simply because unless you attempt mock tests on FPSC pattern you will not know whether your preparation is on the right track or not. You will not be able to identify your weak and strong areas and work on those weak areas. You will not learn proper time management skills and skills to tackle negative marking.