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The Central Superior Services (CSS) exam is one of Pakistan's most competitive and prestigious exams, which aims to select the best candidates for the civil service. However, every year, many candidates need help to clear the English essay paper, which is the most important paper of the exam. According to the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC), only 6% of the candidates passed English essays in 2019, 4% in 2020 and 13% in 2021. What are the reasons for this high failure rate in the essay paper? And what can be done to improve the performance of the candidates? I will answer these questions by analyzing some common mistakes and challenges that candidates face while writing their essays.
One of the main reasons for failing the essay paper is the need for more understanding of the topic and the requirements of essay writing. Many candidates choose topics that are too broad or too complex for them and need help to develop essays to the examiner's satisfaction. They also need to address the critical aspects of the essay, such as the causes, effects, implications, and solutions of the problem. They either write irrelevant or incomplete information or deviate from the essay's central theme.
Another reason for failing the essay paper is the poor structure and organization of the essay. Many candidates need to follow a clear and logical outline for their essays, which makes their arguments weak and confusing. They need a proper introduction, body, and conclusion for their essays or mix up different points and paragraphs without appropriate transitions and coherence.
A third reason for failing the essay paper is the need for more language skills and expression. Many candidates need a better command of English grammar, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation, and sentence construction. They make grammatical and spelling errors, use incorrect or inappropriate words, write long and complex sentences, or repeat the exact words and phrases. They also do not use proper quotations, references, and examples to support their arguments and opinions. They also do not follow the rules and conventions of academic writing, such as using a formal and objective tone and maintaining consistency and accuracy.
These are some of the primary reasons why many candidates fail the English essay paper of the competitive exams, particularly in CSS. However, these problems can be overcome with proper preparation, practice, and guidance. Here are some possible solutions to help candidates improve their essay writing skills and score better marks in the exam.
1. Read extensively about Pakistan's history, culture, politics, economy, society, and international relations. This will help candidates to broaden their knowledge base, enhance their critical thinking skills, and develop their perspectives and opinions on different issues.
2. Practice writing essays on different topics regularly. This will help candidates to improve their writing speed, style, and expression. They can also get feedback from their teachers, mentors, or peers on their essays and learn from their mistakes and suggestions.
3. Follow a standard format and structure for writing essays. Candidates should have a clear outline for their essays before they start writing. They should have a catchy introduction that introduces the topic and states the essay's thesis statement or main argument. They should have a well-organized body that discusses different aspects of the topic in separate paragraphs with proper transitions and coherence. They should have a strong conclusion summarising the main points and giving a final verdict or recommendation on the topic.
4. Use appropriate language skills and expression for writing essays. Candidates should use correct grammar, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation, and sentence construction for their essays. They should also use proper quotations, references, and examples to support their arguments and opinions. They should also follow the rules and conventions of academic writing, such as using a formal and objective tone and maintaining consistency and accuracy.
By following these tips and strategies, candidates can improve their essay writing skills and increase their chances of passing the English essay paper for the CSS and PMS exams. Essay writing is relatively easy if one knows how to do it properly. This skill can be learned and mastered with practice and dedication.
Tariq Umrani
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