KARACHI:
To effectively manage the increasing number of annual Central Superior Service (CSS) aspirants, the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) announced the introduction of a preliminary screening test to filter candidates for the main exam. The number of aspirants, according to FPSC, annually increased by 10% from 1998-2019. This step merits applause because it will ensure the entry of the best candidates for the main exam. It will enhance evaluation and reduce the time span.
Despite the benefits of the screening test, FPSC seems to have missed some lapses, which could have been avoided. First is the timeline of the exam. Previously, the commission would open applications in October, and the deadline was set in November, which was never extended. Thereafter, the exam took place in February. However, this time the preliminary exam will be conducted in February and the main exam will take place in May. This will unequivocally disrupt the momentum and pace of candidates preparing for their exams, especially those who have been preparing for a year now and are already exhausted. Extending the exam will adversely affect their preparations.
I believe that the preliminary test should have been taken earlier without extending the timeline for the main exam. Another issue is that of the minimum marks required to qualify for the main exam. A minimum requirement of 66 out of 200 marks must be achieved to undertake the main test. This will hardly serve FPSC’s purpose of filtering a few from the 30-35 thousand aspirants. Unsurprisingly, most candidates will successfully achieve 35% marks because the screening test is objective, candidates will easily guess correct options and score well. The requirement should have instead been set to 40-45% marks at least. However, conducting this exam to refine serious candidates and improve the checking process is the right step and is commendable. Hopefully, it will bear fruit soon.
Naveed Baiyan
Kech
Published in The Express Tribune, November 11th, 2021.
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