How to Prepare for Government Job Tests in Pakistan

I've helped over 50 people prepare for FPSC, PPSC, and NTS tests, and here's what I learned: most people study wrong. They buy 20 books, study 10 hours a day for a week, then burn out. The ones who pass? They study smart, not hard.

First thing - know your test. FPSC loves English and analytical questions. PPSC is all about Pakistan Studies and General Knowledge. NTS is more basic aptitude stuff. Don't waste time studying the wrong things. If you're applying to PPSC, don't spend weeks on advanced math - focus on what actually appears.

Past papers are everything. I mean it. FPSC literally repeats questions. I've seen the same questions from 2018 appear in 2024 tests. Get the last 5-7 years of papers for whatever commission you're targeting. Solve each paper three times minimum. First time, just do it. Second time, understand why each answer is right. Third time, do it under time pressure. That's how you actually learn.

Don't buy every book in the market. Pick one good book per subject and stick with it. For English, get a grammar book and a vocabulary book. For Pakistan Studies, one comprehensive book is enough. For Islamiat, use standard textbooks. Having 20 books doesn't help if you don't finish any of them.

Make a schedule you can actually follow. If you try to study 8 hours a day, you'll quit in a week. Better to do 2-3 hours daily for 2-3 months than to cram everything in one month. I've seen people study 2 hours every morning before work and pass. Consistency matters more than hours.

Work on your weak spots, but don't forget your strengths. I had a student who was great at English but terrible at math. She spent all her time on math and barely practiced English. Result? She did okay in math but her English score dropped. You need to score in ALL sections. Balance your time.

Time management kills people. Most tests have way more questions than you can answer. Practice doing papers in the actual time limit. Learn to skip hard questions and come back later. Answer all the easy ones first - secure those marks. Then tackle the difficult ones if you have time.

English section decides everything for most people. Grammar rules, vocabulary, comprehension - focus on these. Read Dawn or The News daily. Not just headlines, actually read articles. Your vocabulary will improve naturally, and you'll understand current affairs too. Practice writing short essays on common topics. Even 200 words helps.

Pakistan Studies and General Knowledge need regular reading, not cramming. Get one good Pakistan Affairs book, read it completely once, then revise monthly. Watch news daily - even 15 minutes helps. Questions about recent government policies or events appear all the time.

Math needs daily practice. Even 30 minutes a day solving 10-15 problems keeps your skills sharp. Math rusts fast if you don't use it. Don't just read formulas - actually solve problems. That's the only way to get faster.

Study groups can help or hurt. Good ones keep you motivated and help clarify doubts. Bad ones are just gossip sessions. If you join one, make sure people actually study. Also, stop comparing yourself to others. Someone else finishing faster doesn't mean they're smarter - everyone learns differently.

Take care of yourself. I've seen people study 12 hours a day, skip meals, barely sleep, then fail because their brain was fried. Your brain needs rest to remember things. Sleep 7-8 hours. Eat properly. Take breaks. A tired brain can't learn.

Most importantly - don't give up. Government tests are hard, but thousands pass every year. If you prepare properly, you can too. I know people who failed 3 times before passing. The difference? They kept trying and learned from each attempt.