CSS exam subjects
Only the payment has been made, the next step is preparation for the exam courses. The CSS examination taking place in 2012 will contain two types of papers, first being for compulsory subjects and the second for optional subjects. As per 2011, the examinations will run for fifteen to twenty days. The six compulsory subjects which comprise 100 marks each are namely Essay, English (Précis & Composition), Everyday Science, Current Affairs, Pakistan Affairs, and Islamiyat.

Optional courses can be selected from any group, ranging from A to I given below. Every optional course holds either 100 or 200 marks and the courses opted for from each group must not exceed a total of 200. The groups are diverse in their courses so that students from all educational backgrounds can apply and prepare for the examination. Candidates have to select total 600 marks subjects of optional subjects. For instance, group A includes humanities courses; group B includes courses pertaining to social sciences, group C for mathematics and statistics and Group H for languages. Below the groups information is given.

Compulsory Subjects
1. Essay 100
2. English 100
3. Islamiat 100
General Knowledge
4. Everyday Science 100
5. Current Affairs 100
6. Pakistan Affairs 100
Total Marks: 600      
Optional Subjects:
(subjects carrying a total of 600 marks to be selected)

Group A
Subjects carrying not more than 200 marks can be opted.
 1. Accounting & Auditing 200
2. Economics 200
3. Business Administration 100
4. Public Administration 100
Group B
Subject/s carrying not more than 200 marks can be opted.
1. Political Science 200
2. Agriculture 100
3. Forestry 100
4. Sociology 100
5. Journalism 100
Group C
Subjects carrying not more than 200 marks can be opted.
1. Pure Mathematics 200
2. Applied Mathematics 200
3. Computer Science 100
4. Statistics 100
Group D ( Science Subjects )
Subjects carrying not more than 200 marks can be opted.
1. Physics 200
2. Geology 200
3. Geography 200
4. Chemistry 200
5. Botany 200
6. Zoology 200
Group E ( History Subjects )
Subjects carrying not more than 200 marks can be opted.
1. Islamic History & Culture 200
2. Indo Pak History 200
3. British History 200
4. European History 200
5. History of the USA 100
Group F
Subjects carrying not more than 200 marks can be opted.
1. Law 200
2. Constitutional Law 100
3. Mercantile Law 100
4. Muslim Law & Jurisprudence 100
5. International Law 100
6. International Relations 100
Group G
Subjects carrying not more than 200 marks can be opted.
1. Philosophy 200
2. Psychology including Exp. Psychology 200
Group H ( Regional Languages )
Subjects carrying not more than 200 marks can be opted.
Regional Languages:
1. Sindhi 100
2. Pushto 100
3. Punjabi 100
4. Balochi 100
Group I ( National and Foreign Languages )
Subjects carrying not more than 200 marks can be opted.
National/Foreign/Classical Languages:
1. English Literature 200
2. Urdu 200
3. Persian 200
4. Arabic 200  

These 1200 numbers are the test marks and after passing the test, interview is conducted which has also 1200 numbers. Passing the interview is also necessary.