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CSS Exam Practice Test: MPT Pattern and 50 Questions

The CSS Competitive Examination is how the Federal Public Service Commission recruits officers for Pakistan’s Central Superior Services. Under the CSS Competitive Examination Rules, 2019, as amended in 2021, it runs in five stages: the MCQ-based Preliminary Test (MPT), the written examination, a medical examination, a psychological assessment and the viva voce. The MPT only shortlists candidates for the written examination. Use the 50 original questions below to practise its English, general-ability and general-knowledge sections.

CSS MPT at a glance

MPT paper
One MCQ paper of 200 marks
Duration
200 minutes
Qualifying threshold
33% marks; only MPT-qualified candidates sit the written exam that year
Stages
MPT, written examination, medical examination, psychological assessment, viva voce

From the official source listed at the bottom of the page.

How the MPT is marked (Appendix-III of the CSS Rules)

  • Islamic Studies – 20 marksNon-Muslim candidates may choose either Civics and Ethics or Islamic Studies.
  • Urdu – 20 marksUrdu including its grammar, usage and translation.
  • English – 50 marksVocabulary, grammar usage and comprehension.
  • General Abilities – 60 marksBasic arithmetic, algebra and geometry at SSC level, logical problem solving, analytical and mental abilities.
  • General Knowledge – 50 marksEveryday science, current affairs and Pakistan affairs.
  • After the MPTThe MPT result is valid only for the same year’s examination. Qualified candidates go on to the written examination, then the medical examination, psychological assessment and viva voce.

CSS MPT practice test — 50 questions

Original questions written to prepare for the CSS MPT; they are not official test questions. Answer them without an account and see an explanation for each one.

Question 1 of 50

Choose the synonym of “candid”.

Question 2 of 50

Choose the antonym of “scarce”.

Question 3 of 50

Choose the correct sentence.

Question 4 of 50

Fill in the blank: She has been living in Lahore ___ 2015.

Question 5 of 50

What does the idiom “to burn the midnight oil” mean?

Question 6 of 50

Change to passive voice: “The committee approved the plan.”

Question 7 of 50

Choose the correctly spelt word.

Question 8 of 50

Fill in the blank: He is fond ___ reading history.

Question 9 of 50

Choose the synonym of “benevolent”.

Question 10 of 50

Choose the correct form: If I ___ you, I would accept the offer.

What to practise for the CSS MPT

  • English vocabulary: synonyms, antonyms, idioms
  • English grammar: tenses, prepositions, agreement, voice
  • Arithmetic: percentages, ratios, averages, time and work
  • SSC algebra and geometry
  • Logical reasoning and number series
  • Everyday science
  • Pakistan affairs and the 1973 Constitution
  • Islamic Studies (or Civics and Ethics)
  • Urdu grammar and translation

Type any of these topics into the quiz generator to make a practice quiz. Quiz templates

How to prepare for the CSS MPT with SimpleQuizMaker

  1. Take the 50 questions below in sets of ten and note which section costs you the most marks.
  2. General Abilities carries the largest share (60 marks): do arithmetic with a written working, not in your head.
  3. Build your own sets from your notes, past reading or a pasted article with the quiz maker.
  4. Re-test weak areas a few days later rather than re-reading them.

CSS MPT tips

  • The MPT is a shortlisting test: 33% is the threshold, but a strong score leaves margin for the written stage you are actually preparing for.
  • Keep current affairs in a separate, dated notebook – it changes every year and is not covered by fixed question banks.
  • Learn Constitution facts by Article number: they are stable and frequently tested.
  • Pace yourself: 200 minutes for 200 marks is roughly one minute per mark.

Make your own CSS MPT practice quiz

Free account, no card needed. Type a topic or paste your notes and the AI builds the quiz in seconds.

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{short} FAQ

Are these official FPSC questions?

No. All 50 questions are original practice items written to mirror the MPT’s sections. They are not past papers and are not endorsed by the Federal Public Service Commission.

What is the MPT?

The MCQ-based Preliminary Test is a single 200-mark, 200-minute multiple-choice paper held before the CSS written examination to shortlist candidates.

What score do I need to pass the MPT?

The CSS Rules set the qualifying threshold at 33% marks. Only candidates who qualify the MPT may appear in that year’s written examination.

Which subjects are in the MPT?

Islamic Studies (or Civics and Ethics for non-Muslims) 20 marks, Urdu 20, English 50, General Abilities 60 and General Knowledge (everyday science, current affairs, Pakistan affairs) 50.

Does an MPT pass carry over to the next year?

No. Under the rules, the Preliminary Test is valid only for the same year’s competitive examination.

Can I make my own CSS practice quizzes?

Yes. On the free plan you can generate quizzes from a topic or pasted text – 5 generations a month, up to 10 questions each. The Student plan ($2.99/month or $29.99/year) adds PDF, Word and image uploads and up to 100 questions. People taking your quiz need no account.

Official sources

SimpleQuizMaker is not affiliated with any police service, fire department, recruiting body or government. Our questions are original practice items, not official test questions. Always check the current rules with the official source.