ISSB Preparation Forum | Notes, Guidelines

Information about job details and schedule for applying, application forms for job in Pakistani armed forces are available at the recruitment websites of Army, Navy and Air force and recruitment / selection centers.

Selection centers of Army Navy and Air force:-
- Army Selection Centers
- Pakistan Air Force Selection Centers
- Navy Selection Centers

Recruitment Website of Armed Forces of Pakistan
- Army Recruitment website: Info for joining Pakistan Army
- Website for Pakistan Navy: https://joinpaknavy.gov.pk/
- Pakistan Air Force Website: https://joinpaf.gov.pk/

A comprehensive resource about initial test for commission in the armed forces of Pakistan is as under:-
- Intial Test Pakistan Army-Information & Resources
- Inital Test PAF - Information, Resources
- Initial Test, Pakistan Navy, Information & Resources for preparation

- Army: Repeater Candidates of PMA Long Course are only required to undergo Physical and Medical Tests.
- Navy & Airforce: The repeater Candidates of PN and PAF undergo Complete Preliminary process i.e Computerized Test, Physical Test, Medical Test and Interview.
-TCC Repeater Candidates who apply for PMA LC will only appear in Physical,medical and Interview.

Initial Tests are very basic, academics (already done by you), day to day matter, basic islamiat and current affairs.
An average person shall be able to do well in these without any training or preparation.

The training from academies is not recommended. However, you can find a list of available (these are not our recommended) academies at ISSB and Initial Test Preparation Academy Near Me

Re-interview(or any other test) by the Board:
- During Conference at Final Day of Selection at ISSB, Deputy president, GTO and the Psychologist jointly discuss the personality of every candidate.
- Difference in opinion on strengths and weaknesses can come up during discussion.
- Re-interview(or other test) is done by selection team to reach consensus on the discussed personality aspects.
- The re-interview or retest is an indicator of a discussions about the related candidate.
- It does not mean that only such candidates are selected.

Interview by Commandant ISSB: Commandant ISSB may, also interview the candidate for the same reason or any candidate at his discretion.

As a matter of procedure, the final selection is not done only from the re-interviewed cases.

- ISSB doesn't have a quota system.
- Favoring unsuitable person in selection is harmful for Armed Forces itself.
- Armed forces are aware cultur of safarish, so system is designed to protect from Sifarish.
- Learn about selection procedures at issb : video lecture
- If Army was to select own kids, a quota system could be made in ISSB
e.g. keeping 85% seats for kids of army officers and 15% on open merit.

The perception of unfair play / SIFARISH at issb is incorrect

- No limit is laid down about the selection of candidates out of a group/batch.
- If all the candidates in a group / batch come up to the required standards, all will be selected,
- Likewise, if no-one comes up to our standards none may be selected from a particular batch.

Therefore have faith in your abilities and put in your best in each test you undertake.

- ISSB discourages candidates to undergo coaching
- For the reasons that it hinders the spontaneity of an individual.
- The Academy trained candidates tend to follow the instructions of the Academy instead of their own thinking.
- So, they loose originality, become artificial and present a confused outlooks (adha teetar adha btair, neither he nor she).
- Besides, coached candidate become rigid, i.e. "If I do this, only then I will pass".
- Academies also tend to make candidates as super perfect, which isn't very natural way of doing things.

No. The assessment system for all three services is the same. However in order to suit the requirement of services, for few courses, the candidates are tested in two dimensions i.e. Psychologist Tests and Interview only. But there are no variations in the technique of these tests.

No.
- You can not appear in ISSB within 120 days of your last appearance.
- You can only appear at ISSB if you have not exhausted your chances for ISSB.

- There is no difference in selection standard,
- but there are some variations in the tests and field events.
- Female candidates are normally tested in two dimensions plus (psychologist tests, interview and some of the GTO Tasks)
- But those applying for GD (P) or CAE are tested in all tests of three dimensions.

Please remember that above procedure may change when service requirements demand so.

Generally true but not always correct.
- ISSB only recommends the candidates
- Final merit list is prepared by the concerned services headquarters as per vacancies.
- Most of the candidates recommended by the ISSB join military academies. But not always.

- One Year, from the date of recommendation.
- During this period, the recommended candidate is considered for the next batch of the same course.
- The candidates recommended but not in the final merit, can re-appear, after one year \.
- In most cases, likely that your name is already included in the waiting list for the next serial / batch of that course.

- Call letter is issued 20 days in advance to the actual date of your tests.
- It is possible that you may not receive your call letter at all.
- You should take a print out of the online call up and report for the ISSB.
- The concerned ISSB staff will accept you for the tests.

Please remember that you must be in possession of other educational documents required from you to be eligible for the tests.

There is not quota system in ISSB. No province based seats or for wards of army persons etc. Its all done purely on merit system. No Quota system in ISSB.

- In some situations certain candidates cannot attend ISSB due to some other pressing commitments. e.g. the test dates mentioned in your call letter coincide with your other examinations of some other institutions.

- In all such cases, the concerned candidate can immediately inform ISSB of such possibilities by writing an application to ISSB Kohat by post (urgent courier) for an adjustment which in most of the cases is made.
- Also send us copy of your examination schedule (due to which you cannot attend ISSB) as a proof.
- Please remember that ISSB is not bound to call you again.
- Re-call is only issued when it is clearly established that your reason for not appearing was based on solid grounds.

Sample Letter:
Auth: Download Recall Letter ==> http://issb.gov.pk/wp-content/uploads/2 ... l-Form.pdf

Repeater candidates are the ones who are Not Recommendation from ISSB or are on Low Merit in the final merit list.
One has to go through testing process at ISSB to be termed as repeater.

No.
You will be treated as fresh candidate at ISSB.
The repetition is of ISSB, not for the initial tests.

Not at all. Selection rate of repeaters, at times, is higher than fresh

- There is no point in assessing a candidate again, if his previous assessment is going to be bases of his selection.
- Individual assessment (recommended/ not recommended) of the selectors is finalized without consulting past assessment.
- In some cases (less than 0.25%), only “a portion” of a “particular past observation” is made available, for “review by the board"(last day)
- e.g., last time the candidate showed height phobia in obstacles. (if he has overcome it, the last observation is ignored). Its done for extremely limited number of candidates and for very limited reasons.

- Free medical facilities are provided to candidates at ISSB.
- ISSB tries to ensure that that the candidates stays fit.
- In case of severe injury or illness candidate is taken to Combined Military Hospital for the treatment.
- The candidate may also get admitted depending upon severity of the injury or illness.
- If complete tests are missed due to illness or injury, the candidate is considered as "Withdrawn"
- In that case, the chance for ISSB tests will not be counted.
- If a candidate has appeared in the ISSB tests but have missed a portion of GTO's tests or interview then he is considered as "Not Fully Boarded".
- In this case also, chance for ISSB will not be counted.
- The condition of "not to appear at ISSB within 120 days" will not apply if declared 'Not Fully Boarded'. Therefore you can appear as soon as you are well and fit.

Yes. Check this link Initial Test and ISSB Preparation - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)[/list]

- For some of the courses like LCC / Short Service Commission etc, when a candidates clears the initial test, a pre-issb merit MAY be made by the Services HQ i.e. GHQ, NHQ or AHQ.
- The candidates may not be given ISSB forms after final interview/ medical and told a tentative date to check back.
- The shortlisted candidates are called to recruitment center again and given ISSB forms.
- The exact procedure may vary slightly in Army, Navy and Air force.

The exact criteria for final merit is internal process, however, generally following may be considered in making final merit:-

• Marks matric and FSC
• Performance in initial tests
• ISSB performance
• Experience (LCC and other Short Service Commission)

]
- The recommendations of ISSB are valid for 1 year.
- Low merit candidate are considered for next batch.
- In case low merit in next batch as well, he will be called automatically for next course.
- Low merit candidate can apply for any course afresh, to improve his performance, within rule of gap of 120 days in 2 appearances.

1. How is your stay going at ISSB?
2. Tell me about yourself, your dreams, liking / disliking, family, friends etc ?
3. Tell me about your favorite personality and why you like him/ her?
4. Tell me something about your city/college/teachers/company ? (any one of these e.g college, may be asked in the question)
5. What are your hobbies?
6. Why did your marks decreased in a particular subject/year?
7. Why did you choose Humanities/Engineering/Commerce ?
8. How many girlfriends you have?
9. What type of girl you would like to marry?
10. Why do you want to join Army or air force or navy as the case may be?
11. What is your alternate option/back up plan i.e if you are not able to join Armed Forces of Pakistan?
12. What will you do if you are not recommended this time?
13. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
14. Tell me 5 good reasons to select you OR why shall I select you?
15. Any suggestion about food/stay/transportation/reception?