Is there any preference to cadet college candidate during even courses?
What is odd /even Course. Is there any difference in selection process at ISSB in Odd and Even Courses?
- The academic sessions in Pakistan is based on yearly basis while selection in Armed Forces is done twice a year.
- Due to the above reason, 2 types of candidates apply for armed forces / issb:
- Regular students who apply immediately after the exam i.e. at the termination of regular academic session i.e. mid year and later (June and immediately after wards) - These would get even numbered courses like 150 PMA Long Course, 152 L/C and 154 L/C etc.
- Other students who don't apply at end of regular session due to some reasons, including, re-appearing in academic session to improve, etc. Such candidates get odd course numbers like 153 PMA Long Course, 155L/C etc.
- It is matter of common understanding that candidates from even courses (which include cadet college students) are regular students (thus hard working), who are making passing grades, don't have any re-appearances to be done in intermediate etc thus may have overall better better outlook.
- On the other hand, the candidates from odd courses, may mostly be casual or left-over students (thus not good in studies).
- Many candidates and low category academies preparing candidates for ISSB, consider it wise to appear for in odd courses to avoid competition.
- There is no rule / procedure during selection process at initial tests and at issb, which differentiates between odd and even courses. Both, the odd and the even courses are treated in same way at initial test and at issb
- Its, an incorrect perception that the candidates in odd courses are weak and of low human grade (then odd courses) and hence less competition in odd courses
- There seem apprehensions about preference to candidates from military college Jhelum / PAF College Sargodha and Murree at ISSB.
- Many candidates also think that during even courses competitive levels increases in courses when these candidates appear.
- There are however, no compulsion or policy in ISSB for preference to any type of candidates over others.
- It may be noted that the selection at issb pertains to quality of officers in armed forces. The selection at ISSB is made purely on merit, candidates from cadet colleges are also not recommended, if found unsuitable.
- It must be understood that since the candidates from some of the cadet colleges are groomed in controlled environment for 5 years, considerable number from the colleges manage to clear ISSB, purely on merit.
- Its, however, an incorrect perception that the candidates in odd courses are weak and of low human grade (then odd courses) and hence less competition in odd courses.
- Military college Jehlum (MCJ) and Cadet College Hassan Abdal, PAF College Sargodha and Murree, Cadet College Petaro are institutes of good repute. Out of these MCJ and PAF colleges students are bonded to go to Army and PAF after FSC.
