ISSB Test Selection System: Everything You Need to Know

By Aleena Hussain

For those of you who aspire to give the ISSB test in the near future, you have come to the right place!

The Inter-Services Selection Board (ISSB) test is conducted to root out the individuals with the best leadership qualities and physical abilities for the service in the Armed Forces of Pakistan including the Army, Navy and Airforce.

A 5-day ISSB test is conducted, for which we are here to inform of the details regarding the ISSB test selection system.

Although the Services Headquarters largely determines the number of candidates to be commissioned in the Army. However, the participation and results of the ISSB test is really the discerning factor of whether you will qualify to be assigned or not.

A three-dimensional (3D) test procedure is regulated by the Inter-service Selection Board for the aspirants. This includes the Psychological testing, GTO tests and the Interview.

All these tests are organized and directed by the Psychological Officials, Group Testing Officers and Deputy Presidents who professionals in their relevant fields.

Psychological Tests

The Psychological Tests are conducted on the 1st Day of the ISSB Test which includes:

• Intelligence Tests: These consist of verbal and non-verbal tests.
• Mechanical Aptitude Test: To test the applicant’s mechanical skills.
• Personality Tests: It is a projective written test to calculate the candidate’s IQ level, mental abilities and understanding skills.

The candidates who fail to pass the Intelligence Tests are screened out and are sent home while the remaining candidates proceed towards the Mechanical and Personality Tests.

Outdoor Tests

Outdoor Tests are basically group tests designed to assess and test the qualities and abilities of the aspirants. Whether they match the qualities of an armed officer or not. Such skills like resourcefulness, determination, team spirit and leadership like aptitudes are tested during these group tests.

The Outdoor Tests includes:

• Group Discussion: Informal or relaxed dialogues are carried out on given particular topics.
• Group Planning: Planning and strategizing is done on a group scale of a certain problem to be solved.
• Group Tasks: About three group tasked are assigned relating to practical situations and conditions. The aspirants have to solve these issues and are also required to carry obstacles of substantial amount and weight.
• Command Tasks: Each contender by rightful turn is chosen to be a commander or leader of the group to handle the practical difficulty with the help of several other candidates as a team.
• Individual Obstacles: Simple hurdles that an aspirant is required to individually solve.

Interviews

The Interviews are held on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Days of the ISSB test. The interviews are held in a conversational, informal and objective manner regarding the candidate’s life goals, academic qualifications, general knowledge and his thoughts on general topics and issues.

5-day Testing Program

The schedule for the 5-day testing program of the ISSB test is as follows:

• Arrival Day

• Reception
• Document Checking
• ID or Chest Numbers Allotment
• Pictures
• Administration Staff Address
• Board Questionnaire’s Completion

• 1st Day

• Opening Address of a Deputy President
• Intelligence Test
• Pronouncement of Screening Out Result
• Remaining Psychological Tests

The applicants screened out will not attend the succeeding tests.

• 2nd Day

• Briefing
• Indoor Tasks
• Group Discussion
• Group Planning
• Outdoor Tasks
• Progressive Group Task (PGT)
• Half Group Task (HGT)
• Interviews

• 3rd Day

• Individual Obstacles or Difficulties
• Command Task
• Final Group Task (FGT)
• Interviews (remaining)

• 4th Day

• Conferences/Sessions
• All Result Preparation
• Dispersal of Aspirants