ISSB PREPARATION
ISSB Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the Inter Services Selection Board process, what to expect, and how to prepare — answered plainly.
What is the ISSB?
The Inter Services Selection Board (ISSB) is Pakistan's joint selection authority for officer candidates applying to the Army, Navy, and Pakistan Air Force. It assesses candidates across intelligence, psychological, physical, and leadership dimensions before making a recommendation to the respective service. Selection boards are located at Kohat, Gujranwala, Malir (Karachi), and Quetta.
How many days is the ISSB test and what happens each day?
The ISSB is a five-day residential process. Day one covers reporting, documentation, and the initial screening and intelligence tests, which eliminate a portion of candidates. Days two to four involve psychological tests, Group Testing Officer (GTO) tasks such as outdoor obstacle courses and group discussions, and an individual interview. The final day is the conference day, where the board finalises its recommendations and candidates are called in groups to receive the result.
What are the ISSB psychological tests?
The psychological battery includes four written tests: the Word Association Test (WAT), in which candidates write a sentence for each word shown on a screen under time pressure; the Situation Reaction Test (SRT), in which candidates describe how they would react to everyday situations; the Sentence Completion test (SC), in which candidates complete partially written sentences; and the Picture Story test (also called TAT), in which candidates write brief stories about images shown to them. These tests are designed to reveal personality traits, emotional stability, and leadership potential rather than academic knowledge.
What are GTO tasks?
Group Testing Officer (GTO) tasks are a series of outdoor and indoor exercises conducted in groups of eight to ten candidates. They typically include group discussions, a group planning exercise, outdoor obstacle courses (individual and group), a command task in which a candidate leads their group, and a final group task. The GTO observes how candidates communicate, take initiative, support others, and perform under pressure — the focus is on natural leadership behaviour rather than physical strength alone.
How many chances do I get at ISSB?
Candidates are generally allowed two attempts at ISSB in their lifetime. A third attempt may be granted after completing a Master's degree in a subject required by the armed forces. It is important to verify the current policy with the relevant recruitment directorate, as rules can be updated by each service.
What is the ISSB dress code?
For the initial days, smart, neat civilian clothing is appropriate — a plain shirt and trousers for men, and modest formal attire for women (where applicable). Sports kit is required for outdoor GTO tasks; candidates are typically informed in advance to bring suitable clothing. Smart casual or formal wear is expected for the interview and conference days. Well-fitted, clean, and wrinkle-free clothing makes a positive impression.
What happens in the ISSB medical?
A medical examination follows the ISSB recommendation and is conducted separately by the relevant service's medical board. The examination assesses vision, hearing, physical fitness, and general health against the standards set by the Army, Navy, or PAF respectively. Candidates who are recommended by ISSB but do not meet the medical standards of their chosen service will not proceed further. It is advisable to consult the official recruitment directorate for the current medical criteria for your target service and commission type.
Can I prepare for ISSB online?
Yes. Structured online preparation can improve familiarity with test formats, sharpen response technique, and build confidence before the board. This platform offers timed practice tests that mirror real ISSB conditions — Word Association Test, Situation Reaction Test, Sentence Completion, and Picture Story — with detailed feedback from automated assessment technology under the supervision of our expert panel. MCQ practice, eligibility checks, and preparation guides are free for all signed-in users.
Is ISSB hard? What is the pass rate?
ISSB is selective by design — it tests character, personality, and leadership potential rather than rote knowledge, which makes conventional exam preparation less effective. Preparation does help: candidates who are familiar with the format, have practised under timed conditions, and understand what assessors look for tend to perform with greater confidence and clarity. No official pass-rate figure is published, and any percentage cited on coaching websites is unofficial and should be treated with caution.
What are Officer Like Qualities (OLQs)?
Officer Like Qualities (OLQs) are the fifteen traits the ISSB uses as a framework for assessing candidates. They include qualities such as effective intelligence, reasoning ability, organisational ability, power of expression, social adaptability, cooperation, sense of responsibility, initiative, self-confidence, courage, stamina, speed of decision, determination, and overall bearing. The entire ISSB process — psychological tests, GTO tasks, and interview — is designed to give assessors evidence about each of these qualities in a candidate.
How much does the platform cost?
Practice content — including MCQ tests, psychological test practice, eligibility checker, and all written guides — is free for signed-in users. Expert-evaluated assessments are available through a single paid package called ISSB Evaluation, priced at Rs 5,000 for 30 days of access. This covers evaluation reports for the full psychological test battery, handwriting analysis, essay reviews, and expert plan comparison. Sign up for free to explore the platform before purchasing.
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