PAKISTAN ARMY

“Oh, ye who believe

stand out firmly for God as witness
To fair dealings,
And let not the hatred of other people to you
make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice.
Be just, that is next to piety. And fear God,
Surely, Allah is aware of what you do”

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Table of Contents
PAKISTAN ARMY .................................................................................................................................... 1
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 3
Induction Procedure and Criteria .................................................................................................................. 4
Army Selection & Recruitment Centers ....................................................................................................... 4
PMA Long Course ........................................................................................................................................ 5
Registration ................................................................................................................................................... 5
Initial Tests.................................................................................................................................................... 5
Online Tests .................................................................................................................................................. 5
Verbal........................................................................................................................................................ 6
Academic .................................................................................................................................................. 6
Medical Tests ................................................................................................................................................ 6
Physical Tests................................................................................................................................................ 6
Interview ....................................................................................................................................................... 6
ISSB .............................................................................................................................................................. 7
Psychological Tests................................................................................................................................... 7
Group Tests ............................................................................................................................................... 7
Interview ................................................................................................................................................... 8
ISSB 5 days staying schedule ....................................................................................................................... 8
Ineligibility Conditions ................................................................................................................................. 9

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Introduction
The ground still bears the signs of the stampeding horses of invaders, the hills echo with the battle
cries of the brave warriors of the past. A region that bears testimony and resounds with the rich
history of the past, the marauders who came to acquire wealth, the Muslim conquerors who came
to spread the faith in this region, architectural wonders now in ruins silently proclaim to the world
tales of a glory long lost. The region, now comprising Pakistan, is replete with stories of wars,
battles, feuds and various revolutionary and military endeavors.

The sub-continent was partitioned into two distinct states due to unbridgeable ideological
differences between the Hindus and Muslims, hence Pakistan came into being in August 1947 with
the efforts of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of the Nation. Presently,
the ninth most populous country in the world, Pakistan covers an area of 800,000 square
kilometers, surrounded by Arabian Sea, Iran, Afghanistan, Soviet Union, China and India. Pakistan
is a country that enjoys diverse sub-cultures, resultant of being host to major historical events and
influences of various civilizations. Similarly, it is a land that harbors diverse environmental facets
within itself, from deserts to glaciated ice, to rich forests, fertile plains, rivers, lakes etc.; a region
that is bestowed with the best that nature has to offer.

The Pakistan Army at its inception presented a dismal picture as it was disinherited in its legitimate
share of military assets to starve it to inadequacy and vulnerable to subjugation.

An institution that plays a major role and is at the forefront of all national and international
endeavors to restore peace wherever a human conflict or natural calamity arises. The men of the
Pakistan Army truly reflect the warrior spirit, wielding weapons for peace, doing justice to the
strong military legacy handed down through time by their ancestors. These are the men who while
adhering to the traditional spirit acquire training on modern methods conforming to international
standards, at the same time setting standards of their own, which have achieved worldwide
acclaim.

These men of the Pakistan Army are adept at the art of warfare, their inborn skills have been honed
at the various institutions of Military Training throughout the country. Steeped in rich traditions,
many of these institutions date back to the 19th Century. Institutions that exude an aura of strong
military values, imparting skills through competent instructors, who having acquired training
within the country and abroad, skillfully extend it to the prospective trainees.

"Arms for Peace", therefore, is a vital link in the ideological chain of the Pakistan Army. An
institution that wields weapons for peace, inculcating in its men the spirit to promote peace
throughout the world. Same is reflected in its active participation wherever a situation requires its
efforts and services to restore normalcy. With their extensive experience, the Pakistani troops are
acclaimed for their peace-keeping endeavors throughout the world. These are the men who bear
the expertise and excellence in skills. Pakistan Army, today, stands as a cohesive, dependable and
a well cultured professional force providing physical and psychological security to the country.

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Induction Procedure and Criteria
1. Regular Commission
• PMA Long Course
• Technical Cadet Course
• A M Cadet Course
• AFNS (BSc Nursing)

2. Short Service Regular Commission

• GDMOs
• Classified/Specialists

3. Direct Short Service Commission

• Lady Officers (Women Commission)
• Psychologists
• Signals − ICTOs
• Army Education Corps

4. Soldier Recruitment
• Recruits

Army Selection & Recruitment Centers

• Rawalpindi
• Peshawar
• Lahore
• Hyderabad
• Karachi
• Quetta
• Gilgit
• Multan

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PMA Long Course
PMA long courses are inducted in Pakistan army as 17 graded officers on the
rank of 2nd lt. these courses are taken 2 times in a year. one course during winter and the other
during summer.
All those who want to join Pakistan army through long course must check the eligibility criteria
given at www.joinpakarmy.gov.pk then proceed in the following manner. These are the stages
through which a candidate must pass:
1. registration
2. initial test
3. ISSB
4. medical

Registration
The first step is the registration. all bio data is given including every minor detail.
the registration is done at www.joinpakarmy.gov.pk during the given dates or the respective army
recruitment and selection centers. after the registration the slip is given to the candidate to appear
in the initial test on the given date. Registration for PMA long courses start during the month of
July and august for even course (can be changed) and in the month of October and November for
odd course (can be changed) for TGC (technical graduate course) during the month of May and
June. for lady cadets during the month of June and July (can be changed)

Initial Tests
After the registration the candidates are called for the initial test. these tests
comprise of many tests. which are:
1. online tests
2. medical tests
3. physical tests
4. interview

Online Tests
The online test comprises of verbal, non-verbal, and academic tests. verbal
containing 94 questions to be solved within 30 mins, non-verbal tests contain 96 questions to be
solved in 30 mins and academic test includes 50 questions to be solved in 30 mins. verbal and non-
verbal tests are based on common sense. like series questioning, odd man out etc. etc. non-verbal
having the same common-sense questions but related to pictures. shapes and sizes are given. the
academic test includes questions from Pakistan studies, Islamiyah, general knowledge, math’s,
physics and English. examples are given below. the candidates passing the verbal will proceed to
non-verbal and those clearing the non-verbal will proceed to the academic. those who will pass the
online tests will be sent for medical only. the candidate failing at any stage will be sent back at that
stage and can only appear in the next course.

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Verbal

Q) which no will be next 2, 3, 5, 7, ___?

Q) odd man out (which is different) car, ship, train, aero plane, bus, truck
NON-VERBLE:
(pictures will be given)
which is different (square, rectangle, octagon, hexagon, circle, pentagon)
complete the series (an arrow pointing north, an arrow pointing east, an arrow pointing south,
______)

Academic
Q) which is the capital of Ethiopia?
Q) who gave the 1962 constitution of Pakistan?
Q) who compiled the Holy Quran for the first time?

Medical Tests
Everything regarding the body of the candidate is checked briefly by a doctor
in the same center and on the same day. this includes height, weight, bones, feet, elbows, knees,
skin, eyes, nose, ears, teeth, vocal cords etc. etc.

Physical Tests
All the candidates declared medically fit by the doctor will be called for
physical on a separate date in a ground. where they will appear in 1 mile run in 8: 30 mins, 15
pushups, 15 reach ups, 3 chin ups and dich crossing. After clearing this test, they will be called for
an interview.

The candidates must qualify the following physical standards at the time of. Preliminary selection:

• 1.6 Km Run – 8 ½ minutes

• Push Ups – 15 repetitions in 2 minutes
• Sit Ups – 15 repetitions in 2 minutes
• Chin Ups – 3 repetitions in 2 minutes
• Ditch Crossing – 7’.4” x 7’.4” with a depth of 4’

Interview
This is also called personality test. in interview the basic requirement is the
confidence, respect, nature of the candidate which are tested. there are questions of general
knowledge, fast mathematics and candidate's personality. dressing and appearance are equally
important. This concludes the 2nd step of selection of the candidate for army. the forms along with
the documents of the candidates are given to the respective AS&RC from where they are posted
to GHQ. then the call for ISSB is dispatched after 30 to 40 days. a candidate will receive the call
for ISSB 10 days prior to the reporting day. this call is also posted on the official website of Army.

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ISSB
ISSB is not a small word, it stands for inter services selection board. this test is the most
versatile and important and any one person can apply for ISSB only two times in his/her life. this
test is responsible for the induction of any candidate in army, air force or navy. This test comprises
of many tests taken in 4 days from a candidate. these tests are classified into three main parts.
which are subdivided into many tests.

▪ PSCYCHOLOICAL TESTS
▪ GROUP TESTS
▪ INTERVIEW

Psychological Tests
These tests are further divided into following tests
1. sentence completion tests ----- 3 sheets comprising of 26 incomplete sentences each to be
completed within 6 minutes. two sheets to be completed in Urdu and one to be completed
in English
2. word association tests ----- 100 word given one by one with the time of 10 sec each. all to
be completed in English only
3. story completion tests -------- three stories to be completed in 3.5 mins each in English only
on the given sentence
4. picture story tests ----- three stories to be completed in 3.5 mins each in English on the
given picture
5. psychology interview

Group Tests
these tests are further
1. group discussion---- either in English or Urdu on the topic given by the GTO in 20 mins
2. extempore speech----- topic given on spot by GTO. a candidate must speak at least for 2
mins after thinking for only one min
3. group planning---- plan to be given by the complete group overall in 20 mins for the
solution of the problem given in the model.
4. progressive group task---- three tasks to be completed in 40 mins. given that all members
and the material to be on the other side of the task... an outdoor task. to be completed under
the rules given by the GTO
5. half group task---- one task to be completed in 8 mins under the rules given by the GTO
by a part of the group.
6. command task---- one in command of the complete group. must give the plan and guide
and lead the group to complete the task in 8 mins under the rules given to him by GTO
7. individual obstacles---- 9 obstacles to be completed in 2 mins
8. final group task----one task to be completed in 20 mins collectively under the rules given
by the GTO in ENGLISH

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Interview
Interview is taken by the deputy commandant and lasts 15 to 20 mins. All details and qualities of
personality are judged and examined by the interviewer

note: after the ISSB the recommendation or not-recommendation letter is given all those
candidates recommended by the ISSB proceed for the final medical in the respective CMH to
join the forces.

ISSB 5 days staying schedule

DAY 1

Reporting day
(a) Reception. Arrival/Reception guideline by ISPR Boarding and Lodging guideline by ISPR
(b) Checking of documents. What to bring with you and what are prohibited items What are the
Documents Required
(c) Allotment of chest numbers.
(d) Candidates are photographed.
(e) Administration Staff's address
(f) Writing of unforgettable incident.

DAY-2

Opening Address by a Deputy President.

1st Testing day: Psychologist's day
(a) Intelligence Test.
(b) Psychological Tests.

DAY-3

2nd Testing day: GTO's day

Briefing
Indoor Tasks
Group discussions.
Group planning.
Outdoor Tasks
Progressive group tasks (PGT).
Half group tasks (HGT).
Interview.

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DAY-4

3rd Testing day: GTO's day

(a)Individuals obstacles
(b) Command Task.
(c) Final group task.
(d) Mutual assessment
(e) Interview (leftovers)

DAY-5.

4th Testing day: Conference day

(a) Conference.
(b) Re-interview (if required)
(c) Payment of TA/DA
(d) Departure

Ineligibility Conditions
• A candidate is ineligible if he is twice rejected by ISSB/GHQ/NHQ/AHQ Selection Board
or once rejected by ISSB and once rejected by GHQ/NHQ/AHQ Selection Board.
• Permanently declared UNFIT by Appeal Medical Board.
• Declared UNFIT by any Armed Forces Hospital except those cleared by their Appeal
Medical Board.
• Declared medically UNFIT due to Hepatitis B & C (cannot request for Appeal Medical
Board).
• Dismissed/Removed/Debarred from Govt Services including Armed Forces.
• Withdrawn from any Academy/Training institution of Armed Forces on any ground.
• Withdrawn from any bonded Armed Forces College/institutions on disciplinary ground.
• Convicted by a Court of Law for an offence involving moral turpitude.