PMA Graduate Course ISSB Evaluation Syllabus

ISSB Evaluation syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for ISSB Evaluation in PMA Graduate Course, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Intelligence and Aptitude Tests

   3 topics

   • Verbal Intelligence Test
   • Non-Verbal Intelligence Test
   • Mechanical Aptitude
2. 2

   Psychological Tests

   4 topics

   • Thematic Apperception (Picture Stories)
   • Word Association Test
   • Sentence Completion Test
   • Self Description / Pointer Stories
3. 3

   Group Testing Tasks

   5 topics

   • Group Discussion
   • Progressive Group Task (PGT)
   • Half Group Task
   • Command Task
   • Final Group Task
4. 4

   Physical and Obstacle Tasks

   2 topics

   • Individual Obstacles
   • Group Obstacle Race
5. 5

   Interview

   3 topics

   • Personal Background Questions
   • Current Affairs Discussion
   • Situational Judgment
6. 6

   Officer-Like Qualities

   3 topics

   • Leadership and Confidence
   • Communication Skills
   • Decision Making and Initiative

ISSB Evaluation flashcards for PMA Graduate Course

23 of 50 cards from the ISSB Evaluation deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What does ISSB stand for, and what is its primary purpose in the PMA selection process?

   Inter-Services Selection Board. It is a 4-day testing process that assesses a candidate's officer-like qualities (OLQs), intelligence, personality, and leadership potential for commissioning into Pakistan's armed forces.

2. What are the three main groups of testers who evaluate a candidate during ISSB?

   The Psychologist, the Group Testing Officer (GTO), and the Deputy President / Interviewing Officer (the President's board). The final selection is by consensus among all three.

3. What is the purpose of the Verbal Intelligence Test at ISSB?

   To measure a candidate's mental ability using language-based questions (analogies, synonyms/antonyms, coding-decoding, series, problems) to assess reasoning, comprehension, and speed of thought.

4. How are Verbal Intelligence Test items typically presented and timed?

   As a set of multiple-choice/short-answer questions given in a fixed booklet with a strict overall time limit, where speed and accuracy together determine the score; unanswered items score zero, so attempting maximum questions is key.

5. What is a Non-Verbal Intelligence Test and how does it differ from the Verbal test?

   It measures reasoning using figures, shapes, patterns, and diagrams instead of words. It removes language bias, testing spatial reasoning, pattern recognition, series completion, odd-one-out, and figure analogies.

6. Name four common question types found in a Non-Verbal Intelligence Test.

   Figure series completion, figure analogy, odd-one-out (classification), and figure matrices/embedded-figure (which shape completes the pattern).

7. What is the formula for Intelligence Quotient (IQ)?

   IQ = (Mental Age / Chronological Age) x 100. An IQ of 100 represents average intelligence for one's age.

8. In IQ classification, what range is generally considered 'Average' intelligence?

   An IQ of roughly 90 to 110 is classified as Average (normal) intelligence.

9. What does Mechanical Aptitude testing assess at ISSB?

   A candidate's practical understanding of basic mechanical and physical principles such as gears, pulleys, levers, gravity, motion, balance, and simple machines, predicting ability to grasp technical/engineering concepts.

10. Give three examples of concepts tested in a Mechanical Aptitude / mechanical comprehension test.

    Gear rotation direction and speed ratios, pulley systems and mechanical advantage, and lever/fulcrum balance (load vs effort).

11. In a simple machine, what is the formula for Mechanical Advantage (MA)?

    Mechanical Advantage = Load / Effort (or, ideally, the ratio of effort-arm distance to load-arm distance).

12. For two meshing gears, how does the smaller gear's speed compare to the larger gear's?

    The smaller gear rotates faster than the larger one; their speeds are inversely proportional to the number of teeth (gear ratio = driven teeth / driver teeth).

13. What is the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), also called Picture Stories, at ISSB?

    A projective psychological test where the candidate is shown a series of pictures (one blank) and must write an imaginative story for each, revealing personality, motives, attitudes, and officer-like qualities.

14. How many pictures are typically shown in the ISSB Picture Story (TAT) test, and how long is given per story?

    Usually around 11-12 slides (including one blank slide), with roughly 30 seconds to view each picture and about 4 minutes to write each story.

15. In TAT, what three elements should a good story contain?

    A clear hero (with whom the candidate identifies), a logical situation/problem, and a positive, action-oriented resolution showing initiative and a constructive outcome.

16. What does the blank slide in the TAT require the candidate to do?

    Imagine and write a story of their own choosing, revealing self-generated themes, drives, and natural thinking without any picture cue.

17. What is the Word Association Test (WAT) and what does it measure?

    A projective test in which the candidate is shown words one by one and must instantly write the first sentence/thought each word brings to mind, revealing spontaneous attitudes, values, and personality.

18. How many words are typically shown in the WAT and how much time is given per word?

    Usually about 60 words are flashed, with roughly 15 seconds allowed to respond (write a sentence) for each word.

19. Why is spontaneity important in the Word Association Test?

    Because the short time limit prevents over-thinking, so the first genuine response best reflects the candidate's true subconscious attitudes, which is what the psychologist evaluates.

20. What is the Sentence Completion Test (SCT) at ISSB?

    A projective test giving incomplete sentences (sentence stems) that the candidate must finish quickly, revealing thoughts, attitudes toward self, family, authority, and society.

21. How many sentences are typically given in the SCT and how much time per sentence?

    Usually about 60 incomplete sentences, with roughly 15 seconds allowed to complete each one.

22. Name three common themes that Sentence Completion Test stems are designed to probe.

    Attitude toward authority/seniors, family relationships, and self-concept/ambitions (also fears, attitude to opposite sex, and society).

23. What is the Self-Description / Pointer Stories test at ISSB?

    A written exercise where the candidate describes themselves as seen by parents, teachers/friends, and themselves, and states what they aspire to be, assessing self-awareness and honesty.

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