PMA Graduate Course ISSB Evaluation Syllabus

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.

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).

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.

Which perspectives must a candidate write about in the Self-Description test?

Typically: how parents see you, how teachers/friends/colleagues see you, how you see yourself, and what kind of person you wish to become.

What is the purpose of the Self-Description test for the psychologist?

To check consistency between the candidate's self-image and the personality revealed by the projective tests (TAT, WAT, SCT), and to gauge self-awareness, honesty, and maturity.

Which ISSB tasks are conducted by the Group Testing Officer (GTO)?

Group Discussion, Group Planning (Military Planning), Progressive Group Task (PGT), Half Group Task, Lecturette, Individual Obstacles, Command Task, Snake Race (Group Obstacle Race), and the Final Group Task.

What is the Group Discussion (GD) task at ISSB?

An unstructured discussion where the group debates given topics with no appointed leader, assessing communication, reasoning, knowledge, confidence, and the ability to influence and cooperate.

How many topics are usually given in ISSB Group Discussion and is a conclusion required?

Usually two topics (one often a choice), discussed informally; no formal agreement or conclusion is required, as the GTO observes participation and interaction rather than a verdict.

What officer-like qualities does the Group Discussion primarily reveal?

Effective communication, social adaptability, reasoning ability, knowledge/awareness, self-confidence, and the capacity to listen and influence others without dominating.

What is the Progressive Group Task (PGT) at ISSB?

The first outdoor obstacle task where the whole group, with no appointed leader, crosses a series of progressively harder obstacles using given helping materials (plank, rope, etc.) within stated rules.

Why is it called 'Progressive' Group Task?

Because the obstacles increase in difficulty progressively from the first to the last, so the group must apply increasing teamwork and ingenuity as they advance.

What are the standard rules (limitations) common to ISSB group obstacle tasks like the PGT?

Rules of Out-of-Bounds (don't touch the ground colour-marked out of bounds), Distance (the gap rule for materials), Colour rule (e.g., red can't touch blue), and Load rule (the load must be carried across).

What is the colour rule in ISSB outdoor tasks?

Certain colours represent danger and cannot touch each other or the helping materials; e.g., a red-marked obstacle or material is treated as out of bounds or 'electrified' and must not be contacted.

What helping materials are typically provided in PGT-type tasks?

A wooden plank (and sometimes a second balli/pole), a rope, and a load (a heavy drum or weight) that must be carried across all obstacles.

What is the Half Group Task (HGT) at ISSB?

An obstacle task identical in nature to the PGT but performed by half the group, so the GTO can observe each candidate's contribution more closely with fewer members and one obstacle to cross.

Why is the Half Group Task useful to the GTO?

Because splitting the group in half gives quieter or overshadowed candidates more room to participate and lead, allowing clearer assessment of each individual's qualities.

What is the Command Task at ISSB?

A task where one candidate is appointed as commander, given subordinates (helpers) of their choice from the group, and must complete an obstacle by directing them, testing leadership, planning, and command ability.

How does the Command Task differ from the group obstacle tasks?

In the Command Task there is a designated commander who plans and gives orders to chosen subordinates, whereas PGT/HGT/FGT have no appointed leader and rely on collective effort.

What qualities does the Command Task primarily assess?

Leadership, decision-making under pressure, planning and organising ability, clarity of command, confidence, and the capacity to get a task done through others.

What is the Final Group Task (FGT) at ISSB?

The last outdoor obstacle task in which the whole group again works together, without an appointed leader, to cross one final obstacle, giving the GTO a concluding view of group cohesion and individual OLQs.

How does the Final Group Task differ from the Progressive Group Task?

The FGT is a single obstacle done by the full group at the end of testing (a final assessment), whereas the PGT is a series of progressively difficult obstacles done earlier; both are leaderless full-group tasks.

List the GTO tasks in their usual chronological order over the testing days.

Group Discussion, Group Planning, Progressive Group Task (PGT), Half Group Task, Lecturette, Individual Obstacles, Command Task, Final Group Task (Snake Race/Group Obstacle Race is also included).

What is the Snake Race (Group Obstacle Race) and how does it relate to the group tasks?

A competitive GTO task where teams race over obstacles carrying a rolled 'snake' (tent/load), assessing team spirit, stamina, and cooperation; it is a group task distinct from the leaderless planning-type tasks.

What is the key difference between the psychologist's tests and the GTO's tasks?

Psychologist's tests (TAT, WAT, SCT, Self-Description, intelligence tests) are written/projective and assess inner personality and mental ability; GTO tasks are practical outdoor/discussion exercises assessing observable leadership and group behaviour.

Compare TAT, WAT, and SCT in one line each by what stimulus they use.

TAT uses pictures (write a story), WAT uses single words (write a sentence), and SCT uses incomplete sentences (complete them); all three are projective personality tests.

What is a 'Lecturette' in the GTO series and what does it test?

A short individual talk (about 3 minutes) on a chosen topic from a given card, testing the candidate's ability to organise thoughts quickly, speak confidently, and express ideas clearly to a group.

What are the Individual Obstacles at ISSB and how are they scored?

A set of about 10 obstacles (e.g., jumps, walls, ropes) the candidate tackles alone within a time limit; obstacles carry increasing point values, testing courage, stamina, determination, and self-confidence.

In the Group Planning task, what is the candidate required to do?

Study a map/situation with several simultaneous problems, individually write a plan to solve them within the time and resources given, then discuss as a group and present an agreed plan.

What is the 'Out-of-Bounds' rule and why does it matter in obstacle tasks?

The ground/area marked out of bounds represents impassable terrain (e.g., water/ditch) that no person or material may touch; violating it means the attempt is invalid, so the group must use only the structures and helping materials.

Summarise the main difference between PGT, Half Group Task, Command Task, and Final Group Task.

PGT: full group, leaderless, progressive series of obstacles. Half Group Task: half the group, leaderless, one obstacle. Command Task: one appointed commander directs chosen helpers over an obstacle. Final Group Task: full group, leaderless, a single concluding obstacle.