Why Candidates Cannot Perform Well at ISSB

[mwaraitch]

Since official data on various aspect of the tests at #ISSB is not publicly available, all we hear is gossiping, therefore, mystery surrounds these tests. The purpose of this short article is to describe some of the (possible) key reasons for failure at ISSB and guidelines for prospective candidates.

The information and advice contained in this article are personal opinion of the author and ARE NOT OFFICIAL VERSION of ISSB.

Lack of Career Counseling and "No Harm in Trying" type Approach
Know What You are Doing and Why? Very few youngsters in Pakistan have access to Career Councillors or exposure at age of 17/18 yrs to decide about their career path. The ones opting for Armed Forces are, finalizing their Career Paths at very early stages of their lives. Its therefore, imperative for a candidate to understand what he is doing and why. Merely "I love army" does not make sense. Try to learn what you are heading to, the challenges and issues of military life and its acceptability for you.

No Harm in Trying is Not a Correct Approach. While there are tangible preparatory milestones for university entrance tests, ISSB is treated with a Free for All, No Harm in Trying approach. Most candidates land up in ISSB without a serious thought on type / nature of tests and how to put across themselves for such tests. Certain candidates manage a quick training session in an ISSB Training Academy. Such candidates just go through the motions purposelessly at ISSB. Their actions and responses are based on "their master's voices' picked up from here and there.

The purposelessness, lack of seriousness of individual at given time (ISSB) and resultant failure to grasp nature of tests / present themselves accordingly overshadows their true potential.

Listening to lectures / talks on "how to select a profession" coupled with Why to Join Armed forces of Pakistan" may set some direction right.

Physical Agility is as Important as Mental Agility. Since many candidates appear for ISSB test immediately after the hectic academic session, they go wrong is assessing their physical fitness status. Performance is such cases is marred by weak / unimpressive physical performance.



Personality Based Tests at ISSB vs Experience of Academic Exams

Academic exam systems are mostly based on A given Answer to a particular Question. The students accordingly look for "what I will be asked and what is the answer to it". On the other hand tests personality trait assessment at ISSB cannot be a "one for all". As per Guidelines provided by ISSB tests at ISSB cover Leadership, Motivation, Self Confidence, Fitness, Awareness, expression etc. The response to questions related to personality traits cannot be mathematical as for Math, Physics, Chemistry etc. A candidate has to start thinking on how to improve and display his personality traits.

While its perfect to explore that "What can I be asked", the answer to every question must come from within you, NOT the one mentioned by Mr. Dogar or Bhatti in their books, NOT the one answered by your peer, NOT the one a Colonel Sahib told you. Don't look for fixed solutions, Be You.

Incorrect Approach and Defensive Masking of Personality

Many candidates adopt a self destructive approach of masking of their personality by exaggerating own strengths while hiding weaknesses. By doing so, they attempt to block access to their personalities, portray themselves as Superman / Batman / Spider-man. Such candidates fail to understand that the selectors are not to select or reject Superman / Batman / Spider-man.





I am Right Only if I can Prove others as Wrong. Some of the candidates get into competitive approach with selectors / other candidates, as if they have to defeat the selector / other candidates to prove themselves as superior. While there can be numerous reasons for this approach, it obviously would lead to dead end.

One Needs to Differentiate Between Truthfulness, Social Sense and Conversation Manners. In order to prove their frankness and truthfulness, many candidate loose social balance adopting vulgar language, talk against parents /teachers etc. Their are others who behave opposite, by portraying irritatingly artificial correctness in social behavior (very broad smile, every thing is good in the world).
Incorrect Coaching: Training at Academy is Not Encouraged By ISSB

Joining an academy seems popular option to prepare for a test. While training for any forthcoming exam / test is legitimate; an incorrect direction can be harmful. The institutional response of the ISSB as listed on its website is as under:-

Over the years some private institutions and coaching centers have mushroomed in the country to train the candidate for passing ISSB tests. You are advised not to join these for training and guidance. The training imparted in these centers is too restricted and brings in rigidity in thought process.

It would need a separate discussion on why and how training mentioned above can be harmful; however, it would suffice to say that the recruiting institute i.e. ISSB itself does not encourage it.

Peers Descriptions about ISSB Should be Intelligently Interpreted

Learning from peers, who have already attended ISSB is a natural option. However, the Peers have very limited exposure to ISSB and have limitations in interpreting their version of things. The peers reporting needs intelligent sifting to be useful.

Books about ISSB and Instructions / Guidelines of ISSB must be Read Carefully

Dogar Borthers have done an extremely good job in publishing useful preparatory material for different tests including that of ISSB. These guidelines provided by ISSB are adequate for undertaking preparation for ISSB. One needs to understand the broader prospective of "personality based testing system", No set answers, avoid masking ones personality to prepare himself in right direction.

Concluding List of Reasons for Failure

We always want to short all encompassing solution (rather trick) which takes us through, however; there are occasions when there are no set solutions. In the earlier part of this article, I have tried to explain some of the key reasons for failure in ISSB Tests. I am placing a generic list of common reasons for failure of candidate during tests at ISSB.

Lack of faith, confidence and self belief. Believe in Allah the almighty, work hard to learn and improve and have belief in yourself. Its done.

1. Inadequate or no preparations. This includes, not reading Guidelines / Instructions provided By ISSB. Books by Dogar Bothers can also be handy in understanding nature of the tests at ISSB. Try interpret these instructions with help of parents, family members and teachers. There is no rocket science in these.
2. Incorrect understanding of nature of Tests at ISSB, therefore taking these as an exam of math / physics thus trying to find "what will be asked and what should be reply". While you must try to explore that what can be asked, the second part i.e. what is to be answered has to come from within you. Prepare yourself for it. Your family can be the best coach to assist you.
3. Job Seeking approach with no clarity on what you are doing and why. You are joining a profession having long term impact on your life. Try to learn, why you are doing so, the other options and related pros and cons.
4. Incorrect Training at training centers and wrong / immature interpretations of peers experiences.
5. Lack of sincerity of purpose, evasive attitude / hiding tendencies (for fear of failure), show-off trends and exaggerations. If you have not stolen cow of neighbors, a bank robbery or a murder, if your name is not registered as criminal in a Police Station or NAB is not after you, you have nothing to hide. Shun artificiality, be simple and straight.
6. Being individualistic in team work. Teams succeeds only when the team members are sincere to the cause. Be there for others when they need you.
7. Over emphasizing your passion for Armed Forces makes you artificial. Moderation makes sense, everywhere.
8. Lack of ability to overcome failures and restart with even more energy. One may repeatedly fail to do things, answer questions etc. keep flowing. Learn to pick yourself up after falling down. Patience, hard work, energy and physical fitness are no more theoretical, demonstrate these over and over.

Failure to understand social sense, lack of truthfulness, conversation vs debate and striking balance, thereof.

Hope it helps. God Bless us All.