ISSB vs PMA Long Course: What Is the Difference?

Many candidates search for "ISSB or PMA Long Course" as if they were two different things to choose between. They are not. They are two parts of the same journey to becoming a Pakistan Army officer.

The short answer

	PMA Long Course	ISSB
What it is	An entry scheme / course to become a regular commissioned officer	A selection board that assesses candidates
Full form	Pakistan Military Academy Long Course	Inter Services Selection Board
Who runs it	Pakistan Army, training at PMA Kakul (Abbottabad)	Inter Services Selection Board, for the Army, Navy and Air Force
What you do there	About 2 years of military training as a cadet	A multi-day set of tests, tasks and interviews
Result	Commission as a Second Lieutenant	Recommended or not recommended for selection

In simple words: you apply for PMA Long Course, and ISSB decides whether you are fit to become an officer.

How they connect: the full path

1. Register online for the PMA Long Course on joinpakarmy.gov.pk during the registration window.
2. Initial tests at an Army Selection & Recruitment Centre: intelligence and academic tests, a physical test, an initial interview and an initial medical.
3. ISSB call: candidates who pass the initial tests are called to ISSB.
4. ISSB assessment over several days (see below).
5. GHQ selection and final medical for recommended candidates.
6. Join PMA Kakul as a cadet for the Long Course training.
7. Passing out and commission as a Second Lieutenant.

ISSB is not only for the Long Course

ISSB assesses candidates for many officer entries, not only PMA Long Course. The same kind of ISSB assessment is used for other Army commission routes and for Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force officer entries. So if you hear "ISSB", it means the selection stage; the entry (Long Course, Graduate Course, Navy, PAF and others) is what you applied for.

What happens at ISSB?

ISSB checks officer-like qualities: confidence, leadership, teamwork, honesty and quick thinking. It usually includes:

• Intelligence tests (verbal and non-verbal)
• Psychological tests: word association, sentence completion, story writing (picture tests) and a self-description
• Group tasks: group discussion, group planning, outdoor group tasks and obstacles
• Individual tasks and a short lecture/talk
• Interview with a deputy president

How to prepare for each stage

Initial tests (before ISSB)

• Practise intelligence tests every day: series, analogies, odd one out and figure patterns. Use our Analytical Reasoning MCQs.
• Revise English, Maths, General Knowledge and Pakistan Studies on the Pak Army Officer exam page.
• Build fitness: running, push-ups and sit-ups.

ISSB

• Be yourself. Assessors are trained to notice memorised, "perfect" answers.
• Read the newspaper daily and follow current affairs.
• In group discussions, speak clearly, give reasons and let others speak.
• In the psychological tests, write fast and positively; do not overthink.

PMA

• Arrive physically fit. Training at PMA is demanding from day one.

Quick facts to remember

• ISSB = Inter Services Selection Board
• PMA = Pakistan Military Academy, located at Kakul, Abbottabad
• A Long Course cadet is commissioned as a Second Lieutenant

Read our full PMA Long Course and ISSB guide for the current course's dates, age and height requirements.

Always confirm dates, eligibility and the latest process on the official website joinpakarmy.gov.pk.