I remember sitting in the waiting area of the ISSB center at 6:30 AM, clutching my call-up letter, trying to look calm. My heart was pounding. I had no idea what was coming next. Every other candidate around me looked equally nervous — some were whispering prayers, others were staring at the walls.
The biggest fear on Day 1 is the unknown. You don't know what time you'll eat, when you'll sleep, or what tasks they'll throw at you. That uncertainty is worse than any test.
So let me remove that fear. I'm going to walk you through every single hour of ISSB Day 1 — from reporting to lights out. This is based on my own experience (second attempt) plus detailed accounts from three recommended candidates who went through different centers (Kohat, Gujranwala, and Malir).
The schedule may vary slightly between centers and batches, but the structure is almost identical. Knowing it beforehand takes away 50% of the anxiety.
Before You Arrive: The Night Before
Most candidates travel to the ISSB center a day early. I reached Gujranwala at 8 PM the previous night and stayed at a nearby hotel. Big mistake? I barely slept. Too nervous. The bed was uncomfortable. The tea from the roadside stall kept me awake.
What I learned:
- Reach at least 4-5 hours before your reporting time, not the night before. You'll be too anxious to sleep anyway.
- Eat a light dinner. Nothing spicy or oily. You don't want digestion issues on Day 1.
- Keep your call-up letter, CNIC/B-Form, photographs, and stationery in a single folder. Check it three times before leaving.
- Set an alarm with a backup. I used two phones.
Reporting time is usually 6:00 AM or 6:30 AM. Don't be late. Even 5 minutes late creates a bad first impression.
Hour-by-Hour Breakdown of Day 1
| Time | Activity | Key Things to Know |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 – 7:00 AM | Reporting, document check, name call | Queue up with your documents. They'll verify everything. Then you wait in a large hall. You'll be divided into groups of 8-12 candidates. |
| 7:00 – 7:30 AM | Welcome address by GTO | A senior GTO or psychologist welcomes you. They explain the schedule and rules. Listen carefully. Don't ask silly questions. They're already observing your behavior. |
| 7:30 – 8:30 AM | Psychological Test – Written (Part 1) | Word Association Test (WAT) and Sentence Completion Test (SCT). Around 100 words and 50 sentences. Time per word: 15 seconds. They play a recorded voice or use a projector. You write in a booklet. |
| 8:30 – 9:30 AM | Psychological Test – Written (Part 2) | Thematic Apperception Test (TAT). 12 pictures shown one by one. You write a story for each. 4 minutes per picture. This is where most candidates panic. Stay calm. Write simple, positive, logical stories. |
| 9:30 – 10:30 AM | Breakfast / Tea Break | You'll be taken to a mess hall. Eat something light. Don't overeat. You'll be nervous, so food might not settle well. Drink water. Talk to other candidates but don't boast or complain. |
| 10:30 – 12:30 PM | Group Discussion (GD) | Your group sits in a circle. A topic is given (current affairs or social issue). You discuss for 20-30 minutes. The GTO observes silently. Don't dominate. Don't stay silent. Speak when you have something meaningful to add. |
| 12:30 – 1:30 PM | Lecturette (Individual Presentation) | Each candidate gets a topic. You get 2 minutes to prepare and 3 minutes to speak in front of the group and GTO. Topics range from "Social media" to "Why I want to join the army." Speak clearly, maintain eye contact, don't read from notes. |
| 1:30 – 2:30 PM | Lunch Break | Same mess hall. More relaxed now. But don't let your guard down completely. The GTO might still be observing your table manners and how you interact. |
| 2:30 – 4:00 PM | Intelligence Tests (IQ) | Verbal and non-verbal IQ tests. Pattern recognition, analogies, arithmetic reasoning, etc. Speed matters more than accuracy. Skip difficult questions and come back if time permits. |
| 4:00 – 4:30 PM | Tea Break | Short break. Stretch your legs. Your brain is probably fried by now. |
| 4:30 – 5:30 PM | Outdoor Group Task Introduction | GTO explains the obstacle course and Group Planning Task (GPT). You'll be taken to the ground and shown the obstacles. No actual execution on Day 1 — just briefing and demonstration. |
| 5:30 – 6:30 PM | Self-Description & Personal Information Form | You fill a detailed form about yourself: education, family, achievements, hobbies, why you want to join. Be honest. This form will be used in your interview. Don't exaggerate. |
| 6:30 – 7:30 PM | Free Time / Personal Time | You can rest, talk to group members, call home (if allowed). Some centers allow phone access, others don't. Don't overthink the day's events. What's done is done. |
| 7:30 – 8:30 PM | Dinner | Eat well but not heavy. You need energy for the next day. Avoid spicy food. |
| 8:30 – 9:30 PM | Briefing for Next Day | GTO gathers everyone and explains Day 2 schedule. Usually includes more psych tests, GTO tasks (Group Planning Task and Progressive Group Task), and possibly the interview for some candidates. |
| 9:30 – 10:00 PM | Lights Out | Sleep time. You'll be tired. But some candidates struggle to sleep due to anxiety. Try deep breathing. Tomorrow is a big day. |
What Surprised Me Most About Day 1
A few things caught me off guard. I want you to be mentally prepared for them.
1. The waiting is the hardest part
There's a lot of hurry-up-and-wait. You'll sit in a hall for 30 minutes just waiting for the next activity. Don't get restless. Use that time to observe others, calm your mind, or review your notes mentally. Fidgeting or looking nervous gets noticed.
2. The GTO is always watching
Even during tea breaks and meals. I saw a candidate once who sat alone, didn't talk to anyone, and kept checking his phone. The GTO made a note. Later, that candidate was marked down for "poor social interaction." Be polite, talk to others, but don't be fake.
3. The TAT pictures are not what you expect
Some pictures are vague. One showed a man standing near a tree with a bicycle. Another had a woman looking out of a window. Don't overcomplicate. Write a simple story based on what you see. The psychologists are not looking for creativity — they're looking for your thought process and values.
4. The lecturette is scarier than it should be
Standing in front of 12 strangers and a GTO to speak for 3 minutes is terrifying. But here's the secret: the GTO is not judging your knowledge. They're judging your confidence, clarity, and ability to handle pressure. Even if you know nothing about the topic, speak logically and confidently. Say something like "This is a complex topic. From my understanding, the key aspects are..."
Common Mistakes Candidates Make on Day 1
| Mistake | Why It Hurts | How to Avoid It |
|---|---|---|
| Talking too much in GD | Seems dominating, not listening | Speak 3-4 times max. Let others speak. Build on their points. |
| Writing overly dramatic TAT stories | Seems fake or immature | Write realistic problems and solutions. No superhero stories. |
| Complaining about food or accommodation | Shows lack of adaptability | Accept discomfort as part of the process. |
| Asking the GTO unnecessary questions | Irritates the assessor | Listen carefully to instructions. Ask only if genuinely unclear. |
| Looking at others' answers during tests | Can get you disqualified | Focus on your own paper. Don't even glance sideways. |
What to Bring on Day 1 (Checklist)
Based on what I saw candidates struggle with — and what I forgot myself — here's your packing list:
- Call-up letter (original and photocopy)
- Original CNIC or B-Form (with photocopies)
- Passport-sized photographs (8-10, white background)
- Stationery – black and blue pens, pencil, eraser, sharpener (they provide some, but having your own is safer)
- Water bottle (optional, but useful)
- Simple watch (analog or digital, nothing fancy. You'll need it for timing in tests)
- Light jacket or sweater (morning and evening can be cold, especially in winter)
- Personal hygiene items – toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, towel
- Comfortable clothes for Day 2 physical tasks (track suit, sports shoes)
- Medications if you have any (inform the staff)
What NOT to bring: mobile phone (usually collected at entry), smartwatch, books, notes, expensive items, food from outside.
My Personal Day 1 Reflection
The first time I went through Day 1, I was a wreck. I wrote terrible TAT stories. I barely spoke in the GD. My lecturette was a stuttering mess. I went to bed thinking I had already failed.
But here's the thing — many candidates feel that way on Day 1. The assessment is not over. Day 2 and Day 3 give you chances to recover. One candidate in my group did poorly on psych tests but led the group task brilliantly on Day 2 and got recommended. Another did well on Day 1 but became overconfident and failed later.
The lesson? Don't judge your performance until the final result. Just focus on each task, one at a time.
On my second attempt, I went into Day 1 knowing exactly what to expect. I was still nervous, but not scared. That made all the difference.
Final Advice for the Night Before Day 1
- Sleep as early as you can. Even if you can't sleep, lie down with your eyes closed. Rest helps.
- Don't drink tea or coffee after 6 PM.
- Double-check your documents.
- Tell yourself: "I have prepared. I am enough. I will do my best."
- Trust the process. Thousands have passed before you. You can too.
Day 1 is just the beginning. It's a long journey, but you're ready. Go in with an open mind, a calm heart, and the determination to show them who you really are.
Disclaimer: This breakdown is based on my personal experience and accounts from multiple candidates at different ISSB centers (Gujranwala, Kohat, Malir). Schedules may vary slightly between batches and services (Army, Navy, Air Force). Always follow instructions given by the staff at your center. 🇵🇰
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