[ The complete guide ]

The ISSB screening tests, in detail

The ISSB selection process begins with a Screening Test. This guide covers it in detail: the Intelligence Test, the Picture Perception and Description Test, the Personality Test, and the story tests that follow for the candidates who qualify.

Last verified: August 2026 · Sources: issb-bd.org, official recruitment circulars, first-hand candidate accounts

[ Contents ]

Section 01

Items to Bring

Everything candidates should bring to the ISSB: tracksuits, sports and formal shoes, formal attire for the Written Test and DP's Interview, utility items, academic documents, and the prohibited items list..

Section 02

Preparatory Guide

A comprehensive day-by-day preparation guide for the ISSB 4-day selection program: what happens on Days 1–4, the tests included each day, and how to get ready..

Section 03

The Intelligence Test

The first stage of the ISSB Screening Test: a 50-item non-verbal test in 26 minutes and a 100-item verbal test in 35 minutes, and the strategy of moving on..

Section 04

The PPDT screening test in detail

How the PPDT screening test works on ISSB Day 1: the short picture display, the story you write, and the group discussion that follows..

Section 05

The Personality Test

The ISSB Personality Test on the afternoon of Day 1: TAT, Story from Beginning Lines, WAT, SCT, Self-Description, My Life and Memorable Incidents — free association with no right or wrong answers..

Section 06

TAT & Story from Beginning Lines

The Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) and Story from Beginning Lines: how many stories you write, how long you get per picture, and why original stories matter..

Section 07

Word Association Test (WAT)

The Word Association Test (WAT): a word shown for 10 seconds, one meaningful sentence per word, and why quick, natural, honest responses score best..

Section 08

Sentence Completion Test (SCT)

The Sentence Completion Test (SCT): incomplete sentences run in both Bangla and English, and why quick, honest, realistic completions are the best responses..

Section 09

GTO Tests (Days 2 & 3)

After the screening tests, the Group Testing Officers (GTOs) run the outdoor group tests on Days 2 and 3: how candidates are divided into groups, introduced to the ground, and briefed on the rules..

Section 10

Group Discussion

Group Discussion in the ISSB GTO tests: an inclusive, topic-based discussion in two stages — Bangla first, then English — and how candidates are assessed and can prepare..

Section 11

Progressive Group Task (PGT)

The Progressive Group Task (PGT): the group crosses a series of obstacles with a heavy object using bamboo poles, ropes and planks — and what the GTO assesses..

Section 12

Half Group Task (HGT)

The Half Group Task (HGT): a shorter, single-stage version of the PGT run in subgroups — same rules, less time, and what the GTO assesses..

Section 13

PAT Field Items

The Physical Ability Test (PAT) field items: Long Jump, Burma Bridge, Ladder Crossing, Zigzag Run and Push-up — distances, repetitions, and how to practise each safely..

Section 14

Extempore Speech

The Extempore Speech after the 1 km run and tea break: a token with two topics, a short preparation time, and a three-to-four-minute speech in English — and what is assessed..

Section 15

Planning Exercise

The Planning Exercise on the morning of Day 3: a written phase on a laptop with a sketch and incident description, then a group discussion phase — and how candidates are assessed..

Section 16

Command Task

The ISSB Command Task: lead a small team for a short time, choose three subordinates, carry a heavy load, and complete the task within seven minutes — and what is assessed..

Section 17

Mutual Assessment

The Mutual Assessment, the last test on the GTO ground on Day 3: assess your group members on a short answer sheet based on four days of shared experience — and what is evaluated..

Section 18

Deputy President Interview

The ISSB Deputy President Interview: appearing individually, what the Deputy President assesses, formal attire, self-confidence, and the required educational certificates and documents..

Section 19

ISSB Overview

About the ISSB: selection since 1976, a four-day stay, accommodation for 200–250 candidates, dining hall, free laundry, free medical treatment, and how to change a scheduled exam date..

[ How to use this guide ]

Pack what you need

Before anything else, know what to bring: tracksuits, formal attire for the Written Test and DP's Interview, utility items, documents — and the prohibited items list.

Follow the Preparatory Guide

The whole 4-day program at a glance: what happens each day, the tests included, and how the final assessment and feedback work.

Start with the screening tests

The Intelligence Test opens the screening process. Read about its two parts, the timing, and how to approach the questions.

Know the PPDT before Day 1

The Picture Perception and Description Test runs right after it: the written phase, the discussion phase, and what the assessors watch for.

Then the Personality Test

The psychometric battery on the afternoon of Day 1: TAT, Story from Beginning Lines, WAT, SCT, Self-Description, My Life and Memorable Incidents — free association with no right answers.

Then the story tests

Finish with how the TAT and Story from Beginning Lines work, so you write original stories, not rehearsed ones.

WAT: one sentence, ten seconds

The Word Association Test shows a word for 10 seconds — write the first meaningful sentence that comes to mind.

SCT: complete the sentence

The Sentence Completion Test in Bangla and English: finish each incomplete sentence quickly, honestly, without hesitation.

Then the GTO tests

Days 2 and 3 move outdoors: the Group Testing Officers divide candidates into groups and run the group-based tests on the ground.

Group Discussion

The informal, topic-based discussion in two stages — Bangla first, then English — and how to prepare for it.

PGT: cross the obstacles together

The Progressive Group Task: stages of obstacles, a heavy object, and helping materials — the whole group must cross each stage in time.

HGT: the shorter group task

The Half Group Task: a single-stage PGT run in subgroups, with quicker decisions and collective execution under limited time.

Then the PAT field items

The physical events: Long Jump, Burma Bridge, Ladder Crossing, Zigzag Run and Push-up — the distances, repetitions, and how to practise each.

Extempore Speech

After the 1 km run and tea break: a token with two topics, short prep time, and a three-to-four-minute speech in English.

Planning Exercise

Day 3 morning: write a plan from a sketch and incident description, then defend it in the group discussion phase.

Command Task

Lead a small team: pick three subordinates, carry the heavy load, and finish the task within seven minutes.

Mutual Assessment

The last GTO ground test: assess your group members on a short answer sheet, based on four days of shared experience.

Deputy President Interview

Appear individually in formal attire, answer fluently, and bring your educational certificates and supporting documents.

ISSB Overview

The stay, facilities and practicalities: accommodation for 200–250, dining hall, free laundry, medical care, and date changes.

[ Your preparation ]

Read the guide. Then write. Then get assessed.

Write a PPDT story or a set of WAT lines and ISSB AI assesses them before the board does. Free to start.

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