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PMA Joining Instructions 2025 – So how can you be admitted to PMA? First of all, let’s talk about the Pakistan Military Academy. It is our military training institute. It is not an educational institute where people study subjects like in a school or college.
At PMA, cadets undergo military drills, combat tactics, and physical endurance training to build mental resilience and leadership skills. The army officer training program includes an obstacle course, strategic planning, discipline training, and team coordination exercises. Weapon handling, survival skills, and military ethics are also key components of the cadet training modules.
Documents Required For PMA Long Course
PMA Joining Letter
Military Training and ISSB (Inter-Services Selection Board)
You go there for military training. To undergo that training, you first must go through ISSB (Inter-Services Selection Board). There are initial tests, and after you pass and become a military personnel candidate, you go to the Pakistan Military Academy. Now, what should you do to get into PMA? I will come to those details. Listen carefully.
It is a dream for many to be a part of the Pakistan Military Academy, which has produced numerous great legends who have served in the Pakistan Army and other service branches, including the Air Force, Navy, and Strategic Plans Division Force. The academy trains some of the finest minds, and Pakistan’s defense forces are among the best in the world.
Eligibility Criteria for PMA 156 Admission 2025
First of all, if you meet the military academy age limits and are an unmarried Pakistani civilian under the age of 22, you can easily apply to the Pakistan Military Academy.
If your academic background isn’t exceptional, you will need to have a B-form as nationality proof. It is necessary to have this form, and along with that, your marital status must be unmarried. If you meet the educational requirements by completing intermediate education (or its equivalent), you are eligible for application. For those who are graduates and above 24 years of age, you are still eligible to apply for ISSB under the Army officer entry requirements.
If you have a CNIC and are unmarried, and between 17 to 24 years of age, you can go ahead. You must meet the medical fitness and physical standards criteria, including minimum height and vision standards, to proceed with the fitness assessment. Additionally, if you are already serving in the military, whether as a soldier, lance naik, or any other rank, and you are between 17 to 25 years of age, you are eligible to join PMA as well.
Steps to Clear ISSB and PMA Admission
Of course, you can go with ISSB (Inter-Services Selection Board) with or without any doubts, no matter how far off the mark you think you are. For that, you should visit the Military Centre.
The telephone numbers are provided, and you can find out more from there. But I am telling you the clear-cut information: you are eligible. You can go through ISSB with or without completing intermediate classes.
The registration process starts with an initial screening, followed by the written test and intelligence test. The test process includes multiple stages, such as personality assessment, group discussions, and the confidence test. Additionally, candidates must pass the physical fitness test and undergo a psychological analysis as part of the selection procedure.
To improve your chances, focus on test format, take practice tests, and review sample tests. Proper preparation, including study tips and success notes, will help you perform better in the intelligence test and overall tests.
Preparation for ISSB Tests
Along with that, if you have a B.Sc., there’s a process after that. It may take one, two, or three years. You need to make photocopies of all your documents, create a file, submit it, and then proceed with ISSB. You will go step by step to succeed in ISSB. First, you have to take the Initial Test. The Initial Test consists of Verbal and Non-Verbal tests, and then the third stage is the academic test, which is based on what you have studied.
The academic subjects include Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Maths, English, Urdu, General Knowledge, Islamic Studies, and Pakistan Studies. These are the major subjects, and alongside these, you will also need knowledge of Current Affairs, National Affairs, and International Affairs. I also provide online preparation for students. You can prepare online with me. Many students from all over Pakistan, and even globally, are preparing with me.
Additionally, developing logical reasoning, analytical skills, and situational judgment is crucial. Time management and English proficiency play a key role in these exams. The selection process also assesses psychological conditioning, leadership qualities, and personality development. Confidence-building and strategic thinking are essential for success.
Physical and Medical Tests for PMA
Students from urban areas and even those from frontier regions also prepare with me. Once you complete this process, you can easily get into ISSB. After that, you will initially undergo a psychological assessment test and a medical test. In the medical test, you will have to perform running, sit-ups, push-ups, sprints, and pull-ups. These exercises check your physical fitness, and your medical exam will also include a check of your eyesight.
During the Detailed Medical Examination, your stamina will be assessed through running endurance, and you must meet push-up requirements, sit-up criteria, and chin-up standards. Additionally, BMI calculation will determine your body composition.
Detailed Medical Examination
You go for a piles check, and along with that, diabetes is also checked. All health aspects are examined, including a blood test, X-ray analysis, dental check-up, and ECG report. Additionally, a skin disorders test, allergy screening, and hernia examination are conducted. Your initial medical test is done to ensure you meet the vision standards for military candidates and hearing requirements for cadets.
Further medical evaluations include a color blindness test, kidney function test, respiratory check-up, eye coordination test, spinal cord check, posture assessment, reflexes test, and joint flexibility test. Your blood pressure for the armed forces is also assessed to determine your fitness.
Once you pass these stages in the Army medical test process, you will receive a fitness certificate for Army officers.
Afterward, within approximately two months, you will receive a call informing you of the ISSB center where your name is registered. There are four ISSB sub-centers across Pakistan: one in Malir, one in Quetta, one in Kohat, and one in Gujranwala. You could receive a call letter from any of these four centers.
ISSB Centers and Group Tasks
Many candidates ask, “Can I choose the ISSB center based on my preference? Can I go to Karachi? If I get a letter for Karachi, can I change it to Gujranwala?” The answer is no. This is not based on personal preference. Listen carefully, the call letters for ISSB are not dependent on your wishes.
These are assigned according to army selection test locations and military assessment regulations. The regions are divided by the military, and you must go to the center assigned to you. You cannot change it according to your choice.
Once your name is assigned to a particular center, you must go there and present yourself to the ISSB board. You will be there for approximately five days. During these five days, you will undergo various group discussions, outdoor tasks, leadership roles, and team exercises. On the first day, you’ll go through all the initial tests that you have already done.
The next day, you’ll take the screen test, which includes screen picture writing, story writing, and sentence writing. This can sometimes happen on the third day as well. Some candidates may say, “Oh no, Sir, it happens on the second day.” But please don’t get confused. The exact timing of these discussion topics for military tests can vary slightly from person to person.
Interviews and Final Selection
Don’t overthink it. Whether the ISSB calls you for the officer post on the second day or the third day doesn’t matter. What matters is that you prepare well. After that, there will be group discussions, followed by group tasks. I have made videos on these different stages, so pay attention to them, and you will learn how to succeed.
If you succeed, you will know soon enough. After the panel interview, you’ll be told right there whether you were rejected or accepted. If you’re accepted, the military will give you a daily allowance for the days you stay at the ISSB center. Afterward, if you’re selected, you will go for training. You’ll be informed about the schedule. Usually, within two months, you’ll be called back for training, but sometimes it may take longer.
During the psychological assessment, candidates will undergo leadership evaluation, communication skills testing, and confidence display. You will also be asked general knowledge questions, undergo a personal background check, and be tested on logical reasoning, stress handling, and moral reasoning.
Importance of Focusing on the Process
However, don’t get caught up in these details. Focus on what I’m repeatedly emphasizing. Many candidates often worry about trivial things, but you don’t need to keep saying, “This happened, that happened.”
We know how these processes work, so instead of worrying about the little things, use this information to your advantage. Don’t overthink or try to show off what you know—it’s good to be knowledgeable, but remember you’re still in the process of learning.
So, listen carefully to the advice I’m giving you and implement it. Once you pass all the stages and go for training, that’s when your journey at Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) truly begins.
Training at PMA and Progression in Rank
You undergo military training at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) for one year, during which you also receive a graduation degree. This training duration at the military academy includes combat training for officer candidates, field exercises for armed forces, and military tactics for cadets to build endurance and survival techniques. Upon successful completion of this training, you are commissioned into the Muslim units of the Pakistan military. In the unit where you’re commissioned, you begin your service as a lieutenant, following the rank structure in the Pakistan Army.
You are given the rank of second lieutenant initially. After approximately six months as a second lieutenant, you are promoted to lieutenant. During this period, you undergo specialized training for cadets, including combat simulations, strategic operations, and advanced weaponry handling. Upon completing both trainings, your grade increases from fourteen to sixteen, and there is a slight increase in your pay as well. Your performance evaluation plays a crucial role in your progression track and promotion criteria for army officers.
Military Life and Marriage Regulations
As a captain, you move to grade seventeen, and you receive three stars on your shoulder and three pips in your insignia. This is the process through which you become a captain. After you complete your military training and reach this rank, you are eligible to get married, as per the marriage regulations in military life.
Many candidates ask, “Sir, can we not get married during training?” The rule of being unmarried applies only during the two years of your initial training. Once you join the military and work hard to complete your training, there’s no issue with marriage eligibility after becoming a captain. However, relationship restrictions and regulations for officer marriages must be followed, ensuring compliance with family policies and work-life balance in the armed forces.
You’ll also receive certain benefits for military families, including housing benefits and other facilities. Spousal support, family support in military life, and deployment effects are key considerations for officers. The office cadre also includes lady officers, psychologists, teachers, and veterinary officers, all of whom play essential roles in social life in the armed forces.
Conclusion
Many students often ask about the possibility of getting married during training. Some say, “If we have a strong desire to get married, what should we do?” Let me clarify that while undergoing training, the rule is that you must remain unmarried.
The reason behind this is to ensure your full focus on the training. If you are unmarried, you’re not sent back home frequently. So, when you’re at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA), the focus is solely on your military training. During this time, you go through leadership roles, team exercises, and an obstacle course to develop leadership skills and mental resilience. You also undergo various assessments like the confidence test, lung capacity test, and heart rate assessment to ensure physical fitness. Additionally, moral reasoning, ethical judgment, and motivational speech sessions are part of your training.
Admission to the PMA is not for academic qualifications like Ph.D., B.Sc., or M.Sc. It is strictly for military training, and once you’re admitted, you become a government employee. As a trainee, you receive a salary and are considered a government official during your time at PMA. Over time, aspects like promotion exams, the rank hierarchy, work-life balance, pension benefits, and children’s education become important. Before joining, you must also provide nationality proof as part of the selection process.
FAQs
What are the requirements to join PMA?
He must be a Pakistani citizen. FA, FSc, or equivalent certificate with at least 50 percent marks. Height should be 5.4 inches and the medical fit to join the Pakistan military academy.
Are mobile phones allowed in PMA?
No, mobile phones are not allowed in the initial as well as the ISSB test of pma long course test
What documents are required for the Army initial test?
Matric, FSc or equivalent degree certificate, CNIC, and Domicile are required for the initial test.
What happens in 4 days of ISSB?
There are different test heads on the inter-service selection board of the Pakistan military academy. Mostly it depends upon the interview session and the group discussion task. The student also provides their physical fitness through different obstacles and tasks.