The PMA Long Course Initial Test has three parts Verbal Intelligence (84 MCQs/30 min), Non-Verbal Intelligence (64 MCQs/30 min), and an Academic Test (50 MCQs/30 min covering English, Math, Pakistan Studies, Islamiat, and General Knowledge). Candidates must clear Intelligence before attempting the Academic paper, and a Physical Test follows before the ISSB call letter is issued.
The PMA Long Course syllabus is very simple and easy to understand. After knowing the syllabus, you can easily prepare yourself for the initial test of pma long course of any year.
PMA Long Course Initial test syllabus explains the no of questions, topics, subjects, and other information related to the initial test. By knowing the Pma long course syllabus, the student can easily prepare for their Pakistan Military Academy test.
This is the very first thing to know about the pma test syllabus. In this article, we will provide a complete guide about the criteria and the syllabus of the pma long course. You can get more guidance about pma from the Official Website.
Every student must know the paper pattern of the PMA LC to get good marks in the actual exam. Gentlemen must know the structure and the timing of each section in the initial test of the pma long course. This will help to build confidence for the test. Students must prepare themselves according to this syllabus. This will help the candidate save time for strong preparation for the initial test.
PMA LC Verbal Intelligence Test Syllabus
PMA Long Course verbal intelligence syllabus includes Coding, Decoding, Relationship, percentage, synonyms, antonyms, and many others. This test covers important topics like verbal intelligence, logical reasoning, synonyms and antonyms, sentence structure, and analogies.
The exam pattern usually consists of objective questions, in which time management is very important. The Verbal Intelligence test consists of 84 MCQs to be completed in 30 minutes. There is no negative marking, but time management is very important.
Non-Verbal Intelligence Test Syllabus For PMA Long Course
Non-Verbal Intelligence test syllabus includes the Figures, and complete the image pattern-related questions. It consists of 64 MCQs and has to be completed in 30 minutes. There is no negative marking. This test covers important topics like shape ordering, pattern completion, relationships between different shapes, and geometric concepts. The exam pattern consists mostly of visual questions, where logical analysis and quick decision-making skills are important.
PMA Long Course Academic Test Syllabus
The Academic test for the PMA Long Course includes subjects like English, Mathematics, Pakistan Studies, Islamiat, and General Knowledge. This test consists of 50 objective questions (MCQs) for which 30 minutes are given, and there is no negative marking.
To pass, it is necessary to solve at least 25 questions correctly. Candidates should give equal attention to all the subjects, especially Mathematics and General Knowledge, as they carry high scores. You can easily succeed in this test by being punctual and paying attention to the correct answers.
- English – Basic grammar, synonyms/antonyms, sentence structure, and questions from short reading passages.
- Mathematics – Algebra, Geometry, Rates and Ratios, Percentages, and basic arithmetic problems.
- Pakistan Studies – History, geography, famous people, constitution, and important events of Pakistan.
- Islamic Studies – Basic Islamic teachings, important quotes from the Quran and Hadith, Islamic history, and everyday Islamic issues.
- General Knowledge – Current affairs, basic principles of science, international organizations, and general knowledge questions.
PMA Long Course Syllabus PDF
Many candidates search specifically for a downloadable version of the syllabus to study offline. A good PMA syllabus PDF should contain three things: the subject-wise breakdown, MCQ count per section, and at least one full-length sample paper. If you’re preparing your own PDF for readers, structure it exactly like the test itself Verbal, Non-Verbal, then Academic so students revise in the same order they’ll face on test day.
Pro Tip: Don’t rely on a single PDF source. Cross-check the MCQ count and timing against the latest official PMA advertisement each intake, since the exam pattern for the current PMA 158 intake includes a written test, a medical test, and an interview, and minor structural details can shift between courses.
PMA Long Course 159 Syllabus
Each new Long Course (158, 159, 160…) generally follows the same three-part structure Verbal Intelligence, Non-Verbal Intelligence, Academic but MCQ counts have varied slightly across recent courses. For example, the 158 course’s preliminary test used 60 verbal and 60 non-verbal questions, while some earlier courses used 84 verbal and 64 non-verbal MCQs. For PMA 159, candidates should prepare for both ranges (60–90 questions per intelligence section) rather than memorizing one fixed number, and confirm the exact count once the official 159 advertisement is published on joinpakarmy.gov.pk.
PMA Long Course 159 Initial Test Pattern
The overall pattern for PMA 159 is expected to remain: Verbal Intelligence → Non-Verbal Intelligence → Academic Test, each timed separately, computer-based, with no negative marking. Candidates who clear the initial test proceed toward the ISSB call letter.
Pro Tip: Because the initial test is fully computer-based (CBT), practice on a screen — not just on paper in the final two weeks before your test date. Reading MCQs off a monitor under a timer feels different from solving them in a notebook.
PMA Long Course Verbal Test Pattern
The Verbal Intelligence section tests how quickly and accurately you process language-based logic. Recurring question types across recent courses include:
| Question Type | Focus |
|---|---|
| Series | Numbers/Letters |
| Analogy | Word Pairs |
| Coding-Decoding | Pattern Logic |
| Synonyms/Antonyms | Vocabulary |
| Blood Relations | Family Logic |
| Direction Sense | Spatial Logic |
Verbal test questions commonly include series, analogy, coding-decoding, direction-type, percentage-type, age and relationship, and days-and-time related questions.
PMA Long Course Non-Verbal Test Pattern
The Non-Verbal section is entirely image and pattern-based no reading required, but fast visual analysis is critical.
| Question Type | Focus |
|---|---|
| Series | Shape Sequence |
| Classification | Odd One Out |
| Analogy | Figure Pairs |
| Pattern | Missing Piece |
| Rotation | Figure Direction |
Non-verbal questions typically cover series and classification, analogy, odd-man-out, pattern completion, and figure rotation types.
PMA Long Course Academic Test Pattern
The Academic Test is subject-based rather than logic-based, and rewards steady FSc/FA-level revision over last-minute cramming.
| Subject | Weight |
|---|---|
| English | High |
| Mathematics | High |
| Pak Studies | Medium |
| Islamiat | Medium |
| General Knowledge | High |
Step-by-Step Preparation Plan
- Week 1–2: Verbal Intelligence practice 1 hour daily, focus on speed over perfection first.
- Week 3: Non-Verbal Intelligence pattern and rotation drills, 1 hour daily.
- Week 4: Academic subjects English and Maths first, since they carry the highest weight.
- Week 5: Pakistan Studies, Islamiat, and current affairs short daily revision sessions.
- Week 6: Full-length timed mock tests, one per day, all three sections back-to-back.
- Final Week: Light revision only + physical test practice (running, push-ups) so you arrive fresh, not exhausted.
Quick Stats
- No negative marking in any of the three initial test sections.
- The initial physical test requires a 1.6 km run in 8½ minutes for candidates who clear the written stages.
- The initial test is conducted as a computer-based test (CBT) at AS&RC centers across major Pakistani cities.
Expert Note: “Candidates who fail the initial test almost always lose it on time management, not knowledge the syllabus is learnable, but the clock isn’t forgiving.” — common feedback from PMA test preparation instructors.
Step-by-Step: How to Prepare for the PMA Initial Test
- Download the official syllabus PDF from a trusted preparation resource and print it.
- Practice Verbal Intelligence MCQs daily focus on coding-decoding and blood relations.
- Practice Non-Verbal Intelligence figures for 20–30 minutes daily using pattern and series questions.
- Revise Academic subjects at the matriculation and intermediate level, giving Math and General Knowledge extra time.
- Take timed mock tests to simulate the real 30-minute-per-section pressure.
- Start physical training (running, push-ups, sit-ups, chin-ups) at least 6–8 weeks before your test date.
- Review past papers to identify repeated question patterns across previous PMA courses
Preparation Tips
- Nature of Test: The test will include blood relation questions, calendar-type questions, series-related questions, diagram questions, analytical questions, and others.
- Online Preparation: Various lectures and guidelines will be available for online preparation, which can be followed and prepared on time.
This whole process will start from September and continue till March-April. Complete the registration process on time and bring the required documents to enable thorough preparation for the test.
Important Points
Books available in the market: Dogger Publishers’ books are available in the market; any of them can be practiced by doing.
This is the complete structure of the initial test, which will help you prepare better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How many MCQs are in the PMA Verbal Intelligence Test?
The answer is 84 MCQs, to be completed in 30 minutes with no negative marking.
Q2. How many MCQs are in the PMA Non-Verbal Intelligence Test?
There are 64 MCQs to complete in 30 minutes, based on figures and patterns.
Q3. How many subjects are covered in the PMA Academic Test?
Five subjects: English, Mathematics, Pakistan Studies, Islamiat, and General Knowledge, totaling 50 MCQs.
Q4. Is there negative marking in the PMA Initial Test?
No. None of the three sections Verbal, Non-Verbal, or Academic carry negative marking.
Q5. What is the minimum passing score in the PMA Academic Test?
Candidates must answer at least 25 out of 50 questions correctly to pass.
Q6. What happens if I fail the Verbal Intelligence Test?
You cannot proceed to the Non-Verbal or Academic sections the test format is sequential and elimination-based.
Q7. Is there a physical test in the PMA Initial Test? Yes.
After written papers, candidates attempt running, push-ups, sit-ups, chin-ups, and a ditch-crossing test.
Q8. What comes after passing the PMA Initial Test?
Successful candidates receive an ISSB call letter for a four-day assessment covering psychological, group, and interview evaluations.
Q9. What is the age limit for PMA Long Course?
17–22 years for Intermediate candidates, with higher limits for graduates and serving soldiers (up to 25 years).
Q10. Where can I download the PMA Long Course syllabus PDF?
Official guidance is available via Join Pak Army, alongside preparation platforms that publish downloadable syllabus PDFs and sample papers.
Good 💯
thanks