INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT

AN ASSESSMENT OF OFFICIER SELECTION

SAIFUL PASHA
ID NO. 02-02-42
BATCH.2, INTAKE.2
HRMC
IBA, DHAKA

INTRODUCTION
1.
Standard of Armed Forces mostly depends on the standard & quality of officers.
Presently while selecting a potential officer certain steps are followed for selection. Although
preliminary selection procedures are almost similar to all three services, yet there are certain
differences in terms of conduct, modalities and venues of tests. A general guideline is issued to
concerned conducting authorities by services Headquarters. In this process, selection procedure
followed in the Inter Services Selection Board (ISSB) plays the most vital role. It is to be noted
that, preliminary selection process is conducted under supervision of respective services HQs,
whereas ISSB conducts the final selection of the potential officers. However, selection criterion
may vary depending on the demand-supply equation, socio-economic state and requirement of
time.
2.
ISSB maintains its selection criterion based on QUALITY instead of
QUANTITY/VACANCY. At present potential officers turn up at ISSB is significant in number.
However, once quality is given the priority, selection numbers against turn-up candidates are
not yet remarkable. On that note, importance of selection procedure is enormous. Candidates are
conditioned through the process before appearing at ISSB. Existing selection procedure is not
beyond the scope of improvement. However, certain inconveniences and improvement
opportunities exists primarily in terms of preliminary selection initiation procedure, accessibility
of required information, conduct and modalities of tests and certain administrative
inconveniences from candidates point of view.
AIM
3.
The aim of this paper is to make an appraisal about the officer selection procedure in
broad outline.
OVERVIEW OF OFFICERS SELECTION FOR BANGLADESH ARMED FORCES
General
4.
Preliminary selection procedures include preliminary medical and viva, written
examination and finally they need to appear ISSB. However, Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) has an
additional step of flight aptitude at the outset of the preliminary selection procedure. Preliminary
intelligence Quotient (IQ) test is also carried out for BAF candidates.
Preliminary Selection Procedure
5.

General.
a.
Circulation to Media Coverage.
The preliminary selection procedure
is initiated through circulation of the instruction. This circulation is done through reputed
print and electronic media.

b.
Application Form. The application forms for joining Armed Forces are
available in the internet. Additionally Army application forms are available at Station
HQs and District Armed Services Board (DASB). Application forms for Navy are
available in all Naval bases. BAF application forms can be collected from the
information Centre at Dhaka and all Air bases.
c.
Centers for the Tests.
to the requirements of the services HQs.
6.

Preliminary selection venues vary according

Bangladesh Army.
a.
Preliminary Medical.
In different cantonment a board of medical team
carries out medical tests of all candidates on a pre-selected date.
b.
Preliminary Viva. All medically fit candidates face interview on the same day
by another board which is headed by a Brigadier General. Qualified candidates are
selected for written test on common subjects. This interview is conducted in some
cantonments where medical check-up is done.
c.
Written Test.
On a fixed date written tests on Bangla, English,
mathematics and General Knowledge are conducted all over the country. Qualified
candidates are to appear before ISSB.

7.

BN.
a.
Preliminary Medical.
In different district/station a board of medical team
carries out medical test of all applied candidates on a pre-selected date. General medical
check-up is carried out and those found fit are recommended by the board for next test.
b.
Preliminary Viva. All medically fit candidates face interview on the same day
by another board which is headed by a Captain (BN). Qualified candidates are selected
for written test on mainly science oriented subjects.
c.
Intelligence and Written Test.
On the second day written test on science
oriented subjects, English, mathematics and General Knowledge is conducted in the same
place where preliminary medical took place. A short Intelligent Test is conducted just
before the written test. Likewise, within a timeframe of three to four weeks time
preliminary selection takes place in various districts under different boards at a go.

8.

BAF.
a.
IQ Test.
Candidates report to BAF Information Center at Tejgaon, Dhaka
and undergo IQ test.

b.
by a

Medical Test.
IQ test qualified candidates go for medical check-up done
board. Medically fit candidates sit for written test on the same date.

c.
Written Test.
Written test generally covers science oriented subjects,
English, Mathematics and General Knowledge.
d.
Viva Test.
Being qualified in written test candidates face viva which is
conducted by a board consists of three members headed by a Group Captain.
e.
Pilot Aptitude Test (for GDP only).
Candidates, applied for General Duty
(pilot)/GD(P) branch have to undergo an additional test called Pilot Aptitude Test at the
outset of preliminary selection procedure.
9.
General Guideline for Preliminary Interview.
For the smooth conduct of the
interview procedure and to standardize the process, certain guidelines in general are circulated to
concerned preliminary selection boards. In essence, preliminary selection board is directed to
select maximum number of potential candidate.
ISSB
10.
Each and every individual is unique in terms of personality. In ISSB, personality pattern
of a candidate is ascertained and selection is executed through a three dimensional approach. The
dimensions are Environmental, Physical and Psychological. In four days selection procedure in
ISSB screening takes place in two phases:
a.
Initial Screening.
Preliminary test qualified candidates are initially screened
out through IQ test. The test is divided into two parts namely Progressive Matrices (PM)
Test and Verbal Intelligence Test (VIT).
b.
Secondary Screening.
After being qualified in IQ test, further screening is
done through Picture perception and Description Test (PPDT). PPDT qualified
candidates are eligible to undergo rest of the tests in ISSB. The rate of drop out in PPDT
is comparatively less in number compared to IQ test.
CONCLUSION
11.
Selection procedure conducted by both services HQs and ISSB experienced many
changes and got matured shape. Services HQs presently conduct preliminary procedure of
selecting potential officers for their respective services and send them to ISSB for final selection.
The preliminary test includes preliminary medical, viva and written examination. But BAF has
an additional step of conducting IQ test for all candidates and flight aptitude test for GD(P)
candidates. All the candidates in ISSB are examined with Psychological approach through three
different dimensions which is virtually flawless. Although judging human behavior can never be
considered as a beyond err.