MY FIRST DAY AT ISSB: REPORTING DAY
Reporting means to be Present in military point of view so that the First Day of ISSB is known as Reporting Day as the candidates have to be present in the the given center at the specific date and time.
As my Reporting were at November 4th, 2015 at 11:30 AM so I arrived Thirty minutes prior to avoid any problem. There were also many candidates in a line waiting for entry so I also stood with them. The security staff were checking every candidate one by one and then allowing them to enter. When my number arrived, the security staff checked my Call Letter and National Identity Card then checked me through body scanner and then allowed me to go inside. After the entrance through gate we went to another checking point which was nearer to the gate. There another security personal told us to open the bag which we did. He checked the bag and shoppers and then told us to go ahead. I closed and locked my bag and went forward. There was a window in front of which a sign board was instructing us to submit the Booklet which they had sent us with call letters. We gave the staff member the booklet and he signed my call letter as a proof of collection of booklet. The candidates who couldn't present the booklets were charged Rs. 100.
After this we enter a room where a walk-through gate was at the door and that alarmed as I have some metallic items in my bag. The security staff told me to put your bag in the nearby bench and enter again, when I did so there were again a sound of alarm, this time it was due to the wrist watch on my hand which was of metal. Wen I put off the watch and came again there was again sound of alarm. I was confused what happened to me this time but my Belt has a metallic badge. I put off the belt also and again entered, this time no sound, so I passed through it successfully. Then I took my watch, belt and bags.
We put all the bags in the mid of the room and sit in the chairs which were in a line. The staff member came and gave a register to the first candidate of the line, he told us to make your entry by writing down your name, father name, mobile number and other credential. Then we passed the register to the other candidates. After making entry, the candidates were keeping their mobile phones and books. I also kept the SIM with me and gave the mobile phone to them and took a receipt for it.
After that we took our bags and make a line. Then another staff member came and told us to come after me. We went after him, he went inside the ISSB and we also in followed him, then he divided us in small groups of 6 candidates and allocated some room, we went to that room (my room was in Liaqat Block). There we put our lodging in cupboard and hang our coats.
We have spent 10 minutes hardly when a washer-man (as in formal language known as Chacha) came and told if any one want to wash the clothes or need to press it, we answered in positive, he told us to write the name and room number on every piece of cloth as Shalwar, Qamees, Shirts and trouser etc. When we have done it, he came again and took it. We were resting when the bell started ringing, we came out of rooms to inquire what happened, there was the time for having lunch. We went to the dining hall for lunch.
As we were entering to the dinning hall, staff member was at the door and he was returning those who were came in Chappal (Sleepers) as it is not allowed in the dinning hall. We went in, and pick up a tray some plates and spoons etc. and go ahead in a line. The cook were serving different foods to us in the plates and we sit through the round table and have a nice lunch. After the lunch we came back to rooms and wait for the next instruction.
After sometime spent they again started ringing the bell and we came out of the rooms, this time they were calling us for document verification. We took our document file with all the documents and went to the dinning hall. There we sit around the table and waited until all the candidates arrived. The staff member instructed us to follow what you are being told. Then he announced through the microphone if any one has change in the Marks Sheet or Certificate stand up and come near the staff, some candidates stood up and went there, they checked their documents and allowed them to sit back on their seats. After that he started announcing the candidates name and father name, the candidate would stood up and made a line. They also have their documents in hand. After some 20 candidates made the line, they started checking their documents. They would kept their marks sheet and certificate and would gave the candidate chest number. When the line ended they again started calling the names. This time as I listen my name, I stood up say Present Sir, and stood in the line. This time again when 20 candidates made the line, they started checking their documents. When my number arrived they took my documents, asked my name, father name, address, marks in metric and intermediate and father occupation, I answered correctly, they kept my document with themselves and gave me a piece of cloth on which a number was painted, this was my Chest number. I wore the chest number and came out of the hall.
As I came out of the hall their was another room side of this which was name as 'Photo Shop' I went inside. There a staff member collect my Call Letter which was sent us through courier. They also charged me Rs. 105 for verification. The I went behind a blue veil in the same room, where a camera was along with a photographer. The photographer told me to sit on the chair then he put a badge in my collar which was perhaps a code. After he sketched my photograph he put off the badge and told me to go in MI Room. When I came out of the Photographer shop, there a staff member gave me and Identity Card on which a number similar to my chest number was written.
I asked him about the MI Room, he showed me the way. I came to it there was also a line of the candidates who had came prior to me. I also stood in the line. The I put off my shows and went inside. They checked my weight and height and told me to remember this (There was no medical checkup there as some peoples had told us).
As we freed from this, we came to our rooms. After some time went, we were again called by ringing the bell, they told us to go in the Johar Hall (the main testing hall name as Johar Hall). We went inside with our documents. There were seats in front of which there were small desks. And at the from there was a Stage on which a dice and multimedia screen were. We sit there in order of our chest numbers. Soon there the other officials also arrived.
When they switch on the screen, the recitation of Holy Quaran performed. After it the Deputy President speech were on aired. After the speech, we filled out the Bio Data Forms which was the most hectic process.
As the Form Filling ended there was time of Esha Prayer. We went to mosque and offer prayer. After prayer the bill was rung for dinner. We went in dinning hall and have the dinner. After the dinner we came to the lawn where another staff member made our entry. He would call a room number, all the candidates of that room would came and he note their Chest Numbers. This was the final entry after which no one can interchange their rooms.
We were walking and talking and having gup-shup with friends when at the 10 o'clock they rung the bell and told us to go in the rooms, after that time no one can come out except those going to the canteen. After half an hour they rung another bell and told us to switch off the lights and sleep. Thus our First day at ISSB went.
It is worthy to be noted that candidates can smoke only in the lawn all other areas are No Smoking Zone.
As my Reporting were at November 4th, 2015 at 11:30 AM so I arrived Thirty minutes prior to avoid any problem. There were also many candidates in a line waiting for entry so I also stood with them. The security staff were checking every candidate one by one and then allowing them to enter. When my number arrived, the security staff checked my Call Letter and National Identity Card then checked me through body scanner and then allowed me to go inside. After the entrance through gate we went to another checking point which was nearer to the gate. There another security personal told us to open the bag which we did. He checked the bag and shoppers and then told us to go ahead. I closed and locked my bag and went forward. There was a window in front of which a sign board was instructing us to submit the Booklet which they had sent us with call letters. We gave the staff member the booklet and he signed my call letter as a proof of collection of booklet. The candidates who couldn't present the booklets were charged Rs. 100.
After this we enter a room where a walk-through gate was at the door and that alarmed as I have some metallic items in my bag. The security staff told me to put your bag in the nearby bench and enter again, when I did so there were again a sound of alarm, this time it was due to the wrist watch on my hand which was of metal. Wen I put off the watch and came again there was again sound of alarm. I was confused what happened to me this time but my Belt has a metallic badge. I put off the belt also and again entered, this time no sound, so I passed through it successfully. Then I took my watch, belt and bags.
We put all the bags in the mid of the room and sit in the chairs which were in a line. The staff member came and gave a register to the first candidate of the line, he told us to make your entry by writing down your name, father name, mobile number and other credential. Then we passed the register to the other candidates. After making entry, the candidates were keeping their mobile phones and books. I also kept the SIM with me and gave the mobile phone to them and took a receipt for it.
After that we took our bags and make a line. Then another staff member came and told us to come after me. We went after him, he went inside the ISSB and we also in followed him, then he divided us in small groups of 6 candidates and allocated some room, we went to that room (my room was in Liaqat Block). There we put our lodging in cupboard and hang our coats.
We have spent 10 minutes hardly when a washer-man (as in formal language known as Chacha) came and told if any one want to wash the clothes or need to press it, we answered in positive, he told us to write the name and room number on every piece of cloth as Shalwar, Qamees, Shirts and trouser etc. When we have done it, he came again and took it. We were resting when the bell started ringing, we came out of rooms to inquire what happened, there was the time for having lunch. We went to the dining hall for lunch.
As we were entering to the dinning hall, staff member was at the door and he was returning those who were came in Chappal (Sleepers) as it is not allowed in the dinning hall. We went in, and pick up a tray some plates and spoons etc. and go ahead in a line. The cook were serving different foods to us in the plates and we sit through the round table and have a nice lunch. After the lunch we came back to rooms and wait for the next instruction.
After sometime spent they again started ringing the bell and we came out of the rooms, this time they were calling us for document verification. We took our document file with all the documents and went to the dinning hall. There we sit around the table and waited until all the candidates arrived. The staff member instructed us to follow what you are being told. Then he announced through the microphone if any one has change in the Marks Sheet or Certificate stand up and come near the staff, some candidates stood up and went there, they checked their documents and allowed them to sit back on their seats. After that he started announcing the candidates name and father name, the candidate would stood up and made a line. They also have their documents in hand. After some 20 candidates made the line, they started checking their documents. They would kept their marks sheet and certificate and would gave the candidate chest number. When the line ended they again started calling the names. This time as I listen my name, I stood up say Present Sir, and stood in the line. This time again when 20 candidates made the line, they started checking their documents. When my number arrived they took my documents, asked my name, father name, address, marks in metric and intermediate and father occupation, I answered correctly, they kept my document with themselves and gave me a piece of cloth on which a number was painted, this was my Chest number. I wore the chest number and came out of the hall.
As I came out of the hall their was another room side of this which was name as 'Photo Shop' I went inside. There a staff member collect my Call Letter which was sent us through courier. They also charged me Rs. 105 for verification. The I went behind a blue veil in the same room, where a camera was along with a photographer. The photographer told me to sit on the chair then he put a badge in my collar which was perhaps a code. After he sketched my photograph he put off the badge and told me to go in MI Room. When I came out of the Photographer shop, there a staff member gave me and Identity Card on which a number similar to my chest number was written.
I asked him about the MI Room, he showed me the way. I came to it there was also a line of the candidates who had came prior to me. I also stood in the line. The I put off my shows and went inside. They checked my weight and height and told me to remember this (There was no medical checkup there as some peoples had told us).
As we freed from this, we came to our rooms. After some time went, we were again called by ringing the bell, they told us to go in the Johar Hall (the main testing hall name as Johar Hall). We went inside with our documents. There were seats in front of which there were small desks. And at the from there was a Stage on which a dice and multimedia screen were. We sit there in order of our chest numbers. Soon there the other officials also arrived.
When they switch on the screen, the recitation of Holy Quaran performed. After it the Deputy President speech were on aired. After the speech, we filled out the Bio Data Forms which was the most hectic process.
As the Form Filling ended there was time of Esha Prayer. We went to mosque and offer prayer. After prayer the bill was rung for dinner. We went in dinning hall and have the dinner. After the dinner we came to the lawn where another staff member made our entry. He would call a room number, all the candidates of that room would came and he note their Chest Numbers. This was the final entry after which no one can interchange their rooms.
We were walking and talking and having gup-shup with friends when at the 10 o'clock they rung the bell and told us to go in the rooms, after that time no one can come out except those going to the canteen. After half an hour they rung another bell and told us to switch off the lights and sleep. Thus our First day at ISSB went.
It is worthy to be noted that candidates can smoke only in the lawn all other areas are No Smoking Zone.
MY SECOND DAY AT ISSB: PSYCH DAY
After spending the night, a guard who was on Night Duty wake up early at the morning about 30 minutes before the Jajar Prayer. He was knocking the door with at its highest force and was doing until we switch on the lite and open the door. We wake up and changed the dress and get read for the prayer. After prayer we recite the Holy Quaran for some half an hour and came back to our room.
We prepared and well-dressed and went for the breakfast. After breakfast, we went in lawn and were waiting for their call to the Johar Hall. After waiting for almost one hour they again rung the bell and called us for the Psychological Tests.
As at the that day we have only to attempt the Psychological Tests so this day is named as 'Psych Day'. We made a line and entered to the Johar Hall, there we sit on the chairs in order of our chest numbers as we had the previous day. We have also put on the Chest Number. In the Hall we were waiting when some officers came in, we stood up in honor of them. They said thanks and ordered to sit in. After they sit on the chairs at the left side in the hall. After sometime, the President of ISSB also came and we stood up in honor of him and welcomed him.
The officer ordered to the staff to get start. The staff member switched on the multimedia. Then Holy Quran recitation was performed. After that the National Anthem was played and all the Hall participants stood in honor. We were also singing the National Anthem in one voice and in rhythm with the Video, this was such an excited moment and we enjoyed very well. After the National Anthem, we set down on our seats. Then the President's Speech was played on the multimedia. He welcomed us and gave some instructions and advice also. After that the President left the hall and we again stood in honored of him. After that the tests started.
First of all one of the officer came to the dice and called some Chest Numbers, the candidates stood up and he told them to go out of the Hall. They were the Re-Appeared (also known as Repeaters) Candidates and they have not to attempt the Intelligence Tests. As that candidates left the hall, a staff member brought some bundles of booklets and sheets. He would put some of the booklets on the desk in front of the first candidate of each row. The officer instructed to keep one booklet with you and passes the rest of the bundle to the behind candidates. Thus all the candidates received one booklet. The booklet was that of Verbal Intelligence Tests and each booklets had a unique number on it which was same as the Chest Number of the candidate. The the answer-sheets were distributed among the candidates in the similar way. When the answer sheets were distributed, the officer ordered us to fill out the answer sheet by writing the name, chest number and batch code and course name. The batch name and code was written in a board which was on the stage. When all the candidates had fill their details in answer sheet, the officer told to open the booklet and come to the first page. We opened it and there was a some questions on it. These were examples, he told us the method of attempting questions. After that the test started and he informed us when half the time was remaining and again when 5 minutes were remaining. As the time over, he ordered to closed the booklets and put the answer sheets on backside and to put the ball point on the desk. Then he ordered the last candidates of each row to stand up and collect the booklets and answer sheets and keep it in the from of every row. Then the Helper came and collected these and carried it out of the hall. From there he brought another bundle of booklets and answer sheets. This time we attempted the Non-Verbal Intelligence Test on the same way. And after this we attempted the Mechanical Aptitude Test in the similar way.
When the tests ended, they gave us a tea break, we left the hall and went in the dinning hall and have a cup of tea along with a Samosa. The break was almost 20 minutes after which they again rung the bell and called us in the Johar Hall.
We came in the Hall and the Repeaters candidates also came in. We seated in our chairs and then the Psychological Tests started. First the helper came with the bundles of files which we distributed as in the previous way. There was a file in which some sheets were attached and this is known as Dossier. This Dossier decides the personality of a candidates. When all the Dossiers were distributed, the officer told us to fill out your credential on the front of the Dossier. As we fill out he ordered the helper to start the tests.
First of all we attempted the Words Association Test in which an English word would appeared on the screen for a short time interval almost 9 seconds and the candidates have to write a sentence on that word. After the 9 seconds the words would replace with another one with a sound of camera-sound (as Kritch). When the 25 words passed, the message shown on the screen to turn over the page. As the first page had only 25 numbers in which the 25 sentences were to be written. Then another 25 sentences were written in the similar way we completed total of 100 words.
When the Words association Test ended, then another test started that was Thematic Apperception Test (also known as story writing test) in which a hardly viewing and black-and-white picture which was so dim appeared on the screen. The candidates would see at that and try to understand the picture. After the 30 seconds, the picture disappeared and then we started the story writing. We wrote a story of our choice and after 3 minutes and 30 seconds were passed the officer ordered us to stop writing. After that another picture were appeared and so on. Thus we wrote 4 stories on 4 different pictures.
After the story writing another test started which was Pointer Story. In this type of test an incomplete sentence appeared on the screen for 15 seconds and we have to write a story from it. In this way to incomplete sentences appeared one after another and we wrote the stories.
At last, they gave us 5 minutes time and told us to write own merits and demerits in the Dossier. Generally Merits are the qualities of any candidates such as kindness, truthfulness and boldness etc. The demerits are the shortcomings or weakness of a candidate such as shyness, smoking etc. It is to be noted that you should not write demerits as I don't drink milk, I drink more tea etc.
After all this ended we closed our Dossiers and which were collected and were taken away by the helper. After that we came out of the Hall in an order. This was the time for lunch so we went to the dinning hall and have a full lunch.
At 4 o'clock, the candidates were allowed to play some indoor games such as Ludo, Carom Board, Table Tennis and Chess. The English News paper is also available and the candidates can watch movies in the TV Lounge.
The rest of the day spends as in the normal way as previous day.
Read now the next part of this article: My 5 Days at ISSB Part-2
