Read also: My Five Days at ISSB [Part-1]
MY THIRD DAY AT ISSB: 1ST GTO DAY
This is one of the most important day of ISSB, today all the candidates were tested in a group which is examined by a Senior Officer mostly in the rank of Major of Pakistan Army or equivalent of Air Force or Navy. The officer who judge or examines the group is called 'Group Testing Officer GTO' so this day is known as 1st GTO Day.
We were awaken by the staff and then everything went as per the previous routine as the Prayer, Recitation and then Breakfast. Today the candidates get bath to become fresh and put a well and impressive dress. We get prepared and went in the lawn for the calling up. After waiting for an hour or more as this day we were not putting wrist watch on hand as we were told not to put any extra things. Finally we were called by ringing the bell and we went in the Johar Hall.
As we entered in the Johar Hall, we noticed a strange thing against the routine. This time, the chairs were same in orders but their faces were to the door. We set in the same previous order in number-wise but we were backing to the stage and our faces were towards the door. After sometime a helper came who was so nice person, we stood up in honor of him. He thanked us and introduce himself as a Helper of GTOs, he also told us he will be present with you for two days. Then he asked for any candidate to come and recite the Holy Quran, a candidate came out and started reciting in a very impressive manner. Then he gave instructions for this day and told about rules and regulations and what to do and what not to do.
After sometime, the officers arrived one by one but they were not coming directly in the Hall, they went straight on the road in from of Johar Hall. We get little bit nervous. After sometime, an officer came in the Hall and we all stood up in honor of him. He had also a file in his hand and a bundle of Chest Numbers. He ordered us to set down. After that he gave instructions that I 'll called some Chest Number and that candidate has to come out and to stand in a line. He started calling some numbers and when he called up to 9 candidates he stopped. All the candidates who were called were standing in a line in order they were called. After that the GTO gave the first candidate the bundle of Chest Numbers and he distributed it, after which the went out of the Hall along with his group. In the same manner the officer or a group of officer (about 2 or 3 officers) would came, called some numbers, gave them Chest numbers and went away with their groups.
When an officer came in and started calling some numbers, he also called my Chest Number and I came out and stood in the line. When all the candidates of our group were called, he ordered us to tell your numbers, as the candidates were in ordered as they were called so he handed over the Chest Numbers to the first candidate and ordered to keep the first one with him and hand over the rest to the next candidate, the next one also kept one with him and handed over the rest to the next candidate. In the similar way, we all got our chest numbers. Then we came out of the hall in following him. Outside the Hall, he ordered to put the Chest Numbers and these were our new Chest Number for the group activities. Then he also assign an identification letter to the group (we were given the letter G).
Then he started walking and we also followed him, he went in the nearby building which was name as Sir Sayyed Block. Inside he went up the stairs and we also. At the next story, he went inside a room and we also entered. There was a table which was a model, two chairs nearer to the table and some other chairs along side the wall in little bit rounded shape. He ordered to sit in, so we did. He ordered to introduce yourself briefly in short words, we introduce by simply telling name and place of resident.
He shortly brief us about the Group Discussion Test, then he gave us a topic and ordered to make and open discussion on it in Urdu. The discussion lasted for about 15-20 minutes then he informed us that the time has been over and so we become silent.
After that he again gave a short brief about the Speech Test and then gave a topic to the first candidate and told him to go out of the room and think about it for two minutes. When the candidates went out the GTO started general discussion with the candidates about the current issues. When the 2 minutes passed, the GTO gave another and different topic to the next candidate and tell him to go out and call the previous one. The first candidate came in and the started speech on the given topic. After sometime the GTO told him about the time ended, and also asked some questions on the basis of his speech. When he set down, the GTO gave another the different topic to the next candidate and so on till the last candidate performed his speech test.
After this the GTO gave briefing about the next coming test which was the Group Planning also known as Military planning. The candidates stood around the table in which a model was. The GTO then tell the problem and asked for the solution in 20 minutes. Then the candidates started discussing various solutions. When the time ended the GTO ordered to stop and then asked for the solution. One candidate propose himself to tell the solution, the candidates agreed with him and he told the solution but not applicable in the GTO view. After that GTO told that this were the Indoor Tasks, now your outdoor task has to be started, go out and change the dress, wear the PT Kit and come back at the 11 am.
We went and changed the dress to the PT Kit, and gathered back in the Nishtar Hall (another different hall nearer to the Tasks Area). There we also take a cup of tea with samosa, after then we were waiting when the helper called the Group G, we all candidates stood up and went in a line outside the Hall on another sided door. There the GTO were waiting, he picked us up and we went towards the tasks. Then We performed Progressive Group Task and then Semi Group Task or Half Group Task. After that the GTO told us to go back and prepare for interview and come back to the Nishtar Hall with in half an hour.
We went to our rooms and change the PT Kit into dress and came back, from there we went to another building where we have to gave our interviews. There a helper told us that you have the Deputy President Interview today. We waited until our interviewed did. Then we came back and the day went as per normal routine.
At the evening about 3 pm the photographer came and the candidates can sketch their photos in the selected places of ISSB. This photos can be receive either at night or on the next morning. The candidates have to pay for this. Moreover the candidates can also call to their home on PCO on payment.
He shortly brief us about the Group Discussion Test, then he gave us a topic and ordered to make and open discussion on it in Urdu. The discussion lasted for about 15-20 minutes then he informed us that the time has been over and so we become silent.
After that he again gave a short brief about the Speech Test and then gave a topic to the first candidate and told him to go out of the room and think about it for two minutes. When the candidates went out the GTO started general discussion with the candidates about the current issues. When the 2 minutes passed, the GTO gave another and different topic to the next candidate and tell him to go out and call the previous one. The first candidate came in and the started speech on the given topic. After sometime the GTO told him about the time ended, and also asked some questions on the basis of his speech. When he set down, the GTO gave another the different topic to the next candidate and so on till the last candidate performed his speech test.
After this the GTO gave briefing about the next coming test which was the Group Planning also known as Military planning. The candidates stood around the table in which a model was. The GTO then tell the problem and asked for the solution in 20 minutes. Then the candidates started discussing various solutions. When the time ended the GTO ordered to stop and then asked for the solution. One candidate propose himself to tell the solution, the candidates agreed with him and he told the solution but not applicable in the GTO view. After that GTO told that this were the Indoor Tasks, now your outdoor task has to be started, go out and change the dress, wear the PT Kit and come back at the 11 am.
We went and changed the dress to the PT Kit, and gathered back in the Nishtar Hall (another different hall nearer to the Tasks Area). There we also take a cup of tea with samosa, after then we were waiting when the helper called the Group G, we all candidates stood up and went in a line outside the Hall on another sided door. There the GTO were waiting, he picked us up and we went towards the tasks. Then We performed Progressive Group Task and then Semi Group Task or Half Group Task. After that the GTO told us to go back and prepare for interview and come back to the Nishtar Hall with in half an hour.
We went to our rooms and change the PT Kit into dress and came back, from there we went to another building where we have to gave our interviews. There a helper told us that you have the Deputy President Interview today. We waited until our interviewed did. Then we came back and the day went as per normal routine.
At the evening about 3 pm the photographer came and the candidates can sketch their photos in the selected places of ISSB. This photos can be receive either at night or on the next morning. The candidates have to pay for this. Moreover the candidates can also call to their home on PCO on payment.
MY FOURTH DAY AT ISSB: 2ND GTO DAY
We get up earlier as per the normal routine. Today we have to perform the remaining tests of the GTO Dimension so this day we again have to be with the GTO in Tasks area, so that this day is named as 2nd GTO Day.
We get up then offer prayer, recited the Holy Quaran and then the staff member informed us to put the PT Kit and be present in the lawn at 8 am. We got prepared and went in lawn. after waiting for nearly 20 minutes they called us by ringing the bell. We went in the Johar Hall. This time everything was in normal routine. We set down on the chairs and were facing towards the front stage. Today we were again focusing on the multimedia screen.
After sometime the officers came and ordered the staff to start the program. He switched on the screen and played a video, the video were briefing about the Individual Obstacles. We were briefed with details about the Individual Obstacles as the status of it, maximum marks for it and the right way for attempting it. After the video ended, the officer asked about any question or confusion. Then he divided us into to major/larger groups, one of the fresh candidates and the other of the Repeaters candidates. Then they taken out to the Obstacles Area and we carefully view the Obstacles from near. Then we went directly to the Nishtar Hall.
From Nishtar Hall, each groups would be called and the group would went, the first candidate would went in the Obstacle Areas and the other rest of group member have to wait in a nearby cabin, when the first candidate done it he went to Nishtar Hall and the next of his group member went for Obstacles and so on until the last of the group member did it. When one group did it the other group went and so on.
We were waiting in Nishtar Hall after our obstacles when the helper came and called our Group, we went in a line towards the Tasks Area and the GTO were again waiting for us. This time we went and then performed the Command Task then Final Group task and them Mutual Assessment Test. After this the GTO said farewell and. We came back to rooms and then again changed dress for the interview.
This time we were to be interviewed by the Psychologist and some candidates had the interviewed with the Deputy President, means the interviews were interchanged. After the interviews we came back to our home and also put the Chest number on a rack as we were told earlier.
This day at evening we were give the Transport Allowance TA also and the candidate can also sketched the photos. The rest of the day spent as same as previous days. This was the last day of our tests so we were really enjoying now the life of ISSB.
We were waiting in Nishtar Hall after our obstacles when the helper came and called our Group, we went in a line towards the Tasks Area and the GTO were again waiting for us. This time we went and then performed the Command Task then Final Group task and them Mutual Assessment Test. After this the GTO said farewell and. We came back to rooms and then again changed dress for the interview.
This time we were to be interviewed by the Psychologist and some candidates had the interviewed with the Deputy President, means the interviews were interchanged. After the interviews we came back to our home and also put the Chest number on a rack as we were told earlier.
This day at evening we were give the Transport Allowance TA also and the candidate can also sketched the photos. The rest of the day spent as same as previous days. This was the last day of our tests so we were really enjoying now the life of ISSB.
MY FIFTH DAY AT ISSB: DEPARTURE DAY
Today was my last moments in ISSB. This day we haven't to do anything except waiting and waiting. As we were leaving the ISSB today so this day was named as 'Departure Day'. The day started as per normal routine when the guard awake us at early morning for Prayer. We offered prayer and the Recitation. After which we changed our dress and then they called us for the breakfast. We did breakfast and then came to room. The washer-man came and we paid the bills for washing and pressing our clothes. After that he told us to pack your bags and lock it and stay reading for leaving. We get prepared and locked our bags. We kept the bags in the corner of room and made the cupboard empty for the new coming batch. After that we went to lawn.
After waiting in lawn for nearly an hour, they called us to go in Johar Hall. We went there and sit down on the place of our own choice. After sometime, a staff member brought a sheet and told to fill it out number by number. The sheet was about the lodging we have brought in the ISSB such as Bags, briefcase and shopper etc. We fill it out and also we have to write down the cell phone network we were using as Telenor, Moblink etc. We filled it out that sheet and gave it back to the staff member.
After sometime an officer who was also a GTO of a group came and gave us another sheet, this time he told us to fill out it. Only the candidates who have sketched out the photos are told to write down the number of photos we have sketched, amount of payment for it along with our chest number. When all the candidates have attempted it, we gave it back to the officer and he went out.
After that we were waiting about and hour when the staff member came again and called some chest number, they came out and he told that you have been called for Re-Interview, they have again to be interviewed by the panel of Psychologists and Deputy Presidents combine. After that we were again in waiting mode. The staff member would came and gain and again after sometime and would all some chest numbers and the candidates would go.
After sometime nearly 12:00 PM, the staff member came and asked for the Group-G, the candidates of that group stood up and he told that you have been called for the Re-Command Task, they have again to perform the Command Task in front of the panel of GTO. They were also told that put in the PT Kit and wen to the Nishtar Hall for further instructions.
When they have gone away, we were told to go into rooms and bring out your bags and shoppers in the lawn. We went there and bring out our lodgings. After that the staff member told us to make a line and receive you cell phones and everything you have kept with them on the reporting day. We stood in a line and took out our mobile phones and sign the receipt for receiving it. We were ordered strictly not to switch on your cell phones until you leave out the center. We thanks our room mates for such a nice moments and time.
After few minutes, a military bus arrived and some candidates sat in and left out the center. The bus arrived in few minutes again and this time I also sat in and said bye bye to the ISSB.
We started our journey back to home with a lot of memories, friendships and hopes.
After sometime an officer who was also a GTO of a group came and gave us another sheet, this time he told us to fill out it. Only the candidates who have sketched out the photos are told to write down the number of photos we have sketched, amount of payment for it along with our chest number. When all the candidates have attempted it, we gave it back to the officer and he went out.
After that we were waiting about and hour when the staff member came again and called some chest number, they came out and he told that you have been called for Re-Interview, they have again to be interviewed by the panel of Psychologists and Deputy Presidents combine. After that we were again in waiting mode. The staff member would came and gain and again after sometime and would all some chest numbers and the candidates would go.
After sometime nearly 12:00 PM, the staff member came and asked for the Group-G, the candidates of that group stood up and he told that you have been called for the Re-Command Task, they have again to perform the Command Task in front of the panel of GTO. They were also told that put in the PT Kit and wen to the Nishtar Hall for further instructions.
When they have gone away, we were told to go into rooms and bring out your bags and shoppers in the lawn. We went there and bring out our lodgings. After that the staff member told us to make a line and receive you cell phones and everything you have kept with them on the reporting day. We stood in a line and took out our mobile phones and sign the receipt for receiving it. We were ordered strictly not to switch on your cell phones until you leave out the center. We thanks our room mates for such a nice moments and time.
After few minutes, a military bus arrived and some candidates sat in and left out the center. The bus arrived in few minutes again and this time I also sat in and said bye bye to the ISSB.
We started our journey back to home with a lot of memories, friendships and hopes.
