Assistant Director IB

(Intelligence Bureau) 2017

Exam: A Complete Guide
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March 7, 2017
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All You Need to Know about Intelligence Bureau (IB) Exam

Assistant Director (BPS-17) posts advertised by Federal Public Service

Commission (FPSC) under the banner of Posts for a Federal Government
Organization belong to Intelligence Bureau. The posts have become a
regular feature since 2001 with IB gradually becoming the largest ex-
cadre civilian service in Pakistan. There have been occasional reports of
efforts to en-cadre IB into CSS group but these have met great resistance
from PAS and PSP groups. Recently, there was a buzz in Civil Services
Academy (CSA) that IB officers would be part next of Common Training
Program (CTP), which according to some, is in its preliminary stages.

Selection process for IB posts has undergone radical changes in recent

years. At first, there was only one screening paper followed by interview.
Screening paper consisted of 100 marks Multiple Choice Questions
(MCQs). Later on, to make the process more competitive and ensure
minimum chances for stroke of luck, more layers have been added
including English Composition paper, psychological assessment test and
interview. There are rumors that these changes have been incorporated
to make way for en-caderment of the service, giving currency to the
aforementioned.

INITIAL SCREENING TEST

Owing to sizeable number of applicants often running into the range of

20 to 30 thousand initial screening test has been introduced to short list
candidates. Since last year, FPSC has made it a habit to conduct
screening tests in batches spanning over 2~3 days, making the
competition more inconsistent. Generally, 5~8 candidates against one
seat get through to the next stage. This shows the amount of competition
during the screening test. Therefore, in order to qualify, candidates
should leave no stone unturned to score maximum, aiming at minimum
of 95 out of 100 marks. MCQs part consists of following sections:

1. English (20 MCQs): English section is the most important as

maximum marks in this section would guarantee your place in
the short list. Most of the candidates tend to lose marks in this
section. It contains multiple choice questions including
vocabulary and sentence correction through use of correct and
proper words. Suggested Books: SAT Book having sentence
correction (The book can be downloaded from internet)
2. Maths (20 MCQs): Some candidates from humanities
background find it difficult to solve this section despite the fact
that it includes simple mathematical questions often involving
 simplest mathematical formulae along with some analytical
questions. Suggested Books: NTS GAT Book (Maths section)
3. Every Day/ General Science (20 MCQs): It includes EDS
questions on the standard of CSS. EDS MCQs book by Mian
Shafique is recommended for this section.
4. Current Affairs, Pakistan Affairs, and Islamic
Studies questions are included in the last section. Suggested
Books: Latest Edition of Caravan MCQs Book

Things to consider while attempting MCQs Paper:

1. Attempt maximum questions even if you dont know answers to

some as there is no negative marking.
2. Dont waste your precious time on questions, answers to which
you dont know
3. Try to fill answer sheet in the first go, for questions which you
can solve easily. Leave questions which create doubt to solve
them later. This would save you great amount of time for
troublesome questions.
4. Do take with blue or black marker for filling up of answer sheet.
Doing so with pall point wastes precious time.

ENGLISH PRECIS & COMPOSITION PAPER

Successful candidates with the ratio of 1:8 from screening are called for
next stage of the recruitment which is 100 marks English Prcis and
composition paper. It has been modelled on the pattern of English Prcis
paper from CSS. In the paper spaced at 03 hours, candidates are
required to write a 30-marks English Essay from given topics along with
prcis of a given paragraph, translation, use of idioms into sentences,
sentence correction and answers to questions from a given paragraph.
Following points should be given due consideration while attempting
prcis paper:

1. Keeping in view the level of competition, never bunk any

question
2. Try to solve smallest question first. It would save you ample time
for questions such as Essay
3. Try to attempt the essay which gives you maximum room for
making the it unique in terms of content, argumentation and
relevant examples
4. Prcis question holds prime importance for scoring maximum
marks. Attempt it with care and try not to over-do anything. You
may rehearse at the back of your answer sheet before final draft.
5. Idioms and correction sentences are easy prey, losing marks in
these questions would be criminal and dump your chances for
getting through.
6. Bear in mind that you have to score at least 50 runs to enter
next phase of recruitment which is psychological assessment and
interview.

PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

Psychological assessment test for IB is a single day activity spanned over

5 to 6 hours. Multiple answers sheets, each containing MCQs or short
questions are given to write answers in limited time-span. There is
usually 15 minutes break after every 1.5 hours. Candidates are required
to provide answers for questions from the following topics:

1. Non-Verbal Reasoning
 2. Analytical Reasoning
3. Intelligence Quotient (IQ)
4. Maths (Basic Arithmetic)
5. Sentence Completion (2 papers)
6. Story Completion (3 sentences are given to complete the story)
7. Personality Questionnaire (2 papers)

It is always recommended that students should go through these

situations to prepare their unique answers for the assessment. Questions
in no way portray any negative traits of your personality. Answers for
questions having negative connotations should answered in positive
sense. For example, if you are asked about your greatest weakness, the
appropriate answer should be like Im committed too much with my
work. IB psychological test does not include group discussion or
interview with the psychologist.

INTERVIEW

Interview is the last leg of selection process for AD IB seat. Interview

panel consists of 3~4 members, one of them being the department
representative. Interviews are held at five major stations at FPSC
regional HQs. During the process of interview, candidates are usually
asked general questions including current political and law and order
situation. The purpose of these questions is to judge analytical
capabilities and knowledge base of the students. Intelligence related
questions are rarely asked as nothing much is available on the subject.
Candidates are however expected to have knowledge about major
intelligence agencies of the country and prime challenges confronting
these agencies. Panel may also ask motivation behind joining
intelligence-related job.
PROS & CONS OF JOINING IB

Pros

1. IB is the premier civil intelligence organization of the country,

entrusted with the task of internal security of Pakistan. Being
part of IB would give you the chance to serve your country in the
true sense.
2. IB may have the best promotional prospects for an ex-cadre
service.
3. Some rate IB job better than a number of occupational groups.

Cons

1. You can be posted anywhere in Pakistan, far away from your

home or province
2. There is a mandatory hard area posting for 18 months, once in
the career
3. Depending upon the place of posting, there may be mental and
psychological pressures