There are some tests held in the country through FPSC to recruit an intelligent person for a specific post. Similarly, Assistant Director IB is one of them. Every year thousands of candidates apply for the post of Assistant Director IB.
How to become an assistant director intelligence bureau?
Assistant Director (BPS-17) posts advertised by the 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 the 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.
The selection process for IB posts has undergone radical changes in recent years. At first, there was only one screening paper followed by an interview. The screening paper consisted of 100 marks Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). Later on, to make the process more competitive and ensure minimum chances for a stroke of luck, more layers have been added including an English Composition paper, psychological assessment test, and interview.
There are rumors that these changes have been incorporated to make way for the en-casement of the service, giving currency to the aforementioned.
What is in the Screening test for Assistant Director IB?
Owing to a sizeable number of applicants – often running into the range of 20 to 30 thousand – an initial screening test has been introduced to shortlist 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 a minimum of 95 out of 100 marks. MCQs part consists of the following sections:
English (20 MCQs):
The English section is the most important as maximum marks in this section would guarantee your place on the shortlist. Most of the candidates tend to lose marks in this section. It contains multiple choice questions including vocabulary and sentence correction through the use of correct and proper words. Suggested Books: SAT Book having sentence correction (The book can be downloaded from the internet)
Maths (20 MCQs):
Some candidates from humanities backgrounds find it difficult to solve this section despite the fact that it includes simple mathematical questions often involving the simplest mathematical formulae along with some analytical questions. Suggested Books: NTS GAT Book (Maths section)
Everyday/ General Science (20 MCQs): It includes EDS questions on the standard of CSS. EDS MCQs book by Mian Shafique is recommended for this section.
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:
Attempt maximum questions even if you don’t know the answers to some as there is no negative marking.
Don’t waste your precious time on questions, and answers which you don’t know
Try to fill the answer sheet in the first go, for questions that you can solve easily. Leave questions that create doubt to solve later. This would save you a great amount of time for troublesome questions.
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 a ratio of 1:8 from screening are called for the next stage of recruitment which is 100 marks in English Précis and composition paper. It has been modeled on the pattern of the English Précis paper from CSS. In the paper spaced at 03 hours, candidates are required to write a 30-mark English Essay from given topics along with précis of a given paragraph, translation, use of idioms into sentences, sentence correction, and answers to questions from a given paragraph.
The following points should be given due consideration while attempting a precis paper:
Keeping in view the level of competition, never bunk any question
Try to solve the smallest question first. It would save you ample time for questions such as Essay
Try to attempt the essay which gives you maximum room for making it unique in terms of content, argumentation, and relevant examples
Précis question holds prime importance for scoring maximum marks. Attempt it with care and try not to overdo anything. You may rehearse at the back of your answer sheet before the final draft.
Idioms and correction sentences are easy prey, losing marks in these questions would be criminal and dump your chances of getting through.
Bear in mind that you have to score at least 50 runs to enter the next phase of recruitment which is the psychological assessment and interview.
PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT
The psychological assessment test for IB is a single-day activity spanned over 5 to 6 hours. Multiple answer sheets, each containing MCQs or short questions are given to write answers in a limited time span. There is usually 15 minutes break after every 1.5 hours. Candidates are required to provide answers to questions from the following topics:
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Analytical Reasoning
Intelligence Quotient (IQ)
Maths (Basic Arithmetic)
Sentence Completion (2 papers)
Story Completion (3 sentences are given to complete the story)
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 answer in a positive sense. For example, if you are asked about your greatest weakness, the appropriate answer should be ‘I’m committed too much to my work’. IB psychological test does not include group discussion or interviews with the psychologist.
INTERVIEW
The interview is the last leg of the selection process for the AD IB seat. The 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 the interview, candidates are usually asked general questions including current political and law and order situations. The purpose of these questions is to judge the 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 the prime challenges confronting these agencies. The panel may also ask motivation behind joining the intelligence-related job.
PROS & CONS OF JOINING IB
Pros
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.
IB may have the best promotional prospects for an ex-cadre service.
Some rate IB jobs better than a number of occupational groups.
Cons
You can be posted anywhere in Pakistan, far away from your home or province
There is a mandatory hard area posting for 18 months, once in the career
Depending upon the place of posting, there may be mental and psychological pressures.
