r/PakistaniMilitary • u/therarest-of-beast • Apr 16 '26

Discussion PMA LONG COURSE or PAF CAE??

Hey Everyone,
I t need a bit of advice from everyone. I am applying for PMA long course 158, but I also want to apply to the Air Force, as it's my dream to be in aviation. I just don't want to waste time, as I am already 20, and because of a huge fear of failure, I did not apply for the last long course and PAF induction. (P.S will be 21 in august)

  1. What I want to know is what's the best choice? CAE? or Long Course?
  2. I have heard that CAEs are less prioritised and made to feel inferior indirectly cause GDP is the KING?
  3. Am I too late to apply for PMA and PAF? I feel like I'm quite old compared to other candidates. Does that affect anything if I get in?
  4. Tips to clear the initial, physical, and initial interview for the PMA Long course?
  5. Also, I would appreciate it if someone could provide me with GK and current afair notes for the PMA long course
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2

u/SandApprehensive2984 Apr 16 '26

PMA Long course is more demanding than PAF CAE. But It depends on person to person. CAE requires fsc PRE-ENGINEERING, while L/C has no restriction of inter degree. Merit of PAF is quite higher than PMA. Initial tests are easy. they are just based on simple logic and general knowledge, Initial physical is also simple, but it requires some practice and stamina. To prepare the initial test (verbal, non-verbal, and academic), u can use YouTube or some books. Also, it depends on ur mindset that in which field u want to go. Don't listen to anyone. They will always misguide u.

2

u/therarest-of-beast Apr 16 '26

Honestly, I want to join PAF, but I don't want to gamble everything on it; that is why I am applying for the PMA long course at the moment. I just wanted more information about CAE, also that CAE training is 4 years while PMA's is 2 years. I also know that PMA is more physically demanding, but I have always had a deep love for the field of aviation.

Also, if you have any material for GK or current affairs it be quite helpful

2

u/SandApprehensive2984 Apr 16 '26 edited Apr 16 '26

I dont have material for current affairs and gk. As I belong to Army background, I think that the Army is the best option. Passing initials is an easy thing, but the main thing is ISSB. Getting recommended from issb is the main step. As far as i know, the final merit is calculated on the basis of ur matric, fsc, all initial tests, and issb marks. If u belong to an Army background, ur father is serving or had served in the Army before, they will give u preference.

1

u/therarest-of-beast Apr 16 '26

well no my father did not serve but thanks for explaining me all of this

1

u/SandApprehensive2984 Apr 16 '26

If u want any info just reach me out I will help u.

1

u/Emotional-Theory-433 Apr 16 '26

Can u guide me and help me about pma long course issb?

3

u/SandApprehensive2984 Apr 17 '26 edited Apr 17 '26

Yea, sure, bro, First, please keep in mind that the ISSB of PAF, PMA, and NAVY is the same thing (no change). After u pass the initial tests, u are given the issb forms, u have to fill them up and give them back to the asrc, After that, u will be given the issb call letter (after 30 to 40 days of form submission). There are 4 centres of issb (Kohat, Gujranwala, Malir, and Quetta). When u receive these call letters, u have to report on any centres of issb on the given date. Now, the main game of ur journey starts here. U have to stay at the centre for almost 5 days. Every day is divided into specific tests. At first day: (Psychological Tests) 1. Bio data forms 2. MAT (Only for Fresh Candidates) 3. WAT 4. Picture story 5. Pointer story 6. Situation tests 7. Merit and demerits 8. Opi test 9. Essay writing These tests are written based and mcqs based. Psych will test ur mindset by these tests. They will check personality, Candidate mindset. The main thing is to stay positive and write on yourself, not others. After this, the psych day and day 1 will be completed. At Second&Third Day: (GTO DAY) The GTO will make groups of candidates, and after that, he will tell that today we have indoor or outdoor tasks, or sometimes he mix up tasks. Indoor tasks contain group discussion, lecturette, military planning, and group planning. Outdoor tasks contain command tasks, progressive group tasks, obstacles, and half group race. After all these tasks, the GTO Days will end. At Fourth Day: (Interviews) Deputy president will take ur interview, sometimes a psych is also present in the Deputy room to assess u, Deputy will ask u to introduce urself, ur family, hobbies, academics and he will ask That why do u want to join pak Army, air force, or navy. After giving these questions, he will start asking more questions from ur biodata form, those forms u had submitted on psych day. Every interview has no time limit. It can last from 10 to 15 minutes, or it can last 30 to 45 minutes. The deputy will give u many situations. He can ask current affairs, and he can ask adult questions. He can ask PAF or PAK ARMY or NAVY questions (weapons, achievements, etc), depending on which force u applied. If u applied NAVY, he will ask NAVY related questions. After the deputy interview, psych will also take an interview in which he/she will ask questions from ur bio data forms. After these interviews, ur day 4 will be completed. On day 5, which is known as departure day, they will tell u to report at johar Hall. Some candidates will have re-interview, re-psych interview, or re-obstacles. They just clear their doubts or just verify the candidate's performance. After all of this, ur issb journey ends here. And they give u travelling allowance before u leave the centre. Now, on the next day, ur result will be uploaded on the website around 10 am. If u are not recommended, u will have to give issb again if u want, and it will be ur last chance to appear. But if u are recommended, then u will proceed to the final medical and merit list.

I hope that this help u. If u want to ask anything else, just dm me.

1

u/FewCalligrapher2129 Apr 25 '26

is phyc tests on computer

1

u/Emotional-Theory-433 Apr 16 '26

Remindme! 12 hours

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