ISSB Word Association Test (WAT)

The ISSB Word Association Test (WAT) is an important part of the psychological testing done by the Inter-Services Selection Board (ISSB) in Pakistan. The ISSB picks candidates to be officers in the Pakistan Army, Navy, and Air Force. The WAT helps show a candidate’s personality, way of thinking, and fit for a military career.

Test Format and Procedure

In the ISSB WAT, candidates are shown a series of 100 words, one at a time, on a screen. For each word, the candidate must write a complete, meaningful sentence using that word within 10 seconds. This puts pressure on the candidates to think and respond quickly.The words used in the WAT are carefully chosen by psychologists to look at different parts of a candidate’s personality. They can be a mix of positive, negative, and neutral words. Some common words include courage, fear, love, hate, success, failure, family, and country.

The words used in the WAT are carefully chosen by psychologists to look at different parts of a candidate’s personality. They can be a mix of positive, negative, and neutral words. Some common words include courage, fear, love, hate, success, failure, family, and country.

For example, for the word “failure”, one candidate may write “Failure is the first step to success”, showing an optimistic and resilient attitude. Another candidate may write something like “I fear failure”, which may hint at a lack of confidence or a pessimistic outlook. It’s important to note that there are no clear right or wrong answers in the WAT. What matters is the overall picture that emerges from all the sentences a candidate writes.

What ISSB WAT Reveals About a Candidate’s Personality?

The Word Association Test provides a window into various facets of a candidate’s psyche. By analyzing the sentences constructed in response to each word, psychologists at ISSB aim to gauge:

1. Emotional Maturity and Stability: The WAT can indicate how well a candidate manages their emotions, especially under pressure. Responses that are overly negative, aggressive or inconsistent may signal emotional instability.
2. Interpersonal Skills and Social Attitudes: The way a candidate perceives relationships, authority figures, and social situations can be gleaned from their word associations. This provides insight into their ability to work in a team and build rapport with others.
3. Moral Compass and Value System: A candidate’s core beliefs and principles often shine through in the WAT. Psychologists look for responses that align with the values espoused by the armed forces, such as integrity, loyalty, and respect.
4. Drive and Ambition: The level of motivation and goal-orientation exhibited by a candidate can be assessed through the WAT. Responses that demonstrate a strong sense of purpose, determination, and a desire for growth are viewed positively.
5. Self-Assurance and Confidence: The WAT can reveal a candidate’s level of self-esteem and confidence. Assured, optimistic responses indicate a healthy sense of self, while overly self-deprecating or uncertain associations may suggest low confidence.
6. Imagination and Originality: The creativity and uniqueness of a candidate’s responses provide a measure of their imaginative abilities. Original, out-of-the-box thinking is a valuable asset in military roles that require problem-solving and adaptability.
7. Resilience and Stress Management: By putting candidates under time pressure, the WAT simulates a stressful scenario. How a candidate’s responses hold up under this pressure offers a glimpse into their ability to remain composed and think clearly in demanding situations.

The WAT, along with other psychological tests, interviews, and group tasks, helps build a full personality profile of each candidate. The ISSB panel uses this profile to make a final decision on a candidate’s suitability for a military career.

Preparation Tips for ISSB WAT

Since the WAT is so important in the ISSB selection process, candidates should prepare well for it. However, the key is to develop the right approach and mindset, not memorize sentences. Some helpful tips include:

1. Stay positive: Write sentences that reflect a positive, optimistic outlook.
2. Be imaginative: Use creativity to come up with original and impactful sentences.
3. Reflect officer-like qualities: Demonstrate qualities expected of a military officer, such as courage, leadership, integrity, determination, and concern for others.
4. Avoid extreme views: Steer clear of sentences expressing extreme political, religious, or social views.
5. Practice under time pressure: Get used to thinking on your feet by practicing writing sentences quickly.
6. Focus on quality over quantity: Prioritize writing meaningful, impactful sentences rather than finishing every sentence.
7. Be honest and authentic: Let your personality shine through by being true to yourself.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Candidates should be aware of common mistakes to avoid during the WAT:

1. Writing overly long or complicated sentences in an attempt to impress.
2. Overusing “I, me, my” in sentences, which can come across as self-centered.
3. Repeating the same ideas or themes across multiple sentences.
4. Using conditional or uncertain phrases like “could, would, might” excessively.
5. Writing sentences that are advisory or preachy in tone.
6. Trying to be overly clever or humorous in a serious setting.

Here are 50 words for ISSB WAT practice: Courage, Fear, Love, Hate, Success, Failure, Family, Country, Honor, Duty, Sacrifice, Loyalty, Discipline, Integrity, Resilience, Empathy, Compassion, Justice, Equality, Freedom, Patriotism, Service, Leadership, Teamwork, Respect, Humility, Perseverance, Determination, Adaptability, Innovation, Creativity, Curiosity, Wisdom, Knowledge, Learning, Growth, Challenge, Opportunity, Adversity, Triumph, Gratitude, Forgiveness, Kindness, Generosity, Cooperation, Harmony, Balance, Purpose, Fulfillment, Legacy.

Solved ISSB WAT Words

Here is a list of 30 solved examples for the ISSB Word Association Test (WAT):

1. Work: Hard work is the key to success.
2. Country: I love my country Pakistan.
3. Army: Pakistan Army is the strongest army in the world.
4. Love: A mother’s love is unconditional.
5. Duty: Soldiers perform their duty with dedication.
6. Success: Success comes to those who strive for it.
7. Fear: Courage overcomes fear.
8. Enemy: Defeat the enemy with bravery.
9. Peace: Peace brings progress and prosperity.
10. Failure: Failure is a stepping stone to success.
11. Home: Home is where the heart is.
12. Trust: Trust is the foundation of relationships.
13. Character: A person’s character defines them.
14. Cooperation: Cooperation leads to achievement of goals.
15. Responsibility: Taking responsibility shows maturity.
16. Discipline: Discipline is essential for success in life.
17. Knowledge: Knowledge is power.
18. Respect: Respect for others is a noble virtue.
19. Honesty: Honesty is the best policy.
20. Loyalty: Loyalty to the nation is the duty of every citizen.
21. Courage: Courage in the face of adversity is admirable.
22. Sacrifice: Soldiers sacrifice their lives for the nation.
23. Patriotism: Patriotism drives us to serve our country.
24. Determination: Determination helps overcome obstacles.
25. Integrity: Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching.
26. Optimism: Optimism helps maintain a positive outlook.
27. Compassion: Compassion towards others is a sign of humanity.
28. Perseverance: Perseverance is the key to achieving goals.
29. Humility: Humility is a mark of greatness.
30. Forgiveness: The ability to forgive is a strength.