PAC Cadet Scholarship Exam

It screens candidates for a cadet scholarship that combines intermediate-level academic study with military training and discipline. Your written score, plus medical and physical tests and an interview, determines selection. Treat the written paper as the first filter: strong marks there earn you the chance to be assessed physically and in person.

The paper is objective plus descriptive. Multiple-choice sections test English, Mathematics, General Knowledge, Islamiat or Ethics, and Pakistan Studies; written sections ask you to answer in your own words. Expect to switch between bubbling answers quickly and writing structured paragraphs, so practise both under one clock.

The official body publishes the current question count and time limit for each entry, and they can change between cycles. Do not rely on numbers from older candidates. Check the official website or your entry notice for the figures that apply to your session, then practise full papers to that timing.

Passing marks and merit cut-offs are set by the official body each cycle and are not fixed from year to year. They are published with the results or admission instructions rather than in advance. Aim well above the minimum in every subject, because merit is usually decided on the aggregate, not on a single paper.

The individual questions are mostly at matriculation level, so the content is not exotic. Difficulty comes from breadth and time pressure: five subjects, written answers, and no room for weak areas. Candidates who lose marks usually do so through careless arithmetic, weak grammar, or blank current-affairs items rather than through unseen material.

Retake and re-application rules depend on your age, your previous attempt and the current entry policy, so confirm them with the official body before planning another attempt. Age limits are strict in cadet entries, and a failed medical or physical test is handled differently from a low written score.

Start with Mathematics and English, because they improve slowly and carry the most weight. Add Pakistan Studies and Islamiat or Ethics next, since they reward memorisation and can be revised quickly. Keep General Knowledge as a daily habit: a newspaper and a monthly current-affairs digest beat last-minute cramming.

Four recurring mistakes: leaving multiple-choice items blank instead of eliminating options, misreading the instruction word in written questions, writing long answers with no clear structure, and ignoring current affairs until the final week. Poor handwriting and untidy answer sheets also cost marks in descriptive sections.

No. Coaching can add structure, but the syllabus is standard school material plus current affairs. A disciplined self-study plan, past-paper-style practice under timing, and honest review of your errors are enough for most candidates. If you do join a course, check that it teaches the syllabus rather than only guessing questions.

Prepare for the medical and physical tests early: eyesight, height and weight, and running or push-up standards can disqualify an otherwise strong candidate. Also rehearse a short interview about your motivation, your family background and why you want a forces career. Read the official instructions for the documents you must bring.