Pointer story writing test

The Pointer Story Writing Test is a part of the psychological assessment conducted during the Inter-Services Selection Board (ISSB) selection process. It closely resembles the Picture Story Writing Test, but instead of being given an image, candidates are provided with an incomplete sentence or a prompt, which they must use as the foundation for constructing a complete and meaningful story.

This test is also categorized under projective psychological tests, where the candidate’s responses help trained psychologists evaluate their mental framework, personality, emotional intelligence, leadership tendencies, and values.

Nature of the Test

  • In this test, each candidate is given a set of incomplete sentences or “pointers”. These serve as starting lines or story themes.
  • The candidate is expected to build a complete story around the given line within a specific time limit (usually around 4 minutes per story).
  • The total number of stories may range between 2 to 4, depending on the testing format used on the day.

Purpose of the Pointer Story Writing Test

The aim of this test is to:

  • Analyze how a candidate processes a given situation and transforms it into a structured, logical narrative.
  • Evaluate decision-making ability, problem-solving skills, and the ability to remain positive and composed under stress.
  • Reveal key personality traits such as:
    • Leadership potential
    • Courage and initiative
    • Adaptability
    • Integrity and discipline
    • Social responsibility and teamwork
  • Understand the candidate’s attitude towards challenges, authority, and success or failure.

Structure of the Response

While the prompt offers a starting idea, the candidate must craft a complete and coherent story using the following basic structure:

1. Introduction

  • Introduce the main character and setting.
  • Link the story logically to the provided pointer sentence.
  • Set the stage for the event or challenge to unfold.

2. Main Body

  • Present the core issue or problem faced by the character.
  • Highlight the actions taken, decisions made, and challenges overcome.
  • Emphasize the values and behavior of the main character—particularly those that reflect officer-like qualities.

3. Conclusion

  • Ensure the story ends positively, with the problem solved or a meaningful outcome achieved.
  • Showcase growth, leadership, or learning.
  • Avoid negative or tragic endings (e.g., death, failure, breakdowns).

Examples of Pointer Sentences

Here are a few examples of typical pointer sentences used in ISSB:

  • “He was walking along the road when suddenly…”
  • “The lights went off and he…”
  • “The train was about to leave when…”
  • “His friend was injured and he…”
  • “She always wanted to help others, so one day…”

These prompts are deliberately kept open-ended to observe the candidate’s interpretation and psychological projection through the story they create.

Best Practices for Attempting Pointer Stories

  • Remain calm and focused—do not overthink the prompt.
  • Develop the story around realistic scenarios—think logically and avoid exaggerations.
  • Always present the main character in a positive, active, and solution-oriented role.
  • Showcase traits such as initiative, responsibility, patriotism, honesty, and resilience.
  • Practice writing stories regularly to improve speed, structure, and expression.

Conclusion

The Pointer Story Writing Test is a subtle but powerful tool used in ISSB to assess a candidate’s internal attitudes and character traits. While the sentence seems simple, your interpretation and the direction you take the story in says a lot about your emotional maturity, leadership readiness, and suitability for a role in the armed forces. Success lies in being authentic, optimistic, and strategic in your approach.

Some model incomplete sentences for pointer story writing.

1. She was alone in the stormy night suddenly………….

2. She was alone in the stormy night suddenly………….

3. When he could not meet the expenses of his family………………..

4. He served to earn money but he becomes a leader of a man………………

5. He could not stand for because……………….

6. Her life was glamorous till………………

7. There relation took a new turn when ………………

8. When he lost his respect honor in the society then ……………..

9. When she lost her respect and honor in the society then……………..

10. When he saw her in trouble then …………………

11. Akmal lost his way in the enemy territory then ……………….

12. She was passing through  a thick forest suddenly……………………

13. Lost of money and power made him……………………..

14. When his life become misreable then………………….

15. Ups and downs of his life…………………………

16. On his youth Ahmed wanted to……………………..

17. Because of his youth he……………………..

18. Zahoor was a poor boy, one day he……………………..

19. She was standing lonely on a road, suddenly she……………………..

20. Their relation took a new turn when……………………..

21. He could not afford his family expenses, so he……………………..

22. She was alone in the stormy night suddenly………….

23. When he could not meet the expenses of his family………………..

24. He served to earn money but he becomes a leader of a man………………

25. He could not stand for because……………….

26. Her life was glamorous till………………

27. There relation took a new turn when ………………

28. When he lost his respect honor in the society then ……………..

29. When she lost her respect and honor in the society then……………..

30. When he saw her in trouble then …………………

31. Akmal lost his way in the enemy territory then ……………….

32. She was passing through  a thick forest suddenly……………………

33. Lost of money and power made him……………………..

34. When his life become misreable then………………….

35. Ups and downs of his life…………………………

36. On his youth Ahmed wanted to……………………..

37. Because of his youth he……………………..

38. Zahoor was a poor boy, one day he……………………..

39. She was standing lonely on a road, suddenly she……………………..

40. Their relation took a new turn when……………………..