Methods and apparatus for initial acquisition gain control in a communication system a method for use in a wireless communication system are disclosed. A disclosed methodology includes measuring the power of a signal received by a transceiver a number of times over a prescribed time period, the signal including a number of symbols. A gain of the transceiver is unidirectionally adjusted when a currently measured power is greater than a previously measured power during the prescribed time period until a maximal power level is measured. By adjusting the gain to accommodate a maximal power value, which is the same as the power level of an acquisition pilot symbol, overshoot and distortion by the transceiver are avoided during initial timing and frequency acquisition. Corresponding apparatus are also disclosed.