It is well known fact that one has to undergo 5 days SSB Process if one wants to join the defence forces as an officer. Before going for the interview a candidate should know the complete details of the 5 days SSB Interview Process. What forms will be required to be filled. What documents a candidate should carry and what tests will be conducted at the SSB Centre.
SSB Interview is thought to be one of the most challenging interviews in our country. Without the knowledge of SSB procedure and interview tips, it is tough for an aspirant to get recommended in the SSB Interview. The candidates preparing for CDS SSB Interview 2023/ AFCAT 2023 / AFSB Interview 2023/ ACC 2023/TES 2023 or for any other type of entry will get the complete details of 5 days SSB Interview and information/guidance on psychological tests, personal interview, GTO tasks and final conference. Majority of the candidates is from freshers, they do not know the SSB Interview Process and have no knowledge of the tests being conducted at the selection centers. This situation spoils their golden chance of becoming officer in the armed forces. They should be aware about what the documents are required to be carried. What type of clothes and belongings they should carry to for the SSB Interview. In the following paragraphs we are going to discuss all the details of 5 Days SSB Procedure. Here we will share the various sources helpful in the preparation. We will talk about the best coaching centers in the famous cities in a separate post.
What is SSB Interview?
The SSB interview is held to assess the 15-character traits called “Officer Like Qualities” (OLQs) of the candidate aspiring to join the defence forces through CDS, AFCAT, TGC, NDA, TA, INET as well as through direct entries like TGC, UES, TES, SSC Tech, etc ” The character traits of a candidate are assessed through the following techniques.
– Mansa (which means thoughts; assessing the thought pattern of the candidate through various psychological tests).
– Vacha (which means speech; assessing the traits through an informal talk-Interview).
– Karmana (which means deeds or actions; assessing the character traits of a candidate through his actions and his behavior in the group- GTO tasks).
5 DAYS SSB INTERVIEW SCHEDULE
DAY OF REPORTING.
This day involves reporting to the SSBs/ AFSB boards. For some entries reporting day and screening day (stage- I- OIR and PP & DT) are the same. When your reporting time is in early morning hours like 0630 hours. You must reach the specified place (MCO-Movement Control Office) or the gate of SSB/AFSB Center) written in the call letter. There will be other candidates who report for the SSB, hence it will be easy for you to identify the right place to wait for the SSB staff. On the day of reporting the candidates are picked from the railway station or the gate of SSB Centre. After reporting to the SSB Center certain forms and travelling allowances forms are filled and they get some refreshments like tea coffee and light breakfast. They are also briefed on testing schedule and general instructions, which must be followed throughout the duration of stay at selection center. The 5 days complete SSB Interview procedure/ SSB interview process is divided in two stages namely Stage- I and Stage- II. On the day of reporting the documents of the candidates are checked and verified by the SSB Staff for correctness of name and date of birth etc. This check is to establish the eligibility of the candidate for that particular entry before the SSB candidates. After the check is completed the candidates are given chest numbers based on their date of birth and number of SSB Interviews. This chest number will become the identity of the candidate for the screening day as it will be easy for the SSB assessors and staff to manage the group of candidates by chest numbers. The candidates are to clear screening test for further stay at the Board for further testing. Please read your call letters carefully, each and every detail is given there.
STAGE- 1 TESTING
1. SCREENING TEST.
A number of the defence aspirants report to the SSB Centre for SSB interviews. The screening process is to pick up some suitable candidates for stage II testing from all those who have reported for the particular entry. It’s a load management tool so that the candidates who are desirable by the Board to be assessed further can be held back at the center. SSB center cannot accommodate all the candidates for further testing hence screening is done. SSBs conduct the this test so that they can identify the desirable candidates who show some of the traits of an officer at the first stage. The screening process consists of the following tests.
OIR TEST. This test is known as “Officers’ Intelligence Rating (OIR)” test. It consists of questions from Verbal and Non-verbal reasoning. Any good candidate having common sense can solve these problems. It’s conducted under the time pressure. This is a simple aptitude test but a candidate going for SSB must prepare well to score good marks in this test. The candidates scoring good marks in this test have good chances of getting screened in if they perform better in the PPDT. The problems are so simple that 80-90 % candidates score good marks. So going well prepared for this test will give you an extra edge over other candidates. After this test, candidates get a break for 10- 15 minutes. Thereafter, they are called in for PPDT.
PP &DT (PPDT). This test is also known as Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PPDT). A sheet of paper is given to the candidates for writing the details. A brief lecture will be given by the Duty Psychologist to the candidates that what is required to be done in this test. SSB interview is such an awesome interview, where the candidate is instructed before each test that what is expected from him. A picture will be shown on the screen for 30 seconds. Candidates will be given 1 minute time to note down the details on the sheet of paper about the picture. Then they will have to write a story around the picture shown in 4 minutes. Candidates have to write the story in 90-100 words. They can write it in Hindi or English. There after the candidates are divided in sub groups of 15-20 candidates. They will be made to sit in a semicircular way and each candidate narrates the story which is followed by the discussion to come to a common story. This is the most important part of the stage-I testing. The candidates who perform here well get screened in even after doing average in the OIR Tests.
RESULTS OF SCREENING
After the completion of OIR test and PPDT, candidates go for lunch following that you will be getting some rest. Once the screening result is prepared. All the candidates will be called at one place and chest numbers of the selected candidates will be called one by one. Short listed candidates are allotted with new chest numbers. Rest of the candidates gets their travel allowances and dropped back to the railway station.
DAY 1 OR DAY 2
STAGE- 2 TESTING
This is the real battle ground which will test your behavior and psychology through all three techniques. Most of the candidates fail in this stage and they never come to know where they performed poorly. A good preparation followed by good execution will help you to get your dream job after getting recommended in SSB Interview.
PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS
In Army this test is conducted on the day 2 and in Air Force Selection Boards (AFSBs) it is conducted in the late evening. Generally it starts at 730 PM in AFSBs. It is a sequence of projective tests, all tests are used to check the psychological suitability of the candidate to be an officer. Candidates are required to write their responses based on the particular test. These tests are conducted under time pressure to bring out the original traits of the candidates through psychological tests. The following tests form part of the psychological testing.
BATTERY OF TESTS.
1. Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)
2. Word Association Test (WAT)
3. Situation Reaction Test (SRT)
4. Self Description Test
WHAT IS REQUIRED TO BE DONE?
TAT. Candidates will be shown 12 pictures one after another and candidates are required to write a story around the picture. This story is different from the screening process. This test will have 11 pictures and 1 blank picture. There will be no break in between and this test will last for about one hour. No query is entertained once test starts.
WAT. 60 words are shown on the screen one by one. Each word will remain on the screen for 15 seconds. In these 15 seconds the Candidate is to watch the word and write a sentence which comes in the mind after reading the word. In the similar way you have to write 60 sentences without any break.
SRT. You will get a booklet containing 60 situations written on it, you are required to write your responses based on those 60 situations, time allotted will be 30 minutes.
SD. This is last test of psychological test series. In this test you have to write your parents’ opinion about you, friends’ opinion about you, teachers’ opinion about you, your own opinion about you and things you would like to develop in future. This test is to be completed in 15 minutes.
DAY- 2 / DAY-3/ Day-4
GTO
In the Ground Testing series all the tasks are outdoor tasks. The main aim of this test series is to assess your qualities in group performance. In these tasks you have to perform as a team. Here the group is performing as a team but the focus is on each candidate, how he is behaving in a group. Here you have to contribute for the group’s achievements and give your best.
THE GTO SERIES CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING TESTS
- Group Discussions (GD). Two group discussions back to back on two topics. One topic is easy and one is difficult.
- Group Planning Exercise (GPE). In the GPE, every candidate is to write his own plan for the given problems or shown on the map. Thereafter, the group members discuss their plans and come to a common plan with consensus of the group. Then one member from the group will explain the common plan to the GTO with the help of pointer and map.
- Progressive Group Tasks (PGT). This test has four different stages having different kind of obstacles. You are required to cross these obstacles with the help of supporting materials like rope, plank, wood log etc. There are some color rules, distance rules, rule of infinity and rule of rigidity. These rules have been explained in separate post totally dedicated to GTO tests and tips to excel in these tests.
- Half Group Tasks (HGT). The GTO divides the group into two groups. The tasks are same as PGT. This is to watch the group closely and to assess the candidates who could not perform in a bigger group. You have to show your qualities here also. Do not become relaxed or stay at back. Always remain in the front and contribute to cross the obstacles.
- IO (Individual Obstacles). Individual Obstacles Task, 10 obstacles to be crossed in 3 minutes time. You are required to attempt 10 obstacles individually, each obstacle consist of points from 1 to 10. This tasks needs energy and stamina as well as good planning. It gives the best chance to impress the GTO.
- Command Task (CT). You will be a commander in this task, you are required to cross some obstacles with the help of some subordinates decided by you. You can choose 2-3 candidates from your own group whom you think can help you to clear the obstacles.
- Snake race/Group Obstacle Race. This is generally conducted in Army SSBs.All groups are made to compete with each other. A snake like rope, is held by members of the group and they are required to cross certain obstacles with the snake. This test also has its own rules. Read GTO page for complete details how to perform better in Snake Race.
- Lecturette. Your will get a card placed near the GTO. Each card will contain four topics written on it. The candidates go as per chest numbers and will pick the card and go away for preparing his topic in 3 minutes. Then he has to give his lecture in three minutes.
- Final Group Task (FGT). This is like PGT having on stage of some obstacles. The group has to perform just like PGT. Put your best efforts to perform better and to impress the GTO.
PERSONAL INTERVIEW.
The Interview schedule is posted on the Notice Board immediately after filling of the PIQs/ after the psychology tests. This is the best place where a good candidate can take the interview in the desired direction. Most of the candidates get recommended in this techniques if they prepare well. The interview may last between 40-60 minutes. SSB Interview questions and answers have important role in the selection of the candidates. How to face SSB Interview is the important aspect of SSB Interview. So a sincere candidate should prepare well about his PIQ details and current affairs, and finally general awareness. One wrong answer or on lie can spoil your image and reduce your chances to get recommended.
DAY-5: CONFERENCE
On the 5th day of the SSB Interview every candidate has to appear in front of all SSB board members. Few general questions about your stay, food, accommodation and any suggestions will be asked from the candidate. Conference is held to come to a conclusion where each assessors shares his assessment with other assessors and decision is made whether a candidate is recommended or not recommended. This is collective decision of the Board members. All assessors collectively decide your suitability. The border line candidates may face some difficult questions in the conference, which can be conclusive one. It hardly goes for 1-2 minutes for most of the candidates. For border line cases the time may vary from 5-15 minutes. After the conference the final results are announced. Recommended candidates are made to fill some forms and get letter for their medical exams.
This was a brief introduction about SSB Interview process. Each assessment technique has been discussed in detail under respective heading on the home page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What tests are conducted during the Screening Process?
Ans. OIR tests (containing verbal and non verbal reasoning questions) followed by PP &DT(Picture perception and Discussion Test) are conducted during the SSB Screening Process on day of reporting or day 1.
2. How the Psychological Testing is conducted in SSB Interview?
Ans. The psychological testing is conducted through Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), Word Association Test (WAT), Situation Reaction Test (SRT) and Self Description Test (SD).
3. How to prepare for OIR (Officer Intelligence Rating) tests?
Ans. OIR can be prepared from Verbal and Non Verbal Reasoning book written by Dr RS Aggarawal. (the selected topic has been written in the screening process).
4. How to prepare for SSB Interview?
Ans. A candidate can make notes on his own details like games played, hobbies, home town, his job profile. He/she can prepare for general awareness by reading daily news papers like The Hindu, Times of India etc. They can refer to www.drishtiias.com where they can find ready to consume information, where much effort is not required to prepare notes. He/She can gather information on the organization Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force for which he is preparing by surfing on internet. A candidate should read periodicals like India Today, Pratiyogita Darpan, Chronicle etc to prepare better for the SSB Interview.
5. What documents a candidate should carry for SSB Interview?
Ans. Please read the call letter/instructions carefully. Everything is mentioned in the call letter.
6. How to prepare for Psychological tests?
Ans. Read news paper daily. Some pictures and real life incidences are covered daily in the news paper. A candidate can make stories on these photos. Real life stories will make your performance better in the Psychological testing.
Tags: SSB PREPARATION, HOW TO PREPARE FOR SSB, 5 DAYS SSB INTERVIEW PROCESS, SSB SCREENING TEST