SSB (Service Selection Board) interview is a gateway to joining the Indian Armed Forces ( Indian Army, Indian Airforce, Indian Navy).
There are different entries through which you can give the SSB Interview for different Armed forces. For eg- In Technical Entry Scheme( TES 10+2) you are eligible to go for the SSB Interview directly without clearing any written exam until you clear the cut-off for the TES Entry which changes every year.
For NDA/CDS/AFCAT Entry you have to first clear the written exam and clear the cut-off then you are eligible for the SSB Interview.
After clearing your SSB Interview you will be going to one of these academy
- NDA – National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla.
- IMA – Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.
- OTA – Officers Training Academy, Chennai.
- AFA – Air Force Academy, Dundigal.
- INA – Indian Naval Academy, Ezimala.
SSB is a personality and intelligence test and interviews to determine suitability for the armed forces. Some tests are paper-based and some are based on practical techniques like group tasks or presenting to a panel of assessors. it’s just a group of people who want to find out if you’ve got what it takes to be an Officer in the armed forces.
Imagine this: You walk into a room, and instead of facing a dragon, you face a bunch of officers. Okay, maybe not as dramatic as a dragon, but these officers are here to get to know the real you. They are not looking for someone who can recite the entire history book backward. No, sir!
SSB is looking for your Problem-Solving Skills. So, develop your Intelligence; don’t memorize for SSB
Stages of SSB
SSB comprises different testing methods and exams. It has two sub-stages as follows:-
STAGE – A
Intelligence Test (verbal and nonverbal).
- Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT) Picture is flashed for 30 seconds. The candidates have to extensively note down seven fundamental parameters – number of characters, age, gender, mood, and action relating to past, present, and future for each character in one minute. The time for story writing is four minutes.
- Discussion of the picture – 30 Minutes In this stage batch is divided into different groups. The strength of the group is around 15 candidates. Each candidate narrates his individual written story verbatim. Thereafter, in Part II all the candidates have to discuss amongst themselves and achieve a common consensus about the characters and theme of the story.
After all, candidates have undergone stage one. The results for stage one testing are declared.
Selected candidates are retained for stage II testing and those not recommended are dispatched back.
STAGE – B
It comprises psychological tests, group tests, and group tasks. These three tests are conducted on three consecutive days.
Psychological Tests
Thematic Apperception Test: 12 Pictures including one blank are shown. Candidates are asked to write a story about what led to the situation? what is going on and what would be the outcome.Each Picture is shown for 30 seconds and candidates are asked to write it in 4 minutes. In the blank slide, they have to think of a picture of their own choice and write a story around that.
Word Association Test: In this test, a series of 60 words are shown to the candidates one after another for 15 seconds each. The candidate is required to write down the first thought or idea that comes to his mind.
Situation Reaction Test: This test consists of 60 routine life situations regarding day-to-day activities. The situations are printed in a booklet and the candidate is asked to write his reactions by completing the sentences, as to how they would feel, think, and act in these situations.
Self Description Test: The candidate is asked to write five separate paragraphs in each context about the opinion of his parents/guardian, friends, teachers/superiors.
Group Tests
GTO – Day 1 This includes the following:-
Group Discussion: Two topics of common interest (social issues and current events) are discussed. It is an informal discussion and not a debate. Each topic is allotted 20 minutes each. No definite conclusion is required to be deduced.
Group planning exercise: It comprises five stages viz., explanation of the model, reading of the narrative by GTO, five minutes for self-reading by candidates, 10 minutes for individual written solutions, and 20 minutes for group discussion. Narration of the group solution and conclusion is required.
Progressive group task: It is the first outdoor task. A set of four obstacles with progressively increasing levels of difficulty is to be completed in 40 to 50 minutes. Structures, helping materials, and load are provided to the group.
Group obstacle race: In this task, the group is pitched against each other over a set of six obstacles with a snake-like load to carry.
Half group task: It has one obstacle similar to progressive group task with helping material and load to be carried. The group is divided into two subgroups and assigned the same obstacle in turn in such a way that when one group is working, the other is not allowed to watch it.
The time allotted to each sub-group is 15 minutes.
Lecturette: It is an individual task and the candidate is required to give a short talk to the group. Three minutes are allowed to prepare any chosen topic from the four given in the Lecturette Cards for the talk.
Group Tasks
Individual Obstacles: A set of 10 obstacles is set to be tackled individually. Obstacles are numbered from one to ten, denoting the points each one carries. Each individual is given three minutes.
Command Task: Each individual is nominated as commander for one task consisting of one obstacle similar to the Progressive Group Task Time given is 15 minutes.
Final Group Task: Task consisting of one obstacle similar to the Progressive Group Task. The time given to complete this task is 15 – 20 minutes
SSB Five-day Process as follows
Day 0- Day of Reporting
- Reception
- Document & Filling up of PIQ (Personal Information Questionnaire) form
- Allotment of chest numbers
- Beginning speech
Day 1- Screening Test
- Intelligence Tests (Verbal & Non Verbal Reasoning Test)
- Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT)
Day 2- Psychological Test & Interview
- Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)
- Word Association Test (WAT)
- Situation Reaction Test (SRT)
- Self-Description Test (SDT)
- Interview of some candidates by the President/Deputy President
Day 3- GTO Tasks & Interviews
- Group Discussions (GD)
- Group Planning Exercise (GPE)
- Progressive Group Task (PGT)
- Half Group Task (HGT)
- Group Obstacle Race /Snake Race (GOR)
- Lecturette
- Interview of some candidates by the President/Deputy President
Day 4- GTO Tasks & Interviews
- Individual Obstacle (IO)
- Command Task (CT)
- Final Group Task (FGT)
- Interview of the remaining candidates
Day 5- Final Board Conference
- The final Board Conference is held and the results are announced
The Do’s and Don’t in SSB
Do: Be yourself. It’s not a job interview to be the next James Bond; they want the genuine you.
Do: Have a sense of humor. Laughter is the best medicine, and these officers have a prescription for it.
Don’t: Wear a cape. Trust me, it won’t help. Unless it’s a really, really cool cape.
Don’t: Bring a pet dragon. As cool as that would be, it might cause some logistical issues.
Final Words
So, after the rollercoaster of OIR, PPDT, and the Interview, you might be wondering, “Did I make the cut?” Well, there’s no magic mirror or crystal ball. You’ll have to wait for the results. But remember, whether you soar like Superman or stumble like a duck on a skateboard, the experience is the real prize.
‘DO YOU HAVE IT IN YOU‘
To be a part of the elite Indian Army?
