Do you have it in you?
Introduction about SSB and armed forces –
About SSB – Services Selection Board (SSB) is a panel of officers and having the specialization as Psychologist , Group Task Officer and Interviewing Officer. They use a standardized protocol of evaluation system. It has psychology , group tests and interview which evaluate a candidate.
Moreover , defence services majorly Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy are one of the best institutions. They provide a very healthy environment to work, live and train with a sense of pride and honor.
However, the desire to earn big sums of money has forced the youth to join MNCs and hence less people aspire to join the defence forces. But now, latest trend is that engineers working in companies also aspire for defence careers, albeit for different reasons.
What is in it for you?
- A living purpose to serve the motherland.
- Sense of pride and honor.
- Displaying leadership skills at a young age.
- Great team work.
- Disciplined life style.
- Training and education.
- Sports and adventure AND the list goes on…
Entry Eligibility –
The qualification is from 12th class to post-graduation. Some of the common entries are, for instance :
- NDA/Naval Academy Entry : Boys studying in 12th Science stream can enter the National Defence Academy/Naval Academy.
- Graduate Entry Scheme : Graduates in any stream can join the Indian Army.
- Technical Entry Scheme : Graduates of almost any stream of engineering are eligible to join the armed forces. Moreover, there is no written examination and they should clear the SSB only.
- NCC Special Entry Scheme : NCC ‘C’ certificate holders are eligible to join and have to just pass in the SSB.
Testing Procedure of SSB-
Reporting Day – Candidates report in railway station and then taken to the respective boards . Subsequently , candidates know about the procedure , do’s and don’ts. After that the candidates fill up a Personal Information Questionnaire (PIQ) form which lays the foundation for psychological testing and the interview.
STAGE – A
- Intelligence Test (verbal and non verbal).
- Picture Perception and Description Test : Candidates see the picture for 30 seconds and after that candidates have to write a story about the past buildup , present scenario and future outcome of the picture shown.
- Discussion of the picture : Groups are divided into 15 candidates each where story is narrated by each candidate. A common conclusion comes after discussion among the candidates.
STAGE – B
It consists of psych tests, group tests, and finally the interview.
Psychological Tests –
- Thematic Apperception Test: Firstly, a candidate writes stories on 12 pictures where 3 minutes are for writing each story.
- Word Association Test: Here , a list of 60 words are shown one by one on a screen and to write a sentence on the word, 15 seconds are given.
- Situation Reaction Test: A candidate has to answer 60 questions in 30 minutes. These situations are day to day life situations which a common person encounters in his daily activities and therefore needs a practical solution.
- Self Description Test: Fianlly , the candidate writes about the opinion of his/her parents/guardian, friends, teachers/superiors.
Group Tests (day 3 & 4)-
- Group Discussion: Two topics are discussed amongst the candidates which is an informal discussion. For each topic, 20 minutes are allotted.
- Group planning exercise: Here a real life scenario of tasks in a place are shown. One has to manage the resources available to him in the best way possible. The solutions are then discussed with the group and finally a common solution is reached at the end.
- Progressive group task: A set of four-five obstacles with increasing level of difficulties are to be completed in 40 to 50 minutes. Materials like plank,balli and rope are given to the candidates. Overall , it is done to see the group cohesiveness.
- Group obstacle race: Here, the group faces against each other over 6 obstacles and carrying a snake like rope.
- Half group task: Group is now divided into two sub groups but the obstacle is similar to progressive group task. Helping material and a small load is provided.
- Lecturette: Here, candidates speak for about three minutes on any chosen topic for the talk because of which the knowledge is tested.
Day- 4
- Individual Obstacles: A candidate has to cross through all 10 obstacles with 1 being the simplest and 10 toughest. In other words, a physically fit candidate will sail through this task.
- Command Task: Meanwhile, each candidate is made a commander and with subordinates, expected to find a solution for the problem.
- Final Group Task: One last time candidates are grouped for final evaluation and similar to progressive group task.
Personal Interview – The interviewing officer conducts the interview during group tasks and is based on the PIQ form filled by the candidates on day 1 and other general knowledge.
Eventually, the recommended candidates undergo medicals in the nearest military hospital and takes five days to complete.
For more information about the tasks performed in SSB -> Click Here
For practice questions on geography -> CLICK HERE
