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An important part of the SSB examination is the SSB interview, also known as the Intelligence and Personality test, conducted by the Service Selection Board, Ministry of India. The SSB test is to analyze the candidate appearing in NDA and CDS exams. Furthermore, the candidates appearing in the entrance exam for entry into the Indian Armed Forces must clear the interview.
If you are interested in making your career in Indian Armed Forces, you must know “What is the SSB interview?” SSB interview procedure is the process of evaluating the candidates whether they are suitable for the service or not. The information available in this article is helpful for candidates appearing for interviews for CDS, AFCAT, NDA, TES, UGS, TGC, TA, INET, etc. The SSB procedure’s prime objective is to recruit physically and mentally fit candidates to deliver the duties of the Indian Armed Forces.
This article will help you to gain all the information regarding SSB 5 days procedure. It includes reporting, OIR test, PPDT, Psychology test, Group testing-1, Group testing-2, and Conference.
It is a 5-day procedure in which the candidate is examined for their personality and intelligence. Besides that, the candidate also has to appear for a medical examination. The interview starts on Day 0, i.e. reporting and ends on Day 5, i.e. Conference. All candidates who have appeared for different defense exams, such as CDS, NDA, AFCAT, etc., must appear for SSB.
The interview is conducted by military institutions such as the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, and Indian Army. It is organized to check the 15-character traits, also known as ‘Officer-like Qualities’, in the candidates. Mansa, i.e. thoughts, are analyzed through a psychology test, Vacha, i.e. speech, is analyzed through interview and Karma, i.e. deeds or actions, are analyzed via Group testing. In this article, you get the detailed 5-day interview process and pro tips that help you clear SSB:
The next day of reporting is the Screening test. Candidates who successfully reported on day 0 and filled out the PIQ form must appear in the screening test. There are three rounds of intelligence tests in the screening test: the OIR test (Officer Intelligence Rating Test) and PPDT (Picture Perception and Description Test). Besides that, there are two papers in the OIR test, i.e. Paper 1 and Paper 2.
The Day 1 of the SSB interview involves the Officer Intelligence Rating Test, which consists of Verbal and Non-verbal tests. You will get two booklets containing 40 multiple-choice-based questions each. In addition, you have to complete the booklet in 22 minutes and 17 minutes, respectively. Besides that, there is no negative marking in the OIR test. The OIR test is conducted to judge reasoning ability and effective intelligence. Do not rush, be attentive, and then mark the correct answer.
Topics covered in OIR (Verbal and Non-verbal) test are:
Verbal | Non-verbal |
Analogies | Blood relation |
Locating hidden figures | Logical Venn Diagram |
Figures | Completion of Series |
Paper cutting | Interchanging 2 signs |
Figure matrix | Reconstruction of test |
Odd one out | One word substitution |
Spatial ability | Coding-Decoding |
Problem on dice | Shorter and Taller Problems |
Visualizing patterns | Problem on Ranks |
Problem on cubes | Identification of letters |
Classification of data | Jumbled words |
The PPDT of the screening test is conducted in two parts, the first part is picture perception, and the second part is a discussion or description test.
In this test, you will be shown a picture for 30 seconds. You have to analyze the picture carefully and write a good story on that picture within 3 minutes. After that, the candidates are subdivided into a batch of 14-15. Then, the next step is a description or discussion test. Firstly, all the candidates have to narrate their story and discuss that picture for the CDS SSB interview or SSB interview for NDA, AFCAT CDS interview, etc. The screening test result generally includes marks on OIR and PPDT tests. Screening test of SSB CDS or SSB NDA is very important as it will take your candidature forward to the psychology test.
The screening test results will be declared on the same day, and the short-listed candidate will further appear for the psychology test the next day.
The Psychology test is a battery of tests that would check the psychological stability of the candidate to become an officer in the Indian Armed Forces. It is designed differently so the board’s officer can check your immediate response. The time limit to solve the questions is very less so, you have to be quick in your response.
It could also be referred to as a picture story writing test identical to PPDT. In Thematic Apperception Test, the applicants will be shown approximately 12 images on the slide, and the last slide will be a blank picture. Each picture will be displayed for 30 seconds. So, the aspirants must write a story on each picture for 4 minutes. Your story could either be a reactionary story or a visionary story.
The pictures are shown individually, and you must write down the story. Besides that, the time limit set to pen down the story is very less so that the natural response of the candidates could be analyzed. The last slide is blank, and the aspirants must write any story of their choice in the 12th blank picture.
This is the second psychological test in the interview process. In this test, 60 words are shown to the candidates over a screen for only 15 seconds. An example of the word displayed in WAT is BOMB. The aspirants have to write down a sentence immediately after seeing that word. The WAT test will analyze the subconscious behavior of the candidate.
It is the third psychological test. In this, you will be provided with a booklet containing 60 real-life situations. Then, you have to analyze the situation and write your response/reaction based on that situation. The total duration for this activity or test is 30 minutes. It means you will get only 30 seconds to react to one situation. This test will judge you based on your response time over any situation in a fixed duration.
Here are some examples of SRT for SSB interview NDA:
It is the last psychological test of Day 2. In this, the aspirants have to write about themselves. You have to write the opinion of your parents, teachers, friends and yourself about you. Besides that, you must also write about qualities you would like to develop or inculcate. The self-description test will reflect on your overall personality and what others think about you.
The third day is for the outdoor and indoor activities that have to be conducted in groups. This test is also known as GTO Group Testing Officer Task.
On this day, the SSB interviews various testing groups. Below are some important pointers-
The SSB results will be declared an hour after the Board meeting. In addition, the selected candidates will be retained for the medical examination for 3 to 5 days. Lastly, the merit list will be displayed after the medical examination of the candidates. Then, the selected candidates can serve the nation as an officer after the training period.
SSB schedule should be well-planned. You must prepare for the interview per the syllabus and schedule of the exam. Besides that, memorize your PIQ because the interviewing officer can ask you anything about your details. Rely on the best preparation books available in the market and practice the previous year’s questions. Be attentive during the tasks and practice writing quickly because the time allotted to complete any task is very less in the interview process of SSB. Besides that, being mentally and physically fit is also essential to clear all the interview rounds. A medical examination is also conducted last for the final selection.
Also read: NDA 2022: Admit Card, Interview Call Letter & Exam Center
Candidates who successfully qualify for the written exams, such as National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Exam, UPSC, Combined Defence Services Examination, AFCAT, etc., are then short-listed to appear in SSB. Defense exams such as UPSC, NDA, and CDS are held twice a year.
This interview is one of the toughest interviews for a Government job. It is generally for the recruitment process for candidates in the Indian military, air force and navy. Thus, the Ministry of Defence has set high standards so that only deserving aspirants would get the chance to serve the Nation because it is a big responsibility.
The SSB 5 days procedure includes reporting, screening, psychology test, group testing 1, group testing 2, and conference. It is generally a 5-day process in which board officers will examine you for the intelligence and personality test. Lastly, you would also undergo a medical examination for the final selection.
SSB is the toughest interview, but if you have prepared well, you might clear SSB in the first attempt. Clearing the SSB test is a challenging task because in the 5 days process of the interview, the interviewer will analyze you under various parameters such as personality, traits, social behavior, thinking ability, psychology, physical strength, etc.
The time duration for a complete SSB interview is 5 days. It generally takes place in stages, i.e. stages 1 and 2. On the 5th, the recommended candidates have to undergo a medical test, and then they will receive a letter of recommendation from the Service Selection Board.
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