So there I was again with my suitcase and ironed formal shirt standing in-front of Allahabad railway station ‘again’ for Indian Army SSB. This time it was TGC-119. Unlike the previous SSB i.e. STL-42 which took place in January, the climatic conditions have changed a lot by now and so has my never-give-up attitude.
Day-1:
Screening test took place around 0800 hrs. It consists of 2 stages.
A. OLQ test.
Tips: Don’t bluff answers in OLQ answer sheet. try to attempt maximum questions. skip the question if you think they’ll consume time for calculations.
B. PP-DT (picture perception & Description Test)
PP-DT is all about perception. Try to make a story which is practical and believable. In the story add officer like personality characters that are within you or you want to have.
After the PP-DT exam, they generally give you break for few minutes. Utilise this break to rehearse your PP-DT story (mentally) because what comes next after PP-DT is Group Discussion of the story you’ve written.
Tips: You’ll be given hardly 1 min to narrate your story. Be loud and clear and confident enough so everybody can listen to it. Don’t stumble or fumble yourself with complicated English words.
During GD, try to help group members come to a conclusion rather pointing out mistakes or proving your story.
Results came out and almost 80% were screened out.
Out of our 296 , we’re left 40 for Day-2.
Filling up forms starts next with certificate verification and all.
PIQ- personal info. questionnaire is very important. Be precise and remember what you write in as your hobby/interests/sports/achievements as they will be asked to you in your interview. Don’t fake or lie.
You’re there to become an Indian Army officer, so from here on behave as one.
Have a healthy friendship with all and respect everyone for their spirit to serve the country.
Day-2:
Be focused because its psych test day. WAT, TAT, SRT and all are very important.
WAT- it’s never about attending all 60 words nor its about using the word in your sentence.
Write the thought that comes to your mind when you see the word. Be honest. Keep the sequence correct in case you miss any word.
SRT- your reactions should be more like taking actions rather handling the responsibility to someone else here. Be in the situation and take control of it.
TAT- perceive positive and write it down showing few Officer like qualities. End it in a positive note.
Self Description- Be honest and write stuffs about you in clear hand writing. Do a self-introspection about yourself. Ask your friends, family about you as a person and qualities they like or dislike.
Day-3:
GD/ Lecturette /PGT:
GD- the GD topics are usually current affairs and well known topics. ex. Indo-china, Indo-pak, India’s military expenses, education, government policy etc.. Be active in discussions, don’t sit idle or be scared what others will think. Fact is if you don’t, you will lose the battle.
Lecturette- choose topic which you’re comfortable with and have enough points to speak for 3 min. A bit of hand gestures are good but don’t over-do it.
PGT- Portray your ideas clearly and make sure everyone is listening to you. This shows command. be active.
Day-4:
IO/Command Task/HGT/FGT:
Individual Obstacle: it’s all about checking the basic body fitness.
CT- command task is vital. Before acting on the situation, as a commander take a pause and look around the obstacle and think of possible ideas. Don’t just jump into the field with phatta and balli or load.
HGT- While the entire group is fighting over a path, take a break and look around the other paths available. You might just find the easiest way out.
FGT- Same as above.
Interview:
The interview went for about 1 hour or so. As I was from B. Tech-(EEE), a few technical questions were also asked to me. Apart from that, basic current affairs and general knowledge were also asked. Few of them were about our neighboring countries. They want to know what kind of a person you’re and want to be. They will ask questions regarding family, friends and enemies, girlfriends. Be honest and tell them what’s true. Sometimes the questions become personal, so don’t hesitate to speak the truth or hide anything. Be honest always and open minded. They are not sitting there to judge you by any means. Have an insight about Army, Navy & Air force.
Keep a track on you postures and gestures, body language. Think of at least 3 positive and 3 negative qualities in you. When asked about negative qualities.
Conference- Be cool and relaxed. At times they ask you questions which they asked you in your interview and you failed to answer. So prepare the answers beforehand.
Results- Out of 40, 3 were recommended from 34 SSB board for medicals.
Always have a fighting spirit. My rejection in my previous SSB made me prepare more hard and improve in stages where I lack. I kept a note in my pocket with a list in it, jotted down the possible mistakes I might have made in my previous SSB.
Self-introspection had a big help to me. Unless and until you don’t accept your fault you cannot rectify it and move ahead.
Think of it like this, getting a job in a field (armed forces) which gets the highest respect in the country or world, can’t possibly come to oneself so easily. In order to get it, handwork and dedication is inevitable.
Never lose hope and quit, trust me I have done that mistake.
“Growth is painful. Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong”
Book I followed: Modern SSB Interview by Col. Kuldip S.Dosanjh
Websites: www.ssbcrack.com
Current affairs: http://www.jagranjosh.com
About Avinash Khatua: Avinash got recommend form SSB Allahabad for TGC 119 course commencing at IMA, Dehradun.
