Myths and Realities of SSB Interview

SSB is totally different from what you might hear others saying about it. Here we will be discussing the difference in what SSB really is and what you hear about it. People who have attended SSB brag it differently when they move out of the centre and these talks could deflate the motivation of new aspirants or fresher’s that have cleared the initial rounds and are waiting for their calls of SSB.  Please remember SSB is an altogether different world and it changes the personality of the person completely. When an individual goes and when he comes back even if by not getting recommended he/she is a change personality. Spending five days in that environment which shows you a bit of the lifestyle of an officer gives you energy that this is the life that a real aspirant wants. 

1. You are under observation 24*7 for five days: This is true that your each and every move is studied there by expert officers. But you can relax when you are there in your dorms or while in mess, but remember an officer must not forget to follow the rules when he is not under observation. So just follow the rules of the place completely.
2. You cannot be in touch with your family: This might be rite that your mobiles are submitted in some centres because some centres are official workplaces of the defence people too. But the telephone facility is provided through STD booth and you can call whenever you are free within calling times.
3. Facilities are not good at the centre: All the attendees of SSB are provided with the living accommodation, fooding facilities which might not be world class but yes you only tell me which selection test provides all the aspirants with these facilities. The food quality is good and you are provided with dorms where you share room with other aspirants. Each one is provided with bedding, almirah also.
   
4. If you spend more time in conference your selection is sure: This is not true. Time might be taken to discuss various parameters on the candidate and it is nowhere related to the final result.  I would only suggest giving your best in every round which will automatically fetch good results.
5. If GTO gives a tough individual task you are high in his eyes: This is partially right but the GTO assesses individual for overall performance as all the rounds are designed to assess full personality of the person. Any singly round if accompanied with a good performance might not lead to your recommendation.
6. You should attend all questions in Psychology: Psychology rounds have many subparts and it is a perfect time bound test, so according to me you should try to do all but if not possible to attempt all then give your best shot in whatever you attempt. You will be judged by how you attempt. You will be judged by the quality and not by the quantity. So try accordingly.
7. You can speak whatever you want in Interview if you are smart: Believe me whosoever is judging you are far smarter than you and they will catch you like anything. So be yourself as the same set of question or qualities would be judged by different assessors though different questions and if caught at one place you will be thrown out. 

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 Jayendra Singh, Editorial Team

Jayendra is pursuing MBA from IIM Ranchi and is a die heart counsellor for defence aspirants. He was recommended in the first attempt for Indian navy UES entry and is willing to help aspirants to who can make use of his experience in this field.