We are at the top of the world. Smile is just not going away from the face. We want to dance and party. But, what is the occasion? The occasion is we got screened in. We crossed the first hurdle of SSB and now we are here for the next 4 days. We are confident that we will get through now. But, which test do you have tomorrow? We have Psychology test tomorrow and I need to prepare for it.This is the attitude of the majority of the candidates. But, let me tell you; don’t make your recommendation difficult by combining ‘preparation’ with SSB. And that too with the Psychological testing.
GTO meets you on the field (OUTDOOR). Interviewer talks to you in the room (INDOOR). There is a third guy whom you will not see, but then also he will judge you based on your opinions, and thinking. He is the Psychologist who will try to determine your personality without an interaction. Astonishing right?
So, let’s talk what happens in the test and how to deal with this unique style of testing. First of all, Psychology test is just a showcase of your personality (inner self). It will reflect you without utterance of a single word from your mouth. This testing does not need any preparation but there are rules to be followed during the testing.
RULE1: Every human being has a negative and a positive self. Candidates should leave their negative self at home while coming to the SSB testing. Golden rule for SSB is being HAPPY, HEALTHY AND POSITIVE. Same applies for psychological testing also. While expressing your opinions and thinking you should always be the combination of above three.
RULE2: You are neither a superhero nor a perfect human being. You have your shortcomings. Don’t hide them by being fake. If they are in you, let them in you and they should reflect in your testing also. Just keep in mind – I am what I am, there are shortcomings in me. I will try to remove them but I won’t hide them.
Let’s discuss the testing procedures which make the whole psychological testing an integral part of the SSB:
- TAT (Thematic Appreciation Test): 12 pictures (12th picture being blank) will be shown and candidates have to write the story within stipulated time frame. As simple as that. This test just gives you an opportunity to fly freely with the boundless imagination. Just see the picture, think for some seconds and make the meaningful story which comes to your mind in the first place. Keep in mind that the story should have – PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE and you being the dynamic hero of the story. All the 11 stories could be made like this. Each being mutually exclusive of other but filled with your own unlimited imagination. The 12th picture is just boundary less. Think about your dreams in the final picture, think about the limitless universe, the sky and make the story of your lifetime.
- WAT (Word Association test): Words which you come across in your daily life are displayed in the stipulated timeframe. See the words and make a small meaningful sentence which comes to your mind in the first place keeping in mind the two rules of testing given above. If you don’t know the meaning or nothing is coming in your mind, skip the word and concentrate on the next one in the line.
- SRT (Situation Reaction Test): Practical situations which a person could face will be given to you and you have to give your reactions. Imagine yourself in the situation and write the reaction which comes to your mind. Keep in mind that you have to solve the situation instead of running away from it i.e. your reactions must convey the solution.
- Self-Description: No one knows yourself better than you. Hence, describe what you feel about yourself (your good qualities and those qualities which you would like to improve on). Write your heart out in this one. Your parents and friends must have formed an opinion about you. Write freely about that opinion also.
Champs, take this testing as a game in which you are given an opportunity to be an artist, a writer, a thinker and a leader. Utilize this testing to its best by telling the psychologists about you. Remember – Faking is not at all an option.
All the best future cadets 🙂
Also Read
About Siddharth PareekI am Siddharth Pareek (age- 23 years). I am from Pink city, Jaipur. I am currently working as a Decision Scientist at Mu Sigma, Bangalore. I am a defence aspirant. I want to join INDIAN ARMY.
