Three months before , I was just me , an individual with a voice and a pen. Well today , I am the same individual 😉 , with just 15 days left to join the prestigious Officer’s Training Academy , Chennai.
Since messages , requests have been pouring in for congratulations , for tips , for advice from so many defence aspirants , it’s impossible to separately respond to all . Trust me when I say this … repeaters , hardcore repeaters and then the recommended candidates can enlighten you more about the tricks of the trade , not someone who got an all India rank of 2nd in the first shot.
But still an earnest attempt from my side to share whatever I gathered from this wonderful experience called SSB .
SSB as per me is a game , not just of what you are but how well you are able to express what u think , say and do. Although the 15 officer like qualities are the benchmark of what they check and some of them are just ingrained in some yet some others need to develop it over a course of time.
To cut the long story short I would just get to the point .
1. Screening – The ppdt … No one wants to see or read a flamboyant story . Make sure a simple one with the picture fitting in your story . Don’t go about singing over road safety the moment you see a road in the picture . Make it realistic yet unique
– Since u have just a minute to narrate , get straight to the point . Be crisp , be clear with your pronunciation , speech and the way u present it. Don’t stammer, keep hand gestures in control
– GD - Its more of a luck wrt your position in the group , but make the best of what you have. After the initial chaos settles , u will notice only a few speak . Take advantage of the 2 seconds and give your points. Enumerate them if you want. It’s better if you try to moderate the discussion by first urging everyone to decide onto a common theme . And then the actor , followed by the action of the story.
* Don’t contradict anyone’s point
* Don’t be adamant upon trying to force your story onto everyone
* Don’t be too aggressive onto the group
*Try to cooperate more than contradict .
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2. Psych Test
Day 2 of the ssb , if you make through the screening.
This is mainly a rest of speed and the quickness of your decision making.
TAT – * same as the screening , make sure the picture fits the story .
* Make the story positive .
* Write nearly and DON’T CUT OR CROSS ANYTHING on your answer sheet , even if it’s wrong , try to avoid it .
* have mercy on the psych officer and give him something fresh to read rather than the same old road safety , pollution and awareness camo stories .
*read newspapers daily especially the new govt schemes , you’ll get a lot of ideas .
WAT – *Don’t miss a word , it shows u r confused as u took time to think over a word
* try to avoid preaching, advises , should , must , can , universal facts , general knowledge facts as all this shows u r trying to preach what u can’t do
* prepare beforehand , think , innovate and then write trying to frame positive sentences even out of negative words.
*keep up the speed . Attempt all
SRT – *Don’t assume a problem. If it’s not implied then its not there
* Don’t write long sentences . Finnish off with crisp phrases showing the subsequent steps in your reaction.
*Don’t showcase your fears . They are checking your courage .
*check what the srt is asking for , which olq , and respond accordingly.
*where u find a conflict between reasoning and courage , ignore the reasoning .
*attempt as much as u can . I did all 60
SD – Self Description
Don’t write a thesis . Just 4, 5 lines are sufficient. The interviewing officer is gonna ask u everything from it so do a PhD in whatever u write about urself , your family , friends, teachers etc . Prepare at least 3 examples of any and every quality that u r mentioning in the sd.
3. Interview
* prepare ur piq well in advance and prepare any possible question that can arise from it . Your hobbies , your family , friends , teachers , etc , your own qualities .
* be confident , but not overconfident .
* Don’t show off unnecessarily , the one in front of u is smarter than u r .
*Don’t lie if you can’t justify it. Simply , justify anything and everything you say .
*be to the point . Answer as much as is asked . Don’t be a chatki .
* The most important thing : try to maintain a cheerful atmosphere in the room. Smile often. If you stay serious , he ‘ll make sure that you feel a dementor has sucked all happiness out of you (harry potter fans would understand the pun) .
*your knowledge will help u a lot. Don’t appear a fool . Although a personality test but highly advisable that you be well versed with the current happenings of the country atleast. Read The Hindu . For god sake don’t pick up a glamour coated TOI .
* not just for the ssb , I would strongly advise you to have a balanced opinion about things and issues as a rational person. This country is already filled with fanatic fools and they are doing no good. At least the army needs to be cool headed .
* In the wake of the anti-national , fake nationalism drama this country is witnessing , for god sake refrain from showing your patriotism in the ssb. We don’t need martyrs but more enemies dead.
* Don’t show your stupidity by glorifying your caste and creed. “Hum rajput hote hain and we don’t keep calm ” . The answer will be a polite F**k Off from the army .
*strictly speaking … no bhakts ( modi bhakts ) and pseudo-intellectuals , etc needed . Keep it all in your pocket.
*Don’t discuss any negative personality issue with the io. Especially when the negative qualities of your parents n friends are asked.
* lie if u have to , but be diplomatic and confident enough to justify it with rational grounds.
*KEEP SMILING and don’t succumb under pressure .
GTO –
* the only 3 things u need to focus on are
– the military planning
~ Don’t contradict the one who gives the group plan. He is the commander and u have to trust and agree to him.
~ write ur plan in points or small paragraphs , include all your resources n men .
– the lecturette
~think ur ideas well , while u have time.
~atleast 5, 7 . And then just expand them
~ be clear and confident about the way you speak , don’t stammer , don’t use hand gestures , don’t choose those My favourite teacher , my favourite actor topics . Grow up please.
– Group Discussion
~ the same points as in mentioned in the screening above .
~ your knowledge will help u here
~ Don’t repeat points
~ give innovative points , try avoiding the routine stuff
~ speak well , trying to include the non speakers in the group.
~ exercise your right to keep silent as well . Speaking 4, 5 times is enough . Let others speak as well.
– Group tasks
~ Don’t stand in the background to just preach ideas , if u have it , implement it. Be a doer
~ if you don’t have any idea , help out the group with executing the ideas . Make urself useful .
~ Don’t try to be bossy and shove everyone out of your way .
~ your group dynamics are being tested and eventually the leader amongst u will emerge .
Remember A LEADER IS NOT THE ONE WHO LEADS, BUT THE ONE WHO CAN CREATE MORE LEADERS AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY WITH COMPASSION .
*during all the other physical tasks , especially snake race , help all the group members to cross over , don’t act selfish .
* doesn’t matter how many individual obstacles u do. Chill n do as many as you can. I did just 5 . Didn’t want to cut my hands n all so no tiger leap for me. Hehe … but yes if you fail while doing a task , don’t give up . Do it again till you succeed .
That’s all about it and overall Euro g the ssb
1. Make yourself indispensable . A humorous , jolly person is like by all and helps you to bond well with ur teammates .
2. Don’t show Off unnecessarily.
3. Try to help your fellow mates to de-stress . I kept on making them laugh resultant of which they themselves were marketing me in front of the GTO.
4. Enjoy yourselves . If you worry too much about the outcome your performance in the process would show your nervousness.
5. Enjoy being bored with no technological connectivity. Being bored means being innovative.
PLAY ONE BALL AT A TIME AND YES IT’S NOT THE END OF LIFE IF YOU DONT MAKE IT . HEROES ARE HEROES … WITH OR WITHOUT THE STARS .
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