My journey of SSBs was not laid with the bed of roses. Life has knocked me down several times but I chose to bounce back with renewed strength and greater zeal. Hello everyone, I am Aaryan Kaintyura from Dehradun, Uttarakhand.  I got recommended in my 14th and the final attempt from 4 AFSB Varanasi on 5th October 2018 for Non-technical branch. As this was my 14th attempt I left no stone unturned in my preparation. So, through this piece of writing, I would want to make an attempt to motivate all those aspirant who has tasted the failure a dozen times and left the journey. I want to remind my mates that “When life gets tough, it’s time to become even tougher.” Without any further dragging, I’ll be straight to the point now. I started my journey with my first SSB on 28 August 2010 at 4 AFSB VARANASI when I appeared for NDA entry.  Life was not easy on me so I made a lot of attempts to achieve what I really needed from life. Throughout my journey, I contained my frustration and didn’t let it make me go off track from my goal. After making 8 attempts I felt the need to have a fallback option so as not to put my career in danger. ( An advice for everyone: please keep a fallback option). As I was a computer science graduate I joined the corporate world, but to me it was tasteless. I continued my journey  but faced rejection every time; and the only reason   believed was the lack of preparation because so is the nature of the corporate world, one hardly gets time to pursue anything other than office work. After working 2 years and 8 months, I decided to put  brakes on my corporate journey and completely devote my time and energy toward the one and only goal. In the process of my preparation, I met my mentor  Retd. Gp Cpt Puneet Sharma and under his guidance I started preparing for ssb and this was a game changer for me. I owe a big chunk of  my success to him.

I remember him citing again and again that just preparation for ssb won’t help me sail through but the transformation in personality, after all, ssb is a test of personality. With everyday interaction with Sir, he was able to  point out flaws in my personality and pushed my to overcome those. Besides this, he trained me to perform better at SSB. I started nourishing my inner self so that my thought process changes for good. I focused more on myself, walked an extra mile to become more self aware so as to know my shortcomings and eliminate them. I overcame negative thoughts and allowed the flow of positive energy into by working on my spiritual dimension too. Swami Gopal gaur das videos helped me a lot here. I was well aware that to clear the ssb this time I have to portray myself as a balanced personality. So I pushed myself outside my comfort zone to improve my body language so that I could present myself as a genuine candidate at all times during testing and off testing hours.

(Note: This personality transformation didn’t happen overnight but took more than 4 months.)

Now talking in brief about the testing days.

Day 1(MORNING) : Screening

45 out 240 could make it to the stage 2 testing.

As I am good with reasoning and numbers OIR test was a piece of cake for me.

PPDT

• Picture was not very hazy, if anyone who has seen the picture for complete 30 seconds could easily make out   the type of background, number of characters etc. etc.
• I wrote the story that came to my mind at that moment .
• I narrated the story well in a deliberate manner.
• Though the discussion became fish market I was able to contribute well .

Key points :

1. Do a lot of practice of OIR TEST (It matters)
2. Observe the picture for complete 30 seconds. Try to look for minute details. Sometimes the most important things are hidden in plain sight
3. Write action(mandatory)
4. Fill in all the details inside the box carefully (no cutting or over writing)
5. Write original content
6. Remember nobody will give you chance to speak. Develop enough tact in yourself so that you know how to steal the chance

Day 1 EVENING : PSYCH TEST

TAT: I was confident because I  knew how to handle TAT through correct observation and let my brain respond to it in a natural yet logical manner. I didn’t write any fancy or preconceived story this time. All I did was to observe picture in detail and give meaning to it by recalling my past experiences in life. Stories where I couldn’t relate myself to I used my imagination to form a practical story. Mostly my  TAT stories revolved  around my friends, family, my interests, ambition and I guess it paid off pretty well.

I was confident that I did well in it because I gave all natural and original response .No tailor made responses this time and that has made all the difference.

Key points :

• Observe picture in detail
• Recall life experiences and draw inspiration from them to craft a story. It will be more realistic and original.
• Do not copy someone else idea because you will doing more harm than good to yourself.

WAT :

• I attempted all the words within the stipulated time
• I have mugged up a lot of good sentences that I have made during my preparation but during the testing, I couldn’t recall any so I put my first thought.
• And now I believe that it was for better that i forgot the sentences and wrote my first thought because the qualities out of WAT would have surely matched with qualities out of TAT.

Key point :

1. Just practice to write the sentence in time.
2. Make sentences on your daily life observations

SRT :

The most easy of all the tests.I completed 47 . I could have attempted more but my focus was more on quality than quantity.

Key points :

1. Read the situation carefully and then answer .

SDT  :

This time I didn’t write SD just to impress the assessor. I didn’t boast about something which i was not.

Earlier times I used to write to impress but always failed to express. I wrote a balanced Self Description. I put in a lot of efforts here by taking genuine opinions of my family, friends, boss etc.

I recalled my life experiences and draw more opinion about myself from there.

Key point :

• Be honest. Don’t portray that you are the man with no flaws. Everyone has . Only reason of not revealing is either you are hiding it or you are least aware about yourself.
• Spend time preparing for this because the same will help you in the interview as well. More you know about yourself more easily you will be able to express .
• Take a dive into past and learn more about yourself.

NOTE : Everything should be in sync with the PIQ.

If you are not faking anything then forget the above line. Your personality will be congruent across all the testing. And for those who think  they can play smart , can always try their luck provided it’s not their last attempt.

Day 2:  GTO

If you are an extrovert person, love outdoor games, love company of others then this testing would be a cake walk but remember the same personality of yours should reflect in psych and interview. I mingled well with my group mates even before the GTO test began which I believed helped me in every task. I became the binding factor in the group which helped everyone. I have also trained myself no to appear casual at any point of time.

GD: I chose only one lead and gave supporting arguments. I decided not to criticize anyone but to provide logic in support of my answer. I spoke 4 or 5 times but i was involved with the group throughout the discussion.

Key points :

• Keep your body language in check.
• Restrict hand movement to the minimum
• Don’t jump from one lead to another
• Speak clearly and let others speak as well
• Tactfully steal the chance to speak
• Keep liveliness on the face (very important)
• Listen to others attentively

GPE :

• I kept my alertness level high and wrote a well and comprehensive plan within time.

During discussion gave enough logic to convince my mates on my plan. I was receptive enough to include other’s views, cooperated with everyone to form a common plan. We all did a pretty well job here.

IMPORTANT – Download eBooks for SSB Interview Preparations

• Thematic Apperception Test – TAT
• Lecturette Topics Part-1 eBook [100 Topics]
• Word Association Test – WAT
• Situation Reaction Test – SRT
• Officers Intelligence Test – OIR
• Current Affairs for All

Defence Exams and Interview Books:

• Let’s Crack SSB Interview
• Breaking The Code of SSB Psychological Tests
• Let’s Crack AFCAT – Air Force Common Admission Test
• Let’s Crack NDA Exam
• Let’s Crack CDS Exam

Key points :

• Listen attentively
• While. Forming plan keep an account for time and distance.
• Display tact to convince others.

PGT ,HGT,IO,FGT

• It is a test of complete common sense and application of intellect.
• In PGT, HGT and FGT, I not only gave the idea but took initiative to go ahead and implement the same. I also helped my mates in implementing their ideas. I was sweating heavily as I was continuously working without an expression of frustration on my face. For individual obstacle, I felt physical fitness is very important. I did 12 obstacles (10 + 2 repeat).
• Talking about physical fitness  I believe it’s very important. It talks about our lifestyle, body language and much more.
• Being physically fit adds to our charm and boost our self confidence.
• You can always use fitness to your advantage .
• And if you are a big time repeater then i guess it is the must. I reduced my weight from 78kg  to 64 kg in a span of 8 months and i believe it helped me somewhere. Those who know me would concur.

Key points :

• Don’t be in haste. Read the structure carefully
• Don’t criticize anyone
• No frustration on the face
• Keep Working never remain idle on the ground
• Give your ideas but don’t force them on others

Lecturette :

I chose to talk on the Role of India in the United Nations. I divided my topic in parts and delivered the lecturette in a logical manner.

Key points:

• Don’t waste time on choosing a topic
• Organise content well under different section
• Stand firm, speak with confidence
• Use pitch and tone to create an impact on others.
• Utilize complete 3 minutes.

Command Task :

I did very well in my command task, was able to complete the whole task well before time. I was grilled  but came up with the solution every time. Due to my good bonding with everyone in the group I was called 5 times in the group of 9 as a helper.

Note :

• Well after giving 14 SSBs I can  surely tell that one can easily come to know about his performance in GTO tasks through command task.
• If one get a hard task and GTO is grilling him that means the person did well in GTO task but that doesn’t guarantee his recommendation because the other two techniques have their weightage too.

Day 3: Interview

• My interview was very intense. The interviewer was grilling me in everything. Every word i speak he would catch me there. But as I had nothing to hide I replied to him with ease. He spinned the interview around my friends and family. I also played very tactfully and use my prudence to save myself falling into clutches of the interviewer. I made a point to myself that I’ll only what is being asked, no extra information until probed.
• My preparation for exploring more about self and becoming self aware helped me a lot here. I have recalled all the good and bad experiences of my life and learnt about myself and it helped in supporting my responses. Whenever the interviewer asked me of any incident I would comfortably provide him with that.
• Most important was in what manner I am giving the answer. I know i was carrying a good body language and i kept that intact throughout the interview. After my interview, I felt quite happy and satisfied.

Key points :

• Keep your body language positive
• Know about yourself as much as possible
• Speak with confidence and clarity

Day 4: Conference

• As this was my last conference my heart was racing. My chest no. was 45 and the moment chest number 44 went out of conference room I prayed to the God that at least this time make them have a discussion over me. I was counting seconds when i heard the bell, And I was like Shit! Man not again.
• I kept my composure, went inside and greeted the president of the board.
• He asked me in dominating voice “Ok Aaryan . How differently did you prepare this time?”
• I replied in a comprehensive manner  telling about how i worked upon my personality and transformed it  and finally pleased his ears He bid me all the best and i left. I was a little tensed but I was  also confident about my performance so there was hope.
• Soon after it was time for results. My heart was pumping more blood than it should be .
• Our DSO arrived with results. He announced chest number 37, 41 and with a short pause 45.
• I couldn’t believe it. I was exhilarated. All my failures and struggles flashed in front of my eyes. Finally, I had achieved what i have been dreaming all these years.
• And just when i thought i couldn’t be much happier I cleared the merit with AIR 1 in non technical branch(Administration /PC) and now there is the boundary to my happiness. I am very pleased to make my parents proud of me.
• I  will be joining Air Force Academy on 31 Dec 2018
• I thanked God, my parents and my friends for supporting me through out my journey and putting faith in me.I would like to give special thanks to Puneet Sharma sir for his contribution in my success. I wish many more aspirants like me would benefit from sir’s guidance and live their dream as an officer in armed forces.

All the best mates ! Hope you conquer your dream soon.

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Cracked SSB interview in 6^th attempt after facing 4 back to back screenouts and finally making in my 2^nd conference (6^th attempt which was my final attempt for the flying branch). Hello, I am Nishant Singh Yadav from Jabalpur (MP). I cleared the SSB interview in 6^th attempt and made the place among 6 pilots all over India, joining the Indian Naval Academy and further the Indian Airforce academy for flying. I have been a follower SSBCRACK page for almost 4 years and it helped me a lot in achieving my goal. Set your goals and don’t stop till you get there. I am sure. The feeling of getting the screen out is felt by many of my aspirant brothers, just remember never feel low or demotivated. It hurts but more important is to have a positive attitude and the guts to never give up. Fall 5 times get up 6^th. The reason behind my screenouts was the OIR part that wasn’t handled properly in my previous attempts. I thought of doing it all correct but did make few mistakes. So the key is just to practice well. The 2^nd part of screening is PPDT I always did well in this part. Write the proper sensible simple story and narrate confidently in GD, as the GD starts DON’T jump into the fish market as in 95% of the cases the group got divided into the two halves so be patient and wait for the perfect moment -as the pitch of others went down put your points loud and clear, I bet you’ll get noticed.

PS- your points must be logical like if in the picture you saw a car being stopped by the people/mob…so one of the logic can be the lane was narrow hence the car stopped easily as the speed of the car is not much in the narrow lane. Think wisely and act. As you get screen in, you come to understand further tests and your mistakes more precisely. I made a few mistakes in my AFCAT entry as result I got conference out. It is necessary to recognize your mistakes and to rectify it so it won’t be repeated in your next attempt. This can only be done through SELF INTROSPECTION.

DAY-1 (psychological test)

TAT– Keep the story simple and sensible. Reading habits gonna improve your writing skills. Read the newspaper, editorial sections, articles of The Better India, motivational/inspirational novels. This all will increase your knowledge and awareness.

PS-don’t learn stories from any book/coaching institute.

WAT– I wrote all 60 words. Try to write short, simple and meaningful sentences. You all will make it not a big deal.

SRT– I wrote only 32 SRTs but address them well with complete solutions.

 SD- only SELF INTROSPECTION would be helpful. Take out the blank paper and write the answers to the questions asked in this section. So this section needs to be pre-prepared.

DAY-2(personal interview)

My personal interview last for 60-75 min. I only gonna tell you about the questions IO asked me because the answers will differ person to person according to their personalities.

PS  – prepare well for the rapid-fire, there may be 3 sets of Rapid Fire questions comprising of 12 – 15 questions.

1-After making you comfortable he hit me with the rapid-fire questions.

So Nishant tell me what was your % in 10^th, 12^th and B.TECH/B.E? What exams did you give after 12^th? Which subject you like the most and hate the most and why? Which teacher you like/hate the most and why? How many friends do you have, who is your best friend? What are the qualities that you like in your friends but your friends don’t like in you? From whom you go first to seek for help?

PS- Be a good listener – listen carefully and try to answer them in the order in which they have been asked.

2-Nishant you are an engineer, how you can be useful for us?

3-Have you hit anyone at your college?

He made very comfortable before asking me this question. He went through my PIQ and would have read my hobby as GYM, gone through my achievements that were mainly in karate (National/State level).

4- Then he asked me technical questions about airplane engines, airplane flying principle, 5^th generation’s aircraft…. As I opted for the flying branch.

5- What is nautical mile? The motto of NCC? How is Dornier different from fighter?

6- He asked about my reading habits. He asked me the editor’s name of the newspaper I read, and some current events like what is happening between US-IRAN- I deeply explained to him about the US IRAN deal and its impact of India.

7- Asked the equivalent ranks.

8-strength and weakness … (after telling him your weakness, do tell him how are overcoming it)

PS- just BE YOU, keep yourself well updated. Read the editorial sections of the newspaper (preferable THE HINDU).

DAY 3, 4 – GTO

See for GD and lecturette knowledge is the key then only you’ll be confident throughout GD and your lecturette. Knowledge can enhance by reading habits. (Editorial sections, watching the news and selective topics of NDTV simple Samachar…)

For outdoor tasks just use the resources wisely, the solution is already in front of your eyes. Stay focused and energetic.

CONFERENCE- there may be questions that you may not be able to answer in your personal Interview so find out there answers before the conference.

Questions they asked me were some from my personal interview, where you place yourself in your group?  Tell the two national issues? What is your alternative path? Tell me your SSB experience for about 1min. ….

Finally if your man (psyche), karma (GTO), Vachna (personal interview). If all three matches – you are recommended. Thank you SSBCrack.

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IMPORTANT – Download eBooks for SSB Interview Preparations

• Thematic Apperception Test – TAT
• Lecturette Topics Part-1 eBook [100 Topics]
• Word Association Test – WAT
• Situation Reaction Test – SRT
• Officers Intelligence Test – OIR
• Current Affairs for All

Defence Exams and Interview Books:

• Let’s Crack SSB Interview
• Breaking The Code of SSB Psychological Tests
• Let’s Crack AFCAT – Air Force Common Admission Test
• Let’s Crack NDA Exam
• Let’s Crack CDS Exam