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Dear defence aspirants and future officers of the Indian

Armed Officers, this e-book is made to give you an insight
into the Services Selection Board (SSB) and the various
nuances involved in order to succeed in them.
I have compiled this e-book in a generic yet methodological
manner to help you broadly dissect the process of SSB.
It has been deliberately designed in that way so that you get
to understand the rules of interview involved.
An interview gives the interviewer an opportunity to select
that candidate who meets all his QRs for the job involved. In
the case of SSB the QRs are the OLQ (Officer Like Qualities).
Interviews have become a very important and essential part
any selection process for a job. The interview process has
taken its roots so deep in our system that even a 3 year old is
not spared, who is expected to perform well in the interview
in order to join a play school.
Today selectors have numerous candidates to select from
and an interview becomes the means of differentiating one
candidate from the other.
We would naturally like to, put our best foot forward in an
interview. But what perhaps prevents us from achieving our
goal/ mission in spite of our best efforts is the pressure
combined with lack of knowledge against seemingly heavy
odds.

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Suddenly, the goal that we have been striving for becomes

unattractive and impossible. Our uncertainties and
nervousness make us wonder what is going to happen in the
interview. We look for somebody or some book that will
answer the question that crowds our mind.
This e-book may not be the complete guide to excellence at
the SSB but it is one of the steps towards success. (Visit
http://www.SSBStudy.com for our advanced SSB Training
Material.)
What Is An Interview
The Oxford Dictionary defines an interview as a face to face
meeting, especially for the purpose of obtaining a statement
or for assessing the qualities of a candidate. Interview' is
derived from the French word entrevoir which means
glimpse'. This, therefore, indicates a physical meeting of
people with two possible objectives:
a)

To obtain a statement or opinion

b)

To assess a person for selection.

Preparation Before Interview

One of the most fundamental factors that contribute to the
success of an interview is the time and quality of preparation
made by you.

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The degree of preparedness before an interview helps reduce

the uncertainty and anxiety prior to the interview.
The amount of effort you wish to put into preparation is
directly proportional to the importance of the interview.
Simply put, if the reason for giving the interview is important
enough the more would be the effort required. Let us
consider some of the things you must do to prepare yourself
for an interview.
It is prudent to say that a person applying for a job in the
Armed Forces better know the nature of the job.
Learn About The Organisation
It is important to have a thorough knowledge of the job you
apply for. Selectors will never forgive a person who says he is
keen in joining the particular job but he knows little or
nothing about the organization and job involved.
People apply without bothering about the nature of the
organization and the job involved.
All they want is a good job. However, from the interviewers
point of view a good and capable applicant is one who has
done some amount of homework about the organization.
What you must know is
(a)

A brief history of the organization.

(b)

Its main divisions/sub-divisions.

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(c)

Location of its other units /locations,

(d)

Nature of the services.

(e)
Any important news of the organization that has
been news worthy.
(f) The nature of job applied for.
The sources from where the above information can be
obtained are:
(a) Internet. Lot of literature on the Armed Forces is
available in open source.
(b) Year books and military journals enhance your
knowledge about military power.
(c) Discussion with serving officers/ retired officers
/personnel.

Refresher On The Subject

It is only natural that interviewers would quiz you on your
field of specialization. Hence, if you have studied electrical
engineering, management, office administration or
whatever, you must go back to your books and refresh your
knowledge definitions, formulas, concepts and other related
issues. An interviewer judges your ability to grasp and retain
what you will be taught by the organization in future on the
basis of how you did it in the past with your past education

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and experience. The interviewer also ascertains your

knowledge and intelligence by this.

Certifications And Thorough Knowledge Of Claims

Made
You must always strive to list your achievements, academic
qualifications, prior experience and extra curricular
activities. Such achievements, or claims, must be
authenticated by certificates or photographs if available. The
important ones may be photocopied and attached with the
bio-data while the originals of all certificates should be
neatly catalogued in a folder and kept at hand for reference
should the interviewer ask. Through this process
interviewers ascertain your authenticity, honesty and
achievement orientation. If you claim to have achieved a
particular level of competency in a field you better have the
adequate knowledge to present answers when you are fired
questions at.

Dont Make The Preparation Known

It is important not to let the selection panel know the efforts
made by you towards preparing for the interview through
your responses. You dont have to flaunt your preparation
involved during the SSB interviews. More likely than not it
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will bring you negative points. By gradual discovery of your

knowledge of the organization the interviewer will judge your
commitments, keenness and sincerity.

SSB INTERVIEW
The SSB interview is a mandatory interview process which a
candidate desirous of joining the Armed Forces needs to pass
in order to join any of the Armed Force of our country
including Coast Guard. The SSB interview is common to all
three services and is conducted in various places in India.
Some SSB centers are:
(a)

Allahabad

(b)

Bangalore

(c)

Mysore

(d)

Bhopal

(e)

Coimbatore

Apart from these there are a few other centers which are
specialized in conducting the PABT (Pilot Aptitude and
Battery Test for Pilots in the Air Force) and some new
centers being established.
The SSB interview is conducted over a period of 5 days,
subject to clearing the preliminary Screening test on day 1.
Only the candidates clearing the Screening Test on the 1st day

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move further to the rest of the tests. All those who do not
clear the screening test are sent back the same day.
The SSB tests can be broadly classified as:
(a)

Psychology tests conducted by the Psychologists

(b)

Group Tasks conducted by the GTO

(c)

Personal Interview by Interviewing Officer

On successful completion of the 5 day SSB interview process

the successful candidates are to undergo a complete medical
checkup in the respective military hospitals attached to the
Command which may extend from 4 to 5 days.
The various tests conducted at the SSB are enumerated
below very briefly to help you get an overview of the SSB
process.
IQ TESTS
As officers of the Armed Forces whether you will fly fighter
aircrafts or manage capital expenditure in buying a Rs.2000
crore stealth frigate or teach soldiers on maintenance of a
battle tank, an above average level of IQ is expected. So the
SSB conducts an IQ test on the very first day of SSB. The IQ
test is an important part of the Screening tests. The IQ test
will be both Verbal and Non-verbal tests. Even after
screening in, there will again be an IQ test conducted. I hope
you can understand the amount of importance attached to
these tests now. An officer with poor IQ is a recipe for
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disaster. So at no point will the board clear you, for a below

average performance. These tests will be of the multiple
choice type. Since these tests are time bound, it is essential
that you practice for these tests with some sample questions
if you are not very confident of your IQ level. But for all those
who are confident of an above average IQ then there is
nothing to worry about.

PSYCHOLOGY TESTS
Psychology tests form the backbone of Services Selection
Board. In a sense that the psychology of the candidate is
assessed at all points in time throughout the duration of the
SSB. But the psychology tests like Thematic Appreciation
Test, Picture Perception and Description Test, Word
Association Test, Situation Reaction Test all in totality
enable the SSB to study in detail the psychology of the
candidate and to determine if he is fit to be in the Armed
Forces or not. The PPDT is a part of the Screening Test.
These tests are strictly time bound and bring out the natural
behavior of the candidate to the psychologists. They carry
out a detailed analysis based on the response sheets
submitted by the candidate. These tests are carried out on
the 2nd day. A total of 60 words for WAT, 60 situations for
SRT and 11 pictures for TAT will be conducted. The
psychology test will help determine the psychologist the
attitude and kind of person you are. The Officer Like
Qualities (OLQ) will be assessed during these test.
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GROUP TASKS
Throughout the schedule of the SSB interview a number of
group activities/ tasks are planned. These tasks start right
from the screening day and go on till the final selection day.
These group tasks range from group discussion to group
tasks. These tasks aim to assess following in the candidates
during group activities:
(a) Ability to take and give orders
(b)

Ability to listen to others

(c) Power of expression

(d)

Ability to convince others

(e) Ability to make his point across clearly

(f) Helping others
(g) Ability to lead a team
(h)

Team spirit

It is pertinent to mention that these qualities cannot be

imbibed in a short span of time. These qualities are to be
developed over a period of time and practiced to perfection.
Tasks like group discussions needs practice and above
average command over English language. To sum it up, all
these tasks need a serious self study of own potential and
weaknesses.
.
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COMMAND TASKS
Command task is a group task which is conducted on
completion of screening in on the 3rd day of the SSB.
Command task is aimed at assessing the following:
(a) Lateral thinking
(b)

Ability to find solutions to a problem

(c) Ability to work under stress

(d)

Ability to follow rules

(e) Optimum utilization of resources

(f) Control of a team
(g) Ability to work as a leader
Command task involves the accomplishment of a certain task
using a few objects and a team of candidates selected by you.
The final objective is the success of the task. The GTO will
monitor your decision taking ability and command over your
team. If you are selected in the team of other candidates, you
must give your best.

PROGRESSIVE GROUP TASK AND HALF GROUP

TASK
The Progressive Group Task and Half Group Task are
conducted on completion screening tests on the 4th day. Both

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the PGT and HGT are similar tasks with the number of
participants reduced in HGT and the area of the task being
different. The PGT and HGT are very much similar to
command tasks.
The following qualities are assessed in the candidates during
the conduct of the task:
(a) Lateral thinking
(b)

Ability to find solutions to a problem

(c) Ability to work under stress

(d)

Ability to follow rules

(e) Optimum utilization of resources

(f) Control of a team
(g) Ability to work as a leader
PGT and HGT tasks involve the accomplishment of a certain
task using a few objects/ resources and using a team of
candidates. The final objective is the success of the task. The
GTO will monitor your decision taking ability and command
over your team. If you are selected in the team of other
candidates, you must try to give your best.

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SNAKE RACE
Snake race is conducted after screening in. It is generally
conducted on the 2nd day. This race involves a group of
candidates to cross a set of barriers like climbing a wall,
crossing a pit, climbing a ladder etc at the same time
carrying a load of cargo. Now the group while doing this task
must not let the load/cargo down. They are to perform the
task as a team and not leave anyone behind. The candidates
are assessed for the following during this test:
(a)

Courage and spirit

(b)

Physical Agility

(c)

Team Spirit

(d)

Leadership Qualities

(e)

Ability to motivate team members

This task requires the candidate to present himself as a

leader. A leader must lead from front and when required
must carry the burden/ weight of fellow members of his
team. A leader must motivate and ease the burden of his
subordinates.
MILITARY PLANNING
Military planning exercise is a very interesting and
interactive group test. This test involves a team of candidates
to arrive at a situation for a particular problem scenario
which will be explained on a map/model. Each individual
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candidate is required to write down his/her solution on a

paper and thereafter carryout a group
discussion/brainstorming so as to bring out the best solution
to the problem in hand. It is obvious that everyone will try to
pitch in for selection of his/her own plan to be selected.
However, a candidate with good OLQ will endeavor to collate
solutions from all the candidates and bring out the best
solution. In this test the GTO will try to assess the following
qualities of the candidates:
(a)

Commom Sense

(b)

Lateral Thinking

(c)

Ability to arrive at a solution

(d)

Ability to convince others

(e)

Leadership qualities

INDIVIDUAL OBSTACLE RACE

The individual obstacle race is conducted after screening in
on the 2nd day. The candidate is required to clear a total of 10
obstacles placed scattered around. There are points awarded
to each obstacle based on the difficulty involved in clearing
it. These obstacles range from crossing a Burma bridge to
jumping over a pit to swinging on a rope. These obstacles are
a fun to do if you have a pretty idea of how to go about it
beforehand. The GTO looks for the following in the
candidate:

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(a)

Alertness and reflex

(b)

Logical thinking

(c)

Courage and spirit

(d)

Multitasking abilities

(e)

Physical agility

(f) Ability to balance oneself while doing a task

The individual obstacle race does not give importance to
assessing the physical strength of a candidate. As I have
always mentioned PHYSICAL STRENGTH is not assessed
during the SSB. It is our strong belief that at the level of SSB
selection a strong mind is more important than a strong
body. The training in the academy will make the candidate
physically stronger. Hence not much emphasis is given for
physical strength.
LECTURE
This task involves the candidate to give a lecture on a
random topic for about 3 to 5 minutes. The candidate is to
select two random chits from a box containing a number of
chits with topics written on them. From among the two, he
has the freedom to choose the topic of liking. The candidate
will now get about close to 5 minutes for preparation and at
the end of it he is to deliver a lecture to a group of other
candidates. Here the candidate is primarily assessed for his
ability to deliver a lecture.
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The candidates in order to successfully accomplish this task

need to pay attention to the following:
(a) Develop knowledge on various news and other social
activities happening in the country
(b) Develop ability to speak in English on most probable
lecture topics for 3 to 5 minutes
(c) Avoid bizarre grammatical errors
(d) Avoid stammering and tension
(e) Do justice to the topic assigned by speaking sense
related to the topic only
(f) Divide the lecture into subtopics like Introduction, Main
Points, own views and Conclusion for own ease
(g) Maintain eye contact with the audience and speak with
clarity
(h) A confident body language with a loud and clear voice
is a big plus point
The lecture is conducted after screening in on the 3rd day of
the SSB

This e-book is compiled in such a way that anyone planning

to appear for SSB interview will get a fair idea of the entire
SSB interview process. This e-book in totality might not be
the complete preparation guide for SSB interview, however it
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is only a first step towards your preparation towards SSB

interview. And I consider myself fortunate enough in helping
you take this first step.

Jai Hind
Uday Kumar

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