This was my first time facing SSB interview, so all I had in my mind was some posts from few experienced people on this site who talked about it and explained the proceedings of an SSB interview procedure. So here, I will share my experience, see if it helps anyone like me and as every other Indian will provide some free suggestions.
Also Read: Flat Foot and its Treatment
 |
| Alokjyoti Chest No:23 |
Pick up:
As asked in the call letter to wait at the designated place on the time mentioned and there you will have a bus from Indian Navy/ Army/ Air Force to pick u up right on time. I had a bus waiting for me and many others there at MCO, Coimbatore at Coimbatore Jn. exactly at 6:00 am, true to every word in my call letter.
Now some important information:
There are two reporting times: 6:00 am & 2:00 p.m.
If your reporting time is 6am your Stage I will start the same day only,
if its 2 pm then Stage I starts the following day.
Day 1-Stage I:
Document verification is the first thing that is done, and you are provided with Chest no. Two Intelligence tests are there involving: 50 questions each & 30 minutes to complete each. Reasoning, simple mathematics, some puzzles etc. (very elementary level). Just time management is the catch …so be a little efficient with time.
Picture Perception Discussion Test (PPDT):
Then a hazy picture is shown for 30 seconds and you are given 4 minutes after that to write a story on that (Give your imagination power a full swing and create a masterpiece of a heroic activity out of the picture and keep it very inspiring 😉 but don’t be over dramatic, keep it simple). Then you will be provided Breakfast after which all candidates are divided in groups according to the Chest no. s for a Group Discussion
on the stories written by you n your group members.
GD procedure: First each one of you in the group would be asked to talk about your stories individually one by one and then, they ask the group to start the GD on making a common story(now this is a crucial part of Stage I so In GD try to speak out as clearly as you can but don’t be aggressive but at the same time keep a fair amount of command in your voice, and while reading the story out as well, be flawless with good communication skills and remember: you do the GD well, the Stage I is all yours.
After Stage-I is over all the candidates were gathered around to announce the screened in members from Stage I. Now if you survive Stage-I, Stage-II begins the day after or else u r straight away sent back home.
Well being positive let’s talk about
Stage II:
Day 2: TAT (thematic Appreciation test) WAT (Word Association Test) SRT (Situation Reaction test),
Day 2/3: PI (Personal Interview) on same day or day after depends on Chest no.
Day 3 & 4: Then starts the fun part Group tasks n Individual tasks….
Day 5: Conference
for detailed info on the STAGE II activities you can find much on this site.
One of the Key stages of Stage II is Interview, Interview can be handled as you drive the motion of the interview your way…. that is turn it into the direction of topics you are great with and if you think you don’t hold firm ground in any topic (tech/general affairs/etc.) just try to keep the interviewer concentrated into your life events…. because you must be knowing a great deal about your life at least and then just be honest about everything and try to bring out your strengths but try to be average & intelligent (Indian armed forces are not looking out for Superman or He-man kinds) but not over smart and all else will just go fine with a good body language n a sweet smile. A good body language is an upright posture which doesn’t look imitated, hands always at ease rested on your knees, don’t use any hand gestures to communicate and just be natural.
Deciding Factor according to my perception (might differ person to person): GTO may grill you during the group tasks as well, so be prepared. Well at our SSB, rumors went out like GTO holds more power to recommend you and if he’s impressed you are good to go (even I felt so).
I don’t know how much truth is in it but yes what’s wrong in trying our best 2 impress him 😉 so give it your best shot… during Group tasks and Individual obstacles. Go for the kill like there’s no tomorrow. In stage II just be yourself & have some common sense and you will kill it 😉
Last day just recall all the questions that you couldn’t answer in your interview they might ask you some, I was asked a question that the Interviewing officer asked me to analyze on. During the conference look straight and bear a sweet smile and don’t be nervous as, if the damage has been done its already done, and if you have nailed you already have, the conference is just a “MU Dikhaai” kinds.
Well then will come the moment of truth … if you are recommended, you will be sent for Medicals on that night itself. We went for medicals at INHS Sanjivani, Cochin. Well that’s all about my experience, Am all clear for joining Indian Navy just waiting for the merit list.
“Recommended” was the word by the twilight of 10th August 2012 that had me all elated & a step closer to the Uniform I craved for 😉
Good Luck to all of you and wish me luck for the Merit list. Jai Hind
Also Read: How to Pass CDS Examination
Author: Alokjyoti: He has done B. Tech in Electrical, got recommended in PC-LOG NSB Coimbatore for Indian Navy. “Work today like there’s no tomorrow” is his success mantra. Contact him here.
