I reached Mysore a day in advance as the process was starting early in the morning next day. I prepared myself for the Psychological tests, practiced some WAT, SRTS and rehearsed the self description which I prepared beforehand. In evening I went out to see some nearby places and reached Mysore palace. A large crowd has gathered there for Candle light protest against the recent rape incident. I joined those college people and distributed candles to other people who came there. For once, I questioned myself that what is the use of all this, once the incident has happened, I sat there for some time and starting thinking on it. I found out that people who have been gathered there were themselves grief-stricken, disappointed and angry; they were there to share and exhibit their grief. I thought of, why people from neighborhood gather when somebody dies even knowing that the dead will not come back, its only because they just want to share the grief with the family. I thought of persons present there as a brother and sisters of the brave Nirbhaya (Rape victim).
I came back to my room and watched some songs on MTV and after that practiced few WAT and revised my self description. I thought of the stories I have encountered in my earlier attempts and decided that I will write as per the picture shown and will not carry any pre conceived story.
Next Morning I reached Railway station and and all those present there were taken to AFSB.
SCREENING TEST:
Verbal & Non Verbal tests: 2 set of 45 questions each, Time given: 20 Minutes for each test.
*Questions were mostly related to cubes. I will suggest that one should not waste time on a difficult problem and must move onto the next problem as many problems were easy and some of them are hard. Attempt all questions as there is no negative marking.
PPDT:
Picture: A young person in front and a hazy picture of an old person in the background. Picture was like a Movie poster.
My story: Wrote about a PhD scholar from NIT Trichy who thought of some unique business idea, took help of his professor to work upon it, presented it to investors and finally implemented that idea in a start up company with the help of his friends from IT industry. On the day of inauguration of company he was remembering the Professor who helped him in his Endeavour.
Suggestions:
Correct Perception is very important. Study the picture carefully. Don’t write any pre-prepared story; rather write it according to the picture shown. Age, Mood and number of characters should be correctly perceived and it’s not necessary to show the mood of the central character positive always ,rather most of the pictures shows the character in negative mood, you can start the story with negative mood of character but must also write how the character fought or put efforts to change the situation.
Story:what led to the situation(background) : complete it in only 1 or 2 lines, focus on the middle part(i.e- what actions the character have taken to fought or deal with the situation depicted or created by you) , for ending one simple line is sufficient. Don’t reward your character heavily.
Discussion: Don’t lose your cool , maintain a continuous smile on your face even if the situation is worse there(like fish market or chaos). Don’t shout when everybody is shouting, you will also become one of troublemakers. Wait for your chance, be calm from inside, and don’t make awkward, hastily hand movements while speaking. Add to the good points of others. Don’t bring unpleasant facial expressions on your face if you are not getting a chance. Believe in yourself that you have done well in other tests which will take you further. But try to participate if possible but not forcibly or by shouting when everybody is shouting. Don’t interrupt others and listen to others, after some time group always converges towards some common story, try adding to that story rather than again giving some inputs about some other story or your story.
Out of 300, 70 people got selected for the stage 2(Further 4 day stay)
Stage 2
Psychological tests:
TAT: Simple yet strong stories.
Correct perception with correct apperception is important.
Perception: identifying what is shown in the story.
Apperception: what actions your character has taken in the story. These actions should reflect qualities of an upright, resourceful, socially well adjusted individual. The end and start –make it short and simple, don’t waste much time there rather focus on the central part (what actions are taken by your character to dispose of the situation). Take help of your family, friends teachers and society to counter situations built by you or shown in picture.
My TAT Pictures:
-
Child playing with tank, mom sitting nearby, flowers on the photo of father who is in uniform.
-
One gun in dessert, one person walking on sand with his footsteps behind.
-
Two youngsters sitting on a tree branch.
-
One person behind bush and a youth walking by on foot track.
-
2 youth walking on a road leading to a palace where one person is seen climbing the wall of palace with rope or something.
-
One youth fighting a goon and person lying unconscious in a pool of blood.
-
Some NCC cadets near by a camp.
-
Two persons running on a road.
-
A girl sitting on a bench and a boy standing beside her.
-
Accident of cart and car in middle of the road and a youth passing by.
-
A boy sitting on a table and studying.
-
Blank Story
Don’t write lengthy stories, short and strong without any cutting is the best one.
WAT:
I wrote mostly informational and observational sentences. Practice for this exam beforehand as WAT always acts like a buffer, it push you if you have not done well in TAT. But TAT is always the most important one.
The psychologist draws your personality picture by studying your responses in TAT and WAT. He confirms your personality traits in SRT and Self description.
How I Prepared: I collected words from SSB books and through various blogs on SSB, online. I wrote those words in a word document and started thinking of my first thought on those words, I altered or modified my first thought as per the requirements of TEST. By this way you can practice for your natural responses and can make them suitable as per the requirement of assessor.
Sentences should not be too lengthy , it must not be preachings or proverbs. Try to include sentences matching to your personality like sentences associated with your hobbies and interests.
Convey information or write observational sentences but these observation must be little unique and should not be very simple.
e.g: Sentence: TEA
1. Tea is hot – Unacceptable
2. Green tea is good for health – Acceptable
3. Assam is the largest producer of tea in india – Acceptable
Sentence: Elder
-
Respect your elders – Unacceptable/preaching
-
Elders are respectable – Ok
-
The current generation take less efforts in respecting their elders – Strong/Acceptable
Sentence: Adventure
-
Adventure is fun – Un acceptable
-
The recent jump of felix from stratosphere is extreme adventure sports – Acceptable
-
Carrer in Defence provide opportunities to persue adventure. – Acceptable
Sentence: Girl
-
Girls are lovely/sweet – Unacceptable
-
Girls are equally competent as boys – Strong , A boxing punch to psychologist. 😛
Situation Reaction Test:
To solve any SRT here are some instructions—
This is an SRT—
His captain was injured before a crucial match, he was asked to lead the team? He. . … … … … … … … ..
First see what is possitiveto do,whether to lead the team or to hand over the responsibility to others. Possitive is to lead the team.
Now you should look for three factors in an SRT–
1) Whether the SRT is checking for COMMON SENSE?
2) Whether the SRT is checking for MATURITY?
3) Whether the SRT is checking for REASONING?
Now maturity says that if you are asked for any responsibilty, you must grab it. so the response will be—
He’ll lead the team,will form strategies, motivate his team mates and will win the match.
This will be the simple one line answer for this SRT.. Now try to appraoch every SRT by this way. Your 90% SRTs will be at a correct path.
Self Discription:
You have to write that what your family ,friends,teachers and you yourself think about you.
Preparation: write in paragraphs, think over your qualities and weaknesses but don’t mention them in a one straight word – like they think that I am honest, obedient,loyal etc. ,rather write why they feel so/what actions of yours make them to think so – you have to introspect and prepare a draft, go through that draft and with time make little improvements in it if you feel so.
You can Include your passions,interests and little funny things about you or your friends which will make your’s self description sound real and unique.
Don’t offer your weaknesses to psychologist as a platter in plate(Thaali me sajaake :P). Always write what efforts you are putting to counter your little or few weaknesses abd how much you have improved. List only those shortcomings which can be improved upon.
You can go through my self description but must introspect and prepare a one for you rather than copying this one. Try to match your strong points of personality with your answers in Psychology tests.
My Self description:
SELF DESCRIPTION:
PARENTS OPINION:write as per your parental view, exhibit a strong positive relation with your parents.
TEACHERS OPINION: Teachers at my management institute share responsibilities with us at seminars, guest lectures and conclaves. They appreciate my active participation in college PR activities. They tell that my presentations are interesting and creative. Few teachers were concerned of my low attendance in their lectures as I remained on duty in other activities. PhD scholars of my department often seek my help in drafting questionnaires and carrying out surveys.- All lines reflect that a person is socially well adjusted. Mention of events make your SD more natural/real.
FRIENDS OPINION: They tell me that I am the one who enjoys life. They appreciate that I equally mange the sports, academics and extracurricular. They found me approachable as they seek my help on their projects and for financial help. They understand that I can’t concentrate for too long as I frequently push them for tea while doing group studies.-weakness exhibited but with a pinch off humour.
SELF OPINION: Introspect and prepare a draft for yourself ,you have all freedom to exhibit your all stong personality traits (but don’t mention the qualities directly, be little articulate and diplomatic in your approach) and also mention some polished confessions of your shortcomings also.
PERSON I WANT TO BE & QUALITIES I WANT TO IMPROVE:
I want to become more mature by working on diversified projects and facing new challenges.
I want to be more physically and mentally strong by stretching my limits.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
With time I want to increase my analytical and reasoning abilities by more exposure to life.
…………………..etc……………….
think on your own—-spend some time daily thinking about yourself—talking to your own—–Observe little things around you and appreciate the positiveness in them.
INTERVEIW:
There will always be the counter questions to check the authenticity of your answers. So its best to be firm and honest in your response. Being honest doesn’t means that you offer your weaknesses to the interviewer on a plate. Every answer of yours must have logic behind it. Answers must show maturity as per your age. Be liitle diplomatic in approach to answer about your and others weaknesses. Be smart, know yourself and your close ones deepely, have a positive mindset about everybody and never blame ,curse or talk about anbody. Show that you are happy and socially well adjusted individual. The interviewer is most interested in the social adjustment factor that’s why he cross questions most of the time about family, friends and siblings. You must speak good about all and if asked to told their bad points or weaknesess then you should be little diplomatic in approach. Your every answer must reflect that you have no conflict with others and you can get along with all kind of people very easily but never state this directly. Your eyeballs must be in left,above/down or straight while answering but should never towards right because that shows that you are formulating/framing the answers.
Prepare on the expected questions beforehand and brush up your communication skills and current affairs. Most of the repeaters find it difficult to do well in interview as they were not able to send across their thoughts in appropriate words to the interviewer. Your answers must reflect confidence, maturity and authenticity. have a natural smile on your face while answering. Handle your facial expressions while answering difficult questions, you must not appear disturbed or stressed out. Most of all, you must enjoy your interview/answers. You must feel happy if somebody is asking about you in detail. If interviewer expect detailed answers, give him that one. They generally want you to speak. Take interest in yourself and you will do well in interview.
GTO TASKS:
Enjoy each and every task. Don’t compete with others, be a team player. Don’t rush while speaking and speak only when you have really have some genuine and good points. Don’t unnecessarily think that you should initiate GD’s and GPE’s. see what group is discussing and contribute to that. If there is chaos, don’t become a part of it rather try to diffuse that but never stress out your facial expressions.
Let others to apply their ideas in Group tasks, at the same time push your ideas if you reaaly think that they are worth one to apply.
Again it’s the social adjustment factor which will drive you further rather than your individual capability in various tasks.
Some tips for group planning exercise:
dis is a sample of how to go for Military Planning—
[1] Works to be done—
a) Save the boy before getting sacrificed before 5 pm
b)Â Give medical attention to injured villagers.
c)Â Handover the tool to the laboratory before 6 pm
d) Catch the miscreants before they loot the train.
e) Enjoy the picnic.
[2] Solution—
a) Time now is 4 pm.
b) We are at point Y.
c) Speed of travelling will be 40 Kmph.
e) We have a jeep.
 I’ll divide my team in four groups——
Group 1- 3 ×candidates + 3× villagers + 1× jeep
Group 2-  2 ×candidates + 4× villagers + 1×tractor trolley
Group 3-  1× candidate + 1× bike
Group 4-  4× candidates + 10× villagers + 2 ×jeeps
Group 1 a) G1 will leave frm point Y at 4:10 pm and reach at destination point  by 4:40 pm (Distance 20 km, time taken 30 mins)
 b) Save he child frm getting sacrificed,arrest the person who is sacrificing the boy, leave d place at 4:50 pm and reach to point X by 5 pm (Distance 7km, time taken 10 mins)
Group 2 Â a) Now start approaching to the problems as mentioned above for every group.
Group 3 Â and Group 4
NOTE—– 40Kmph speed is taken because we can drive and ride any vehicle at 40 kmph speed at any kind of driving surface and it is easy to calculate the time taken for travelled distances at this speed. exmp- If u have to travel 10 kms then the time taken will be 15 mins. Because half of 10 is 5, so add 10 in 5 that will make it 15. Just calculate what is the half of travelled distance and add that half to the travelled distance,this will give you the time you’ll take to reach at destination point.
I hope this all exercise is clear to you.. In case you could not understand,do ask me. I’ll make it clear to you ok.
My CONFERENCE :
I was asked three questions:
-
Jagtar you are banging hard on a door which is not opening for you, what are your plans for 11th attempt?I said, that I have done well this time and I am pretty sure that I will break open the door this time
-
You are doing MBA with marketing as a major, but there is nothing which we can sell in airforce, tell me 1 thing which you can sell in airforce?I said, you are right sir, we can sell nothing in airforce as it’s a service to the nation, but he insisted me to tell at least 1 thing,
I thought for some time and then said, that yes sir, I can sell my image. All of them smiled and finally I was asked to leave.
What worked for me this time:
A balanced performance in all 3 tests: pysch,gto and interview.
Social adjustment factor: had a good bonding with all my group mates and reflected the social adjustment factor well in Psych and interview too.
Liitle bit of preparation beforehand: Most of us repeaters know what is lacking in our attempts/efforts but we never accept our shortcomings/weaknesses so dint work upon them.
Repeaters need to analyze that on what aspects they need to focus and must put efforts to improve upon those. No body can help you in a better way than yourself as you are the one who knows the most about you. Don’t be casual in approach and prepare well in advance on those areas where you think that efforts are required from your side. Guys(repeaters) you know it all, still if you have any doubts about any particular tasks you can come back to me or feel free to contact me at 09171908236 .
Author: Jagtar Singh: Few got courage to go long way like Jagtar. He got recommended in his 10th attempt, doing MBA and a NIT Trichy boy sharing his excellent experience here. Reach him at [email protected]
Best post till date 🙂
congratulation sir.
sir i had given the afcat exam 3 times .but i have not clear the exam. please give your suggestion what to do.
Thank you
Gud job brother..!
hearty congratulations from me..
people ask me that even after rejection in 4 attempts, I am mad about defence..
but you are still above a level..10 times rejection after which you finally made it..!
HATS OFF..!
Hi, Jagtar congrats!!!
could you please elaborate more on how to solve or rather write Military Planning
Thanks,
Nilesh
thnx manoj…n frnzz i have to report NSB coimbatore does anybody know about the lecturette n gd topics of coimbatore?
Yep sure brother… Gto task are very important bcoz when u ‘ll be serving in armed forces you have to adapt with the situation n people from different parts of our country and for tat reason thy are Checkin hr tat how you perform in a group, they have given gto 2 days for this reason only.. Nw cumin to the point on how to perform on gto, for tat I believe jagtar gave a good idea jus follow tat and from my side I want to add tat if you have knowledge about yourself, ur surrounding n sound with general knowledge and knowledge about the force u are gng to join thn 70% of task is done… You just have to attend ssb perform with ur true potential you ‘ll be in….
thnx manoj u cleared my doubt….n any thing about GTO buddy?
hey bro plz tel me tht in TAT we shud write long term stories or short term stories m confused jagtar…
Hey vishu, let me come yo the point directly, as a officer thy expect from us quick responses.. Because in war like situations short term responswe wil come into picture so try to write more short term stories.. Politicians are their for long term duties, so let them take care of tat… Tats my perception…
Hi bro, I have attended ssb 10 times, and wat I believe is tat my psychology n group task are gr8 , each n everytime after my group task my group mates tell me that u were jus awesome no one can stop u n in psychology I m average bcoz of my slow handwriting, not even q single tym I have completed my SD in psychology test but rest I m abl to complete, in interview also I m confident n cheerful but whr I lack is my percentage, I m not able to convince the io on tat point, in class 10th I got 75 % in 12th I got 57 n in my engineering I managed 62 % , I was active in sports n other activities but dun know y I m not able to convince him on this, even I have red body language books n I can feel he’s not impressed wit my answers.. Help me out bro.. I know I have it me.. Jus wanna feel n live tat moment asap…
BRO DONT WORRY JUST TRY TO MAKE THIS U R POSITIVE SIDE NEVER TRY TO EXPLAIN THAT DUE TO SPORTS YOUR PERCENTAGE DECLINE NO BODY IN THE EARTH PERFORM SAM AS PREVIOUS TELL THEM THAT AT 10TH LEVEL I M VERY GOOD IN STUDIES AND I TRY MY BEST TO GET GOOD % SAME THING I HAVE DONE IN 12TH AND B.TECH BUT DUE TO MY LACK OF EFFORT I GOT 57% IN 12TH BUT AFTER THAT I TRY MY BEST TO IMPROVE MY % AND DURING THAT PERIOD I REALIZE THAT ITS NOT MY INTEREST OF FIELD MY INTEREST OF FIELD IS ARMY SO FROM NOW I TRY MY BEST TO GET SELECTION IN ARMY TO ENHANCE MY QUALITY OF LEADERSHIP ,SPEAKER AND MY ATTITUDE TO FIGHT TILL LAST BEATH WHICH I DONE IN MY B.TECH.
Thanks buddy…
hey jagtar bhai m going to ssb on 22 feb m confused abt lecturette how shud i prepare for them? any sugesstions buddy?
Hi vishu,
Never quit before the allotted 3 mins, in case u r out f points,dont get nervous,dont quit and still keep on standing confidently and think of some more points. Dont look stressed and have a smile on your face while deleivering lect. Look in d eyes f ur groupmates but dont b concious, choose d topic of avg difficulty,dont choose vry difficult topic, they just wanna see whether u can address a group of people confidently,they check ur confidence more than ur knowledge.
Read magzines and newspapers to have more knowledge content. Prepare on few common lect topics in advance like:
Env pollution
Isro
Adventure sports
Indian politics
Etc
Just read about various topics, dont cram anything.
Use the given 3 mins to think abt various aspects f ur topic like:
History/ background
Adv
Disadv
Future scope
almost All topics can have the above mentioned references.if u think f d points in this order ur 3 mins can be easily covered in ur speech. Speak learly and slowly.dont speak too fast.
That is all abt lecturette dude.
thnx bhai n r u w8ing for merit list?
https://www.facebook.com/CDSOFFICIALPREP
A MUST Like page for CDS 2013 preparation.
FIRST OF ALL HEARTILY CONGRATULATION TO YOU .I APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS TO SHARE UR SSB EXPERIENCE AS WELL AS REAL GUIDANCE FROM YOU.MAY GOD BLESS YOU EVERY WHERE. REALLY YOU HELPED ME IN SOME WAYS. THANKS BUDDY. GOOD LUCK FOR MERIT LIST.
thanks sunil
Nice,
please reply did you take coaching??
yes i took but long back in 2010..and cleared my interview in 2012..coaching will be benefit, but still you have to apply your own mind..ultimately its you who gonna perform there buddy
hey jagtar tell me one thing tht if interviwer ask u about coaching thn wt can i rply??
actually i had taken one yr before ??
Congratulations bro….The last answer in the conference””I CAN SELL MY IMAGE”” is awesome….Thank you so much for the valuable tips…Jai Hind
well done bro, breaking the door at 10th attempt was really very inspirational especially for the repeaters like me
all the best for ur ssb too..
congratulation buddy ……. well done . it was nice reading .
can u give some more insight on GTO … it would be really helpful .
add me on FB..we will discuss as and when u r online..
salute u man….n wish u all the very best for your carrier.
this time m also going to appear 5th time…so hopefully i will do better this time.
ADB
wt does it mean ADB ?
all the best dude(adb)
HAVE A GREAT LIFE AHEAD… HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS DUDE 🙂
Congratulations…. I loved ur Line “I can sell my IMAGE”. That’s it its vry much needed. Inspiring people 2 join Armed forces by representing urslf is truly going 2 work out.. n let me tell u I am Inspired by ur Image.. Thanks 4 Sharing…
thanks.. 🙂
Hey, one more thing, after joining an MBA or PGDM Institute, its possible to give SSB Interview na?? plz let me know…….. n Jai Hind!!
yes…u can attend..u just have to manage with ur timings and schedules at your mba institute..otherwise nobody will stop u frm attending ssb
BravO Mann!!! Congratulations……….. my next attempt will be 8th, i hope tis will really compell me from doing hard work!! actually, tats a fact tat we lack to prepare……….:( but, we have to if we want… thanks again 🙂
ADB
Salute your spirit to give the SSB 10 times 🙂
All the best 🙂