1ST ATTEMPT-KAPURTHALA-CONFERENCE OUT. 2ND ATTEMPT-BANGALORE-SCREENED OUT. “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you don’t stop.” Hello to all the dear aspirants, I am Mehul Gupta. I am here to share my SSB experience for Indian Army through TES(42) entry 2020. I hope it will help you in your preparation as when I was preparing, I used to read on SSBCRACK, it helped me a lot. My SSB centre was “SCN KAPURTHALA” and reporting was on 26th July 2019. I reached there in a day advance. I was relaxing my self on that day and revolving positive thought in my mind that I will do it this time. while roaming in the Kapurthala market I made a list of all famous spots in my mind.
I got the benefit of reaching in a day advance as I met so many participants and I was well versed with few of them before arriving testing centre. I did all the preparations for the next day at night(like -setting alarm, ironing clothes and polishing shoes). So it was the day of reporting “26th July 2019”. when I reached there I showed my Aadhar card and entered the testing centre. we were first instructed to keep our bags and take all the necessary documents. I sat down where I was supposed to and started mixing with the participants over there though I did not know who is going to come in my group I think mixing up is the best exercise to deal with nervousness.
After 20 minutes we were told to have breakfast and after having breakfast, the instructers started dividing participants into three groups:-
1.Conference out
2.Screened out
3.Recommended
At this time my heartbeat was beating vigorously. We were taken to the examination hall.
“THE SCREENING TEST”
1.Verbal reasoning
2.Non-verbal reasoning
3.PPDT [Picture perception and Group discussion test].
My advice to you all is to prepare very well for the “OIR” because that is your first impression of your personality. The picture shown to my group was revolving two persons with one person holding a cigar in his hand. The background was of some hilly area.
I wrote the first thought which came to my mind. After this, we were given 15 -20 minutes time for tea break. In this period of time, I started making points of my story to make it easier for me to memorise. “Key to success for screening”- your story must be related to the picture and speak loud and clear during group discussion. Then, we waited for 3 hours for the results. The total number of students reported there were above 370.
Total of 50 candidates was screened in and my name was taken at last. It was such a wonderful moment, what you feel is above all. Then we went for filling forms for three hours after that finally we were given some rest. The day was so hectic, we all just had our dinner and went to sleep.
“DAY 2” – PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS
1.TAT
2.WAT
3.SRT
4.SDT
In my opinion, this is the most important test.
I would say these tests needs before practice.
KEY POINTS:
1. NEED TO INCREASE SPEED OF WRITING
2. ALERTNESS
In TAT total of 12 slides were shown including a blank slide at the interval of 4 minutes. I wrote the first idea came to my mind after seeing the picture. It is good to prepare a blank story before but I think you should not show that to the accessor. In WAT total of 60 words were shown. The words appear so fast that you will definitely write the first thought.
In SRT total of 60 situations were given. I wrote the reaction by putting myself in that situation. If I would be in that situation what will I do? that’s how I wrote all the reactions. I would suggest preparing well for self-description before because in 15 minutes you will not be able to think and write what your parents, teachers, friends and you think about yourself.
At least prepare the points for self-description.
After these tests day 2 exams were over . we were free throughout the day. we all went to take rest and at 4pm I went to play volleyball with my group and other candidates .we spent around 2.5 hours playing volleyball.
after that our JCO sir gave the instructions for the next day, what will happen, how it will happen, where to report everything.
“DAY 3 – GROUND OBSTACLE TESTS”: First of all two “GROUP DISCUSSIONS ” were there. GD 1 topic- related to the launch of e-vehicals in our country.
GD 2 topic- related to effects of e-commerce. In every GD you will be given three choices, take one option and stick to it. Some candidates covers all three options and that’s not good. I was adamant on my point and kept on increasing quality by giving some exmaples and stats. I was happy with my performance.
“GPE”[GROUP PLANNING EXERCISE]: This test is very interesting as everyone comes up with new ideas and quality discussion occurs. In “GPE” I tried giving my solutions as everyone was shouting and we gave chance to chest 41 of my group as he came up with maximum ideas.
Now came the time when we will be tested practically. First started with “PGT” (progressive group task) under these 4 obstacles in the same format are given and we have to cross with the help of the team and other given equipment. I was happy because my group was very good as all of them were contributing and listening to others too. At some places, I stepped forward and applied my idea but at several places, I did not get a chance but I kept giving my ideas while I was standing near the starting line. We got stuck in the third “PGT”. Nobody had any idea but still, I asked chest no.43 of my group to give me chance to apply my idea though I was not having an idea I went there observed the colours and obstacles carefully then suddenly one idea struck in my mind and it worked. I felt so happy that working on my ideas my group cleared all the obstacles.
then came the “HGT” (half group task) our group got divided into two parts 4-4 each. If you were not able to give your ideas in “PGT”, this is the time where you can give maximum ideas. In half group task I took the initiative to start and applied my ideas by moving forward. My ideas were working and added few advice given by my group like using a balli instead of a rope. I added their advice in my ideas, so the group members were also happy and felt involved.
then came the most exciting test and that is “GOR”(GROUP OBSTACLE RACE)
In this race group has to cross around 6 or 8 obstacles and reach the finish line. I find this task really interesting. My group decided the war cry as”VANDE MATARAM”. In the beginning, we decided who will first climb the wall. I told my group that I will climb the wall first because of good upper body strength and they all agreed. During GOR I kept shouting the war cry but a point came when all of us were very tired and I do not know from where did the energy come, I shouted war cry to the top of my voice and then the whole group started shouting. Though GTO imposed time penalties during our task we completed 1st.
and then “IO”[INDIVIDUAL OBSTACLES]
10 obstacles were there and I did 13 [repeated three obstacles again]
“DAY 4- GTO 2”
The day started with LECTURETTE
one by one all the candidates gave a lecture and my topic of Lecturette was “INDIA’S VISION IN 2020”.I would say that for this task knowledge of current affairs and G.k is very very important.
“
last GTO tasks “FINAL GROUP TASK ” and “command task”. These tasks are similar to that of PGT, same rules and regulations apply over there.
In command task, I was called 5 times as a sub-ordinate.
my advice while being a sub-ordinate just follow the order of the commander.
“INTERVIEW”
My interview was on the same day as “GTO 2 “. I was given 20 minutes to change my clothes for the interview. After 20 minutes, I went outside the interviewer’s room and sat on a chair. He ringed the bell and I went inside and the interview began. He first asked about my place and some questions related to my education and then he started asking some questions as he asked me if I go to my school after 20 years what suggestions will I give and some sort of questions like this. I don’t know usually the interview is just from your PIQ but this time it was something different starting 10-15 minutes was from my PIQ form after that for 40 minutes there were lot of situations, suggestions, few technical questions (based on basic knowledge ) I gave all the answers with smile though he was trying to put me in a stress I maintained that bright smile on my face.
and he said I got enough idea about you, do you want to ask anything and the interview ended.
For the interview dress up properly in formal with a tie, shoes polished, well-groomed and enter with confidence and maintain good eye contact.
“THE DOOM DAY”
DAY 5 – “CONFERENCE”
I waited for around 20 minutes outside the conference room. The president of the board asked a few questions about the centre, did you like the food , arrangements and lastly he asked who is a better leader Modi or trump. I gave all the answers with a smile and confidence. After 1-hour results were announced when the officer said chest no 50 [my chest no.], tears rolled down, I can’t express that feeling while crying I shouted my date of birth.
SSB IS A SUCH WONDERFUL TEST IN WHICH YOU DON’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING. JUST BE RELAXED, MAKE FRIENDS, HAVE FUN, ENJOY EVERYTHING, DO WHAT YOUR HEART SAYS WHILE PERFORMING AND DEFINITELY YOU WILL SUCCEED. THANK YOU FOR READING MY EXPERIENCE. I HOPE YOU MAY HAVE LEARNT SOMETHING NEW FROM THIS….and Yes it’s going to be HARD but it’s going to be WORTH it !!
” FAILURE WILL NEVER OVERTAKE IF DETERMINATION TO SUCCEED IS STRONG ENOUGH”
