This is my personal experience , recently I have attended Indian Navy SSB for PC Log July 2012. I am writing this because the problem which I did is done by most of the candidates or in the other words can say they are border line cases. Friends first I would like to suggest you is to think less about the outcome , be sure of how you are going to perform.
Like I reached Coimbatore via flight in the beautiful evening, have to it was an amazing journey from Delhi to Patiala. I had already booked a hotel in advance and my friend was waiting for me as he reached in the early morning. Then I had IDLI in dinner and decided to go bed. Next morning I was charged up , were reached station at 5 AM and the reporting time was 6 AM. So finally the bus arrived and we reached INS Agrani. The feel I got at that moment was better than anything. We were assigned chest numbers. As you know the intelligence test is first one , I did almost 49 questions in the first and 46 in the second . They were easy but logical as an officer you need to have a quick speed of thinking and calculations.
After that a picture was shown , it was not that clear , but yes if observed properly can see what’s happening using your imagination (which is one of the OLQ’s). In the picture there were three persons holding each others hand. Then we were given about 3 minutes to write a story. After that we were divided into a group of 16. I was confident enough that I have written a good story. Then the time came for Narration and Group discussion , I think I found only 4-5 candidates out of 16 who were able to narrate the story properly.
Friends theme of my story was based on keeping the environment clean. Fortunately I was the only one whose story was very different and practical implementation was possible. Then one of the assessor asked us to conclude the story. The moment Discussion started the room was converted into a fish market. Everyone was shouting except few. As I took lead to convert an illogical discussion into a logical discussion. I was able to convince 17 candidates that my story was the best. As my story was different and it was connected with current scenario. Then one of the candidates shouted and asked me to conclude the story. I accept his offer with a smile I concluded my story adding a point to it a story which was written by another candidate which was common but actionable part was beautifully designed.
Friends I got screened in the my first attempt and conference out in the second. Both the attempt the difference I was more charged up , was more confident and also I managed the screened out group of 16 candidates . Atlast we had a breakfast and it was amazing , I could sense the life of an officer by the quality of food. After that results were declared and I got through but my friend with whom I spend a night in the hotel got screened out(this was his second attempt in the first attempt he got conference out). So were given fresh chest numbers and I was happy that I got screened in. Then a Naval Person told us about the rules and regulations.
Friends I would suggest you to avoid following things if you really want to get screened in this is my personal experience which I did and got through , didn’t took coaching , best way is to introspect yourself. Important points are as followed :
- Narrate you story properly avoid fumbling
- Always give a smile after the other candidate finishes his story and nodding of head is allowed in the PPDT only.
- Never interrupt in between especially when other candidate is speaking
- Don’t show the followership quality like the other candidate asked me to conclude the story , you are going to join as an officer not as a jawan , you must have the convincing power and influencing as well but not dominating power.
- Always appreciate a good story by saying ‘I like story of chest no… very much ‘ address any candidate by his chest no …
- Avoid involving yourself into the fight rather you should act as a solver with peaceful talk
- While narration remember the theme of the story which you like the most , like during my PPDT I liked the story of Chest no ….. very much so I said during the conclusion even though I have chosen my story to be group story but still I would like to add a very important point added by chest no….
- Remember you are going to get in so don’t become selfish also be ensure that some other from your group also gets screened in as that will show your true leadership quality and the way you take charge in such a way that when you order your men to fight they should fight , they should have second thought in their mind. So be convincing.
- When the group is done with discussion then we were asked to leave. Do one thing always leave the room by having a confident smile on your face.
- Apply the above points, I am sure you ll get through the first stage.
- Then we filled the form and formalities were done. After that we had a sleep with mosquitoes as many of you must be knowing that in Tamil Nadu there is power cut of about 8 hrs in a day. Unfortunately the most of power cut was during the night. But that experience was memorable in itself as I felt I have achieved something great. This teaches a candidate that how mentally tough an officer can become if the situation permits. The very next is called the psych test. Remember be sure of what you are going to write , before putting your on the answer sheet you must a clear idea of what to write.
- Some important points for TAT,WAT ,SRT and Self Description are :Avoid writing common stories which are there in the book , the best to practice for TAT is when you are practicing of how to write a story , write about 2-3 stories or more if you can that will open your thinking and psychological level . In fact what it will do , when ever you will see a picture you will 2-3 stories in the 30 seconds you can easily choose the best of 2-3 stories and present it.
- While writing WAT don’t give preachings and also avoid proverbs or framing sentences on facts like a ‘ word India appears ‘ many of us will write
- India is a developing Nation which is totally wrong, instead you can write a). India won Kargil war (1999) if you are writing fact you have to be clear about that or you can simply write b). Comprises of different religion
- In the SRT’s your responses should be practical and must be workable solutions which can be done if in case same problem appears. Remember there is no right or wrong answer to it but yes a logic behind behind every SRT will show you quality.
Like if there is an SRT ‘ You are travelling by train suddenly you lost your luggage and your ticket ’ When I discussed with other candidates what have they written, they said that “ person will inform the TT and RPF ” . Well friends if becoming an officer is so easy then there should not have been a SSB procedure in fact SSB system we follow is liked by many countries. So behave like an officer. The Correct answer with logic would be “ did all possible effort to find the luggage , found the luggage , showed ticket to TT, Continued the journey ”
Here there seems to be more of practicality. So for answering like this you need to practice more and more and keep in mind during the SSB time is bog constraint so while you are practicing keep time factor into mind.
Self Description : Don’t write something which is not there in you or generally candidate will write so many qualities of his , which are not required in an officer. Remember the key point is he is an officer and moreover a gentleman and a good citizen. If you will keep these things in mind you will never make and answer like ‘ SUPERMAN ‘ which is usually done by a candidate.
Be confident , be specific , be relevant , be meaningful , be dynamic and last but the least be optimistic……..
Then the next day we were asked to undergo GTO test it tests your practical problem solving capability rather than theoretical. Be practical while your are doing PGT , if you don’t know the solutions and also you are not able to generate ideas(keep trying don’t lose if there is a problem, it has a solution to it either by hook or crook ) then it’s better to cooperate which shows that you believe in unity.
Friends I will suggest you practice well for Group Planning exercise , it takes a lot out of an individual to get through this test , it will check you planning , organizing , practical use of applications/resources , correct assumption , observation , speed of thinking and most importantly coming out as a leader but with correct and possible solutions which can done practically.
While giving Lecturette don’t loose hope if you don’t about the topic . Remember some news that must have seen in TV or you have read somewhere and start speaking but be relevant as the eyes are on you only so this is the time impress the GTO by your knowledge and facts. Friends those who want to prepare well for Lecturette start reading ‘ THE HINDU newspaper ‘ it’s the best for an SSB aspirant, as it contains in depth knowledge about the topics and you can even maintain a separate dairy for that and can write in half page about a particular news so that you can brush up easily when ever required.
Individual tasks you can perform them in any order , generally on the internet I have seen people writing do them I this order that order it doesn’t matter or it hardly matters , what matters is whether you haven’t committed any mistake by touching the area where you were not asked to touch by GTO himself. I did about 8-9 individual tasks and believe me they were easy yet designed logically.
The next comes the interview. Following are the points which I would like to suggest you , even my interview was good and the IO said it was very good and interactive session. Following are the points which must be kept in mind while giving interview :
- If you are asked to enter the room by the IO don’t act smart by asking again ‘ may I come in Sir’
- What are you trying to portray that you respect , don’t ever do that .
- Be real , be active , keep your hands on the lap , avoiding using your hands while sharing your point , keep a positive smile on your face and don’t be nervous. Think as if your talking to your talking to known person.
- If you don’t read newspapers , than better develop a habit of reading a newspaper you can impress the IO by your current affairs.
- Remember in all the previous you were have time constraint here there applies no such rule and you can make an interview to end with 20 minutes or to take it to 1 hour it’s all in your hand and also I would like to suggest you read about the defence forces for which you are appearing in SSB like for Indian Navy you should know how many fleets are there , coastline in KM , Was there any recent activity which in which Indian Navy was involved (Like I answered to the IO about the INS Chakra nuclear submarine )
- Don’t show that you are killing the time instead if you are not able to answer any question that doesn’t matter important thing whatever you answer must match with your personality.
- Friends this was my personal experience and now I would like to discuss the mistakes I did :
- I made it look pretty evident that I was well prepared remember they want average not the best one’s if you are a repeater you must have heard about this on the conference day.
- Friends also remember one point which is very much important don’t show that you have been trained even if you have taken some coaching(I didn’t take any coaching I prepared myself but I was so well prepared that everything became perfect not average and remember they want average ) don’t get caught , if your are caught you will be out straight away the best way is to introspect yourself however you can take guidance from someone , but my suggestion tell the IO if he asks that you taken any coaching don’t lie but tell him you have inclination towards defence forces that’s why you took training but in other tests don’t try to give above 100% because there you will lose you naturality.
I think in my case I was a border line case , I don’t want it to be an since I want to get in , in the very next attempt so friends luck is also a factor in SSB , May be your will be the best but you will not recommended and one who performs okay wins the race . Remember instead of blaming or feeling jealous it’s better to accept the mistake that you were not good o may it was not your day. So fill the form and go for SSB and success will yours my dear friend.
I think I have made my point very clear I did a small mistake and it turned out to be a big one in the end………hope ll get through and continue the family tradition of serving the nation via defence forces…………all the defence people in family are commissioned officer why I am writing this is don’t think other ways if you belong to Defence background you have an edge over others remember Indian Armed forces never compromises on quality they have the best of the best officers in the world. The proof is in front of you day by day our armed forces is becoming stronger and stronger.
Written By : Abhishek Sasan:He is Interested to Join Armed forces and to become a good human being and a good officer as well. He has attended SSB Interview 2 times.
