My name is Abhijith, and this is my story in brief about why SSB is tough, how I prepared and how I cracked SSB in my first attempt with nothing but a simple civilian background. I stand #2 in the merit list released recently by UPSC.
I come from an engineering background and by profession I worked in analytics. To say, numbers are of great importance for me. So, here’s how I say SSB is a tough one to crack –
- About 2.5 Lakh students appeared for CDS-II 2015 which was conducted on Nov 1st 2015.
- 8315 have qualified the written exam. Of which 2666 were called for interviews (For SSC OTA-104).
- 212 students have cleared the SSB (excluding medicals results).
So, if you see the pass % is 0.084 and there are only 175 seats for OTA as per notification. Now that’s why this exam is considered tough!
Anyhow, coming to How I prepared:
For CDS-II written exam: I prepared with Newspaper (I spent solid 2-4 hrs on this and was ready for any debates on the topics). By then I have already read few books, which I wouldn’t say are necessary but they help you gain a perspective towards India, its past and its place in the world. Here are the books:
- India’s struggle for freedom – Bipin Chandra
- School Atlas- One should know the world and its spatial position on the globe. This website I found was very helpful and fun that now I know all country capitals- lizardpoint.com
- Wikipedia pages about India from ancient times (chronologically). This was particularly tough for me. So I made my own notes on this and even a blog. You can check that here: Abhijith’s blog
Saying all this, one needs to do some practice papers. That’s where I came across SSBCrack and I subscribed for a practice test for CDS on SSBCrackExams.com. I finished all the 68 practice papers and 23 tests. It was fun and of course gave a good edge over 2.5 Lakh other students. Hard work paid off and I cracked the written exam.
How I cracked SSB:This is an interesting tale as I was completely ignorant of anything related to army/air force/navy. I didn’t know the hierarchy of ranks or names of top-class rifles or what happens in drills except for the information I get from newspapers. I literally did not even know what happens in SSB until April 6th (My SSB was on May 7th). To be frank, I had only book knowledge and nothing else. I didn’t know that there’d be medical exams. That’s when I found an academy in Hyderabad – Commando Training Academy.
It’s a simple institution started just outside Hyderabad cantonment area in Tirumulghery. There was a retired colonel who was in-charge of educating and helping SSB-ignorant students like me. To be very frank, my girlfriend found this academy online and asked me to check it out. I did and I loved it! The colonel was a tall, sharp and no-nonsense gentleman. I joined right away.
I was the working with Uber India as a Policy Specialist at Hyderabad office. So, I worked 5 days a week and on weekends I went to Commando Training Academy from 10am-6pm. Basically, I worked without any holidays, five days at Uber office and 2 days at Training. The training was simple, 10am-6pm the colonel would sit in front me and explain how SSB happens and most importantly he explained the OLQs (Officer Like Qualities). He did give me some practice papers for WAT, SRT, TAT and some tasks for PGT, CT and IOC. But 90% of the time, my training was sitting in front of him and asking as many questions about SSB process and his SSB experience and nothing else. This helped because when I attended my SSB after only 7 classes with this colonel (~49 hours) it didn’t feel like it was my first SSB. It felt like I knew the place and the process and this psychologically boosted my confidence 10 folds.
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I remember asking him if any person can crack SSB with training and he said “I’m not training you here, I’m just telling you how SSB will be and educating you what OLQs mean. You will crack SSB only and only if you actually possess OLQs in you coz no one can coach OLQs to someone. SSB is designed to create situations where you can show your OLQs and I suggest you to be your original self.” 
My SSB experience:
17 SSB: When I reached Selection Centre, Bangalore in Cubbon road, I loved the atmosphere and terrified by the attitude of the staff and officers. It was just so disciplined and strict and non-civilian type. I got used to that soon. There was lot of waiting, I mean..a lott! I think that’s how they test your patience before letting you into the exam hall.
Key take-aways:
Day #1: 8th May – Screening-in
Be loud, clear and quick, be it in written exam (Logical and Verbal and PPDT) or in the GD. In GD, try not to be kind and make sure your voice is loud and clear. Your points should have real depth and sense.
Day #2: Psychology
Be original and attempt 100% of the questions in WAT, SRT, TAT and Self-Description (Minimum 85%, at least). If you answer any less, it only means you are trying to fake the answers!
Day #3 and Day #4: GTO
Be first, be fresh and patient. There are times when there are all 8 people in your group fighting about how to solve a task. Be a leader, and organize their ideas instead of fighting with them. Prioritize well! Choose how you want to add value to your group (during GDs). Being a good leader is as important as being a good follower. You should give others a chance to lead if you feel their idea and approach is right (Happens in PGTs). Command you team at times when the spirits are low and cheer them up (especially in snake race)
Interview:
Make sure everything you write in the PIQ form (on Day #1) has some reason and do not write anything on that just because the question will be left blank. You are being hired for an officer position and every word you write ought to have a logic. You should know yourself first and for this, practice at home. Just take out your resume or make a rough copy of your bio-data and ask yourself why you did each thing on that bio-data. Get a reason for everything, you might not know it, think on it, and find the answer.
For ex: I got 85% in 10th Std., 96% in 12th and 82% in B. Tech. The interviewer asked me why were my marks going up-and-down and I explained him with a practical and truthful answer that my extra-curricular activities were at zero level in my 12th and hence I focused all my energy on academics. My achievements in school and college proved this right. So the interviewing officer was well convinced.
And when asked questions on issues related to current affairs, it’s ALWAYS ok to say ‘I don’t know, sir’ than beating around the bush! If he asks why you so poor at current affairs, you can always say that you are busy with your work all day and that you catch up news on a weekly basis or something logical of that sorts. Saying that current affairs don’t interest you be making a fool of yourself, so avoid such situations.
My conference went for around 45 seconds and all I was asked was ‘How was my stay at SSB’ and my answer was ‘Delightful’!
I can never forget the moment the officer shouted out my chest no. for getting ‘recommended’. Thanks to SSB Crack and Commando Training Academy for giving me everything for being #2 at CDS-II OTA. I’d be indebted to you forever.
I can’t thank my parents enough for their support and for bearing with me. My mom still cries if someone reminds her that I’m going into the army. Civilians, we are, till now.
Went to Gurdwaara after we got recommended. I’m on an extreme left. From left Abhijith, Sachin, Anirudh, Manjot.
Chilakapati Abhijith, Hyderabad
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