Hello everyone once again, I am back with more experience of SSB, being recommended previously for NDA-130 from Varanasi, I had also applied for TES(Technical Entry Scheme) Of Indian Army, fortunately my PCM % made it possible for me to get up a call up from them. So it was Allahabad now, my 4th attempt in SSB.
I was giving exams in my college & I got to know about my SSB on 18th April, so did packing the same as I used to do, collected all the documents and got their photocopies attested. I reached there on time, I saw a really huge crowd there on the Allahabad MCO, well I was smiling cos seeing the defence aspirants, it brings me a smile, every young Indian wants to serve the Defence forces & I believe India will have bright future in its Defence.
Well, the journey started with the sight of that Army bus; young gentlemen all looking fabulous in their formals, it is really so different sight because the Localities of Allahabad make strange looks at us, thinking “Where are all these going”?
A total of 184 arrived in 14 SSB, then held the OIR test followed by the PPDT test. While writing the OIR test, I was enjoying it so much because it was the same kind of questions repeating and the questions are so interesting that you don’t even come to know when the time is passing, also U are able to utilize the skills of your brain as much as you want. My advice for OIR test is to be fast & be brief, if you are stuck somewhere leave the question and start doing the question paper from the end, I’m sure, you will find easy questions there.
Then held the PPDT test. It was a hazy picture showing some women on one side of the window & it was some other person standing the other side. I made a story of two characters, just a common story of elder brother telling his younger sister how to do well in exams. After this, we were given time to have our tea, friends my advice is to utilize this time as much as you can, in narrating the story to your own self, remembering the strategy you are going to follow in the discussion cos it is just the one minute that you get to narrate your story & there is a lot to say. Do remember your story, the content of it and practice speaking it again & again. Narrating any story well makes your job half done; just a little is required in discussion. In discussion, take the most common theme that is made, speak one or two relevant point & manage the group, making them speak one by one, this way, your job is done, you will surely be screened in, just one condition here, you were humble and co-operating with your group.
A total of 40 were screened in, rest 144 were screened out.
We filled PIQ form then, there after had a breathe of relax in our rooms in the candidate’s line. There are 5 SSBs (11, 14, 18, 19 & 34) in Allahabad, so there is a big mess for the warriors to have their meals. Then in the night we had our dinner, then I slept early cos the day was so exhausting also, I had to take lot of sleep to do well in the psychology tests going to be held 2nd day.
2nd Day started with the batch photography, and then was held the psychology tests.
TAT: In this I wrote down the first thought that had come in my mind. I was natural & truthful with my thoughts. The theme of my story was based on the thought that had come in my mind. I had written the action of the hero more, just giving brief introduction of the background of the main hero, then the problem that was before him, then the actions that he had done to solve the problem & finally what will happen after this. I was able to write all the stories in time being fast & brief with my words.
WAT: In this, I had written all the 60 words again the first thought that had come in my mind. There wore some words that were not used directly in my sentence, but its ok in that, the psychologist is more interested in knowing your thought for any particular word, not the inculcation of that word. In this test, my advice is to be brief & being fast cos if u misses one word, you will lose confidence & you will not be able to present yourself the best of your way. However, if you miss any word, then note that you leave the space of that word. Being natural in this test will get you success, instead of modifying your thoughts according to what you may have learnt in some coaching or by somebody else.
SRT: In this test, 60 situations are presented before us and we are required to write our response, we when subjected to those situations. In this test, I completed all 60 SRTs, I was quick & spontaneous. There were some situations which were repeating; in that case I wrote the same response as earlier written. In this test too, my advice would be to natural & truthful, because the psychologist will now be matching your responses according to what you have written in your PIQ form. So be truthful in your responses & the biggest, be yourself.
SD: This test will require you to write the impression of your personality from the point of view of your parents, friends, seniors, teachers & you yourself. Moreover there will be one more question as to what kind of person you want to become in future. In this test, I had written all the things that I wrote in my previous attempt because it was a research that I had done about my personality from my friends, teachers & my parents. So, I will advise you to do this kind of small research, getting feedbacks about yourself from the people around you, so that whatever you write there, the Psychologist & the IO understands your personality in their rough sketch like imagination. Preparing for this test is advisable because there is lot to write & less time available.
So it was an exhausting day, I went out in the city & had fun in the VCC mall with my friends.
3rd Day (GTO I): Day started with the briefing of the GTO, the first task being GD. It was a good discussion, as my group was of repeaters; although some candidates were trying to push their thoughts amidst some other was talking, I did the job of maintaining the group & speaking once or twice in discussion.
The next task was GPE, in this I wrote a simple workable plan, discussed it with my friends, although they just took one point of mine in the group plan, but it was ok, because the GTO expects you to contribute at least something in the group plan.
The next task being the PGT. In this task, I was not leading unnecessarily, instead I kept quiet whenever there was some workable plan, as & when my group was stucked somewhere, I took them out & the GTO was able to notice this effort of mine. Co-operating with the group calmly, we did all the 4 obstacles.
Next was the HGT task. In this task, I planned it but told my group members to execute it. I helped them too in lifting the Balli & fatta. This way, simple planning did its job & we completed it in li’l time.
Next the GOR. Well it is something that we all must like. It is the do help others & win together task. Our group came 3rd in this. As I m 6ft 1inch tall, I climbed the walls easily, then I lifted the other members; this is what my group expected from me.
And now was the time being serious in the lecturette. I delivered my short lecture on UN development programs. I just spoke for hardly one minute because I was not prepared much on this topic, but whatever I spoke, it was totally relevant & informative. It doesn’t matter for how long you speak, but in minimum time, how well you speak.This ends up the Day I of GTO series.
I was called up for personal interview in the evening. I went to my room, had a sound sleep, got up, took bath & then dressed in formals. I went to the waiting hall well in time. I was interviewed by the Deputy President. Well, the interview started the same with the first rapid fire of my education starting from class 8th up to present, the subjects I had, the teachers I liked, the one I disliked, the friends I had, my participation in co-curricular activities etc etc. I was able to complete up to teachers, I asked the interviewer to repeat the questions again. Then he asked me one question, “Rahul how have u prepared this time?”. I said truly, “Sir, no preparations done. Neither have I been updated to current affairs nor any GD topic or so.” He said, “If I recommend you in this entry too, which one will you go”. I straight away said NDA sir. So this way interview lasted for some 40-50 minutes.
Next day was the GTO II
It started with the most important command task. I was given a really difficult task, it had 3 approaches to be solved from; I started solving one, the GTO started asking different if the structure was changed, then I moved on to the second approach, solved it again GTO said change in the structure, I moved to the third approach & solved it easily; the GTO appreciated my efforts & told me to go.
The next task was the Individual Obstacles, in this I completed 11 obstacles in the time allotted. I did all the obstacles in proper way giving attention to the climbing ladders, getting down from them, this is required in this task because the GTO wants you to do in a relaxed manner, not in a hustle bustle way.
The final task of GTO series, the Final Group Task, by this time, your group is well aware of solving the obstacles, but however, if your group stuck & you solve it for them, nothing is better than that, this is what happened. With the proper coordination with my group for the final time, I did all what I could & solved the obstacle in due time.
The same day, our conference was happened in the afternoon. I was being waited for some 4-5 minutes, then they gave me a ring. I greeted the President of the Board, then my Interview asked me question, “Rahul, you have been to Varanasi too, so what different effort have you put in here?” I replied, “No such different effort Sir, I was true there as well as here, being natural is my primary approach in every task that I do.” He asked for suggestion, I denied, he asked me to leave.
The result of the conference was announced the next day. A total of 10 candidates were recommended out of 40. I was pretty confident that he would call my name too & ultimately this happened. I was happy that the formula that I have designed to crack ssb, is proved by me.
Whatever my experience about ssb is, I can say that the shortest trick to get success is to be natural & truthful, whatsoever task it is.
My merit for NDA is coming soon in some May or June, till then I m on social media, trying to help the aspirants as much as I can.
For those who want to get success in SSB, I suggest them to be updated on the ssbcrack.com website because it gives you whole information about every small thing related to SSB.
Author: RahulI live in New Delhi. Currently I am pursuing B.Tech. I play volleyball, do swimming, listen to music, browse internet a lot, and I love driving. I have a dream of joining air force right from my childhood.
Author: Abhishek Dasgupta
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