O I R: Tests include a combination of two tests( ie Verbal and non-Verbal). Each of the tests has normally 20 to 50 questions each depending on particular test used for the day. Time given also varies from 15 to 30 minutes for each test. The tests are given one after the other, normally without any break. Each candidate is assigned a grade on five point scale on the basis of marks scored in each test. These tests have minimum marks required to pass in each test separately. Therefore candidates are advised to take both tests with equal seriousness.

PP & DT: It is a picture based test. Here candidates will be shown a picture for 30 seconds and candidates are required to write a story based on that picture in 4 minutes. Candidates will also be required to write the action of the story, mood of the story and mark the characters in the picture. Once the story writing is over. The candidates are divided into small groups and are seated in a Semi Circle. Three assessors i.e IO, GTO & Psychologist, form a team for assessment of every group. GTO moderates the discussion and all the three assessors assess the suitability of the candidate for Stage –II selection. Each candidate is required to narrate his story in one minute one by one. The candidates are then asked to discuss the story and make a common story. Once they seem to have come to a conclusion the group is asked to give out the common story. The group may nominate any candidate for the purpose. The assessors conduct an on the spot conference, for each group, and decide who all are going to Stage II testing based on the performance in Stage –I. The results are compiled and declared after all groups have undergone stage-1 tests. Those candidates who pass Stage -1 Testing stay for next 3 or 4 days and rest of the candidates deport immediately thereafter for their homes. Candidates are assessed IN/OUT on the basis of their performance in OIR tests as well as in the discussion.

The written tests are conducted by the Psychologist. Time factor in these tests is of paramount importance. Candidates are given time limit for writing answers to various given questions. The candidates are required to complete the tests within the stipulated time frame. The psychologist at the SSB explains to the candidate about various tests one by one, along with illustrations to enable the candidates to understand exactly how each test will be conducted and what is expected from them. In case of doubts, candidates are at liberty to ask the testing officer to clarify, before the commencement of every test.

TAT is the first test administered by the psychologist. Through the stories written by the candidates in this test, the psychologist gets an opportunity to explore the subconscious mind of the candidate. Picture shown to the candidate stimulates his imagination and the story written by the candidate serves as a medium, for the psychologist to investigate and scrutinize closely the basic characteristics of a candidate. The test is a specialized technique to bring out various traits of the personality of a candidate. The stories written by the candidate reflect his personality in various dimensions. The candidate’s response to the pictures in the form of stories yields sufficient material with the help of which temperamental make up and emotional attitude can be judged. The process is based on the principle that the individual thoughts are woven around the object relationship. The psychologist interprets the stories to find out whether the candidate is endowed with the qualities that are required for an officer of the Defence Forces.

Word Association Test (WAT) is a specially designed second Psychological test. Words shown to the candidates in the test are not selected at random. They are specially chosen and arranged in a definite pattern. The psychologist on the basis of the responses comes to conclusions about the traits of the candidate. WAT brings out the real and latent qualities of the candidate to the surface and then psychologist assesses his suitability as an officer in the armed forces. In Word Association Test an individual is shown a word for 15 seconds. He is required to write the first idea that comes to his mind in the form of a meaningful complete sentence.

Situation Reaction Test is the third test given by the psychologist in series of psychological tests. SRT is designed to test the responses of an individual in day- to-day situations. The objective of the test is to judge whether a candidate possess guts and capacity to tackle odd situations with an alert mind. The test brings out the qualities of clear thinking, logical course of action and quick decision making. It also reveals whether the candidate is capable of putting up with stress and strains without losing nerves. As an officer of Indian Armed Forces the candidate may need to tackle such situations during his course of activities. This test therefore helps in determining the suitability of a candidate for selection as an officer. For a good performance, candidate needs the ability to write what he would have done or what he could do in such a situation. A candidate is required to give his reactions to all sixty situations in Thirty minutes. However, if one does not understand any particular situation, he may leave that and proceed ahead reacting to other situations without wasting time. A candidate is required to write only two to three lines in response to each situation. The space provided is only for that much.

Self-description test is conducted after the situation reaction test. Self-description test is meant to assess the insight of a candidate. If the candidate knows himself and is conscious of his weaknesses, he will overcome these and improve his personality. In case a candidate lacks insight he cannot improve his shortcomings. In this test a candidate is given 15 minutes to write 5 paragraphs. Each paragraph should be of 6 to 8 lines. The paragraphs are as under:

Your Parents opinion about you

Your teacher/bosses opinion about you

Your friends opinion about you

Your own opinion about you

The qualities you would like to develop in yourself.

The GTO administers the indoor as well as outdoor tests with the objective of assessing the candidate as a potential service officer. The GTO’s outdoor tests have a greater scope of testing the physical qualities of candidates like toughness, stamina etc. but leadership qualities like originality of ideas, planning, organizing, and confidence, co-operation are also equally well brought into play.

Group Discussion (GD)

Group Planning Exercise (GPE)

Progressive Group Task

Inter Group Obstacle Race or Snake Race

Half Group Task

Lecturette

Individual Obstacles

Command Task

Final Group Task

The aim of an interview at the SSB is to assess the leadership or ‘Officer Like Qualities’ of the candidate by means of a directed or purposive conversation between the candidate and the Interviewing Officer (I.O.). In addition to appraising the present level of the candidate, the IO tries to evaluate the training potential of the candidate. The questions at the interview are directed so as to allow the candidate to automatically show his leadership ability in his answers.

Final Board Conference provides a forum to assessors where they can share information obtained during the course of their assessments of the candidate. It also enables all the assessors to have a last looks at the candidate. All candidates are called in one by one as per their chest numbers. The interviewing officer asks them a few preliminary questions. The candidate is then asked to leave.