Which is the toughest part of SSB Interview?

Welcome, dear aspirants!!!! Wearing that coveted uniform and marching through that battlefield is not everyone’s cup of tea because as we all know that the SSB Interview in my opinion is considered to be as one of the most challenging aspects of the selection process for the Indian Armed Forces. The interview is designed specifically to assess a candidate’s personality, leadership, and decision-making skills. Some people even say that the SSB interview can be both the simplest and toughest of interviews, depending on the candidate’s strengths and interests.

There are multiple aspects that make the SSB interview process as one of the toughest interviews which are as follows:

1. The SSB is not a 30-minute test but a five-day-long procedure.
2. This test commences with a screening test and includes a psychological test and a group discussion round in successive stages, which are challenging and gruelling.
3. Candidates are assessed for every response to check how they will perform in the real-life situations.
4. This interview demands candidates to be attentive and stand out at each stage.
5. Your physical strength is the key aspect to be tested in this process.
6. It is not a test of your knowledge but tests your eligibility for the armed forces. Therefore, you need to display officer-like qualities in front of the interviewing panel.

While all parts of the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview are important, some candidates may find screening, psychological assessments, or personal interviews to be the most challenging. Here are some tips as per me to understand for all of the candidates for each part of the SSB interview:
Screening- Communication skills are very important in the screening process. You can enhance your communication skills by reducing screen time, increasing social interaction, and developing your interpersonal personality.

Psychological assessments- The psychological assessment stage of the SSB interview involves four tests to assess a candidate’s psychological suitability. These tests include the Thematic Appreciation Test (TAT), Word Association Test (WAT), Situation Reaction Test (SRT), and Self-Description Test (SD).
Personal interviews- In the personal interview, you’ll have a one-on-one discussion with a high-ranking officer. This is the best opportunity to express your personality and demonstrate your honesty. You can prepare for the personal interview by participating in mock interviews to build confidence.

Other tips for the SSB interview include:

Practicing mock tests and group discussions
Staying updated on current affairs and defence-related topics
Improving your adaptability and ability to work under pressure
Familiarizing yourself with the Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs)
Demonstrating discipline

Remember candidates that the entire selection procedure at the SSB does not depend on only one aspect in particular rather it is designed to enable the assessors to undertake a holistic approach to each and every aspect of the assessment. Equal number of marks is allotted to each of the three assessors.

If you are appearing for SSB or have appeared before, you might have come across a phrase- ‘मनसा, वाचा, कर्मणा’ which basically translates to ‘thought, speech, action’. These are the three essential pillars of your personality and character. The assessors test these parts to mark you as worthy or qualified. The psychologist looks into the ‘thought’ part, the Interviewing Officer assesses you through your ‘speech’ while the GTO assesses you on the basis of your ‘actions’.

Additionally, they follow strict guidelines for selection which are the 15 Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs). So, using the three different approaches as mentioned above, they check you for OLQs. Once they have understood that you have the given set of qualities and all arrive at the same conclusion, they will recommend you.

Every task is thus equally important as how you do each task is a direct reflection and portrayal of your personality. Therefore, any inconsistency in your performance can put a bad impression on the assessor’s mind.

So, if I tell you that say, the Thematic Apperception Test is the most important of them all, you will be bound to give more attention to that part and lesser on others. This may lead to irregularity in your overall performance, which can be harmful. Hence, I’d like to say, every part carries equal importance and candidates should perform their level best in each of these tasks and tests.

Here are some tips that can help you prepare for the SSB interview:

Know your strengths and weaknesses: Self-introspection can help you prepare for the interview.
Prepare for time management: Practice with a clock to measure your performance and identify improvement areas by yourself.
Be confident: Your level of confidence is measured at every stage of the interview.
Be cautious of your attitude: A casual attitude can leave a negative impression and lead to elimination.
Be honest: Avoid sharing false information or fancy stories as you may be cross-examined.
Research your hometown: Interviewers may ask questions about your hometown, so it’s a good idea to be prepared beforehand.

And last but not the least, as per my opinion accepting your rejection without knowing the cause for why you have been actually rejected is the toughest part of SSB. It discourages your self-esteem to the extent that your ego doesn’t get satisfied. Slowly you realise, it was you who didn’t perform up to the mark and start improvising yourself eventually. The regret is so strong, that next time you go again & the results are yet the same…you’re again rejected.

You start questioning yourself!!

At the end this constant questioning to yourself and deep burning desire to prove yourself the very next time you appear makes it even more difficult to resist. A core repeater may tell you better that how does he or she feels deep inside getting rejected so many times despite of them giving their best every damn time. There’s certainly only one thing you can do, improvise & give your next attempt as your last shot, strange but somehow no one can disagree with the fact, that olive green uniform has something very special about it inspiring millions of youth out there. The only solution to this vicious loop is for once get recommended & prove your worth to fetch your self-esteem back in your own damn eyes. Hit harder & harder every damn time & you will get in for sure, there is no other alternative. Improvisation & execution with immense self-belief can only literally win battles!

So just go for it, no part of SSB is tough for one who genuinely has true affinity towards that olive green uniform.