Stage I of the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview process consists of the Screening Test, which is conducted on:

• Day 1 of reporting for candidates reporting in the morning
• Day 2 for candidates reporting in the afternoon (around 2:00 PM)

The Screening Test is a crucial elimination stage. A small mistake can result in being screened out. However, candidates who remain calm, focused, confident, and positive throughout the process significantly improve their chances of success.

The Screening Test is conducted to shortlist candidates for Stage II testing. It is designed to identify candidates who display:

• Adequate intelligence
• Positive and logical thinking
• Confidence and communication skills
• Group behaviour and cooperation

Candidates who are Screened-In stay at the SSB Centre for the next four days, while others are routed back on the same day.

Before the Screening Test begins:

• Each candidate is allotted a temporary Chest Number
• This number becomes your identity throughout Stage I
• Candidates are addressed only by chest number

Address:
This system ensures equality, impartiality, and fairness for all candidates.

1. Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test

2. Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PPDT)

Important Instructions for Candidates

• Stay cool, calm, and composed
• Focus only on your own performance
• Repeaters must not influence freshers
• Freshers should remain confident and give their 100% effort
• Confidence, honesty, and consistency are key

Address:
This system ensures equality, impartiality, and fairness for all candidates.

1. Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test

The OIR Test is the most important component of the Screening Test.

Why OIR Matters

• OIR marks are also considered during Stage II
• It reflects your overall intelligence level
• Your intelligence must remain consistent across:
  Psychology Tests
  GTO Tasks
  Personal Interview
  

Test Pattern

• Two test booklets:
  Verbal Intelligence
  Non-Verbal Intelligence
• Number of questions:
  Generally 40
  Can go up to 50 at some centres
• Time limit:
  17 minutes
  Slightly increased if questions are more

Key Points

• Time is very limited — speed and accuracy are essential
• No negative marking
• Attempt maximum questions honestly
• Regular practice is the key to scoring well

2. Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PPDT)

Picture Perception

• A hazy picture is shown for 30 seconds
• Candidates must write a story within 4 minutes

The story should include:

• Number of characters
• Age, gender, and mood
• Present situation
• Positive action and outcome

Assessment Stages

• Story Writing – Assesses thinking pattern and approach
• Individual Narration – Assesses communication skills and confidence
• Group Discussion – Assesses:
• Logical reasoning
• Teamwork and cooperation
• Leadership behaviour
• Respect for others’ ideas

Performance Tips

• Be logical, practical, and positive
• Speak clearly and confidently
• Participate actively without dominating
• Encourage teamwork and coordination

Consistency Is the Key to Getting Screened-In

Success in Screening depends on overall consistent performance in:

• OIR Test
• PPDT Story Writing
• Individual Narration
• Group Discussion

Weak performance in one area can affect the final outcome.

Final Message to Aspirants

Candidates who qualify move on to Stage II of the SSB Interview. Those who do not qualify are routed back the same day.
👉 Getting screened out does not define your potential. Even recommended candidates have faced screening setbacks.

What Matters Most

• Honest self-analysis
• Continuous improvement
• Strong preparation
• Confidence and positive mindset

💪 Prepare well. Perform confidently. Return stronger.
🇮🇳 The Indian Armed Forces are waiting for committed and capable future leaders.

STAGE–II OF SSB (Psychology + GTO + Interview + Conference)

Stage Two of SSB starts with the Psychological Test. It is a great opportunity for the successful candidates to prove their potential, capability, and confidence over the next four days through the three techniques: Psychology, GTO, and Interview. In this stage, PIQ (Personal Information Questionnaire) plays a very important role. Therefore, concentrate and remember your PIQ in detail.
One very important thing to note in this stage is that all the assessors of the three techniques are evaluating the candidate’s psychology through three different methodologies and concluding whether the candidate’s personality is fit for the Defence Forces. Hence, consistent performance in all three techniques is a must. Therefore, it is very important to understand the concept of Psychology, GTO, and Interview as given below.

1) PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS

This is a very important test conducted to study the mental functions and behaviours of the candidate through a series of tests with different time pressures and to evaluate the candidate by his/her answering approach. The candidate has to react to different conditions and situations and capture logical responses in the answer booklet provided by the centre. Consistent performance is a must in this series of tests.
It is very much possible that a candidate can be called for the Interview immediately after the Psychological Test, so be mentally and physically prepared. Maintain a proper dress code so that you do not come under unnecessary pressure. Proper dress code gives confidence and a positive feeling, which is very important during these tests.

Psychological tests consist of various tests conducted in a sequence and without any break, as follows:

(A) THEMATIC APPERCEPTION TEST (TAT)

Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) is the first test in the Psychologist test series. This is not a story-writing competition; it is an evaluation of your personality. Be practical, logical, and organised in your thoughts, and present your story neatly and clearly.

Every TAT story must include:

• The Objective / Aim / Goal / Target of the picture
• The logical/practical approach to achieve the objective
• How you will organise and execute the approach
• The Result / Outcome / Message

Procedure:

• You will be shown 12 pictures.
• For each picture, you have to write a story in 4 minutes.
• In this test, a set of provocative yet ambiguous pictures are shown and you are required to interpret a story from the picture; hence it is also called the Picture Interpretation Technique.
• 11 pictures will have a theme, but the 12th will be blank. You have to imagine a picture and write a story on it.
• Each picture is shown for 30 seconds, and then 4 minutes are given for writing.
• There is no time gap between pictures. As soon as 30 seconds are over, writing time starts—so do not delay.

(B) WORD ASSOCIATION TEST (WAT)

Word Association Test (WAT) is the second important test in the Psychologist test series. In continuation with TAT, it evaluates your personality by understanding your emotion, feeling, approach, and attitude through your responses to each word recorded in the booklet.
Do not write sentences mechanically—focus on displaying your personality in line with your PIQ for each word.

Each word response should reflect:

• Logical approach
• Message
• Behaviour / attitude

On seeing a word, different ideas may come to mind, but you must write the first spontaneous reaction. The time limit is restricted to 15 seconds so that the candidate does not get confused and gives the first thought only.

• Number of words: 60
• Time per word: 15 seconds

(C) SITUATION REACTION TEST (SRT)

Situation Reaction Test (SRT) is the third important test in the Psychologist test series. In continuation with TAT and WAT, SRT evaluates your personality by putting you in various real-life situations and noting your reaction recorded in the answer booklet.
It is very important to understand each situation and give the best possible, practical, logical, and complete solution within the allotted time. The time limit is intentionally shortened to ensure the candidate gives the first reaction without thinking too much.

Key guidelines:

• Answer like a normal responsible person, not like a superhero.
• Write quickly and in telegraphic language, as time is less.
• Do not leave any situation unanswered, except when you genuinely do not understand the situation.
• Number of situations: 60
• Total time: 30 minutes

(D) SELF-DESCRIPTION TEST (SDT)

Self-Description Test (also known as Self-Appraisal or Self-Story Writing) is the last test in the Psychologist test series and is as important as TAT, WAT, and SRT. This test is a conformity test, where the Psychologist concludes about you by comparing your performance in TAT, WAT, and SRT.
This test shows how deeply you know yourself—whether you understand your qualities and shortcomings. Be honest and analyse your personality in detail before writing.

• Number of paragraphs: 5
• Time: 15 minutes

You have to write on the following five points:

• What your Parents/Guardians think about you
• What your Teachers/Employer think about you
• What your Friends/Classmates/Colleagues think about you
• What you think about yourself
• What qualities you want to develop/improve for the future (including negative qualities you want to overcome)

You must include both positive and negative qualities in each paragraph based on what others and you have observed. Prepare well in advance to avoid last-minute confusion. Do not write for the sake of writing—think from your heart. This becomes one of the inputs for the Interview technique.

2) GROUP TESTING OFFICER (GTO)

Group Testing Officer (GTO) is the second assessor out of the three. GTO is the second technique in SSB and a very important test. In this test, the candidate has to be mentally and physically alert on the ground for two days with the GTO in nine different tasks.
Instructions in GTO are extremely important. Listen carefully and follow them strictly. GTO stays in touch with you for a long time and evaluates your personality by making you participate in nine different tasks/games. Play honestly and be a good team player.
Now, the nine GTO tasks are:

• Group Discussion (GD)
Friendly informal discussion on common/current/social topics (often controversial).
No chairperson, no conclusion required; only rule is one person speaks at a time.
GD-1: two topics given; group selects one in 15–30 seconds (this selection is also evaluated); discussion ~15 minutes.
GD-2: topic decided by GTO based on group performance; discussion ~15 minutes.
• Group Planning Exercise (GPE) / Military Planning Exercise
Similar to SRT but based on a 3D model and problem story.
Individual plan first, then group discussion to reach a mutually agreed group solution.
Conducted in 5 stages: model briefing, story briefing, story card reading, individual written plan (10 minutes), group discussion (~15 minutes) and final presentation as per GTO instruction.

• Progressive Group Task (PGT)
Outdoor team task with four obstacles in increasing difficulty.
Uses planks, ballies, ropes; out-of-bounds rules apply; group carries a sensitive load box carefully.

• Snake Race / Group Obstacle Race (GOR)
Competitive task with other groups; high energy and cheering.
Requires coordination; choose a war cry and maintain team spirit.
Lecturette
Individual talk to show confidence, clarity, and knowledge.
Card has 4 topics; choose 1 topic.
Preparation: 3 minutes; speaking: 3 minutes; conducted in a continuous sequence with bells/signals.
• Half Group Task (HGT)
Group divided into two halves to give everyone a fair chance.
Similar to PGT but shorter and performed with 4–5 candidates.
Individual Obstacles
Ten obstacles in zigzag order; marks written on each obstacle; time is 3 minutes.
Plan your route effectively; start easy to tough; repeat obstacles only after completing all, and repetition is allowed only once per obstacle.
• Command Task (CT)
Candidate becomes commander and completes a task with subordinates.
GTO puts stress; keep trying and giving ideas.
Commander must lead firmly and respectfully; subordinates must act only on command.
A small interview may happen while moving to the task—behave accordingly.
• Final Group Task (FGT)
Last task; similar to PGT but smaller and shorter.
Group energy is usually more cooperative and supportive.

3) INTERVIEW

Interview is again an individual performance test like psychology. There is no external influence as in GTO. Therefore, Interview and Psychology are completely under the candidate’s control, and a candidate can win the battle by performing his best.
Interview is a one-to-one interaction with the Interviewing Officer (IO) for around 30 to 45 minutes, based on the candidate’s PIQ and Psychology test copy. Almost all questions are related to PIQ, so PIQ filling is very important. Candidate’s presentation, confidence, logical approach, and honesty play a major role in recommendation.
The seating arrangement is such that your body movements and manners are observed closely. Interviews are usually in afternoon/evenings but may be in the morning as well—so always stay mentally active. Candidates often wait in a room with pictures and magazines; sometimes questions may be asked from that room, so remain observant.

4) CONFERENCE

Conference is the last test but very important. It takes place on the 5th day of your SSB Interview (not the final day, because the final day is the last day of medicals).
In the conference, all assessors—Psychologist, GTO, Interviewing Officer, and the President of the Board—sit together in service uniform. They discuss your performance of the last five days and decide whether to recommend you for medicals or not. If there are doubts about any candidate, this is the stage where those doubts are cleared.
Therefore, do not take it lightly. Questions asked can change the outcome—both ways. Understanding the question correctly and answering precisely is very important.
Before the conference begins, there is a closing address by the Board President (or someone on his behalf), explaining the qualities they judged over the last five days and the “right person for the right job” logic. The candidate is also advised to reflect whether he/she is ready for the tough Defence life, and to keep trying hard in case of non-selection.