SSB Interview Process - Complete Guide

The Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview is a five-day process conducted to assess
candidates for officer-level positions in the Indian Armed Forces. It consists of two stages:
Stage I (Screening) and Stage II (Testing & Interviews).

Day 0: Reporting & Documentation

 Candidates report to the SSB Centre as per their call letter.

 Document verification is conducted.
 Chest numbers are assigned.
 Briefing about SSB procedure.
 Candidates are given accommodation and breakfast.

Stage I - Screening Test (Day 1)

1. Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test

 Two sets of verbal and non-verbal reasoning questions.

 Each test contains 40-50 questions to be solved in 30-35 minutes.

2. Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT)

 A blurred image is shown for 30 seconds.

 Candidates must write a story within 4 minutes based on the picture.
 Story should include: age, gender, mood, and action of the character.

3. Group Discussion (GD) on Story

 Candidates narrate their stories one by one (within 1 minute).

 A group discussion follows where all candidates discuss and agree on a common
story.
 Group selects a volunteer to narrate the final story.

Screening Result Announcement

 Screened-in candidates are given new chest numbers and proceed to Stage II.
 Screened-out candidates are sent back the same day.

Stage II - Psychological & Group Testing (Days 2-5)

Day 2: Psychological Tests

1. Thematic Apperception Test (TAT - Picture Story Writing)

 12 pictures (including one blank slide) are shown.
 Candidates write 12 stories in 4 minutes per picture.
 Blank slide requires candidates to imagine and write their own story.
2. Word Association Test (WAT)

 60 words displayed for 15 seconds each.

 Candidates write the first thought/sentence that comes to their mind for each word.
 Set 1

No. Word No. Word No. Word No. Word

1 Success 16 Failure 31 Innovation 46 Kindness
2 Challenge 17 Honesty 32 Struggle 47 Successor
3 Future 18 Happiness 33 Opportunity 48 Dependability
4 Hardwork 19 Dream 34 Excellence 49 Determination
5 Leadership 20 Ambition 35 Passion 50 Hope
6 Responsibility 21 Strength 36 Dedication 51 Preparation
7 Determination 22 Knowledge 37 Self-control 52 Focus
8 Friendship 23 Persistence 38 Decision 53 Leadership
9 Trust 24 Loyalty 39 Initiative 54 Resource ful
10 Confidence 25 Change 40 Commitment 55 Productivity
11 Learning 26 Risk 41 Patriotism 56 Responsibility
12 Growth 27 Motivation 42 Respect 57 Bravery
13 Courage 28 Discipline 43 Strategy 58 Career
14 Sacrifice 29 Vision 44 Wisdom 59 Potential
15 Teamwork 30 Integrity 45 Adaptability 60 Self-reliance

 Set 2

No. Word No. Word No. Word No. Word

1 Effort 16 Friendship 31 Talent 46 Cooperation
2 Journey 17 Power 32 Commitment 47 Potential
3 Achievement 18 Sacrifice 33 Inspiration 48 Successor
4 Responsibility 19 Strength 34 Determination 49 Career
5 Stability 20 Trust 35 Excellence 50 Growth
6 Discipline 21 Planning 36 Teamwork 51 Responsibility
7 Initiative 22 Leadership 37 Innovation 52 Dependability
8 Decision-making 23 Ambition 38 Persistence 53 Vision
9 Honesty 24 Goal 39 Self-motivation 54 Creativity
10 Loyalty 25 Change 40 Bravery 55 Hope
11 Patience 26 Problem-solving 41 Focus 56 Productivity
12 Courage 27 Dedication 42 Empathy 57 Resourcefulness
13 Confidence 28 Progress 43 Wisdom 58 Decision
14 Happiness 29 Struggle 44 Experience 59 Achievement
15 Adaptability 30 Hardship 45 Challenge 60 Perseverance
3. Situation Reaction Test (SRT)

 60 real-life situations given in 30 minutes.

 Candidates must write their reactions to each situation.

4. Self-Description Test (SDT)

 Candidates write five paragraphs about:

1. What parents think about them.
2. What teachers think about them.
3. What friends think about them.
4. What they think about themselves.
5. What they want to improve.
 20 minutes are given for this test.
 Here is a model answer for the Self-Description Test (SDT) for the CDS selection
process:


 Self-Description Test (SDT) – Model Answer

 1. What my parents think about me
 My parents consider me a responsible and disciplined individual. They appreciate my
dedication to my goals and my ability to handle challenges with patience. They
believe I am hardworking, sincere, and capable of making wise decisions. They trust
me to take care of my responsibilities and support my aspirations. However, they
often advise me to be more expressive about my emotions and maintain a better work-
life balance.
 2. What my teachers think about me
 My teachers see me as a focused and determined student who is always eager to learn.
They appreciate my analytical thinking and problem-solving skills. They consider me
punctual, disciplined, and proactive in academics as well as extracurricular activities.
They often encourage me to take on leadership roles and believe I have the potential
to succeed in any career path I choose. Some teachers have advised me to improve my
communication skills and participate more actively in discussions.
 3. What my friends think about me
 My friends regard me as a trustworthy and dependable person. They appreciate my
ability to stay calm in tough situations and my willingness to help others. They admire
my dedication, perseverance, and strong moral values. They often rely on me for
guidance and motivation. However, they also feel that I sometimes become too
serious about my goals and advise me to relax and enjoy life more.
 4. What I think about myself
 I consider myself a goal-oriented, disciplined, and hardworking individual who is
always ready to take on challenges. I have strong decision-making skills and a
positive attitude toward life. I am determined to improve myself continuously and
never give up in difficult situations. I believe in self-improvement and maintaining
strong moral values. While I am confident in my abilities, I acknowledge that there is
always room for growth.
 5. What I want to improve
 I aim to improve my communication skills, especially in public speaking, to express
my ideas more effectively. I also want to enhance my time management skills to
balance multiple responsibilities efficiently. Additionally, I am working on becoming
 more open about my thoughts and emotions to strengthen my relationships with
others. I strive to maintain a balance between discipline and flexibility in my personal
and professional life.

Day 3 & 4: Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks

1. Group Discussion (GD)

 Two topics given, related to social or current affairs.

 Candidates share opinions without interrupting others.

2. Group Planning Exercise (GPE)

 A hypothetical situation with a problem is given.

 Group must write a solution and discuss a common plan.

3. Progressive Group Task (PGT)

 Obstacles and hurdles to be crossed using planks, ropes, and other materials.
 Teamwork is assessed.

4. Half Group Task (HGT)

 Similar to PGT, but group is divided into two halves.

5. Lecturette

 Candidates pick a random topic and speak for 3 minutes.

6. Individual Obstacles (IO)

 10 obstacles to be completed in 3 minutes.

 Candidates can repeat obstacles to earn extra points.

7. Command Task

 Candidate acts as a leader and selects 2 members to assist in solving an obstacle.

8. Final Group Task (FGT)

 Similar to PGT, but all group members work together one last time.

Day 3/4: Personal Interview (PI)

  Conducted on either Day 3 or Day 4.
 Duration: 40-60 minutes.
 Questions about family, academics, hobbies, current affairs, personal interests,
and self-awareness.
 Some common interview questions:
o "Tell me about yourself."
o "Why do you want to join the Armed Forces?"
o "What are your strengths and weaknesses?"
o "Tell me about your hometown."

Day 5: Conference & Result

1. Conference

 A panel of officers reviews the candidate’s overall performance.

 Candidates are asked basic questions (e.g., "How was your stay?" "Any
suggestions?").
 Borderline candidates may be asked additional questions.

2. Result Announcement

 Selected candidates' chest numbers are announced.

 Recommended candidates proceed for medical examination.

3. Medical Examination

 Conducted for 4-5 days for medically fit candidates.

Key Points to Remember

✅ Be confident and natural during GD and Interview.
✅ Think logically and stay calm during tests.
✅ Practice speaking English fluently.
✅ Improve general knowledge (current affairs, geopolitics).
✅ Work on physical fitness for GTO tasks.