If you have successfully cleared the written stage of the AFCAT, NDA, or the CDS exam – you will receive a Call letter to report to any one of the Service Selection Boards / Air Force Selection Boards located in various cities throughout the country. At the Air Force / Service Selection Board (AFSB/SSB), you undergo following tests in order to ascertain your suitability and gauge your potential as an Officer in the Indian Armed Forces.
1. Stage I Testing
- Officer Intelligence rating Test
- Picture perception and Discussion Test
Stage I is a screening test. Those who qualify Stage-I are eligible to undergo Stage II testing. Stage I disqualified candidates are routed back after announcement of results
2. Stage II Testing
All Stage I qualified candidates undergo following tests as part of Stage II testing during next three to four days
- Psychological Tests are written tests that are conducted by a Psychologist.
- Group Tests are interactive indoor and outdoor activities that are a combination of mental and physical work.
- The interview involves a personal conversation with an Interviewing Officer.
These tests will be explained to you in detail before they are conducted at the Selection Board.
The following is the schedule for OLQ Tests:
| Day 1 | Phase I testing – Officers Intelligence Rating Test & Picture Perception and Discussion test |
| Day 2 | CPSS / PABT * (for Flying Branch) followed by Psychological test |
| Day 3 | Group tests / Interview |
| Day 4 | Group tests / Interview |
| Day 5 | Group tests / Interview |
| Day 6 | Group tests / Interview / Conference |
* Pilot Aptitude Battery Test (PABT) is a unique test. It is aimed at assessing a candidate’s aptitude to be trained as a pilot. PABT is being used as an independent selection device to induct potential officers into Flying Branch of Indian Air Force. PABT comprises three tests viz Instrument Battery Test (INSB), Sensory Motor Apparatus Test (SMA) and Control Velocity Test (CVT). Instrument Battery Test (INSB) is a paper pencil test and other two are machine tests. The Instruments Battery Test (INSB) comprises two parts. This test assesses assimilation of the briefing and the ability of an individual to read and interpret the dials of an instrument panel of an aircraft. The candidates who score the minimum laid down criteria are subjected to the machine test. The machine test includes Sensory Motor Apparatus Test (SMA) and Control Velocity Test (CVT). These tests measure the psychomotor co-ordination skill of the individual. These tests are conducted on a single day and administered only once in life time.
At the Conference held on the last day, all the Assessors i.e. the Psychologist, Ground Testing Officer and the Interviewing Officer, discuss your personality and decide on whether to recommend you or not. Those recommended by the AFSBs will be required to fill up certain documents at the Boards and subsequently move to the next step.
SCREENING TEST
Stage – I Testing
- O I R tests include a mixture of two tests( i.e., Verbal and non-Verbal). Each of the tests has normally 20 to 50 questions each counting on particular test used for the day. Time given also varies from 15 to half-hour for every test. The tests are given one after the other, normally with no break. Each candidate is assigned a grade on five point scale on the idea of marks scored in each test. These tests have minimum marks required to pass in each test separately. Therefore candidates are advised to give both tests with equal seriousness.
- PP & DT: It’s an image based test. Here candidates are shown an image for 30 seconds and candidates are required to write down a story supporting that picture in 4 minutes. Candidates are also required to write down the action of the story, mood of the story and mark the characters within the picture.
Tips to write down the stories for PPDT :-
- Observe the image very carefully and minutely, then collect all the resources you’ll see. Resources are the essential things available within the picture which you cannot miss.
- Within the left box of the PPDT sheet you have to mark all the characters which you see within the picture. You’re required to say their Sex i.e. ‘M’ for Male and ‘F’ for female and ‘P’ for person if you can’t identify the sex, Mention the approximate age in number i.e., 12, 26, or 35 , for writing mood of the character write ‘+’ for Positive mood and ‘—‘ for negative mood.
- Make a practical and rational story. Don’t write something which seems to be impossible. Don’t make a story which is away from reality.
- Make a rough outline of the story you want to write. Don’t start writing randomly, stupidly. Draw an overview on what your story is going to be based.
- The images are going to be hazy most of the times. So you should concentrate more and observe the image very closely. Imagine positively and make your story on a positive theme.
- Your story must have a positive direction with a positive message.
- There should be a central character. This central character must do something to assist somebody else, which can make this character the hero of the story.
- It’s always good to write down a story by which the society is being helped. Never write a pre conceived story. Some candidates memorise a couple of stories then attempt to make them fit into the shown pictures.
- If something is extremely evident within the picture don’t neglect it. It’d be a negative but you’ll turn the negative into positive by showing a struggle of the hero then making him win.
- Use your imagination. Practice writing stories, that will offer you a thought about the time management.
Note: Once the story writing is over. The candidates are divided into small groups and then they make them to sit in Semi Circle. Three assessors i.e IO, GTO & Psychologist, form a team for assessment of each group. GTO moderates the discussion and every one the three assessors assess the suitability of the candidate for Stage –II selection. - Candidates are assessed IN/OUT on the idea of their performance in OIR tests also through the discussion.
- Each candidate is required to narrate his story in one minute one by one. The candidates are then asked to debate the story and make a standard story. Once they appear to possess come to a conclusion the group is asked to offer out the common story. The group may nominate any candidate for the aim.
- The assessors conduct an on the spot conference, for every group, and choose deserving candidates for Stage II testing assessing the performance in Stage –I. The results are compiled and declared in any case groups have undergone stage-1 tests. Those candidates who pass Stage -1 Testing stay for next 3 or 4 days and remaining candidates deport immediately thereafter for his or her home.
Stage-II Testing
PSYCHOLOGICAL TEST
• The written tests are conducted by the Psychologist. Time to think about these tests is of paramount importance. Candidates are given deadline for writing answers to varied given questions. The candidates are required to finish the tests within the stipulated time-frame.
• The psychologist at the SSB explains to the candidate about various tests one by one, along side illustrates to enable the candidates to know exactly how each test are going to be conducted and what’s expected from them. Just in case of doubts, candidates are at liberty to ask the testing officer to clarify, before the commencement of each test. The candidates are advised to offer correct answers (not false answers) and not to use hit and trial method. it’s better to not waste time in attempting difficult questions; rather a candidate should switch to next problem.
The psychological tests are grouped as under :-
Projective tests
i. Thematic Appreciation Test (TAT)
ii. Word Association Test (WAT)
iii. Situation Reaction Test (SRT)
iv. Self-Description Test (SD)
Thematic Appreciation Test
- TAT is the first test administered by the psychologist. Through the stories written by the candidates during this test, the psychologist gets a chance to explore the subconscious of the candidate. Picture shown to the candidate stimulates his imagination and therefore the story written by the candidate is a medium, for the psychologist to research and scrutinize closely the essential characteristics of a candidate. The test may be 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 psychologist interprets the stories to seek out out whether the candidate is endowed with the qualities that are required for an officer of the Defence Forces.
- The candidate’s response to the photographs within the sort of stories yields sufficient material with the assistance of which temperamental structure and emotional attitude are often judged. The method is predicated on the principle that the individual thoughts are woven round the object relationship.
- The candidates are advised to weave a story which is realistic and interesting. The candidate must answer each and every a part of the image including characters, mood and therefore the objects.
TIPS TO ENHANCE THE STANDARD OF RESPONSES:
- Never write a story during a hurry. Always attempt to critically analyse the image which can assist you to arrange your thoughts systematically.
- Observe carefully what characters are there, what material is there, why it is.
- What’s the theme/ objective within the scene. How you’ll be involved within the picture. attempt to relate the theme of the image with each today problem. Don’t write stories about impractical situations
- The photographs shown are real world situations, don’t write that the image may be a scene from movie / TV or it’s a painting hanging on the wall/ it’s a scene from a drama or a rehearsal of a play.
- The story should end on a cheerful and healthy note. The result should be success, achievement or joy.
- The hero or leading person within the story must have acquired abilities and qualities which you think that are necessary for the result you’ve got planned. That out come is what things should cause automatically.
- Keep the leader in elation, helpful and decisive. He shouldn’t be at the receiving end, eg he’s poor, he was helped, he wasn’t ready to had best within the exam , he was unable to urge employment, his business failed, he struggled then succeeded, he was implicated falsely or beaten up or failed or got involved during a fight or is unable to unravel the matter or was confused or he solved only by the assistance of others.
- Candidates shouldn’t use, OLQ Terminology, within the story. (E.g. He moved due to his self-confidence, He succeeded did this due to his sense of Responsibility, he completed his job due to his initiative and cooperation etc.)
- Don’t write memorized stories taken from books or told by somebody else. Always make your own stories.
- Don’t perceive Army/Defence/War in every story. This leads the psychologist to believe that you simply lack imagination and new ideas.
- Don’t perceive hero as a villain within the story or provide negative character to the hero. ( e.g. Accident happened because hero was driving in no time or carelessly or was talking on mobile etc.)
- Don’t attempt to complete the story after the time. Just leave it as it is and move to write down next story.
- Don’t practice writing story in 3 minutes approximately. Your story will lack details and can be sketchy.
- Attempt to Keep the word limit of 100 to 120 words (10 to 12 lines).
- Don’t worry if your story is different from others, actually it’ll be an advantage.
- Never attempt to copy a story of somebody else. If you’ve got faith in yourself then this test will become easy for you.
Word Association Test
Word Association Test (WAT) is a specially designed second Psychological test. Words shown to the candidates within the test aren’t selected randomly, they’re specially chosen and arranged in a definite pattern. The psychologist on the idea of the responses involves conclusions about the traits of the candidate. WAT brings out the important and latent qualities of the candidate to the surface then psychologist assesses his suitability as a politician within the soldiers.
- In Word Association Test a word is shown to candidate for 15 seconds. He’s required to write down the primary concept evolved in his mind within the sort of a meaningful complete sentence.
- The candidate isn’t required to write down or describe the word. He’s not expected to use it in a sentence. He has only to write down what the word reminds him of. Candidate has only to point out his mind’s association with the word. He should write down the primary thought that involves his mind on seeing the word. Different word arouses different ideas, feelings and emotions in several persons. Therefore it’s wrong to cram up reactions, noted down from ready made SSB guides and books, since these suggestions mostly mislead the candidates.
- The conclusions are drawn by the psychologist, about the sort of personality of the candidate, considering several reactions together. It’s going to be noted that singular sentence written by the candidate doesn’t portray his personality traits. Numbers of responses help the psychologist to make a thought of the pattern of personality of a candidate.
- The words picked up in WAT are associated with certain officer like qualities. Many similar words are included within the test for judging each quality. Writing memorized reaction to any word will only give a sign of confused personality and lacking originality.
TIPS TO ENHANCE THE STANDARD OF RESPONSES:
- A candidate having balanced personality should consider, self, family, friends, society, environment (sports, adventure, current happenings in country and therefore the world, defence related news and other activities of interest.), while responding to words in WAT. A candidate should write thoughtful sentences in response to several words also.
- When a candidate eliminates, I, me and mine, completely from the responses of WAT, psychologist may interpret it as a response of a coached candidate or the candidate who will never consider himself even in obvious situations. This is often a negative trait.
- Many responses in WAT with I, me and mine aren’t desired as they’ll lead the psychologist to conclude that the candidate is individualistic in his thought process.
- Too many responses of anybody type aren’t an honest idea and it’s not natural in a private having a balanced personality. It results in conclusion by the psychologist that the candidate features a lop sided personality.
- Use of too many Phrases or mere facts results in conclusion by the psychologist that candidate is brief of ideas and lacks original thinking. ( eg Honesty is that the best policy, Look before you leap, Time and tide await none, one shower doesn’t make a season).
- Many wishful responses, where the utilization of, could, would, should etc. isn’t good because it indicates unrealistic approach of the candidate, and trying to advise others rather than doing something himself. The psychologist is probably going to conclude that a candidate lacks involvement or action in real world.
- Avoid too many responses of advisory to others (e.g. don’t tell lies, Keep your surroundings clean, prepare well for the exams, take precautions to avoid accidents, etc.). It leads Psychologist to believe that candidate will find faults in others most of the time and advise them on what all should be done. The psychologist will see it as misplaced egotism.
- Using officer like qualities in making sentences gives a sense of being coached eg. Mohan has high sense of responsibility, Ram has high determination, He succeeded thanks to high self-confidence, Mohan has high social adjustment, social adaptability, mental stamina, courage etc.
- Use of facts and History again doesn’t fetch much credit unless it indicates real knowledge e.g. Churchill won double noble prize for peace or Netaji wrote “Divide and rule”.
- Avoid writing sentences in future because it indicates action in future/later on. Use words as noun, adjective, verb or adverb in making sentences. Small and brief sentences will save time.
Situation Reaction Test
Situation Reaction Test is the third test given by the psychologist. SRT is meant to check the responses of a candidate in day- to-day situations. The target of the test is to analyse 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. It also reveals whether the candidate is capable of putting up with stress and strains without losing nerves. As a leader of Indian soldiers the candidate may have 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 an honest performance, candidate needs the power to write down what he would have done or what he could do to neutralize such a situation.
A candidate is required to offer his reactions to all or any sixty situations in Thirty minutes. However, if one doesn’t understand any particular situation, he may leave that and proceed ahead reacting to other situations without delay. A candidate is required to write down only 2 to 3 lines in response to every situation. The space provided is merely for that much. Therefore for a speedy response with within the time-frame, it’s necessary that one should avoid details of the actions keeping the response brief and to the purpose .
TIPS TO ENHANCE YOUR PERFORMANCE
- Consider simple and obvious actions.
- Normally the reaction depends on individual’s capacity and skill .
- There’s no, correct solution or book answer, for any situation.
- Don’t write answers like – I will be able to solve things , i will be able to determine the matter , i will be able to enquire about the matter or i will be able to plan the action as needed etc.
- Don’t write answer to things if you are doing not understand things otherwise you don’t realize it to avoid giving wrong response.