How to Crack SSB 2023 in First Attempt: Tips to Qualify CDS, UPSC NDA & NA

SSB (Services Selection Board) Interview is an important step for the selection process of various jobs in the defence sector. Aspirants who are willing to join as Officers in the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and Officers Training Academies, have to go through the SSB interview. SSB Interview comprises two stages i.e. Stage-1 and Stage-2, wherein stage-1 has OIR test and PPDT, stage-2 has Psychological Tests, GTO Tasks, and Personal Interview. SSB Interview concludes with Conference on the last day. 

The UPSC will conduct the first phase of the exam on April 16, 2023 and the second phase on September 03, 2023. The SSB interview 2023 will be held following the announcement of the results. Cracking the SSB interview 2023 in first attempt is not an easy task. The candidates should have the right approach towards the preparation of the exam. The interview continues for five to six days, during which, candidates go through intense testing that assesses their personality, traits, thinking ability, social behaviour, psychology, physical strength and many more things. So, if you are aiming to crack SSB interview 2023 in the first attempt, read the complete article to find out how you can prepare for each of the tests and stages involved in SSB.

All About UPSC CDS 2023 Exam	Check Out the UPSC NDA & NA 2023 Exam

All About SSB Interview

SSB (Service Selection Board) interview, also known as "Intelligence and Personality test" is conducted by SSB Board, Ministry of Defence, India. The SSB is in charge of scheduling, organizing and conducting the SSB Interview of the aspirants applying for Indian Military Forces. Through SSB interviews the candidates are thoroughly screened for the position of Army, Navy, and Air Force. Those who will be able to clear the first stage (Either CDS or NDA) have to undergo SSB interviews, conducted for over a period of 5 days. Aspirants aiming for the post of Air Force have to separately qualify for the CPSS (Computerised Pilot Selection System) and PABT (Pilot Aptitude Battery Test). In India, there are 13 service selection boards out of which 4 are for the Indian Army, 4 are for the Indian Air Force and the rest 5 are for the Indian Navy.

Read more:UPSC CDS Subject Wise Best Books

SSB Interview 2023 Selection Procedure

UPSC NDA and UPSC CDS involves a three-stage recruitment process, which are as follows:

• Written Test
• SSB Interview
• Medical Examination
• Merit List

SSB Interview 2023 Procedure

• The SSB Interview 2022 for CDS is conducted in two stages: Stage 1 and Stage 2. 

• Stage 1 includes PP&DT (Picture Perception Description Test) and OIR (Officer Intelligence Rating) tests.

• After completing Stage 1, candidates’ scores are combined for both the tests and those who manage to qualify are selected for Stage 2.

• Stage 2 then includes Group Testing Officer Tasks, Interview, Conference and Psychology Tests. 

• Stage 2 is completed over four days. 

• These different tests under Stage 1 and 2 do have separate weightage. 

• Marks allocated by different assessors like IO (Interviewing Officer), GTO (Group Testing Officer) and Psychologists in Stage 1 and 2 determine if candidates have been selected or not. 

Check also: UPSC CDS Pay Scale, Salary Structure, Vacancies, and Other Benefits

Tips to Crack SSB 2023 in the First Attempt

Cracking SSB interview 2023 in the first attempt is a dream of many candidates. So, if this is what you are aiming for as well, here are some tips that will help you. 

• Get Well-acquainted with SSB Tests and Procedures: SSB interview is not a one-day thing. Unlike any other regular interview, this interview takes about six days. Being monitored and judged for so many days can leave spaces for you to make mistakes, which may lead to you being disqualified. So, try to learn as much about the procedures involved in the interview as you can. A series of tests are conducted across different days. Get to know the proper time-table. Some of the tests like WAT (Word Association Test), SRT (Situation Reaction Test), Final Group Task, Progressive Group Task, Physical Test, Command Task and Conference Round take place at the SSB Centre. To ensure that you do well in these tests and don’t miss them, do your homework well. 

• Practice for Different Tests: There is an abundance of the study material for SSB interview preparation. If you want to ace these tests, you will have to practice hard until it becomes a habit to respond the right way. Not only do you have to prepare for the written tests, but also for physical tests, PI, psychological tests and group discussions. 

• Know Which Skills is Required for Which Test: As it has already been mentioned, the SSB interview includes a lot of different tests. Once you find out which skills will help you qualify for which test, you will be able to master it. For instance, in group tasks, you may be judged based on your confidence, analytical skills, clear thinking, communication skills and decision-making skills. Work on mastering these skills.
  
• Be Honest: The officers who are assessing you are masters at their jobs. So, don’t try to be what you are not as they will be able to see through it. For instance, during Personal Interview, which can be really tricky, pay attention to your dressing, sitting posture, appearance, eye contact and physical gestures, and most importantly, stay calm and answer with honesty.
  
• Stay Updated with Current Affairs: Ignoring to stay updated with current affairs would be like bringing a knife to a gunfight. At SSB Interview, there will be many instances when your general awareness and current affairs skills will be judged. 
  
• Attend a Right Interview Coaching: Ones who are totally clueless about the whole procedure of SSB interview 2023, are asked to attend a good SSB interview coaching. However, one who have somebody who has a good knowledge about SSB Procedure, and can guide him, can avoid attending coaching. 
  
• Know How to Dress Up:The way you dress up is important in making a good impression in front of others, it shows how careful you are towards the minute details. This also shows respedt towards yourself and others. You have to dress up appropriately according to the occasion. Guidelines will be available for both men and women on what all they can wear in SSB interviews.
  
• Physical Fitness: Candidates have to undergo long hours of tasks which will be tiring and exhausting; and hence will require physical fitness. Be very careful of the way you approach, communicate, and sit. Make sure you don’t look lazy from your gait. If you’ll be physically fit, your personality will reflect that. Therefore, candidates are advised to do some running/light exercise regularly.

Tips to Score High in SSB 2023 Stage I

Stage I of SSB 2023 will begin on the first day with the Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) test. The OIR value of candidates ranges from 1 to 5, which helps set a standard of the respective candidate before the Board. To prepare for this one, you will have to regularly practice reasoning questions, be it verbal or non-verbal.

The second test, which is PP&DT has a timestamp of one minute. In this test, you will be asked to develop a story. But, it is not as easy as it sounds. While drafting your story, you will have to be mindful of a lot of factors. For example, the theme should be socially productive, must reflect the problem-solving approach, rich ideals, positivity and resourcefulness of the central character. Make sure to have a positive facial index and calming approach.   

Tips to Score High in SSB 2023 Stage II - Psychological Testing

During the psychological testing, the assessor obtains a candidate’s first response by subjecting her/ him to high-stress octane situations and different scenarios/ contingencies through different tests like WAT, TAT, SD and SRT. 

This majorly tests the subconscious and unconscious state of one’s mind. So, to do well in this test, you will have to develop productive interests, hobbies and get involved in extra-curricular activities. Learn to acknowledge your failures and fears and try to be courageous in your routine life. 

Remember, this is a scientific process, full proof, so avoid being fake. Honesty will actually prove to be the best policy here. Your sense of responsibility, integrity, quick decision-making, leadership skills and social adjustment will be reflected through your responses in the test. 

Tips to Ace SSB 2023 Stage II - Personal Interview

First impressions matter. So, prepare a great self-introduction and share it energetically and happily. Your general awareness will matter, a lot. Think on your feet during rapid-fire questions. But, do not forget to pay attention to your responses as your patience, cognitive skills and confidence is observed through these questions. 

Your demeanour should reflect confidence but also humbleness. So, when required, admit your mistakes. Work on your least desirable traits like low sense of responsibility and slackness in team performance, that can prove to be problematic during grilling sessions. Be attentive and try responding to the interviewer with passion rather than being distracted about the result. 

Best Books for SSB Interview 2023 Preparation

The best books for the SSB interview preparation contain guides to help you familiarise yourself with SSB, build your personality, to build an officer like quality from Day 1, help you crack all the tests in SSB. Some of those books are listed below:

• Best Book on SSB Interview by(Retd.) Commander RS Rathore
• SSB Interview: The Complete Guide by Dr (CDR) N K Natarajan
• Breaking The Code of SSB Psychological Tests by(Retd.) Commander RS Rathore
• SSB OIR & PPDT : Complete Guide To Stage 1 by Col Anshu Trivedi
• The Practical Guide to Become an Officer by Col M M Nehru

Pay Scale 

• Lieutenant (Level 10) - Rs.56100-177500/-
• Captain (Level 10B) - Rs.61300-193900/-
• Major (Level 11) - Rs.69400-207200/-
• Lt Colonel (Level 12A) - Rs.121200-212400/-
• Colonel (Level 13) - Rs.130600-215900/-
• Brigadier (Level 13A) - Rs.139600-217600/-
• Major General (Level 14) - Rs.144200-218200/-
• Lt General HAG Scale (Level 15) - Rs.182200-224100/-
• Lt Gen HAG + Scale (Level 16) - Rs.205400-224400/-
• VCOAS/Army Cdr / Lt Gen (NFSG) – Level 17 - Rs.225000/-(fixed)
• COAS – Level 18 - Rs.250000/-(fixed)
• Military Service Pay (MSP): MSP to the officers from the rank of Lt to Brig Rs.15500/- p.m. fixed
• Fixed Stipend for Cadet Training: Stipend to Gentlemen or Lady Cadets for the entire duration of training in Service Academies i.e. during the training period at OTA. – Rs 56,100/-p.m.

Hope this information helped you. To know more about SSB Interview and UPSC exams, stay tuned to CollegeDekho.

Good luck!