In this comprehensive blog, we will share 6 golden tips to crack the SSB interview on your first attempt. These valuable tips have been provided by Rishabh, a recommended candidate from Centurion Defence Academy. Rishabh, a Proud Centurion who received a recommendation from the 14 SSB Allahabad for the NDA 152 course, has shared his experiences on how to clear the SSB interview. Follow these tips to better understand the SSB interview procedure and prepare effectively to achieve your dream.

• The ‘fish market’ scenario in GD

One thing you must have noticed in the GD (Group Discussion) here, which is always the case, is the ‘fish market’ scenario. Dealing with a fish market situation can be very challenging. Try to stay quiet for a few moments if you see everyone speaking at once. You will get a brief period, a second or two, when no one is talking. Use that time to contribute your points. However, it’s also important not to start speaking continuously as soon as you begin. After making two-three points, pause for a while. Observe the discussion and wait for another moment to add your points again. By participating regularly and contributing your points in this manner, your screening process is likely to go smoothly.

• Early practice is the key.

After that, for any psychological part, GTO, or interview, the practice you’ve done is more than enough. Don’t think that you’ll just show up and, after the screening, spend the night studying. This won’t work out because, initially, you’ll spend time with documentation. Then, with 10-12 people around you, it will be difficult to study. Everything else might get done, but studying won’t. In the basketball court, half the people will be wandering around, and others will be playing table tennis—no one will be studying. So, the practice you do before the SSB will be important.

• Role of Ranneeti Book

One thing to note is that the more you practice the “Ranneeti” book, the more you will find that many WAT and SRT questions are repeated. In fact, many TAT stories are repeated as well. For instance, I saw a story where a cart collides with a car and falls over—an exactly same story appeared during the SSB. And it’s not just this; I also remember another story where a candidate is running. So, similar stories can appear repeatedly. The same applies to OIR (Officers’ Intelligence Rating) tests. I was quite stressed about how tough the questions would be. When I attempted them, my scores weren’t very high. However, when I actually took the OIR test at the SSB, it was much easier compared to the one I had practiced in the “Ranneeti” book.

• Tips for the Interview stage

After your screening is done, and the psychological tests are completed, the next step is the interview. For the interview stage, you can rely solely on Centurion. For example, if you have experienced RP Singh Sir’s interview, you might have noticed that Sir creates a lot of pressure. If you can handle his interview, I guarantee that you will find the main SSB interview even easier to tackle. In the actual SSB interview, the pressure is comparatively less. In your PIQ (Personal Information Questionnaire), make sure to write only the truth. If you write something false and the interviewer catches it, there will be no way for you to escape when they probe further. If they do catch it and question you about it, you will be left blank. Therefore, always stick to the truth in your PIQ.

• Lecturette and self-confidence

One of the topics for the lecturette was dowry, another was the South China Sea, and the third was inflammation. I want to emphasize the importance of speaking. For instance, when I got the South China Sea topic, I realized I hadn’t studied it, even though I thought I had covered all relevant relations concerning India. I thought, “My luck can’t be so bad that they’ll give me the South China Sea topic.” Yet, that’s exactly what happened. My mind went blank because I hadn’t prepared for it, and it was the only topic left. Eventually, I chose to speak about inflammation instead. Because I had practiced speaking, ideas naturally came to me, and in the end, the lecturette went well.

• Do not be under confident

During the interview stage, when the rapid-fire round started, as soon as the first question was asked, my heartbeat increased. I said, “Sorry Sir, I forgot. Please repeat.” So, the IO had to repeat the questions for me. I then answered slowly. If you face any questions that you cannot answer, politely deny by saying that you don’t know or that you’re unable to recall. Avoid looking around or appearing unsure, as it will give the impression that you are underconfident.

Dear SSB aspirants, we hope these tips will help you perform well in your SSB interview. If you are a defence aspirant and looking for the right mentorship for SSB preparation, join Centurion Defence Academy, which has given the highest selections for officer-cadre entries of the Indian Armed Forces. Centurion Defence Academy provides the best SSB coaching in India. For more details about our courses and SSB guidance, just call +91 9795977776 / +91 9795977779.

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