SSB MARKING SYSTEM

Service Selection Board (SSB) conducts  Scientific personality test for candidates aspiring to join Indian Armed Forces and it is not  like any examination  wherein, you have to score to pass. Instead, it is the method of assessing your personality traits, this includes more to it . For example ,your upbringing & social environment, routine behavior , how you handle various tasks in life and how much you want to improve it. Thus, checking your personality in toto. Therefore, it is important to focus on the SSB Marking schemes.

It is  important  for defence aspirants to imbibe the 15 Officer like Qualities, Leadership quality and other important personality traits in routine behavior and life style. As it takes time to change the personality. These attributes along with other important personality traits are assessed in SSB.

How to Check SSB Marks

When it comes to SSB Marking System. There are three assessors , wherein each will assess from 300 marks i.e. Psychologist, GTO and President interview. One has to score Minimum 90 from each assessor. The total marks  of SSB is 900. It is further divided into 4 parts ( Psychology, GTO, Interview and conference round) i.e 900/4= 225 each test phase. Out of this 225, you need to get minimum 90 to get a “Yes” from either of the assessor and getting less than 90 results in “No”.

During first 4 days procedure includes Screening, Psychological tests, GTO tasks and Personal interview.  Therefore,  the minimum you would be required to pass is 90*3= 270.  For examples –

 1)  One candidate gets 80 in Interview round, 70 in GTO round and 75 in psychology. The total comes to 225.

 2)  Another candidate get a total of 250 out of minimum 270 required. So, now comes the importance of conference round. If your marks is more than 240, conference would decide whether you would be recommended or not.

Complete Procedure Of Marking Scheme At SSB Interview

Thus, this means the first candidate discussed above will have no chance to get recommended. The SSB BOARD has backup marks of 225 and they would after that in conference round will start questioning  on the points they found you weak . If they find you are fit, they would give you marks to make a sum total 360 and above from the previous 240 (as mentioned above). So as you get 360 (90*4), you get minimum passing marks. And you get finally recommended.

In the psychology test if an assessor is in doubt about the assessment of a candidate then he can consult other assessor. The option of taking a second opinion is unavailable to the GTO or the IO because he has to assess a candidate’s OLQs as he performs. 

If one is recommended by two assessors and border line for third or get then a review is done during conference. However, if one is not found suitable by Psychologist then he or she is not recommended at all.

On the day of  conference all these pieces of puzzle of your personality is  put together and checked whether the candidate is FIT to be an armed forces officer or not. As you may be good performer overall but its like the each piece don`t fit perfect. Our personality traits also vary and reason lies also in cumulative performance. The series and types of tests are conducted to cross check the personality of that guy.

The SSB includes presentation of self /your communication skills  /interpersonal skills/body language and attire/knowledge level/ synchronization between what you speak, your actions and what you write in SSB tests.

Thus, the best way to score well is to train your mind. The selection process at the SSB is based on techniques, which aims at assessing the individual in the context of the requirements of the Defence Forces . Therefore, prepare for each phase of SSB and practice  hard.

By,
Maj Nasreen Fatima
(sqn Ldr Retd.) Ex. NDA Instructor
Academic Head Centurion Education Pvt. Ltd.