SSB : Experience of a Life time

Dated : 19 June 2013

I reached  at 12pm on Railway Station of Banglore from where we had to go to the SSB centre by a Bus . There were 7 more friends from NITH in our batch. At 2.45 the bus reached there and we were dropped at centre by 3.30. There were 180-200 guys and we started filling the PIQ forms as well as the allowances form. After completing , we were given Chest Numbers , mine was 33 and we were sent to the Rooms. Rooms were really great and were 8 candidates per room. so that was the starting day

DAY 1 : We woke up at 5 and collected outside the mess by 6 am . Then we were taken to Testing room for our first test named Screening Test . Firstly , we had two tests named Verbal and Non verbal Reasoning . They were quite simple and was able to attempt all as there was no negative marking . Then we were shown an Image which was not clearly visible and we had to write a story on that as well as characters position , age and mood. We were given 3 minutes for that. After story writing we were sent and were called for Group Discussion after an hour. In GD,  we were asked to Narrate our stories one by one and after that we had to conclude a single story . Discussion was not that good as all were trying to prove their points at the same time .After that we had our Lunch and the result was announced after an hour. 86 were screened in. We were given new chest numbers and the others were sent back to the Railway Station. Now , my chest number was 74.  

DAY 2 : Next day again , we woke up at 5 and collected outside mess by 6am , then we were taken to the same  Test Room for Psych test .It includes TAT , WAT , SRT , SD . 

TAT (Thematic Appreciation Test) : We were shown 12 slides and we had to write stories on them in 3 minutes each , last slide was blank so we could write any story of our choice. 

WAT (Word Association Test) : In this test we were shown 60 words one by one and we had to write a line  that comes first in our mind in 10 seconds. It was quite simple and I attempted all of them.

SRT (Situation Reaction Test) : In this , there were 60 situations in the booklet and we had to write our reaction for each. This was the tough one just because only 20 minutes were given for 60 situations but still was able to complete 57-58 .

SD (Self Description) : Here we had to write the answers of some questions related to us like : What your Parents think about you ? What your Friends think about you ? What your Teachers think about you ? What you think about yourself  ? What are you weaknesses and how you are improving them? . I was prepared for these so there was no problem answering these questions.

DAY 3 : This day , we were having  GTO tasks , we collected outside mess at 6am and then we were divided into groups of 8 each. We had Two group Discussions,  one on the topic IMPORTING WEAPONS FROM RUSSIA  and second was WHICH IS MORE IMPORTANT BIOTECHNOLOGY OR IT SECTOR ?. After 5 minutes discussion on both we were shown a Chart on which some pictures were made ,on the basis of that picture one situation/problem was given and we had to write a solution for that . After writing , then we had to come on a single solution. After these tasks we were sent to the main ground , where  firstly we were given some group tasks and then we had a Snake race. After Snake race we had Lecturrate where we had to speak on a topic for 3 minutes .My topic was "SUCCESS OF IPL" and I concluded topic  before time. Then we were sent for Individual tasks where I completed 8-9 obstacles out of 10, a Command task and Final Group task , and it went very well. 

DAY 4 :  This was the Day of Personal Interview and seriously , the most deciding factor in SSB Recommendation . I was the last to be Interviewed. My Interview completed in One and Half hour . It was the best part of whole SSB . He asked me Personal questions , technical questions , GK questions and questions related to NCC and my Hobbies . I was able to answer almost all the questions.

DAY 5 : The day of Judgement arrived , we were given new chest numbers and in a formal dress we entered conference room one by one . It took only 1-2 minutes for one candidate and all completed in 4-5 hours . After lunch , the result was announced . As my chest number was announced , what I can say " One of the best moments in whole Life ". So ,there  I was standing with a New chest number +10 , with all other recommended candidates.

Next Day we left to Mysore for PABT (Pilot Aptitude Battery Test) , after qualifying that we returned to Bangalore for Medicals . Seriously speaking , medical for Pilot entry is tough one and many of us were not able to qualify that. It took 4-5 days to complete whole medical process. After medicals I returned back but with a lot of memories and new friends , Now I am waiting for Call letter  :)