SSB Interview Pattern for NDA Exam
| NDA Exam Pattern for SSB Interview | ||
| Stage 1 | Screening Test | 1.Verbal & Non-Verbal Test 2.Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PPDT) |
| Stage 2 | Psychological Test | 1.Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) |
| 2.Word Association Test (WAT) | ||
| 3.Situation Reaction Test (SRT) | ||
| 4.Self Description Test (SDT) | ||
| Group Testing Officer Task | 1.Group Discussion (GD) | |
| 2. Group Planning Exercise (GPE) | ||
| 3. Progressive Group Task (PGT) | ||
| 4. Half Group Task (HGT) | ||
| Personal Interview & Conference | —– | |
NDA SSB Interview Process
Stage 1:
Screening Test
The Screening Test is conducted for all candidates who have qualified the written examination. It is a two-part test:
1.Verbal and Non-Verbal Test: This test assesses the candidate’s verbal and non-verbal reasoning skills. It consists of questions on analogies, similarities and differences, coding and decoding, spatial visualization, and figural reasoning.
2.Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PPDT): This test assesses the candidate’s ability to perceive and interpret visual information. It consists of a series of pictures, and the candidate is asked to write a short story about each picture. The candidate is also asked to discuss their stories with the other candidates.
Stage 2:
1.Psychological Test
The Psychological Test is conducted to assess the candidate’s personality, interests, and motivation. It consists of the following tests:
A.Thematic Apperception Test (TAT): This test is a projective test that assesses the candidate’s unconscious mind. The candidate is shown a series of ambiguous pictures and asked to tell a story about each picture.
B.Word Association Test (WAT): This test assesses the candidate’s thought processes and associations. The candidate is presented with a series of words and asked to say the first word that comes to their mind.
C.Situation Reaction Test (SRT): This test assesses the candidate’s ability to handle stressful situations. The candidate is presented with a series of hypothetical situations and asked how they would react.
D.Self Description Test (SDT): This test assesses the candidate’s self-concept. The candidate is asked to write a short essay about themselves.
2.Group Testing Officer Task
The Group Testing Officer Task is conducted to assess the candidate’s teamwork, leadership, and communication skills. It consists of the following tasks:
Group Discussion (GD): The candidate is placed in a group of 6-8 candidates and asked to discuss a given topic. The candidate’s ability to participate in the discussion, contribute ideas, and build consensus is assessed.
Group Planning Exercise (GPE): The candidate is placed in a group of 6-8 candidates and asked to plan and execute a task. The candidate’s ability to take initiative, work with others, and solve problems is assessed.
Progressive Group Task (PGT): The candidate is placed in a group of 6-8 candidates and asked to complete a series of tasks. The candidate’s ability to work under pressure, follow instructions, and meet deadlines is assessed.
Half Group Task (HGT): The candidate is placed in a group of 3-4 candidates and asked to complete a task. The candidate’s ability to take charge, make decisions, and motivate others is assessed.
Personal Interview & Conference
The Personal Interview and Conference is conducted by a panel of officers. The panel will ask the candidate questions about their background, motivation, and suitability for a career in the armed forces. The panel will also assess the candidate’s personality, bearing, and overall suitability for the job. Each candidates will be facing all SSB board members, he will face few general questions like how was your stay or what did you learn from this, conference is just to decide whether or not to recommend you as an officer in Indian defence forces. All assessors collectively decide your suitability, for some candidates those who are in border line, may face certain questions, which can be decisive one. It hardly goes for 1-2 mins
The total marks for the SSB interview are 900. The candidate must secure a minimum of 200 marks in order to qualify.
The SSB interview is a challenging but rewarding experience. It is an opportunity for the candidate to demonstrate their potential to become an officer in the armed forces
