1.       SSB procedure comprises 2 stages. Only candidates who qualify in Stage 1 go into Stage 2. It is common knowledge that bulk of the candidates get rejected or “screened out”.Cracking the SSB Interview is not easy, but, it’s not difficult either. To reach the SSB stage after qualifying written examination and then getting “screened out” or “Conferenced out” is heart breaking. It is well known that lakhs appear for the written examination, a few thousands clear the written and few hundred only find their way to the Academy.These few hundreds who enter the gates of the Academy are not “lucky” candidates. They have managed a place in the final merit list through sheer grit, determination and stamina having burned the mid night oil - by practice, more practice and still more practice – Inspiration, perspiration and desperation in that sequence.

2.       SSB is like a filter which separates the BEST from the REST. Likewise Stage 1 also filters out the well prepared from the not so well prepared. Many candidates rue their luck at getting screened out because competition is tough. Therefore, it will be fair to make an assumption that candidates who do not possess the basic problem solving and communication skills get filtered out at stage 1.

3.       Stage 1 as we know comprises of Officers Intelligence Rating test (OIR) and Picture Perception and Description Test (PP&DT). In this Blog, I shall concentrate only on the Officers Intelligence Rating test.This test issubdivided into Verbal and Nonverbal test as hereunder:-

(a) Non Verbal Reasoning Test.  Non – verbal reasoning is problem-solving using “pictures and diagrams”. It tests the inner ability of a candidate to analyse visual information and solve problems based on visual reasoning.TheNon Verbal test seeks to establish a relationship and the correct option needs to be selected. Figures,Series, Completion, Missing numbers, Word ranking based on a Dictionary, Analogy, Coding- Decoding, Venn diagram, Blood Relation etc are used in pictures and Diagrams.

(b)   Verbal Reasoning Test.  Verbal reasoning is a test of a skill more than a test of knowledge. It tests a candidate’s critical thinking ability and his ability to use knowledge to solve problems. It also tests proficiency of a candidate inr English language.Cubes and Dice, Figure Matrix, Analogy, Classification, Mirror Images, Analytical Reasoning, Paper cutting and folding, Water images etc must be well understood.

4.       In the SSB Interview, anything between 18 minutes and 30 minutesare allotted for the OIR Test. It is advisable to answer as many questions as possible because there is no negative marking. Manage your time well by allotting for yourself the maximum time to be spent for every question. It you feel you are struggling with a particular question, move on, instead of spending extra time. Come back at the end if you still have time. For conditioning and tuning up your skills, try to play games which challenge your mind and also solve puzzles. There are a variety of games like Strategic board games, chess, and word games which help to sharpen your reasoning skills.Games like Scrabble and Boggle teach you to analyse information quickly.Take a Rubik's Cube and spend time trying to solve it.The mind is like any other muscle. It requires exercise and stimulation. An effective way to improve reasoning skills is to keep trying new things. Make it a point to try out new hobbies and activities on a regular basis.Physical exercise actually has a positive effect on memory and thinking. Many studies indicate the parts of the brain responsible for thinking and reasoning are bigger in those who exercise regularly. In addition, exercise helps reduce stress & anxiety and boosts mood, which helps concentration and learning.

5.       There are many websites where you can hone your skills and one of them is https://www.indiabix.com/

6.      Remember, practice, more practice and more practice is the only mantra.

Good Luck

Jai Hind