CDS (Combined Defence Services) Exam Intelligence and Personality Test (SSB Interview) Syllabus

What is the full form of SRT?

Situation Reaction Test.

How many situations are given in the SRT and in how much total time must they be answered?

60 situations are given in a booklet, to be answered in about 30 minutes.

What does the SRT measure?

How a candidate reacts to and resolves everyday and challenging real-life situations, revealing practical intelligence and Officer Like Qualities.

What is the full form of SD in the SSB psychology series?

Self Description Test (also called Self Appraisal Test).

From which five perspectives must a candidate write about themselves in the Self Description Test?

Opinions of parents, teachers/employer, friends, one's own opinion of oneself, and the kind of person one wants to become.

In what order are the four psychology tests typically administered at SSB?

TAT first, then WAT, then SRT, and finally the Self Description Test.

Who conducts and assesses the psychological tests (TAT, WAT, SRT, SD) at the SSB?

The Psychologist.

What is the full form of GTO and what does the role assess?

Group Testing Officer; assesses candidates' Officer Like Qualities in group and individual outdoor/indoor tasks.

What is the Group Discussion (GD) task and how many topics are usually discussed?

An informal, leaderless discussion where the group debates two topics (often one given and one chosen) without a fixed conclusion required.

What is the Group Planning Exercise (GPE), also called the Military Planning Exercise?

A map-based task where the group reads a problem scenario, plans solutions individually in writing, then discusses to reach a common group plan, and a nominee narrates it.

What is the Progressive Group Task (PGT)?

An outdoor task where the group crosses a series of progressively harder obstacles using helping materials (plank, rope, load) within rules, testing cooperation and planning.

What are the three standard rules (out-of-bounds/colour rules) in GTO outdoor tasks?

Colour rule (red is out of bounds), distance/structure rule, and the helping-material rules (e.g. plank cannot bridge distance greater than its length).

What is the Half Group Task (HGT)?

A task similar to PGT but performed by half the group over a single obstacle, giving quieter candidates a chance to display leadership.

What is the Command Task in GTO testing?

A task where each candidate becomes commander, calls subordinates of their choice, and directs them to cross an obstacle, testing leadership and self-confidence.

What is the Lecturette?

An individual task where a candidate speaks for about 3 minutes on a topic chosen from a card of four topics, after 3 minutes of preparation.

How much preparation and speaking time is allotted in the Lecturette?

About 3 minutes preparation and about 3 minutes of speaking.

What is the Individual Obstacles task and how many obstacles must be attempted?

A set of 10 individual obstacles, numbered 1 to 10 by difficulty, to be completed in 3 minutes; each obstacle carries marks equal to its number.

In the Individual Obstacles, how is scoring structured across the obstacles?

Each obstacle is worth marks equal to its number (1 to 10), so completing harder/higher-numbered obstacles earns more marks; total possible is the sum of attempted obstacles.

What is the Final Group Task (FGT)?

The last GTO task where the whole group crosses one obstacle together, similar to PGT, testing final cooperation and team spirit.

What is the Group Obstacle Race (Snake Race)?

A competitive outdoor task where groups carry a rolled tent (the 'snake') and race over obstacles, testing team spirit, stamina and group cohesion.

List the indoor GTO tasks (as opposed to outdoor).

Group Discussion, Group Planning Exercise (GPE) and Lecturette are conducted indoors; PGT, HGT, Command Task, Individual Obstacles, Snake Race and FGT are outdoors.

What is the Personal Interview at SSB and who conducts it?

A one-to-one conversation conducted by the Interviewing Officer (IO), assessing the candidate's background, personality and Officer Like Qualities.

What is the commonly used framework for interview questions based on a candidate's life?

The PIQ (Personal Information Questionnaire), which the candidate fills in and from which the Interviewing Officer draws most questions.

What is the full form of OLQ and how many are there in the standard SSB list?

Officer Like Qualities; there are 15 OLQs assessed at the SSB.

Into what three/four factors are the 15 OLQs grouped?

They are grouped into factors such as Planning & Organising, Social Adjustment, Social Effectiveness, and Dynamic (Determination/Courage) qualities.

Name the four OLQs under the 'Planning and Organising' factor.

Effective Intelligence, Reasoning Ability, Organising Ability, and Power of Expression.

Name the OLQs under the 'Social Adjustment' factor.

Social Adaptability, Cooperation, Sense of Responsibility.

Name the OLQs under the 'Social Effectiveness' (group influencing) factor.

Initiative, Self Confidence, Speed of Decision, Ability to Influence the Group, and Liveliness.

Name the OLQs under the 'Dynamic / Determination' factor.

Determination, Courage, and Stamina.

What is the Board Conference and who participates in it?

The final assessment meeting where all three assessors (Interviewing Officer, GTO and Psychologist) and the rest of the board discuss each candidate and reach a collective recommendation.

How is the final result of the SSB decided and what follows a recommendation?

After the Board Conference, candidates are declared recommended or not recommended; recommended candidates undergo a medical examination and are placed on a merit list before final selection.