Officer Like Qualities (OLQs) for SSB Interviews – Do YOU have it in YOU?

Ever since the candidate starts hearing about the SSBs, he first of all comes in contact with this prestigious line “Do YOU have it in YOU?” This is the most heard line when a candidate starts his/her preparation for SSB. So what SSB is all about? What does SSB check in you? How is it different from all the other Interviews/Examinations? If you want answers to these questions, the following article will make you aware in detail about THE SSB INTERVIEWs and what is it all about?

Firstly, what is SSB Interview? SSB stands for Services Selection Boards. In order to get into Armed Forces of India (World), you need to clear an SSB Interview. By Armed Forces, I mean Army, . Also for Coast Guard, you need to clear PSB and FSB. PSB stands for Preliminary Selection Board and FSB stands for Final Selection Board. There is no much difference between SSB and PSB + FSB. The only difference is FSB does not have GTO tasks. Don’t worry about GTO tasks now, I will explain them later. SSB has 4 stages viz.

1. Screening Tests.
2. Psychological Tests/ GTO tasks/ Personal Interview.
3. Medical Examination.
4. Final Merit List.

All of these rounds are elimination rounds. Like if you cannot clear Screening Tests, you will go home on the same day! If you clear Screening Tests, you will undergo next round. If you clear that round too, then you will undergo Medical Tests. If you clear Medical Tests, a final Merit List will be framed for all the candidates who have cleared their Medical Examinations at all the Centers for that particular Entry. Finally if you are in Merit List, YOU will be the part of Few Candidates, who will join the prestigious IMA, OTA, AIRFORCE ACADEMY, NAVAL ACADEMY etc. The full procedure and other details I will write in subsequent articles. Right now I will focus on What SSB Interview Tests in you?
The main aim of an SSB Interview is to check OFFICER LIKE QUALITIES (OLQs) in YOU viz.
Factor 1 – Planning and Organizing (Relating to our Mind) – Consists of 4 OLQ’s.

• Effective Intelligence
• Reasoning Ability (Why?)
• Organizing Ability (How?)
• Power of Expression

Factor 2 – Social Adjustment (Relating to our Heart) – Consists of 3 OLQ’s.

• Social Adaptability
• Cooperation
• Sense of Responsibility

Factor 3 – Social Effectiveness (Leadership) – Consists of 5 OLQ’s.   

• Initiative
• Self-Confidence
• Speed of Decision
• Ability to influence a group
• Liveliness

Factor 4 – Dynamic (Courage) – Consists of 3 OLQ’s.

• Determination
• Courage
• Stamina

These qualities are looked forward in YOU when you are undergoing a SSB Interview. Every test in a SSB Interview is dedicated to test these skills in the candidate whether it be psychological tests, GTO Tasks, PI etc.
So, gentlemen, the advice to the candidates is that before undergoing a SSB Interview, they must be very much clear in their mind about THEMSELVES. And, trust me being Honest to YOURSELF, is much more important in life than any other success or any such failure. It is like how you perceive yourself and how much do you know about yourself – THE TRUTH indeed.
This is what is looked/ tested in a SSB Interview. And, the examiners/interviewers are the rank of MAJOR/COLONEL/BRIGADIER (in ARMY) so trust me they are very much well-versed in their job. They are the right persons to check “DO YOU HAVE IT IN YOU.”
“DO YOU HAVE IT IN YOU” – This statement you will find in 24 SSB Bangalore’s Mirrors. The full length mirrors outside the President’s Room/ Conference Room/ Candidate Lines etc. This will motivate you to understand yourself and ask yourself “DO I HAVE IT IN MYSELF??
PRASHANT SHARMA
PGDM-I