MY EXPERIENCE AT SSMENTORS - UTKARSH MAURYA

Before starting my coaching at SSMENTORS, I have been screened out four times and once conference out. The reason I was unable to succeed due to my lack of confidence, inability to express my thoughts and ideas during the conduct of SSB. I knew about this problem but I had no idea how to overcome this problem. For this I was refered to Col Kataria institute. Initially, I thought that what help will I get, I had almost all knowledge but confidence was the issue. But after attending the classes at SSMENTORS, I realized that my confidence level was improving, was able to express my ideas in better manner. Here I got exactly what I needed to know for selection process and I was attended to each and every doubts of mine. Personal attention to every student was the best part of coaching. We were given adequate practice of all tests and tasks in actual conditions. Each and every day spent here played a part in getting me recommended. For this I would like to thank Col Kataria for the help and attention in the entire process which finally brought me success. 

      STAGE ONE OR SCREENING TEST – MATTER OF CONCERN

Screening or Stage one testing is the first step towards achieving your aim but 60% candidates do not make it to next stage. All candidates are familiar with this because everyone has to face this. If we obtain the feedback on screening test, we will get very vague answers from candidates as none of them is sure how he got through or failed. If we analyze the trend invariably you will find majority of candidates do not pay attention towards preparation for screening test and in the end, they blame the group as he was not given opportunity to speak during the discussion. If we analyze the stage one testing, it can be divided in four stages-

               Verbal and Non-Verbal test – Individual Level

               Picture Perception Test - individual Level

               Story Narration – Individual Level

               Group Discussion - Individual Performance in a Group

On analyzing these stages,these are inter related and lead to clearing your screening part where as candidate think only group discussion is important because he is judged by assessors accordingly he gives more weightage to this part which is not the case. During group discussion test, assessors are not aware of your performance in IQ test and clearing screening test is a combination of IQ as well as performance in Group Discussion. For ease of understanding, I will elaborate these stages so that you can handle these stages effectively .

Verbal and Non-verbal Test

This test is conducted to calculate your IQ level in numerical form which is important not only for your screening but plays important role in stage two testing as well. Most of the questions are basic in nature. First step identify the types of questions you will come across, thereafter, practice to identify your problem area. After identifying your problem area you must overcome your problem so that you score best IQ rating . Secondly speed is the key issue practice as many test consisting 40 to 50 questions to improve your speed. Generally you get half the time of total no. questions. Lastly there is no negative marking. Scoring good rating will have good impact on interview and psych test performance.

Picture perception Test

This test can be prepared along with TAT the stage two test as there is no difference in story writing between screen and stage two except the initial part wherein you have to describe theme and no. of characters.

Naration of Story

Once you complete your picture perception you must read what you have written and when you go out must practice for narration part so that you do not miss out any thing important and confidence is the key issue while narrating it and make eye contact with group members.

Group Discussion

After narrating your story, you must pay due attention to other’s stories and identify the few good one’s. During discussion you have to give ideas towards achievement of group aim, appreciate other’s view rather appreciate your own story. Speak sense and if get a chance narrate group common story. Dress up properly.

     SSB -PERCEPTION MANAGEMENT, STATE OF MIND AND FOCUS

1. SSB is a unique test; one cannot compare with your previous experiences. That is why candidate remain unsure about it - how to crack, how to face, how to prepare so on. Most of these questions create numerous conflicts in the mind of candidates until they go through the entire process of SSB. Facing SSB is nothing but its all about how you manage your perception, state of mind and focus.

   a. What is perception management – Perception means when you look    at an object or stimulus you see two sides of it - positive or negative or another possibility deny it. When you reverse your actual perception means distortion of perception.  That is why most of the candidates commit mistake in their approach in handling SSB process. Remember perceive as shown to you, whether negative or positive and never ever deny it. It is a myth that you always have to think or write positive.

   b. State of mind – SSB is all about expressing your intellectual level whenever you are required to do so or given a chance. Leader always think, apply his mind and lead from front. Go with relax mind so that brain can function at its best. There is nothing in SSB, which you cannot handle. It’s all about applying your self at the right time and place.

   c. Focus – Regular preparation and focused approach would make you   confident. Improve your listening skills, as during SSB you have to listen then act as per instructions whether it is interview, GTO or psych testing.

2. As per my experience, how does most of the candidates approach or perceive SSB.    They;-

•     Treat SSB like university or school examination.
•     Have fear of unknown in spite of having numerous feedback.
•     Perceiving stress in the environment, this leads to low-level performance.
•    Candidate displays inconsistent behavior during the course of SSB, which he manifests from highly stressful to over confident state of mind during the  course of SSB, both of these will take him nowhere. What matters is balance and consistent performance.
•     Take ideas from non- assessor, rejected or selected candidates or from books available in the market, which create lot of confusion in mind.

3. Managing your perception, state of mind and focus will help in doing well in SSB. What do you do;-

   a. Always clarify your doubts from expert so that your perception is not confused.

   b. Always perceive as shown to you and do not distort your perception whether it is TAT, WAT or GTO Tasks.

   c. There is nothing in SSB that you cannot do then why have fear of unknown.

   d. Learn to express 15 officers like qualities through various tasks.

   e. Handle one task at a time. Do not start thinking of next tasks when first one is going on.

   f. Each test and task carry equal weightage so keep on performing to achieve positive result.

   g. Do not give up even if you have not done well in one technique or task.

   h. Concentrate on your personal performance in relation with your group.

4. How to  approach  – Manage your perception – Go with relax state of mind – focused approach – good listening skills -  You have all qualities in you , express them at right time and right place – Remember your selection is based on demonstrated performance , if you have it in you, learn to demonstrate it. I am sure you will make it.

VERBAL EXPRESSION AND PHYSICAL STAMINA - HIGHLY TRAINABLE QUALITIES

Verbal expression and physical fitness are the most important officer like qualities as perceived by most of the candidates because they understand only these qualities. If we go through the 15 officer like qualities, verbal expression is part of power of expression, which includes written as well as verbal and same is the case with physical stamina and mental stamina they both are part of stamina. Considering all this, both these qualities are five percent of total no. qualities. This is the case it means all 15 officers like qualities are equally important and out of which some of them least trainable and some are highly trainable which can be improved by training yourself. Both verbal expression and physical fitness comes in the category of highly trainable. I would like to share certain inputs about these two qualities             Verbal Expression

•        It is a mean of communicating your ideas and thoughts.
•        It is not a reason of rejection or selection as all qualities are equally important.
•     When you become an officer, you would be using both English and Hindi as main language in imparting training and as an officer you would be interacting with all kinds of people including foreign national.
•      Selection is based on demonstrated performance shown during each task and technique. In some of the tasks, you have to speak or act or write and everywhere it is expression, which helps you in demonstrating right qualities at the right place and right task. Therefore, if you are unable to express your self then how are you going to demonstrate your qualities?
•      Its highly trainable why not train your self. Take the example of our illiterate people when they go abroad within few months they start speaking their local language.

Physical Fitness

•     Physical fitness is a coordination of mind and limbs, which helps you in Performing your tasks.
•     It is highly trainable and effort of few days will make you perform effectively.
•     Tasks and obstacles are designed for untrained candidates irrespective of age and sex.
•      Physical fitness will make you confident in handling group tasks, obstacle course and snake race.
•      It is not important how many obstacles you do but what matters how you behave while doing.
•      You do not require six packs for SSB little effort prior is good enough to face SSB.

Suggestions

My suggestion to all aspirants is that if you feel expression is the only thing why not train your self and over come this problem. It is a matter of few days, there is a thin line between you expressing well or not. We have so many facilities available in the market to train your self. Same with physical fitness, normal jogging in the morning and exercise 15 days prior to SSB is more than sufficient. Do not go with a confuse state of mind overcome your weaknesses.

         MY EXPERIENCE AT SSMENTORS By Lt Arcot Sai Dikshith

Hi all, I am Arcot Sai Dikshith from Hyderabad. The journey just began with the recommendation for the prestigious organization in the entire nation. Do you have it you. Yes, I have it in me.

I am an engineering graduate and during my school/college days participated in N.C.C and basketball at national level. Since my childhood days my aim was to join Armed forces. Tried the first attempt of getting into Armed forces with N.D.A but could not clear the written exam. On completion of my engineering, I started preparing for SSB and joined Cavaliers Academy in New Delhi but I was conference out. Then I did the introspection of my performance but could not make out the grey areas. Thereafter appeared in another SSB, gave the second interview at Varanasi and cleared my Pilot Aptitude Battery Test but again I was conference out. At Varanasi Air Force SSB. I came across a candidate who got recommended for ground duties after getting conference out for 3 times and got recommended in 4th attempt. Later the same candidate was recommended after 15 days from other board. As per him, this I could achieve because of excellent coaching imparted by Col Kataria, SSMENTORS. 

He suggested me to go to SSMENTORS for coaching, but due to my official commitments, I could not go and went for SSB at Bangalore. This time I did lot of hard work and performed well but again I was conference out. After few days, I received another call up letter and this time I finally decided to go to Col Kataria, academy SSMENTORS . Every day at SSMENTORS, I have got major to minor inputs about SSB that could clarify my concepts and doubts about selection process. I was able to figure out where I stand as regard to my strong/weak points and preparation. I would like to share that the way Col Kataria conducts his sessions, it’s amazing, firstly his batch strength has maximum of 10-12 candidates so that he can have one to one interaction with candidates as each candidate has different problem, secondly he does not force his views on you but refine your own capabilities in all techniques and lastly he conducts short and to the point session which put your preparation on right track and even after coaching you can remain in touch with him through mob or email or personally. With the knowledge I gained here and maintained continuous touch with him till the last day of SSB that helped me a lot and I finally got recommended from Bangalore the same place where I got conference out earlier.

My suggestion to all defense aspirants is that one can achieve his dream only through effective planning, sheer practice, hard work and proper guidance/coaching. I recommend one must take coaching because a "TEACHER PLAYS A VITAL AND IMPORTANT ROLE IN STUDENTS SUCCESS". All the achievements in my life have gurus. If I look back I think of my school teacher, basketball coach and SSB success- Colonel Kataria sir. My sincere thanks to all my teachers. All the best to all SSB aspirants, the success you get after failures will be sweeter than the one you get at first shot. The more the failures sweeter the success.

       DO YOU HAVE IT IN YOU – YES, YOU CAN, YOU WILL

1. All of us are familiar with this phrase ‘DO YOU HAVE IT IN YOU’ which conveys that whether you possess officer ‘like qualities to lead men in battle. Do we interpret its actual meaning really not? Most of the defense aspirants interpret this phrase differently; to them it means what you require to join forces – skill or marks or good percentage or doing well in tests and so on. Here I would like to share my experience which will amplify this phrase and bring clarity to your thoughts and remove misconception.

“In 2001, I was company commander in J&K sector where we were deployed in anti-terrorists operations role. During winter I have got information from my higher headquarters regarding militant's presence in nearby village, my quick reaction team was ready and in no time we rushed to the village. On reaching the village I found all the villagers have started fleeing the village and this gave me the first indication about presence of militants in the area. I decided to go inside the village along with few villagers who could guide me to right place and after some distance we could locate the house where they were hiding. Under these circumstances my aim was to kill the militants without any injury to my own troops. So I analyzed the situation placed my troops in close cordon but another problem which I had to face the exact location of militants because houses were inter connected so I decided to get hold of few villagers to give me the right input about location so that we could commence our operation. After detail coordination, we started firing on to them and also received retaliatory fire. We continue to engage them in spite of some of our weapons were not effective due to effective range. In the end after heavy exchange of fire for 10 hours we could kill them. Our team as well as civilian did not suffer any causality. For this gallant act, I and two of my subordinate were awarded gallantry award.”

2. On analyzing the above situation, as a leader when you are leading men in battle you should have intellect to analyze the situation and accordingly organize your resources to make your plan. You must have sense of responsibility towards nation and men you are commanding. You should be confident of taking initiative and right decision in adverse conditions. You should have courage to face bullets and mental stamina/determination to sustain anywhere.

3. I have explained a situation whereas you face such situations every day during war and peace. All defense aspirants now tell me where you require percentage of marks, skill or expertise in various tests conducted during SSB. What DO YOU HAVE IT IN YOU officer’s like qualities? In SSB we look for these qualities and tests are the mean to find these. Work hard to inculcate these qualities and learn to express them during the entire process of SSB.

Importance Of SSB Interview Training

Training is very important, before I explain reasons; we must understand the concept of selection. Selection is based on behavior  through behavior we assess personality of an individual. While assessing the personality we focus on 15 officers like qualities.

1. Every individual possesses these qualities but scale or levels vary from individual to individual. During the course of SSB, through various tests you have to project or express your qualities or you have to tell assessor that I have these qualities in me. If you are not able to project yourself, how will the assessor know that you possess 15 officer like qualities?

2. So, training is important. If provided by right person. Training helps in  You learn the art of    expressing or projecting your qualities through – verbal expression, body language and actions. And  also nature of various tests is such that you do not come to know about your performance. So it’s  important that you should follow right approach for right test which can be learnt through training   You come to know your weaknesses. If you know your weaknesses then only you can improve.    When you go through the practice tests the familiarity with SSB environment increases which helps    in gaining confidence, enhances your performance.

3. Second important issue is, human being has different state of mind i.e. conscious or semi- conscious or unconscious. These states of mind make him behave in different manner. Therefore, various tests used in different techniques assesses how are you behaving in different state of mind. To know your acceptable behavior it can only be achieved by good quality of training.

4. Thirdly, you hear different point of view from untrained people which leads to forming myths or wrong opinion about selection system and you create wrong opinion about your own capability which results into poor performance.

5. Fourthly, where ever you take coaching you make sure that you are trained by ex-assessor.

6. Training makes sure that you start believing in your own capabilities and you start knowing what my goal is and what my role is.

                                                                                                                                                                     FAMILY BACKGROUND - DOES IT REALLY MATTER

1. Family background does it really matter. Yes, it's a value addition in some cases. Aspect of family background is always percieved to be major block in the mind of  aspiring candidates appearing  in SSB.  Candidates always assume and discuss that family background is one of the major consideration in candidate's selection or rejection in  the SSB. This issue always has pre-concieved negative impact on  state of mind of candidates for those who are from lower financial and educational background.  In my view,  It's more of myth than reality.

2. Self esteem or confidence is key to success in SSB and aspect of family background is one of the key contributors towards self confidence among candidates. Therefore, there is a need to remove thought from mind that candidates from lower background have less chances of recommendation, whereas, it always has positive impact during selection process.

3  What role does family background play. As far as selection process concern, family background plays an important role in predicting  the future desired level of candidates, this input is used by an assessor in awarding trainability marks which implies that after giving the right environment and training to candidate how much he can improve. During SSB, candidates are judged on the basis of demonstrated performance which helps the assessor in assessing his present level  and accordingly trainability marks are added to his present level of marks to decide his suitability for the organisation. Decision of how much marks to be awarded would vary from candidate to candidate and to award these marks, number of factors are considered but background is one of the major factors plays key role thereby candidate from lower financial and education  background  always has edge over candidates from good background in  getting extra marks.

 4. Another important issue is filling of PIQ form, where candidates shows casual attitude. This form is one of the most important document based on which interviewing officer frame questions which are to be asked and  psychologist obtain useful input from it hence, candidates must fill in correct and complete details about his background. 

5. My sincere advice to candidates is to concentrate on enhancing your qualities and knowledge rather develop inferiority complex about issues like education,academic performance, financial status or background which are fact of life and cannot be altered by any chance at this stage.  Work hard on your weaknesses and achieve your goal.   

Author -- Col K. Kataria,SM, Psychologist, Director, SSMENTORS (SSB COACHING)