The SSB Interview is one of the important aspects of your selection into the Defense forces, for which you have to prepare even before you receive your SSB Call Letter. But nevertheless, lets us know what are the activities you should start, habits you should inculcate once you receive your Call Letter, and how to start your SSB Preparation at Home. In this article, we will try to answer one of the most frequently asked questions by defense aspirants “How to Start Your SSB Preparation at Home after Getting the SSB Call Letter”.
The SSB Interview Call Letter is the First Step towards your Journey to Join the Indian Defence Forces as many candidates work day and night to get this call letter. The day you receive your call letter in your hands for the very first time, you get satisfaction and a sense of achievement of having cleared the written test or being short-listed. However, this sense of achievement is quickly taken over by a sense of nervousness and anticipation: whether I will clear the first round or screening test of SSB?
A lot depends on how you utilize this phase 1 or 2 months’ time, right after receiving the SSB call letter. You can’t change your personality in this time duration, but definitely, you will be better prepared for the SSB Interview. This increases your probability of getting recommended by the SSB Board. Here are some activities, habits, practices, and changes you should start doing once you receive your SSB Call Letter.
Be Aware Of Your Surrounding – General Awareness
The habit of Reading a Newspaper
Reading a newspaper is the first step toward your preparation for General Awareness. It will not only help you in your current affairs but also its articles on the editorial page will develop your logical and critical thinking. Direct questions about the latest National and International News are asked in your personal Interview, and sometimes in your conference as well (if you are the borderline case). The Facts and Figures from the newspaper articles will back your arguments in your Group Discussion and assist you in forming your points in Lecturette.
If you are already in the habit of reading the newspaper then it is great. If not, then do start reading it. Give Importance to the national and international news. Do Read the Editorial page very carefully. You can also make notes of facts and figures, which you can refer to later in your SSB.
Basic General Knowledge
Apart from Current affairs, there are chances that the interviewer may ask some questions about basic general knowledge. Sometimes, in conferences as well, some GK questions are asked to check your alertness. So it is better we are prepared for this GK test. You may read any monthly current affairs magazine or Manorama yearbook that will also suffice. Questions can be random, basically related to your graduation subject or Who’s who, etc.
Watch Informative Shows
The best adaptation or rehearsal of the Group Discussion is the Daily Debate shows on News Channels. As we all know, we remember more what we see rather than what we read. Thus, do watch the talk shows and Debate shows of Rajya Sabha TV. You can also watch the main shows on Rajya Sabha’s Official YouTube channel.
Gain Knowledge about your State, City
It is expected from a candidate that they must be aware of the state or city from which they belong. So, be ready with any random question on your State/city from where you come from. You must be aware of all the famous persons or things, places, or any specific art/culture of that state or city. You must also be ready with some basic demographic information about your city. (as the population of the city is asked in the PIQ Form)
Change Your Habits and Attitude
Develop Analytical Thinking & Logical Reasoning
The SSB Interview is all about Thinking and Reasoning. These two qualities will be needed everywhere, even in your personal life and professional career. In the Officer Intelligence and Rating test (OIR), the Psychological tests, the GTO test, and an Interview these qualities in an individual are tested. So, before speaking anything be logical. Always make your judgments and arguments based on logic without any prejudice.
Know All About Yourself
There is a complete test – the Self Description test – to know how well do you know about yourself. The Questions are also asked in the Interview as well. Generally, in a personal interview, the first question is a Rapid-fire question of about 20-25 questions on yourself.
Thus, you must do a profound examination of yourself and your family and friends. You should know about your positive aspects and negative traits, your achievements, your failures, your hobbies, interests, etc.
How to write the best Self Description at SSB Interview
Sharpen your Leadership skills
Leadership is all about being a helpful and resourceful person who is always ready to take on challenges and help others to solve their challenge. A leader is always a motivator with a positive mindset. Thus develop these qualities if you lack them.
Work on your Public Speaking and Communication Skills
Every Candidate must develop good speaking skills as it is a prerequisite for all SSB Interviews. An officer has to address and give instructions to their subordinates on daily basis.
The best approach to do this is by speaking and practicing in front of a mirror or with your friends/family. For the English language, as stated earlier, you can start reading newspapers, watching English Talk shows and Debate with captions, or join online/offline spoken English classes (if you are very weak in English)
Start behaving like you are An Officer
As a candidate, we must behave like an officer in our daily life having all the Officer’s like qualities or OLQs – being courageous, truthful, communicative, and intelligent and use them in our daily life. It is not just for SSB. Your thinking and deeds must be like an officer in day-to-day activities.
Always have a Positive Mindset
Being Optimistic in all your efforts is the most important thing. Be and Feel positive and keep practicing. If you are confident in your approach and it will reflect in your body language.
You Must know about these things
Detailed Knowledge About Your Hobbies
Some basic details of yourself have to be filled in the PIQ form after you are screened on the first day. Your Hobbies and Interests are also mentioned in the form, which will be discussed in your Personal Interview. You can expect any random questions about your Hobbies and Interest. So, be cautious about what you write in your PIQ form and be prepared for what you write.
Knowledge Of Sports You Played Or Liked
If you have played any sport in your school or college, then mention it in your PIQ form. Once you write it in your PIQ form, then be prepared for any question related to that sport. So, prepare well in advance.
Gather info about SSB Process
Be aware of each and every test of the SSB Interview with their rules and regulation.
5 Days Procedure of SSB Interview | Let’s Crack SSB
Gather info about Defense Forces
The candidate ought to know the basic details about the organization they wish to join. So, be prepared.
Other Important Things – How will you achieve all this
Must have a TimeTable
Prepare a timetable and ensure that you allot time to every major activity on daily basis. This will help you in organizing and disciplining your life.
Learn how to manage your Time
Time Management is one of the basic qualities which is checked in the SSB Interview. Every Test is time-bound and is important how you manage to finish the test. The Psychological tests have a time constraint, which tests the candidates’ ability to perform under pressure. So, you should practice for these tests with a timer and train yourself to think quickly.
Maintain Or Build Your Physical Fitness
The candidate must devote at least 1 hour daily to any kind of physical exercise or yoga, to keep their body and mind fit. This will not only help you in SSB Interview but will also help you in the training academy, once you get recommended.
Practice, Practice, and Practice
There is no substitute for practicing all the tests to perform better. But before starting it, understand the purpose of each test and then prepare accordingly.
Check all of the things beforehand
All of the documents and things that you have to carry along with you for the SSB interview must be with you beforehand. Even a single document can make you ineligible for the interview. So, don’t procrastinate till the very last moment.
Hope this article would have helped you in understanding how to start Your SSB Preparation at Home after Getting the SSB Call Letter.
What things do we have to carry while going for SSB Interview?
All the best to all the aspirants for their upcoming SSBs.
If you have any queries or need any further clarification or explanation, do mention it in the comment section or mail directly at [email protected].
Jai Hind.