Articles
Short, practical pieces on the SSB psychology test, written by a former assessor.
Is handwriting important in the Psych Test?
Handwriting itself does not affect your assessment. What matters is legibility, grammar, vocabulary and the clarity with which you express your thoughts.
Read the piece →Which test is more important in the Psych Test?
TAT, WAT or SRT — candidates often ask which test matters most. The answer: a candidate reveals OLQs in all three, and consistency across th…
What to observe in a picture in TAT
You have thirty seconds before a TAT story. Use them to read three things — setting, characters and situation. Proper perception is the prer…
Key to a good story in the TAT
The psychologist reads a TAT story for one thing above all — the hero's actions. Goal-seeking behaviour is the OLQ that pulls the rest of th…
Why 3 techniques in the SSB?
Why the SSB uses three different techniques — Interview, Psychology, and GTO — to assess a candidate, instead of a single test.
What is the best way to prepare for the SSB?
The best SSB preparation isn't last-minute coaching — it's developing the right attitude, the habits, and the knowledge over months and year…
Structuring a TAT story
Every TAT story needs three components — past, present and future. A clear structure makes your hero's actions, and the OLQs behind them, vi…
Dealing with an aggressive group in the PPDT
Withdrawing from the discussion ruins your chances. Here is how to hold your ground in an aggressive PPDT group — without becoming aggressiv…
Cracking PPDT
The PPDT has three stages — perceive the picture, narrate your story, then lead the group discussion. Cracking it means performing consisten…
What do the SSBs look for?
The SSBs look for Officer Like Qualities — a well-rounded personality with practical intelligence, social adjustment, leadership and dynamis…
Why SSBs have PPDT
The Picture Perception & Discussion Test is the SSB's screening filter on Day 1. Only candidates who clear it stay on for the Psychology, GT…
Appearance at PPDT
Dress and appearance reflect pride and self-image. Candidates appearing at the SSB are expected to be in formal wear — the assessors take no…