Best SSB coaching in Dehradun

An often repeated question asked by most aspirants, in-fact everyone on the civil street it, “How the Armed Forces selects its OFFICERS”. This was not an openly known procedure till the early 90s. However, post liberalization from which even the Forces could not remain aloof, perhaps this last bastion too has fallen, and something are now known. Yet, what attributes are required, can only be told by someone who has been through this tough selection process, or by those who themselves select candidates since every officer has to do through this grind, he’s equally qualified to brief any aspirant, hence he should be your first guide. The procedure is same for all three Forces, less the IAF, which has an additional test the PABT, (also applicable for flying branches of IN and IA).

Selection in SSBs is every candidates desired goal, but then you cannot get up one fine morning and say that you will appear for the SSB to perform well, you have to prepare meticulously, well in advance. Ideally SSBs give 6 to 12 weeks notice to candidates, and this much time is adequate to prepare well. You are lucky to be competing in the world of Internet since in our times, we did not even have any book or coaching institute of SSB preparation, but then that’s an advantage available to all. However, remember no coaching or guide book can teach you to be successful, unless “You do not have it in You” , i.e., the will and desire to do well in life and achieved something worthwhile.

Starting Early

Your preparation, thus, starts the day you appear for the written exam as this advance preparation puts you ahead of the race, since most candidates wake up only after receiving the call letter, which leaves only enough time to brush up, if you are starting from scratch. Since well begun is half done, get hold of a good book, like you have in your hands right now and go through each page meticulously, taking notes along the way, identifying strong/ weak areas, where you need to focus more, or where you can just glance through.

Focus Areas

In my opinion, most candidates have no clues about the GTO Series of tests, plus they are also weak in CA/ GK and are unable to express themselves, due to lack of communication skills. Week after week, in my classes at the institutions where I have taught, mostly within service (sometimes in Civil Coaching Academies/ open Forums, Schools and Colleges and other Career Development Programmes), this question has followed me how to prepare and succeed in SSB Board/ Interviews. The answer is simple, first understand the requirement, then strive to work hard, master it either yourself or with external help of a Book/ Academy/ Coaching Institute.

 

Coming back to the point, the difference in recommended and just rejected candidates is miniscule. However, to make the grade, you have qualify within the laid down parameters, which is loosely qualified by some as attaining a score of 40%, or 360, out of a possible 900, with each of the 4 major test accounting for 225 marks. What is important to understand here is that, out of the three independent assessors, two have to pass you individually, which means you ideally score 90 each, then even if third assessor has graded your score as 75 , there will be a chance of making it as in the final conference all three will be collectively evaluating, and a score of 105 or above here, will pull you through. This also breaks one more myth, that its only “English Speaking Convent Educated students” who clear SSBs. Friends, there is no “Shakespearian English” required in GTO or psychology Tests, but simple conversational words/ sentences.

No Place for Second Position in a War
Remember the great athlete Milkha Singh, who missed the bronze in the 1960 Rome Olympics by 1/100th of a second or our very own, Payoli Express, PT Usha, who missed and Asian Games gold by a similar margin. Were they crowned with the medals, just because they were very close, or missed it by a whisker. No. similarly, selection in Armed Forces is like going to war, where there’s no place for second position, whereas all the laurels and accolades go to the winner. So don’t think of coming second, when the difference is very less. Think, how a little more effort, an extra push here, a little have there, can put you top of the pedestal, where others will worship you. And remember, in battle, or in life’s adversities, troops (or people) only fallow the winners. So be a success in SSBs, and you will be a winner for life. Because, this never say die attitude, will be there with you, even after commissioning as an officer, since, there are many battles ahead, small or big, in your journey as an Armed Forces Officer.

OLQs Simplified

The succeeding paras have defined and elaborated on the required on the required OLQs however, I can simply say that OLQs cannot be taught- they are there within each one of us only difference being some are prominent and active, in others they are dormant and suppressed. Comparing OLQs to leadership qualities of some of the greats, to our mind comes the adage.

“Some are born Great, some achieve Greatness, Some have Greatness thrust upon them”

Now analyze this is context of the present and past achievers of this country ranging from Swami Vevekanand to Mahatama Gadhi, Jamshedji Tata to APJ Abdul Kalam and Sachin Tendulkar to Col Rajyavardhan Rathore, and the answer is starting at you. You have to decide, under category of greats you fall success will be there waiting for you.

Factor 1: Planning and Organizing

This factor includes four qualities which are associated with the spiritual or mental aspects- i.e., your genetic being.

(i) Reasoning Ability (RA)– The ability of an individual to understand a given situation and thereafter come to a solution induced by rational thought process. In RA, SSB wants you to be receptive, have an inquisitive mind, logical thinking and the capability to see root cause of a problem, and then have the ability to solve it.

(ii) Effective Intelligence (EI)– Intelligence is the ability of a person to evolve solution to practical problems. Please do confuse this basic intelligence, which is measure using the intelligence tests (Verbal and Non Verbal). In evaluating your EI, SSB wants to see your EI, SSB wants to see your ability to solve daily problems of life and how you cope with difficult situations in daily life.

(iii) Organizing Ability (OA)- A good organizer is one who is able to use the available resources systematically, thus producing effective results. In OA, SSB is looking for ability to see how an individual can use material resources made available to you produce expected results.

(iv) Power of Expression (PoE) – A good expression is the ability to convert your thoughts and ideas into comprehensible words and then put them across with ease clarity. PoE includes both verbal and written expression.

Factor 2: Social Adjustment:

This factor includes three qualities which are associated with the heart/ conscience of an individual. These are

(v) Social Adaptability (SA)– It is the ability of an individual to adapt himself to the environment around himself and adjust well with persons and social group of a diverse nature. SSB is interested in how you adapt to members of a group, interact with them, (and the evaluator) and whether you have tact in your behavior with others.

(vi) Cooperation (Co)– It is your attitude to participate willingly and harmoniously with members of a group, a way to achieve group social goals. What is important is to be a team player and try and be selfless. Remember, group aim/objectives are more important as compared to individual ones, SSB is keen to see your team attitude, not individual quests.

Factor 3: Social Effectiveness:

This is an important factor and has five qualities an outcome of the dynamic interaction of the above two factors, i.e., maxing of your head (mind) and heart-

(viii) Initiative (Inv)- It is the ability to originate an action. SSB wants to see if you take the lead in the right direction and are able to sustain it till the very end.

(ix) Self Confidence(SC)- Confidence in one’s own abilities to meet stressful and unfamiliar situations, results from a good upbringing and independent thought and action.

(x) The Speed of Decision (SOD): It is the ability to come to a workable decision quickly. There are two parts, namely, appropriateness of decision and speed in arriving at it both equally important.

(xi) Ability to influence the Group (AIG)- The way a person influences others in a group, to go for the goals set by him/her. What is seen by SSB is, if you can convince others to do as per your bidding (willingly), what you want them to do, minus any force/prodding.

(xi) Liveliness (Liv): It is the capacity of a person to remain calm and cheerful atmosphere in the group. What is seen is, if you gets unduly worried or disturbed when faced with difficult situations.

(xii) Courage (Cou): Courage stems from the ability to understand and take purposive risks. Take risks only where required and that too after carefull though. Some candidates take hasty decisions which may put the life of juniors/comrades in danger, which is not desirable. So, what is important is “take sustainable risks as required ”

(xiii) Stamina (Sta): The ability to withstand continued stain-both mental and physical. It also includes endurance for pain, hardship and agony again both physical and mental.

Factor 4: Dynamic:

This factor includes three qualities which are associated the limbs or the coordination between the mind and the body.

(xiv) Determination(Det): It is the ability to put in sustained efforts to achieved desired aims, in spite of hurdles and setbacks. The SSB wants to see whether you are focused, able to concentrate on the task and work thoroughly towards achieving the desired aims.

(xiii) Courage (Cou): Courage stems from the ability to understand and take purposive risks. Take risks only where required and that too after careful though. Some candidates take hasty decisions which may put the life of juniors/comrades in danger, which is not desirable. So, what is important is “take sustainable risks as required ”

(xiv) Stamina (Sta): The ability to withstand continued stain-both mental and physical. It also includes endurance for pain, hardship and agony again both physical and mental.