HOW TO CRACK THE SCREENING TEST

 Screening test or stage-I of testing in the SSB. It appears easy for those who clear it easily and is an nightmare for those who have faced numerous rejection in this stage. However with this post i will try to tell you what a screening test is and what are the essentials to crack it.

PROCEDURE

Screening contains two tests; one is the OIR (Officers Rating Test) and other is PPDT (Picture Perception And Discussion Test). Both the tests are equally important to clear the screening test.

OIR (Officer’s rating test)

This is a test of intelligence of a candidate and in this test you are required to solve a no. of questions based on verbal and non-verbal reasoning. Generally, 2 set each containing of about 50 questions are given to the candidates. In total, you have to solve approx. 100 questions in a time span of 1 hr.

KEY POINTS

· Maintain a good speed; time limit is less hence tries to solve the maximum question in given time.

· Do not stuck on those question on which you are not sure, move on to the next question and come to the left over questions once you have completed the other questions.

· There is no negative marking; but do not try to mark answer blindly. It may go against you.

· Generally, candidates take this test lightly. Do not commit such blunder; higher grade in this test means a more confident start and a positive impact on assessors.

· Prepare from good books, R.S. Aggarwal verbal and non- verbal reasoning can be preferred.

· Practice more and get good result.

· Eat some sugar before the test; it will increase the glucose level which will boost your speed.

PPDT (Picture perception and description test)

In this test a picture will be shown to you for 30 seconds. You have to write a sample story taking a few important points into consideration. You will be given 4 minutes to write a story.

PARTS OF A STORY

· Mark the characters on the sheet of paper provide to you {in the box on left hand side}. In that box you have to mention the position of character, its sex, mood and age.

· You have to write what led to situation.

· What is happening at the moment? The location and the general description of the place.

· What is the plan of action and the final outcome?

· You need not give any title to your story.

· You should give short names to your characters. Use of surnames should be avoided.

IMPORTANT POINTS ABOUT WRITING A STORY

· Make a sensible story, story should be well constructed and should be smooth.

· Story must contain a problem ( a social issue etc.) which can be solved by you.

· Remember the central character is you hence make him do all those things which you can personally do. Do make him a super human

· Try not to write on political issues, don’t write on religious issues too.

· Make your hero strong; your hero should never appear to be dejected or weak.

· Try and write on social issues and the problems faced by general people.

· Don’t make dams and all, these things can never be constructed by us.

· Happy ending is must in movies, so is the case in SSB. Show your hero solving the problem successfully.

· Your hero should also take the help of others; however most of the work will be done by him only.

NARRATION (DISCUSSION TEST)

After you have written your story, sometime will be given to you and then you have to take part in a Discussion. A discussion is in Half- moon formation in which all the candidates sit in a semi- circle facing the Assessors. Initially each candidate will be given 45sec- 1 min to narrate the story. Once everyone has completed his narration you have to participate in a discussion where you have to come on to a final consensus consisting of a common story.

IMPORTANT POINTS FOR NARRATION

· Finish your story within the allotted time only.

· Speak loudly and clearly; don’t run away in order to finish to story soon.

· Your narration should be short and crisp.

· If you were not able to write your story in the allotted time, try to compete it at the time of narration.

· Don’t change your story; if you get caught you have no chance to clear the screening.

· Don’t fidget, stay calm and composed.

· Try to speak in English only; however if you get stuck you can speak in Hindi but you should try to come back to English as soon as possible.

· Sit straight, don’t jerk in your seat, and wait patiently for your turn to come.

· Don’t cut your story once you have written it; in PPDT you are asked to write the first thought that creeps I your mind, hence cutting and chopping means that your thoughts are fabricated.

IMPORTANT POINTS FOR DISCUSSION

· Listen to everyone’s points. It will help while you get a chance to speak.

· Everyone has come for selection hence fish market is bound to be created, don’t keep mum, you won’t be given any marks for keeping quiet.

· Try to help the group in coming to a conclusion. Help in making a story.

· Speak less and convey more, your points will be count only if they were constructive.

· Don’t think that if your story is not made the final group story then you will not clear the screening or vice versa, thing ting doesn’t count in the end.

· Don’t push your story, if you feel that most of the people have made an story on a particular topic then you can help them by adding a few points to it.

· Don’t shout in between, maintain a cool disposure.

· Don’t give your name yourself for the final group story, group should nominate the person to narrate the final group story.