It is very painful to get screened out of stage-I testing of the SSB interview. The screening test is a crucial process and one must be fully prepared for it. Clearing the screening test puts you in for 5 days of stage-II testing. Most of the candidates are not at all aware of what is to be done in the screening tests, but now let’s talk about what is not to be done during the screening tests [PPDT].

The screening test is a day-one test conducted by the board to filter the candidates. Assessors are interested in selecting those candidates who show some qualities during the screening test but not one who can be a waste for the next five days of testing.

What is Officers’ Intelligence Rating Test

Day-I Screening Tests:

1. Verbal and Non-Verbal Test
2. Picture Perception and Discussion Test [PPDT]

Now, the question is which test matters the most? Is it your performance in the verbal and non-verbal tests, your written story, your narration, or the group discussion?

• Verbal and Non-Verbal: This must be considered at least priority, these tests are very easy and mostly you may find the same set of questions in different boards, however, if you do not perform well in these tests, do not feel nervous because you still have 100% chances of getting screened in. How?
• Your Story: Your story matters a lot during screening, because it can also make your narration powerful. If you are a not a good writer but you still have a good theme, you can put that while narrating your story.
• Story Narration: This is the starting point of your real screening test, this is where you start creating the first impression. You need to be full of confidence to narrate your story with correct expressions. You also need to show your communication skills here and believe me it always adds you more points. While narrating story, you are the king because no one disturbs you ( except assessors ) so you need to take the full advantage of this part, but here first impression is the last impression policy might not work.
• Group Discussion: Up to here you have already created an image of yours in front of assessors, it can be a good or bad, group discussion provide you one more chance to add few more points. You just need to show some maturity at this point, merely shouting won’t help and you may loose more points instead of gaining.

Top Ten Mistakes Candidates Make In Screening Test [PPDT]

1. Nervousness: If you are nervous, it will affect your performance. You need to believe in yourself and your preparation.
2. Lack of knowledge: If you don’t know about the process in advance, you will definitely lose a few marks.
3. Poor Story: Writing negative stories like suicide, murder, etc directly hampers your chance.
4. You must know how to speak English; otherwise, only assessors and others can understand you. There is another option of Hindi, but if you are choosing it, then better pack your bags.
5. If you are not confident enough while narrating your story, you may lose half your marks.
6. Poor Body Language: Standing up, moving your body parts, continuously showing aggression, touching others; all these show low confidence level and badly affect your performance.
7. If you are doing something that disturbs your group members, then you are doing it really wrong. If you can’t convince them, then you should not disturb their performance by shouting or talking continuously.
8. Selfishness: If you go with only the motto of clearing screening, then you might make a mistake in nervousness. Perhaps you must go with a mindset of helping others by putting in group effort to make a common story. It will improve your performance.
9. You must clear yourself on what is the difference between a healthy discussion and a debate.
10. Liveliness: This is what most of the candidates don’t have. If you can attract group members by the way you narrate and discuss, then you will definitely attract assessors. You are supposed to talk with group members in GD; otherwise, there is no point in attending a group discussion.