Cracking SSB (Services Selection Board) Interview is not an easy task. Having said that, I’d also like to add that it is not mission impossible either! After all, we all have dictionaries with the ‘term’ impossible absent in it, right? Okay, let’s talk business now, I’ll share some valuable, killer tips with you. These tips will enable you to crack SSB  in 2019! But hey, these tips won’t work like magic. You must implement and practice these tips. Then, I can guarantee that you’ll crack the interview!

Each year, Lakhs of candidates appear for written exams like NDA (National Defence Academy) and CDS (Combined Defence Services) etc. Thousands make it through and manage to win themselves a seat for the SSB interview.

But what’s interesting is the fact that majority of the shortlisted candidates gets rejected after the first round of SSB! And after the end of the week long interview processes, handful of them get recommended. In the end, few of them make it to the premier institutes like NDA and IMA (Indian Military Academy)

What a tale! So, basically, SSB interview is like a ‘filter’. It separates the best from the rest. And I must say that this filter does a good job! The candidates who get recommended are assessed from various point of views and rated and evaluated by psychologists, senior army Officers etc.

You too can be among those ‘selected ones’. For making it happen, I suggest that you go through this article, know these tips closer and implement them religiously.

Okay, this interview is not one day stuff. It is not like a regular interview also. Most of the selected candidates make this mistake. They fail to know SSB and its procedures closer.

Try to learn more about the procedures that you’ll face once you reach there. There will be a series of tests conducted across several days. Make sure that you get a proper knowledge of the time-table. Learn more about the various tests you’ll face.

Know what tests like WAT (Word Association Test), SRT (Situation Reaction Test) etc. Know when you’ll face such tests, what these tests are all about etc. This is the most important tip.

Okay, I hope that you’ll follow tip 1 religiously. After doing that, make sure that you go on a quality ‘practice session’. Knowing these tests closer is key part, but practicing them is even more better.

Study materials are available in abundance. You may go for ‘coaching classes’, buy CDS and NDA preparation books or get study material online!

Whatever source you choose, make sure that you practice well. This is the second killer tip!

This is what many candidates ignore. They’ll practice for all those tests, but leave being Current Affairs. Having good general awareness and knowledge of current affairs is an added advantage!

Many times, during the personal interview stage, questions related to current affairs will be posed by the interviewer. Make sure that you go through NEWS Papers, NEWS headlines etc daily. Also referring magazines like Pratiyogita Darpan and sites like Jagran Josh will help you.

All SSB interviews emphasize on some common topics. These common topics are- India, Indian Politics, History of India, India and its current affairs, Armed Forces in India etc. Questions about these topics are almost always asked during personal interviews, group discussion etc.

Make sure that you read and study these topics extensively. Preparing and keeping your own ‘notes’ will help. With the use of internet, you may get all the necessary knowledge for free!

Doing so will come handy during the personal interview. Many times, interviewers go for such technical questions. If you are a 12th standard passed/appearing student, the interviewer may ask questions related to your studies. For example, I was asked this question- ‘What is Bernoulli’s equation?’.

If you are an engineering graduate, then prepare for similar questions related to your branch. So, brushing up your knowledge is essential.

Having good, detailed knowledge about your home state or town is good. Questions related to them are often asked during personal interview.

Before the personal interview, candidates are asked to fill a PIQ (Personal Information Questionnaire). Details like state, town etc of the candidate must be filled. So, it is obvious that the interviewer will pose some questions related to them.

Collect information related to current affairs, historical significance, population, language, governmental organizations, notable personalities etc of your state/town.

Usually, the interviews are held at time, when the climate is extreme. For example, consider the SSB interview held at Allahabad in January. At that time, the place would be too cold.

It is essential to know the climatic conditions early on and practice accordingly. In January cold, at Allahabad, you won’t be able to write fast because of ‘cold and frozen’ hands!

And let me remind you that ‘writing fast’ is necessary to do well in tests like WAT, TAT, SRT etc. So, writing practice, keeping the climate in mind often helps. Take time to form some ‘time management’ strategies.

Having these traits will help you greatly during personal interview and the whole SSB thing. Be honest while filling out PIQ form. Don’t brag about things you never did! Bragging and lying will come back to haunt you during interview! Don’t try to act smart. Be your normal self. Acting like somebody else will do more harm than good.

This is something you definitely should do. Building confidence will certainly help you perform well in personal interview, group discussion, group task etc.

Having good oratory skills will also help during group discussion, group task etc. Invest some time daily cultivating these qualities in yourself. You’ll be amazed by the return it’ll give!

Okay, let’s not ignore this aspect. There is a whole ‘obstacles round’, where your physical prowess will be put to test! So, maintain a basic level of fitness and physique.

Exercise regularly, eat well, eat good food. The obstacle course is a real ‘bonus round’. You can score high score if you’re in good shape and have good fitness level.

These are the top 10 tips that I wanted to share with you guys. I believe that religiously practicing and implementing these tips will help you crack SSB interview next year, in 2019! While you appear for it, treat others like your friends, enjoy your stay there and give it your best shot! You’ll learn a lot during your stay there.