Page 23 - SSB Interview: The Complete Guide, Second Edition

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Introduction

What is Seen in a Candidate?

Candidates often asked me at the end of all the tests what the assessors look
for at the time of selection. It is unfortunate that they do not even know what

are they tested for. This chapter will deal with the 15 Officer Like Qualities
(OLQs), arranged in four factors, that are assessed in the SSBs. Incidentally,
all three assessors measure the same 15 qualities using their respective

tools/techniques as described in the later chapters. Hence, it is important for
the candidates to know what is seen at the SSB.

Factor I: Planning and Organising

This factor includes four qualities which are associated with the mental

aspect of the person.

1. Effective Intelligence (EI): This is the ability of a person to evolve

solutions to practical problems. It is different from basic intelligence
which is measured using the intelligence tests (Verbal and Non-Verbal).

In EI, the assessor wants to see if you can solve day-to-day problems

and cope with the minor difficulties of daily life.

2. Reasoning Ability (RA): It is the ability of a person to grasp a given
situation and arrive at a conclusion by rational thinking. In RA, the

assessors are looking for your receptivity, inquiring attitude, logical