Have you ever faced a conference out or a screen out and wondered why it happened? Most of us have because unlike other selection processes, you do not get feedback on why you did not make it. This creates several SSB myths in the minds of candidates who try to dodge the bullet through them.
Why Do SSB Myths Exist?
When we think of any myth in this world, we realize that the reason for its existence is lack of clarity. The SSB interview is similar. Since the entire process happens behind closed doors, candidates find it hard to identify the cause of their rejection. This gives birth to SSB myths.
Also, being a subjective process, even if you choose to take guidance from two different ex-assessors, you’ll realize that both have their distinct ways of assessing you. This creates a spiral of ‘what ifs’ in the minds of candidates.
Top Five SSB Myths
After talking to numerous fellow candidates and experiencing the SSB interview myself, here are the top five SSB myths that I found to be prevalent in the candidate lines.
I. English fluency leads to recommendation
Many candidates think that having the perfect command over English gets people recommendation, whereas those who aren’t fluent face rejection. This is far from the reality.
The assessors are not looking for a Shakespeare to lead the soldiers. So, they never judge someone solely on English fluency. It is true that having basic knowledge of the language is important for communicating your thoughts, but it does not affect your assessment.
II. Duty NCOs assess you off-ground
This is one of my favourite SSB myths of all time. A lot of people think that they’re assessed even when they are outside the tasks by the duty NCOs who come for fall-ins. Such people barely enjoy their stay at the centre.
However, please know that nobody except the SSB assessor assesses you. The duty NCOs help in the relay of information and ensure that candidates are in good health. So, nothing that you do outside the task will ever affect your final result, unless you do something highly undisciplined.
III. Introverts can never crack SSB
Introverts face major SSB myths due to their soft-spoken personality and they start believing in these too. The assessors understand that no two fingers are alike so they do not have a favourable personality type.
The idea is to be someone who can communicate her ideas freely and is self-aware. These are qualities that even introverts can have. Hence, do not think otherwise and prepare well.
IV. SSB only selects candidates with military background
Have you ever heard someone saying, “His father is an officer, he will easily make it through SSB,” and believed so? Many candidates think that being an officer’s child or having a military background puts you at an advantage in SSB. But, it does not.
While it is true that children from such backgrounds have better guidance since they have lived in similar environments since childhood. However, this does not get them a recommendation easily. Many aspirants who have nothing to do with the military become first-generation officers too.
V. Perfect responses guarantee success
This is one of the SSB myths that repeaters face. After subsequent rejections, they start trying to be perfect in everything from psychology tests to GTO tasks. In short, they have a speckless personality. But, don’t you think such personalities seem unbelievable?
We are humans and therefore, imperfect. This is why SSB selects average candidates, and not perfect ones. Keep your responses simple and natural, and recommendation will become a reality for you.
SSB Myths: Final Thoughts
Please know that the entire SSB interview process is based on a set of qualities, which any personality type can have. You do not have to change yourself completely or be very serious through the process. Hence, you can forget all SSB myths that you’ve ever heard of and focus on preparation as this is what gets you the plus sign.
