The Group Planning Exercise (GPE) is an essential part of the group task series. Here, the GTO isn’t just looking for a workable solution but something more. If you want to perform well in this test, we tell you the GPE assessment parameters that make your entire solution effective.
What is GPE?
GPE is the second assessment of GTO Day I. Here, the GTO shows a map to candidates and reads out a situation having multiple problems. The candidates, then, get five minutes to read the situation themselves and ten minutes to write their individual solutions. Finally, a group discussion follows this step for all to come to a consensus on the final plan.
Before we understand the GPE assessment parameters, here are some of its essentials from this map.
The scale (20 cm=1 km) is only for measuring the distances on the map, and not for other objects like buildings, trees, et cetera. The arrow that points towards Rampur, Chanda, and Salia depicts the distance in that direction from the black thick line.
| ELEMENT | MEANING |
| Yellow | Countryside (you cannot walk over it) |
| Dark red line | Metalled road |
| Double-dotted red line | Unmetalled road (vehicles move slower here) |
| Single-dotted red line | Foot-track/pagdandi (you cannot take vehicles over it) |
GPE Assessment Parameters: Meaning
Once candidates submit their solutions, the GTO reads every sheet in detail and assess them on certain GPE assessment parameters. If you have ever been to SSB, you must have seen a small table on the right-hand-side of the answer sheet. It looks like this:
The six letters that you see are the assessment parameters for judging the individual performance of candidates.
List of GPE Assessment Parameters
Now, let us look into what each of the GPE assessment parameters mean:
G: Grasp of all situations
Each GPE comprises certain situations, ranging from theft to severe injury. The GTO assesses GPE solutions based on whether you have understood each situation and recalled each while writing.
Tip: While reading the solution, read each line carefully and count the situations on your fingers. Also, mention the timings, if given, while writing.
A: Aim
Being clear about the aim is essential for every officer. This is the second of the six GPE assessment parameters. When you read the situation, you must’ve seen that it starts with something like,
You were a group of (as many as you are) students, going from Salia to Rampur Stadium for a football match scheduled at 4 PM.
This is your aim and you must write it as the first thing on the sheet, because once you attend to all problems, you have to reach Rampur stadium for the match as well.
P: Prioritizing situations
As mentioned before, each GPE has several situations, and you must know how to prioritize them as per the GPE assessment parameters. Always cater to health emergencies first, followed by mass lives at stake. Finally, save the general problems like a lost animal or camera for the end.
R: Resource utilization
An ideal officer knows the resources that she has, and how to utilize them effectively. We call it “jugaad” in Hindi. While writing your solution, only mention the obvious resources such as vehicles on the road, in place of a helicopter out of nowhere.
T: Timing
Remember that this is a time-bound task and hence, timing is one of the GPE assessment parameters. Keep the deadlines in mind while reading the solution and write time wherever required.
Also, manage your time well. Do not forget to mention how much time each situation will take, because this enhances the quality of your planning.
S: Solution practicality
The GTO also assesses how practical your solution is. Keep things grounded and do not write heroic solutions. For example, do not mention things like fighting gangsters yourself or doing tasks that are not your responsibility.
Final Thoughts on GPE Assessment Parameters
Writing a solution by keeping in mind these GPE assessment parameters will enhance the quality of your solution and boost your marks. The idea is to be practical and resourceful in whatever you do. Hence, practice at home for a thorough preparation. We strongly recommend you to refer SSB Workbook to practice ground tasks of SSB interview.
