One of the most difficult selection procedures for applicants hoping to become officers in the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force is the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview. The SSB interview evaluates candidates based on Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs) through a combination of psychological tests, group projects, and in-person interviews; unlike other competitive exams, it does not use a traditional marking system. It is essential for candidates to comprehend the SSB interview marking scheme in order to strategically prepare and increase their chances of being selected.
This article will discuss:
✅ How the SSB marking system works
✅ Scoring method in Screening, Psychology, GTO, and Interview
✅ Minimum marks required for recommendation
Let’s break it down!
Overview of the SSB Interview Marking Scheme
📌 Total Marks in SSB Interview: 900 Marks
📌 Major Assessment Areas:
✔ Screening Test (OIR + PPDT)
✔ Psychology Tests (TAT, WAT, SRT, SDT)
✔ GTO Tasks (Outdoor and Group Activities)
✔ Personal Interview
✔ Conference Round
Each phase is scored individually, and the final recommendation is based on cumulative performance.
Phase 1: Screening Test Marking Criteria
📌 Total Marks: 100 (Not counted in the final 900)
📌 Components:
✔ Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test – 50 marks
✔ Picture Perception & Discussion Test (PPDT) – 50 marks
📌 How Do Marks Get Distributed?
✔ OIR Score: Based on reasoning and verbal/non-verbal ability.
✔ PPDT Score: Based on story writing, narration, and discussion performance.
✔ Candidates who score well in both are screened for Stage 2.
🚀 Tip: Practice OIR tests daily and improve public speaking for PPDT!
Phase 2: Psychology Test Marking System
📌 Total Marks: 300
📌 Components:
✔ Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) – 75 marks
✔ Word Association Test (WAT) – 75 marks
✔ Situation Reaction Test (SRT) – 75 marks
✔ Self-Description Test (SDT) – 75 marks
📌 How Do Marks Get Distributed?
✔ Marks are not assigned per question but based on the overall psychological profile.
✔ The Psychologist assesses Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs) in responses.
✔ Consistent responses and positive traits score higher.
🚀 Tip: Write meaningful, logical, and positive responses in all psychology tests!
Phase 3: GTO Task Marking System
📌 Total Marks: 300
📌 Components:
✔ Group Discussion (GD) – 50 marks
✔ Group Planning Exercise (GPE) – 50 marks
✔ Progressive Group Task (PGT) – 50 marks
✔ Half Group Task (HGT) – 50 marks
✔ Command Task (CT) – 50 marks
✔ Individual Obstacles (IO) – 50 marks
📌 How Do Marks Get Distributed?
✔The ability to lead, collaborate, take initiative, and solve problems is assessed.
✔ Candidates with higher levels of confidence, clarity, and participation receive higher scores.
✔ Weak team players or passive candidates lose marks.
🚀 Tip: Actively participate, show leadership, and support your team!
Phase 4: Personal Interview Marking System
📌 Total Marks: 300
📌 Components:
✔ Personal Interview (PI) – 300 marks
📌 How Do Marks Get Distributed?
✔ Confidence, honesty, clarity, and OLQs are assessed.
✔ Candidates with logical answers and strong motivation score well.
✔ Lack of self-awareness, inconsistency, or weak responses result in lower scores.
🚀 Tip: Prepare well for Rapid Fire Questions and stay confident!
Final SSB Interview Result Calculation
📌 Total Marks Distribution:
| Assessment | Marks |
| Psychology Tests | 300 |
| GTO Tasks | 300 |
| Personal Interview | 300 |
| Total Marks | 900 |
📌 Conference Round:
✔ Candidates close to the selection margin are discussed by the panel.
✔ Marks may be adjusted based on overall performance.
Minimum Marks Required for Recommendation
📌 Total Minimum Marks Required: At least 360/900
📌 SSB Passing Criteria:
✔ Candidate must be consistent across all three areas (Psychology, GTO, Interview).
✔ If a candidate scores exceptionally well in one area but poorly in another, they may not
get recommended.
🚀 Tip: Balanced performance in all three phases is the key to selection!
Conclusion
Aspirants can concentrate on important scoring areas and improve their preparation by being aware of the SSB interview marking scheme. In contrast to other tests, SSB assesses decision-making, leadership, and personality traits rather than using a set written marking scheme.
🎯 Final Takeaways:
✔ Score well in all three major assessment areas – Psychology, GTO, and Interview.
✔ Stay confident, think logically, and display Officer-Like Qualities.
✔ Practice OIR tests, psychological responses, and group discussions daily.
🚀 Get closer to realizing your goal of becoming an officer in the armed forces by strategically preparing!
FAQs
Ans. A minimum of 360 out of 900 is required, but selection depends on overall OLQs assessment.
Ans. No, but weak performance in any section lowers your chances of recommendation.
Ans. All phases are equally important; Psychology, GTO, and Interview each have 300 marks.
Ans. A balanced performance in all three phases is essential for selection.