Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test in SSB – Complete Preparation Guide

The Officer Intelligence Test (OIR) in SSB (Services Selection Board) is your first major step toward donning the uniform of the Indian Armed Forces. It is part of the Screening Test conducted on Day 1 of the SSB interview, and your performance here can make or break your chances of getting recommended.

OIR is not just about solving questions; This reflects your intellectual sharpness, logical ability and decision-making skill, the expected characteristics of the future officer. Many candidates underestimate this section, but if you aim to clear the SSB interview at once, it is important to understand and prepare for the OIR test.

In this detailed blog, you will find everything about the Officer Intelligence test, including the pattern, question type, preparation strategy, tips, and expert insights, to help you succeed.

What is the Officer Intelligence Test (OIR)?

The OIR test is part of the Stage 1 screening process in the SSB selection procedure. Conducted across all SSB centers, it evaluates a candidate’s verbal and non-verbal reasoning skills. Along with the Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PPDT), your performance in OIR decides whether you move forward to Stage 2 or not.

Key Points:

• Conducted on Day 1 of SSB
• Two sets: Verbal and Non-Verbal reasoning
• Around 40–60 questions per set
• Time limit: 17–25 minutes for each set
• Objective type (MCQs)

Your combined score from the OIR + PPDT determines your screening status.

Importance of the OIR Test in SSB Screening

Unlike the personal interview or GTO tasks, the OIR test is objective and has no room for subjectivity. That means it’s purely based on your intellectual performance in a time-bound format.

Why is it important?

• Initial Elimination Filter: Even before you speak a word in the PPDT, your OIR score can decide your fate.
• Confidence Booster: A strong OIR performance boosts your confidence for the rest of the SSB process.
• Reflects Officer-like Qualities (OLQs): Quick thinking, clarity, logic, and focus are all traits measured here.

So, taking the OIR lightly could be one of the biggest mistakes an aspirant can make.

Officer Intelligence Test Pattern

The OIR test usually has two booklets:

1. Verbal Reasoning Booklet
2. Non-Verbal Reasoning Booklet

Each contains 40–60 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 15–25 minutes.

Let’s break it down:

Verbal Reasoning Topics:

• Series completion (Alphabetical & Number)
• Coding-Decoding
• Jumbled words/sentences
• Analogies
• Synonyms/Antonyms
• Direction sense
• Arithmetic problems
• Odd one out
• Blood relations
• Classification

Non-Verbal Reasoning Topics:

• Pattern completion
• Embedded figures
• Mirror images
• Paper folding/cutting
• Odd figure out
• Series of figures
• Image rotation
• Cube unfolding

The difficulty level is moderate, but the time pressure makes it challenging.

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How is the OIR Score Calculated?

While the exact scoring method is confidential, OIR performance is graded on a scale from Grade 1 to Grade 5:

• OIR Grade 1 – Excellent
• OIR Grade 2 – Good
• OIR Grade 3 – Average
• OIR Grade 4 – Below Average
• OIR Grade 5 – Poor

To get screened in, you should ideally score between OIR Grade 1 and Grade 2. Even if your PPDT story and narration are decent, a low OIR score can lead to rejection.

Sample Questions with Answers

Here are a few OIR-style questions for practice:

Q1. If in a code, “ARMY” is written as “BSNZ”, how will “NAVY” be written?
A) OBWZ
B) MBXZ
C) OBXZ
D) NBUZ
Answer: C (OBXZ)

Q2. Choose the odd one out: Circle, Triangle, Sphere, Square
A) Circle
B) Triangle
C) Sphere
D) Square
Answer: C (Sphere Others are 2D figures)

Q3. Find the next in the series: 2, 4, 8, 16, ?
A) 18
B) 20
C) 24
D) 32
Answer: D (32 Each term is multiplied by 2)

These are just simple examples. Actual tests may be trickier, so daily practice is key.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in the OIR Test

Even the most intelligent candidates fall short in OIR due to avoidable mistakes. Here’s a list of common pitfalls and how to steer clear of them:

1. Ignoring Time Management

Many aspirants try to solve each question perfectly, forgetting they have less than 30 seconds per question. Remember, it’s not about solving all questions correctly—it’s about solving the maximum questions accurately within time.

Pro Tip: Practice with a stopwatch. Focus on solving easier questions first and mark the tough ones to revisit later (if time permits).

2. Skipping Instructions

Sounds basic, right? But in the rush of the moment, many forget to properly read instructions. This often leads to marking answers in the wrong section or interpreting the pattern wrongly, especially in figure-based questions.

Pro Tip: Always take the first 30 seconds to understand the question format before diving in.

3. Blind Guessing

Unlike competitive exams like UPSC or NDA, there’s no negative marking in OIR. But that doesn’t mean you should blindly tick answers. Random guessing reduces your accuracy rate, which is a key factor in calculating your grade.

Pro Tip: Make educated guesses based on elimination strategy.

4. Not Practicing Enough

The OIR test requires habitual thinking patterns. The more you practice, the better your brain becomes at solving them quickly. Waiting till the last moment is a mistake.

Pro Tip: Include reasoning practice in your daily study routine—even 30 minutes a day can work wonders.

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Books and Resources for OIR Preparation

Here’s a list of trusted books and resources you can use to sharpen your skills:

Book Title	Author/Publisher	Why It’s Good
Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning	R.S. Aggarwal	Practice in a real-time environment
OIR & PPDT Guide	Arihant Experts	Tailor-made for SSB aspirants
OIR Test Guide	SSB Crack	Includes sample questions, strategies
Online Mock Tests	SSB Crack, Defence Adda, Oliveboard	Practice in real-time environment

Note: Don’t rely on just one book. Use a mix for broader exposure.

Final Thoughts: Why You Must Take OIR Seriously

Let’s wrap it up—OIR isn’t just about numbers and patterns. It’s about proving you can think like a leader, make quick and effective decisions, and handle intellectual pressure with ease.

The Officer Intelligence Test is your first handshake with the Indian Armed Forces selection board. Whether you dream of joining the Army, Navy, or Air Force, this is the moment where your preparation meets opportunity.

So, train your brain like a warrior, stay calm under pressure, and walk into that exam hall knowing you’ve already won half the battle.

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