Answer by Cdr Rathore: The tests at the SSB are designed to assess all 15 OLQ’s. The SSB puts a candidate in different situations (Written, practical tasks and oral) of varying difficulty. The candidate’s behaviour or response over these entire situations determines his personality. If the personality of a candidate is found within acceptable standard, then the candidate is recommended (selected) by the SSB.
The Interviewing Officer (IO), Psychologist and the Group Testing Officer (GTO) assess the personality under 15 Officer Like Qualities (OLQ’s). All the three assessors have equal weightage and they measure all 15 OLQ’s by their individual technique. These 15 OLQ’s are: -
- Effective Intelligence
- Reasoning Ability
- Organising Ability
- Power of Expression
- Social Adaptability
- Cooperation
- Sense of Responsibility
- Initiative
- Self Confidence
- Speed of Decision
- Ability to Influence the Group
- Liveliness
- Determination
- Courage
- Stamina
Every candidate irrespective of his involvement/performance in the tests is assessed in all OLQ’s. The tests are so designed that all the OLQ’s are automatically visible to the selectors. If a candidate does not perform in a test for some reason, then the reason because of which the candidate has not performed also becomes evident to the selectors. Hence, a candidate should not fear that he will not be able to reveal himself fully.