25-November 2018 2.00

Approach to tackle Situation Reaction Test in SSB Interview

How to perform well in SRT

Situation Reaction Test (SRT) is another test at Service Selection Boards in Psychologist series, this is a test of your common sense, you will be given some situations which occurs in our daily life and your answer will help the Psychologist to judge your mentality.

No. of Situation – 60
Time – 30 Minutes

You will be given a booklet containing 60 situations which you have to answer in 30 minutes, this time limit has been intentionally shortened as to ensure that the candidate gives the first reaction which comes to his mind without thinking much over it.

You must answer the situation as a normal person and not like Rajnikant or Superman, write quickly and use punctuation marks as the time given to you is less. Before Starting any test you must Read the following instructions carefully.

Instructions for SRT

This is again a test of imagination (Idea writing test) most commonly known as SRT.
Write your answer in English/Hindi in the space provided in your answer sheet.
In this test a Number of situations are presented to you. SSB Board would like to know how would you feel, thinks and act in these situations.
There is no right or wrong answers with respect to these situations. Everyone is likely to read these situations in his own way. We would like to know your reactions to these situations.
Do not spend too much time in thinking out the answers to the situations. Write quickly the answer that comes to your mind first. Do not turn over the page until you are told to do so.
You will be given 30 minutes to do the test which contains 60 situations. Try to answer all questions in given time.
You must not be in possession of any watch or any other electronic gadget.

Personality assessment conducted in SSBs is based on the science of Psychology. Psychology is not an absolute science, unlike the physical sciences known to us. It implies that there are not always absolute

e & definite yes, or no answers to problems, or situations.

The battery of psychology tests conducted in SSB is based on Projective techniques.

Projective techniques work on the established fact that when we describe ambiguous stimuli, we actually describe ourselves, & reveal our personalities, the conscious part (of which we are well aware) & even the unconscious part (of which we are unaware)! The unconscious part of the brain is assessed by some as being 9/10th part & conscious only 1/10th part.

In Projective techniques, a person is shown ambiguous stimuli (such as words, situations or pictures) and asked to interpret them in some way. Such stimuli allow relative freedom in projecting one’s own interests and feelings into them, reacting in any way that seems appropriate. Projective techniques are believed to be sensitive to unconscious dimensions of personality. Defense mechanisms, latent impulses, and anxieties can be inferred from data gathered from projective techniques by expert psychologists. Assessment by expert psychologists is an art & not a science.

Assessment of an individual is done based on the entire written tests & not piece meal, like separate assessment of WAT, TAT & SRT. Personality of an individual is one whole, the various inputs help to construct it.

Tips To Attempt Situation Reaction Test (SRT)

How Some Common SRTs in Psychology Tests Display your Traits?

SRT Based on Snake. Majority of snakes are non poisonous. They help us reduce the number of rats. Snakes do not attack us. A sensible candidate will not get alarmed by a snake and allow it to go, unharmed.

SRT Based on Losing something. A positive and alert person will hope for the best and act fast to quickly find it.

SRT Based on carrying cash- fear of dacoits. In urban life if you carry cash in public transport, or in your car, who knows that you are doing so? Where is the problem? A positive person will not visualize any problem.

SRT Based on being caught driving without helmet. In such a situation in normal life in Meerut an average person will try to apologise/bribe his way through. A sensible aspirant will not give this as a response. You are being selected to become an officer and leader of men. You are expected to be disciplined and law abiding. The only sensible response is to pay the fine; take receipt (to prevent the traffic policeman also from using it as bribe!) and always wear helmet in future.

What Should Candidates Do to Improve Chances of Selection?

Candidates should work to improve their written English as it definitely impacts their selection.
Some candidates are unnecessarily concerned about handwriting. It is no criterion for selection. This is not a primary school test!
Candidates must work to improve their all round personalities. Once the personality has been improved the consistent quality of responses would also improve, thus enhancing the chances of selection.

By,

Shishir Dixit
Director
Centurion Education Pvt Ltd
Author is SSB expert (Psychology), Motivational speaker & Air Veteran.