What is AFSB Testing Procedure?

What is AFCAT SSB Procedure?

In order to prepare for AFSB, let us first understand well what it is. The abbreviation AFSB stands for Air Force Selection Board. An aspirant, who intends to become an officer in Indian Air Force, should go through the selection process conducted by AFSB. Before the aspirant becomes eligible to appear in the said process, he or she should pass a written examination. This written examination is popularly referred to as Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT). Upon clearing the various stages of the selection process, one may look forward to a rewarding career in Indian Air Force in its either ‘Flying’ or ‘Ground Duty (Technical or Non technical)’ wing.

          AFSB is similar to Services Selection Board (SSB) testing. Indian Army and Indian Navy use the term SSB while issuing call letters to aspirants who intend to make careers in the respective defence wing. The AFSBs are located at four distinct locations in India. These locations are Dehradun, Varanasi, Gandhinagar and Mysuru. Candidates appearing for AFSB testing for the first time shall receive travel allowance (TA). The TA shall include reimbursement for to and fro travel by the shortest route by train or bus. In case an aspirant declared successful in AFCAT, travels by train to the required AFSB, travel in AC III Tier or AC Chair Car coach shall be compensated. Alternatively, normal bus travel shall be regarded as eligible for reimbursement.

          During the AFSB testing phase, the aspirants are provided free boarding and lodging. The testing schedule spans for over a period of five to six days. This schedule is divided into two phases. The table listed below gives a broad split of the testing:

 

Stage	Assessment
1st	Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Assessment Picture Perception and Discussion Assessment
2nd	Psychological Assessment Interviews Group Tests {Conducted by Group Test Officers (GTOs)} For ‘Flying’ wing aspirants- Computerized Pilot Selection System (CPSS) Assessment

 

Thereafter, required documentation is carried out of successful aspirants at each stage. The aspirants declared successful in AFSB testing proceed for medical examination. This examination is carried out either at Air Force Central Medical Establishment, New Delhi or at Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Bengaluru. Aspirants declared medically fit by the Air Force Medical Board finally join Indian Air Force in various capacities.