Progressive Group Task

Why Progressive Group Task test is important in SSB interviews?

Before knowing about PGT test, let us see why this test is important. This is the frequently asked question by most of the aspirants. All candidates think this test is just to engage them and tire them up so that the real performance can be tested afterwards. But PGT is very important test of SSB as GTO will assess all candidates with this test. And based on this assessment, he will co-relate individual candidate's OLQs with various other tests such as Military Planning Exercise, Individual obstacles test and also to those of psychology tests such as TAT, WAT and PPDT.   If the officers of selection board feels that a candidate have some OLQs commonly in all examinations, then that candidate will be the favorite candidate to become an officer. All officers working in Indian Army, Air Force and Navy do face lot of problems on day to day basis and many face problems which can only be tackled by a group of men. At that time, an officer is required to guide other team members to solve the problem. Thus, this test is vital for a candidate who want to top the SSB interview.   

Goal of PGT obstacles testing procedure

• In Progressive Group Task, there will be a starting line and a finishing line. 
• There will be few material which the group need to carry from start line to finish line.
• These material may vary from one SSB board to other.
• Generally, group is made to carry wooden blocks, rope, a steel box or a stretcher.

Till now it looks very simple but the tricky part of Progressive Group Testing is the obstacles. Few areas will be marked as red which should not be touched by anyone of the group members. Similarly, few areas and objects will be painted in black color which can be touched but one cannot place material on those areas and blocks. Areas which are marked as white color can be used for crossing by all candidates and material can also kept on those structures.

Physical Tasks

For these physical tasks you should be carrying white short shirt, while shorts, white canvas shoes and white socks. 

Helpful Hints for Progressive Group task
In tackling the obstacles of "Progressive Group Task", there are as a matter of fact, three main principles which are involved. They are, lever, bridge and swing. The plank or planks that are employed as helping material can be used either in the form of a lever  or bridge according to the circumstances. A rope should invariably be tied, as the case may be, to the remotest end of the lever or bridge. This is very essential because it becomes impossible for the candidates to get or pull back the plank once they crossed over.

Some of the fundamental rules which the Group Testing Officer clears to the candidates before beginning the task are;

1. Out of Bounds Rule
   The whole ground area and any other structure painted red between the start line and the finish line, and their helping materials and loads are out of bounds to the candidates. There is punishment for any candidate or any object that touches the out of bounds area. The defaulter have soon to go back to the star line of that obstacle. If any object touches the out bounds areas, then the object should be carried back by the defaulter to the stat-line and then it should be brought forward again.
   
2. The Four Feet Rule
   The candidates are not permitted to jump any distance exceeding 4 feet either in length or in height. Such distances, are to be crossed with the assistance of the helping materials (ropes or bellies).
   
3. The Group Rule
   Every obstacle should be crossed by the whole group with its material and load, before the next obstacle is tried by  anybody in the group.
   
4. The Time Rule
   The task should be concluded in 40 minutes. There is no time limit for each of the four obstacles which are included in this task.

Example
In the following hindrances, with the assistance of a plank and two ropes, the candidates are required to cross it over, where candidates are forbidden to jump up or down or cover a distance of four feet. There is punishment for any candidate or any object that touches the out of bounds red area. The time require to tackle the hindrances is 40 minutes. 

HOW TO COMPLETE INDIVIDUAL OBSTACLES IN LESS THAN 3 MINS?

10 Individual Obstacles(GTO) in SSB and How to complete more than 10 in 3mins?

Individual obstacle: A stage given to candidates to show their physical fitness and time management ability.

This is the third task in the Ground test. It usually happens on second day of SSB. However, depending on testing schedule and the weather, it can also be done on third day.

Here, the GTO will first brief the candidates and thereafter show each obstacle one by one and explain what it to be done. There will be total of 10 obstacles to be tackled individually in three minutes. Obstacles will be numbered from 1 to 10 and the number of obstacle also indicates the points you will get if you do it successfully. Thus, if you tackle all the 10 obstacles successfully in the allocated time(3 mins) you will be awarded 55 points.

The obstacles are placed at random and you are also at liberty to do these obstacle in your own sequence. Its wise to complete all the ten obstacles in given time. If you complete all ten and still have some time left you can repeat any obstacle, which will help you get extra points.

Do not repeat a obstacle unless until you have finished all ten. You are permitted to repeat an obstacle more than once.

How to complete more than 10 obstacle in 3 mins?

1. You will be given 1 min to go around the obstacles and arrange the sequence which you would like to follow (making a plan in mind).
2. Always start with obstacles with more points.
3. Don’t worry about time, it runs very fast when you are doing obstacles.
4. You shouldn’t but in case you get stuck at any obstacle then don’t waste time trying to do it, go for next obstacle as per your plan and come back in last for this obstacle you were not able to do.
5. Never hesitate in taking a leap or jumping in double ditch(Its cowardliness).
6. Don’t get confused or it will become mess on ground.
7. Don’t worry how much others did in your group, concentrate on what you going to do in your chance.
8. Don’t take stupid shortcut, like trying to climb the Burma Bridge obstacle via rope, it takes more time that way.

Ten Obstacles:

1. Single Ramp
2. Double Barrel
3. Balancing Beam
4. Screen Jump
5. Burma Bridge
6. Tarzan Swing
7. Double Platform Jump
8. Double Ditch
9. Commando Walk
10. Tiger Leap

Obstacle-1: Single Ramp

Obstacle-2: Double Barrel

Obstacle-3: Balancing Beam

Obstacle-4: Screen Jump

Obstacle-4: Screen Jump

Obstacle-5: Burma Bridge

Obstacle-7: Double Platform Jump

Obstacle-8: Double Ditch

Obstacle-9: Commando Walk

Obstacle-10: Tiger Leap

These are the ten individual obstacles which you will face in ssb. The best way to dothem is: a) In a circular order i.e either clockwise or anti-clockwise.
b) 10 > 8 > 6 >9 > 5 > 4 > 3 > 2 > 1 and if time available repeat – 10 > 9 > 8.

I hope this post was helpful for you, if you have any doubt at all. Please leave a comment and I will get back to you in least possible time!

SSB PROCEDURE :- PART1 IN HINDI

THE MAIN GAME CHANGER :- PERSONAL INTERVIEW

Personal Interview:-

     The PI is the psychological assessment of the candidate by the the IO usually in the rank of colonel i.e. who is the president or deputy president of the board.  The   IO  reads well the PIQ filled by the candidate on the first day and also have the psychological answer paper i.e. self description and comments of the psychologist over the candidate, in his hand before the candidate is called inside the room.  Thus the the   IO  just cross check the candidate by triggering some basic questions, and also triggering the series of questions at a stretch that is called as Rapid Fire Questions(RPF).  With these replies he note down the response and check the candidate whether he is truth ful with his answers and also he note down the OLQ of the candiate.  So nothing to worry about the PI friends,  just be calm and march with good preparation, then it will be easy to crack the process.

How to be cool in the whole process:-
     To make the whole process as a cake walk, the only way is to be honest and truthful.  Since it is not easy an easy task to tel a lie or bluff to the IO.  As he is very much trained to catch the liers and everyday he is facing numerous persons telling lies.

     The simple quote about selection process is "BE YOURSELF" since if we are truthful to the IO, then we will tel our answer boldly and confidently. The IO also expect the same from the candidates.  So we wont bluff and never stammer in our answer.  So better improve the qualities and social adaptability of the self to be a better citizen and good officer.  If we improve and train our self for the development of the officer like qualities, the PI will be cool.  Also, what the inerviewing officer expect from the candidate is not be an all rounder or a well knowledged person, but a person who adapts to all situations can handle and work under pressure, can able to move with a group of people, have an eye over the world and national issues, can be able to give solution to the national issues etc.  So put yourself to these points and assess yourself friends.

Personal Interview Preparation:- 

• First Impression and Dress Code.
• Behavior during the process
• Crystal clear thought and explanations
• Truthful to the IO(Not beating around the bush)
• Keep smiling
• Dont lose your ground even in tough questions
• Analysing capability

First Impression and Dress Code:-
     Enter the hall with smile and calm face, as this shows that  you are cool.  Also have a proper dress code.  Walk with head held high, with upraised shoulder and chest.  This gives a positive, confident look.  Also before entering into the hall ask for permission and wait for the response, if you got the response from IO open the door with smiling face(the smile should be true) and march ahead into the room with confidence, and wish the officer as per the time.(good morning, evening etc)
     Also stand behind the chair of the candidate and dont stand in front of the chair, as it shows that you have a thought by your mind that you will granted to have a seat.  Its wrong, the candidate should stand behind or  by the side of the chair and seeks permision from the officer to sit.  If the permission is granted he should thank the officer and sit comfortably with out shaking or changing the position of the chair.  


Dress Code:- 
     It is better to wear a light color shirt and dark color pant, If you have stripes in the shirt means have checked design in the pant or if you have checked design in shirt means wear pant with striped designs, as this gives a decent professional look  Also wear a tie which matches to the shirt and pant color.

Behavior during the process:- 
     Body language plays a vital role in the process.  Experts say that above 93% of nonverbal communications plays a main role in process.  Sit in proper manner, also dont shake your hands, fingers, or legs during the process.  The officer matches the response from your mouth to the body language what you are showing at that time.  Also try to have a proper eye contact.  Keep your breath normal.
     For these things to be normal, the one and only way is to be truthful to yourself and to the IO.  Since if you are honest, then your reply will be bold.

Crystal clear thought and explanations:-
     The thought and answers coming form the candidate should be crystal clear.  If the IO asks a question means, the candiate has to think about that clearly and make a clear answer with explanations.  Never say yes/No type replies in the answers.  As this shows your confidence level is low.  If you explain your answer with positive points, it gains you more mark in the process.  So please avoid the yes/no type responses.  Also if you know only little knowledge about that topic means, tel to the IO that sir i know these things about this question sorry sir iam not getting more points about this topic at this moment.  This shows your honesty and the IO likes this only.  He doesnt expect the candidate to be library.  Be polite and confident in your answer friends.


Truthful to the IO(Not beating around the bush):-
     As i told in the above para, be truthful to the IO.  If you dont know, tel openly sorry sir i dont now.  Its better to say like this than beating around the bush.  Also the important point is dont say suddenly after the questions is ended by the IO, that sorry sir i dont know.  Just try to give atleast a single point of answer for the question.  i.e. Think for a while and if you really dont get the answer, say them politely sorry sir i dont know.

Keep smiling:-
     It is the key of success.  Try to keep smiling all over the process.e from entering the room and till the end of the process.  To keep smiling, you should be free by mind, to be free be honest to the IO.  Else your artificial smile will be recognized as the fake smile.  So you may lose your chance of getting selected.  Please be calm and truthful in your replies by enjoying the process.

Dont lose your ground even in tough questions:-
      Losing the ground with the IO is common for all candidates.  Since this is a oral war between the IO and the candidate.  Its not an easy thing to win over the oral war with the IO, as they have real war experience. lolz. :).  To avoid this situation, dont argue with the IO.  The IOexpects that the candidate should not lose his ground, and face all the situations tactfully.  If you have sound knowledge in subjects and positive replies you never lose your grounds.  Tackle the questions with presence of sense and show your knowledge and positive approach with the replies.

Analysing capability:-
     The analysing capability is one of the important quality of an officer.  Most of the candidate have the analysing capability,  But what they expect is the whether we are using our analysing capability even under pressure situations or tough situations.  So the IOcross checks this quality with the candidate through out the process by triggering various questions at different situations.     

Interview Pattern :-
     The pattern is a four step process usually followed at all boards.  The candidates are put into these type of questions usually and their qualities are assessed based on their responses.

Types of questions asked are :-

1. Introduction questions or Feel Free Questions or Calm Down Questions.
2. Usual Questions.
3. Social problem or Candidate Solution type questions.
4. Technical questions or Practical Knowledge questions. 

Ok, Let we see in detail about these type of questions and way of approach to these questions.

1. Introduction questions or Feel Free Questions or Calm Down Questions.:-
     Usually these type of questions are put to the candidates after their entry into the panel.  The IO asks some basic questions which can be easily answered by the candidate so that the candidate feel ease with the IO.
     The questions may be of

1. Which place you are coming from and tel something about that place?
2. Tel something about your name and why named so?
3. Tel five things about your native and which you like most?

How to answer ?
   For the first question, answer should not be like this , Sir iam from Chennai.

      But the answer is sir im from chennai, a northen district and coastal city of Tamilnadu which is also the state capital of tamil nadu.  The population is about ............ and the main occupations of people are......... The speciality is ........... and tourism is.......... and the special things are OTA etc.
     Like this the answer should cover over all parts of the chennai.  This gives a broad approach of your answer and it shows your knowledge.

• The answer given to the IO should be crystal clear and optimistic(positive) and truthful.        These are about the Introduction questions.  It is easy to answer the introduction questions and answer in an optimistic view and it plays a vital role.

2. Usual Questions:-
     The Usual questions part carry two types of questions

• Rapid Fire Questions
• Stress Questions

The Usual questions part consists of these two types of  pattern are followed.  This part plays a major role in the process and occupies most of the time of the interivew

.i.e Why you want to join the Army/Navy/Air Force etc.  

First Let me explain about the Stress Questions

     Stress Interview(SI):-
    The  SI gives the original personality of the candidate.  Since normally it is easy to answer all the questions without losing temper if we have good communication skills.  But answering at the time of  SI  is the real success and the candidate with all OLQ will cross this hurdle easily.
     The IO cross check the candidate that whether under stressful and hard situations the candidate doesnt loses his originality and keeps his position with good decision making and solution finding abilities.

Let we see how the IO leads us to the  SI :-
    After finishing the introduction questions, he tests the candidate for  SI .

i.e. By asking more questions on the same area until we lose our temper or we expose till all our knowledge on that.  Eg. What is the difference in brake system of train and bus.  If we explain about hyralic brake and normal show brake system.  He starts to grill in hydralic system such as what type of liquid is used and all.  If we answer it correctly, he triggers as why such liquid is used instead of this liquid.  He continues and tries to break the ground of the candidate.  In these type of situations the candidate has to be keep smiling and to answer the questions by showing his knowledge without blufing.  If he doesnt know the answer, better tel the IO, sorry sir i dont know.

• Asking other branch or unrelated questions.  i.e.  If a candidate is from computer science and engineering back ground, he may be asked questions from mechanical stream. 

• Asking questions in hard or harsh manner like threatening.

 Like this the IO checks the pulse of the candidate. 

The important hurdle of the PI is

RAPID FIRE QUESTONS:- (RPF)

     These Rapid Fire Questions are a set of questions which are asked at a stretch.  That nealy ten to fifteen number of questions will be triggered out by the IO.  So that he checks how much questions is observed by the candidate and answered well and how truthful with his replies and all.

The RPF questions may be starts from  educational background, views about parents, teachers, friends view about you and your view over them.  Hobbies and interests at free time, Checking leadership qualities by asking your extra curricular and how the candidate will organize a task or situation, Games and Sports etc.

To be crispy about Rapid Fire Questions every questions willl be from the PIQ only.  So just prepare a PIQ of the own  and frame the set of questions of your own and form the answers.  Then check for your own answers and find the OLQ qualities which you find in your own replies.

Set of questions may be raised from the PIQ for the Rapid Fire Questions

From Educational Background:-

• How much you scored in your tenth, twelveth and graduation.
• Why there is decrease in the mark level and what you did to over come those difficulty.
• Which subject you like more and why
• Which subject you dont like and why
• Achievements in the study
• Tel speciality about your school and college
• Which teacher you like most why
• Which teacher you dont like and why
• Why you have chosen to study this branch 
• Whether you chosen the particular brach of study by self or by others compulsion(Parents)
• Why there is some gap in studies between intercollege and graduation.
• How you improved the percentage from tenth to twelth and wat are steps you taken to achieve this.
• If you scored less marks in twelveth than in tenth, the question is What are the steps you have taken to overcome this decrease in percentage not to continue in graduation.
• What your friends and teachers think about you
• How you think about your friends and teachers

Cross checking with Self Description:-
     As we wrote in our self description about what our teachers and friends think about us,  We should be truthful with our replies same in the PI also, the IO cross checks the replies of the candidate with the self description paper.

From Family Background:-

• How much pocket money you got in your college days and how much you utilized.
• How you help your mother in your holidays
• How you help your father
• You are close to father or mother and why
• How much you like your father and mother
• How you are responsible person to your family
• Say about your sister and brother
• Whom you like most and  why
• With whom you play more
• Which person other than in your family and friends you like more and why
• Whats you father/mother rank in the working place and income they are getting
• How they are utilizing their income and are you satisfied with that
• If your family is totally dependent on you tomorrow, how you will help or run the family.

From Friends:-

• How will you get new friends
• Which type of friends you like
• How many friends you have
• Out of friends how many are close to you
• In your friends to whom you share the personal things
• What you like in your best friend and What he likes in you
• What your friend or friends say about you
• What you say about you and your friends.
• Which thing you like in  your close friend and why.
• How you will help your friend or helped your friend any good moments.
• How you and your friends/friend do in your free times or in holidays.

 For Working Professionals:-

• What your co workers will say about you
• What you say about  your boss
• What your boss say about you
• Tel about your company or organization
• Why you are leaving your previous job
• What you like most in your job
• What you dont like in you job
• What difficulty you faced in your job and what are the steps you taken to overcome those difficulty.
• Why are you leaving the present job

From Hobbies and Interests:-

• What is your hobby
• Why you have chosen this hobby
• From when you are doing this hobby
• What are the things you have learn from your hobby
• What are the new things  you implemented in  your hobby
• Whats your childhood hobby and what are you doing now
• Why you change the child hood hobby to this(recent one)

They require vast knowledge in the hobby since everyone will have a hobby, but a candidate with good attitude will get information about their hobbies.  The different types of hobbies are music, singing, blogging, reading, philately, photography, trekking etc.  Create questions based on your hobby and make responses for that to get thorough knowledge over that.

Interests:-
What type of news channel, Tv shows you see and which periodical you used to read and why?

From Games and Sports:-

• Which game you like and why
• Why you have chosen an indoor game rather than an out door game
• Why you have chosen an out door game rather than an indoor game
• Whom you like more in your team if we say cricket or foot ball etc
• What is your position in the team i.e. as a team member or captain.
• Depth of knowledge in the Games or sports. i.e. Questions from size of the play ground/court size and rules of the game and recent world records in the game etc
• Which player you like most and why
• What you want to improve or you suggestion for our team in the game/sports you play

A good young youth with good physique should play a game in his spare time.  So every one will have a game/sports to play.  If you dont have a game to play just join any club of your interests and start to play.  As it helps you to get more OLQ's.   Also get a thorough knowledge in the game which you used to play.

Checking the Leadership and Organizing ability:-
     Leadership and organizing ability is the important quality of every officer.  So these part of the process seems to be important.  The officer may give a situation to check our organizing ability also he asked questions from the PIQ in the fields of extra curricular and co curricular activities such as N.S.S and N.C.C. etc.

E.g. If you going to Industrial Visit tour to the near by Industry.  Suddenly you coordinator got accident, how you will arrange the tour and make it successful one.  Like this he gives different situations and ask questions over that.
     If you play a game or sports, how you will organize that game like that.

Co-Curricular and Extra-curricular activities:-

    The Co-Curricular and Extra-curricular activities includes such as N.S.S. , N.C.C , Volunteer of blood donation association, Friends of Police etc.

• When you joined in N.C.C. /N.S.S. and why
• What you achieved in that
• Positions held in that
• Grade of certificates got such as A,B,C etc
• Who motivated to join in N.C.C

3. Social problem or Candidate Solution type questions:-
     In these part the IO may ask questions such as world issues, national issues and solution for those issues.  Also he checks the depth of knowledge and our approach to the issues.  He asks our views to the issues and solution for the issue.
  Eg:- He asks the candidate that the views of nation on terrorism is good or bad, if good why it is good and if bad why  it is bad, then tel you solution like this.

Current Affairs and General Knowlege and issues:-
     He also ask some history and current affairs of the nation and world.

Eg. Tel five things you recently read in newspaper.  Tel deeply about a particular news.

4. Technical questions or Practical Knowledge questions.
     If we go to the TGC entry i.e Technical Graduation Course and TES entry i.e. Technical Entry Scheme they may put forward some basic technical questions relating to our daily day to day life.

Eg. If we say that we play cricket, he may ask how you will apply physics law to the swing bowling etc.
Also you will apply the phythogores theorem to the table tennis service etc.

If you are from engineering back ground the questions also from,
Basic Network questions
Basic physics laws
All Engineering fundamental questions.

     In these set of questions he find out our practical knowledge.  i.e. application of our theoretical knowledge in the physical day to day tasks which is essential for the army men.

How to approach the PI DO's and DONT's:-
     The approach of the PI is an art, the one with good attitude and truthful with the information provided and self will surely get success in the PI.

DO's and DONT's:-

• Enter the room with head held high and uprighted chest as this gives you a confident approach.
• Never insert your hands into your pocket, leave it casually.
• Since the very first impression gives you a positive result.  
• Prefer dress with good quality and properly ironed.
• Don wear new dress or old own, wear dress which is properly stitched and good fitting.
• Avoid boot cuts and all..  Wear proper formal pant.
• Dont wear watch, or have something in the pocket.  
• Have proper hair cut before the interivew and comb the hair well.  
• Wish the IO while entering the room with proper sense such as check whether is morning, or evening or noon.
• Have a proper and constant voice tone, never raise your voice tone while telling about your achievements or reduce your voice tone while telling about your negative points.
• Have proper answer for your positive and negative points
• Have a proper body language
• Don't argue with the IO.  But tel your point with some positive points on that.
• Understand the questions clearly and and start to answer to that question slowly and confidently.
• In case, if you felt that you dont know the answer,  just say after thinking a while, sorry sir i dont know the answer.
• In case, if you didnt get the question from the IO means, ask him as sorry sir, i beg your pardon, please repeat the question.
• Never blame anyone for your shortcomings such as low marks due to teacher etc.  Since they dont want people who blame for shortcomings.  They want people only who take every situation positive and over come the shortcomings with hardwork.

Piece of Advice:- 
     As i told earlier, form the basic questions about family, friends, teachers, environment i.e.native, sports, hobbies, girl friends etc and answer yourself with proper voice tone.  Dont bluff to the IO and be honest to yourself and the IO.  If you have those OLQ's surely the IO will take you in.  Good Luck Gentlemen.

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