Everything You Must Know About 15 OLQs and 4 Factors To Clear SSB Interview

It is very important for all the defence aspirants to know about the SSB interview and what exactly they are going to face at the SSB. But to know what the SSB expects from a candidate is equally important. The majority of the candidates face their SSB interview without any preparation and have no clue about the officers-like qualities that the board is looking for. Even potential candidates are not able to perform better when the time arrives because they are unaware of such important information regarding officer-like qualities. In this article, you will find more details regarding the 15 officers like qualities and 4 major factors based on what the selection of a candidate depends on, this is the key to get the success in SSB interview.

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Officer qualities must be differentiated from other factors assessed at the selection. Broadly defined, these personal qualities (PQs) or Officer Like Qualities (OLQs) as they are called in Indian context refer to traits, states, needs, motives, goals, attitudes, interests, determining tendencies, and general dispositions towards personal/social situations. They are different from cognitive, intellectual factors, and medical factors which will also be examined in that they usually form an intrinsic part of officer selection.

Officer Like Qualities(OLQs)

Factor – I (Planning and Organising)
(a) Effective Intelligence
(b) Reasoning Ability
(c) Organising Ability
(d) Power of Expression
Factor – II (Social Adjustment)
(e) Social Adaptability
(f) Co-operation
(g) Sense of Responsibility
Factor – III (Social Effectiveness)
(h) Initiative
(i) Self Confidence
(j) Speed of Decision
(k) Ability to Influence the Group
(l) Liveliness
Factor – IV (Dynamic)
(m) Determination
(n) Courage
(o) Stamina

15 OLQs

1. Effective Intelligence. Is the intelligence utilized in coping with practical situations of varying complexity? It is different from basic intelligence which is the capacity to perceive relations or to do abstract thinking. Basic intelligence is assessed by the use of intelligence tests may be verbal or nonverbal effective intelligence includes the following:
(a) Practical intelligence. The capacity to evolve independent solutions to practical problems and situations.
(b) Resourcefulness. The capacity to use the available means for the desired end with the help of improvisation of resources and finding a solution when in a tight corner.

* Generally students with higher effective intelligence are bright, mentally sharp, penetrating, innovative and inventive.

2. Reasoning ability. The ability to grasp the essentials well and to arrive at conclusions by rational & logical thinking. It includes receptivity, inquiring attitude, logical reasoning and seeing the essentials of a problem.
(a) Receptivity. The ability to understand and absorb new impressions. It involves interest, attention and grasping power.
(b) Inquiring attitude. Healthy curiosity resulting in an urge to increase one’s general knowledge and experience in life.
(c) Logical reasoning. The ability to arrive at conclusion or judgment based strictly on a presses of rational thinking and excluding emotional factors.
(d) Seeing essentials of a problem. The ability by which the individual is not only clear in his knowledge of the situation at hand, but also is able to analyses various factors, shift them in order of importance and make best use of them towards achieving a solution.

* Students with higher reasoning ability are exceptionally sharp, analytical, highly imaginative, logical & practical.

3. Organising ability. The ability to arrange the resources in a systematic way so as to produce effective results. It can also be defined as the ability to put to the best use of the
available means for the attainment of the desired objective.
* Students with higher organizing ability are very meticulous in planning est dealing with complex issues without overlooking details, use commonsense, original in actions, and quick incomprehension.

4. Power of expression. This is the most important tool of personality where his/her ability to put across ideas adequately with ease and clarity are assessed.
* Students with this quality are more eloquent, forceful, lucid, precise & effective in their expression.

5. Social adaptability. The ability of an individual to adapt himself to the social environment and adjust well with persons and social groups, with special reference to superiors, equal, and subordinates. Social adaptability includes social intelligence, attitude towards others, tact, and adaptability.
(a) Social Intelligence. It is the intelligence ability applied in the social field. It is the ability to understand people & adjust well to new surroundings.
(b) Attitude towards others. The ability to put oneself into the other man’s position so as to appreciate justifiable difficulties, to enable rendering help in a proper way.
(c) Tact. Skillful management of the feelings of the persons dealt with.
(d) Adaptability. The ability to adjust to the environment with special reference to the social situations in that environment. When considering the service aspect it involves not only a resilient nature shown by an accommodative tendency but also keenness and interest in service life.
* Persons with higher adaptability are genial, very spontaneous in adjusting well in a short time, outgoing, amiable, accommodative, flexible understanding, friendly & sympathetic.

6. Cooperation. The attitude of an individual to participate willingly in harmony with others in a group, in achieving the group goal. This implies a belief in the collective effort being more productive than the individual effort. Cooperation includes the element of joint effort and team spirit. Team spirit indicates loyalty to the aims and objects of the group
to the extent of subordinating individual aim to the group aim.
* Such persons are altruistic, selfless, volunteer workers with tremendous esprit – de corps. They are also humane, warm-hearted, spontaneous, and group-minded people.

7. Sense of Responsibility: It enables a person to be dependable and to willingly discharge his obligation. It includes a sense of duty but is much more comprehensive in meaning and scope. It implies:
(a) Sense of duty Faithfully and firmly doing what one is ordered to do.
(b) Discipline. A trained sense of acting strictly in accordance with rules, regulations, and conventions. This factor promotes the development of self-control and keeps one within the bounds of social and normal standards.

Sense of responsibility therefore means:-
(a) A thorough understanding of the values of duty, social standard, and of what is required of an individual and then to give it his energy and attention of his own accord.
(b) Doing one’s best, carrying out even unspecified and probably unforeseen duties and obligations rather than faithfully carrying out what one is told to do. It demonstrates a moral willingness to bear the consequences.
* Persons with a higher sense of responsibility are exceptionally dutiful, faithful, and respectful to authority. They are very conscientious and go out of the way to soldier responsibilities.

8. Initiative. The ability to originate purposeful action. It has the following aspects:-
(a) Ability to take the first steps in an unfamiliar situation.
(b) In the right direction.
(c) Sustain it, till the goal is achieved.

* Persons with higher initiative display plenty of originality in thoughts & actions. Persons with positive initiative never get stuck, they are pushing, enterprising, persistent and will come out with numerous fresh ideas.

9. Self-confidence. It is the faith in one’s ability to meet stressful situations particularly those that are unfamiliar.

* People with higher self–confidence are totally composed, rationally active, have abundant faith in their abilities, self-reliant and constructive in difficulties.

10. Speed of decision. The ability to arrive at workable decisions expeditiously. It comprises:-
(a) Then appropriateness and cost-effectiveness.
(b) Feasibility & practicability.
(c) The quickness in arriving at the decision.

* Persons with this ability are Infallible, prompt, judicious, and make sound decisions with a considerable sense of urgency. They are never wavering, impulsive, hesitant, erratic in
their decisions.

11. Ability to influence the group. The ability enables an individual to bring about the willing effort from the group for achieving the objective desired by him. This influence is the prime cause of the cooperative and willing effort of a group towards the achievement of a set objective. * Persons with this quality are highly inspiring with magnetic charm, indispensable, impressionable, assertive, persuasive, firm & have considerable capacity to overcome opposition.

12. Liveliness. The capacity of an individual to keep himself buoyant when meeting problems and bring about a cheerful atmosphere

13. Determination. A sustained effort to achieve objectives in spite of obstacles and setbacks. It implies fixedness of purpose: mental concentration and strength of will.
It includes:-
(a) Application to work: The capacity of physical application to work.
(b) Drive: The inner motive power at the disposal of an individual. It is the capacity to force oneself along when under pressure and urgency, towards the achievement of the object. It may inspire energetic action in others towards the achievement of a common goal.

* They are highly resolute, unwavering, advent, industrious, firm and steady, persevering and persistent.

14. Courage: The ability to appreciate and take purposive risks willingly. It includes:-
(a) Ability to meet appreciated dangers.
(b) Spirit of adventure, an enterprising spirit, and a willingness to dare or risk a hazard.
(c) Capacity to keep oneself composed in adverse situations enabling one to be steady in facing and handling such situations. * They are doubtless risk-takers, daring, aggressive, creative, bold & plucky with tremendous physical & moral courage.

15. Stamina. The capacity to withstand the protracted physical and mental strain. It emphasizes endurance.
* such persons possess Herculean physical & mental capabilities & can withstand plenty of physical & mental stress. They are indefatigable, calm & are very tough individuals.

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