What is PPDT ?

As described PPDT is short of picture perception and description test, candidates will be shown a random picture on which candidates have to write a story in a brief amount of time then each candidate have to take part in a group discussion with fellow candidates where they have to discuss their stories with each other and in conclusion they have to decide whose story was the best.

In PPDT a candidate’s narrative capability is put under test along with his communication skill, technically it doesn’t matter in what language he his speaking (English or Hindi) but how better he is speaking. A candidate has to show the properties of an efficient speaker in a group.

What is TAT ?

Technically Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) is a projective psychological test. Proponents of this technique assert that a person’s responses reveal underlying motives, concerns, and the way they see the social world through the stories they make up about ambiguous pictures of people.

Thematic Apperception Test in SSB consists of set of ambiguous pictures that will be shown to the candidate, while looking on these pictures candidates must create a theme like a story which requires a hero and a challenge, how the hero will overcome the crisis and succeed.

In TAT a candidate will be asked to write a story from his own based on the images shown. A candidate shouldn’t just use his memory blocks and start preparing a story, he/she needs to see that every third or fourth line there is different meanings are coming, try interpretation and analyze those meaning as third person because that meaning shows candidate’s state of mind.

How to write PPDT and TAT story ?

“Perception – It is the process by which individuals organize and interpret their sensory impressions in order to give meaning to their environment”

Remember Below given Points while writing a the story:

• Each story must have a chief character (Hero), it will be wise to use officer like qualities (OLQs) when creating the personality traits of the character.
• Choose the age and profession of the main lead of your story very carefully. The age should be exactly what is evident from the picture. And choose the profession according to the age.
• Avoid superficial base for the story, the practical a story sounds the positive will be the impression on assessors.
• Always give the story a successful ending.
• Keep a clean and calm thought process while writing story.
• Avoid tough and negative language, keep it understandable and less technical.
• Keep a keen eye when looking at picture, read every small detail.

Consider these points while percepting the story:

• What has led up to the situation.
• What the characters are feeling and thinking.
• What is happening at the moment.
• What is the final outcome of the story.

Tips for PPDT

• In PPDT, once the narration is started, assessors should not be interrupted by any of the candidates it will result badly for the whole group. It’s the group members’ responsibility to handle the discussion without outside help.
• Candidate should narrate his story with in one minute.
• If the group discussion becomes fish market, a candidate should try to calm everybody down and continue the discussion in a well-mannered way.
• Don’t let the discussion go away from the discussion topic of PPDT, try to interrupt very carefully because interrupting in these kind of situation can go both ways for a candidate.
• Give chance or inspire everyone to speak and praise others point too if possible it shows a supportive nature in PPDT.
• In story writing, the story should be positive and must sound realistic. Avoid inhuman fictional possibilities in PPDT.
• Give name to characters, it’s a good habit.
• The basic format of story should be: a problem arises, the hero solves that problem, and hero feels happy about him solving the problem.

Tips for TAT

• Never try to copy a story from some other source. Always try to reflect your personality rather than life events.
• It’s a well-known myth where people try to link it to their life by copying events and they are rejected.
• Always give the age of characters, and write what led to the story, what happened in the action part and a proper ending to the story.
• A psychologist is interested in extracting out the qualities rather than anything else, so don’t think it to be an English exam as the use of flashy words can’t save you if the story is psychologically wrong.