The GTO i.e. Group Testing Officer during the SSB Interview will give you certain instructions before each and every task. As a candidate, you must listen to his instructions very carefully because there is a lot of hidden meaning in them and you need to perform the task as per the instructions only.
The golden rule for GTO task is Group, you need to do everything for your group. Make sure all group members reach the finish line. Don’t hurry up to reach the finish line first, you should help your group find the way how to cross a particular obstacle and thereafter let others cross. Rules are the most important part of the GTO series. You must follow them accordingly.
Task 1 – 2 Group Discussions
The Group Discussions will be conducted as a part of the Group Testing on the Day-3 of the SSB Interview process. As part of the Group Discussion, the candidates are given two topics to discuss one after another. While they are given the choice to choose the first topic by voting among themselves but the second one is of GTO’s choice. The topics cover important international issues, national issues, social issues and current events. They are allotted 20 minutes each for a healthy discussion on each topic.
Group discussion is a process where the candidates get an opportunity to formally exchange their opinions and ideas on subjects and issues of common interest and controversial nature. GTO officially tells the rules and give a short brief about the process. He/she also tells that candidates don’t have to give a conclusion unlike GD in Stage 1.
• Be an active participant in your social network as it helps in tackling a different type of people along with enhancing knowledge.
• You should have basic knowledge of current event happening around you and in the world.
• Be an active communicator and express your views and ideas in a polite yet firm manner in simpler terms. You should back your arguments with concrete information and facts.
• Respect other candidates’ views and analyse accordingly to reply.
• To practice on GD topics non-verbally, a candidate can write his/her own views on those topics as it helps them to retain this information and perform well when facing in reality.
Task 2 – Group Planning Exercise
Group Planning Exercise in 2nd task in GTO series and is confirmatory in nature which means that your OLQs and leadership qualities come out during this testing. It is a group activity and that’s why group dynamics is of importance here. It is conducted after the two initial group discussions.
Instructions regarding the GPE are described below in the points:
• The GTO explains the candidates a model on the wooden plank, at the end of explanation candidates are permitted to ask any question or doubts regarding the model and its specifics.
• GTO reads a story that carries a series of events, from the card and explains things simultaneously on the wooden model as well.
• Now after reading the story GTO allows each candidate to read the story for five minutes from story cards placed on their chairs & co-relate it with the model.
• Candidates are asked by the GTO to write their own solution to various problems in the story on a sheet of paper. The time allowed is nearly ten minutes.
• After ten minutes the writing sheet is taken away and the group is expected to conduct a group discussion of 20 minutes and arrive at a common plan for the problem and then nominate a person to explain the group plan to the GTO.
Structure of the GPE Problems is explained in below points:
• Generally there are four problems given in GPE that the candidates should be arranged on a priority basis according to their intellect.
• One problem is of a serious nature which involves immediate reaction or where there is a threat to human life or lives; such problems must be assigned the first priority.
• Second kind of problem is also of serious nature and time is very monumental in solving it, assign them a second priority.
• The third problem is comparatively less serious and will require less time and resources as compared to other problems. Also, there will be one silly problem too, assign it least priority and put fewer resources to solve that.
Task 3 – Progressive Group Tasks
Progressive Group Task is the third task after GD and GPE in the GTO series of your SSB Interview. The Progressive Group Task is a task where the candidates need to work as a group, they need to collectively tackle the problem and achieve the group goal. Before commencing the task, GTO will give briefing which is as follows:
• Gentleman, the task that we are going to do now is called Progressive Group Task. You are all going to work as a group hence it is a group task. You will be tackling a series of four obstacles starting with a simple one and as you go ahead, you will find that these obstacles are not so simple.
• We do not have natural obstacles like Nallas, broken grounds, mines etc. So we have a simple method of drawing two white lines and declaring the ground between these lines as out of bounds for the candidates. Thereby it becomes an obstacle to you, which you have to cross along with a load given to you.
• To help you to bridge across these obstacles, certain structures are placed in the out of bounds area which you can touch. You are also provided with helping materials like planks, ballis and ropes which you can use. While doing this task you have to observe five rules. Which are Group Rule, Distance Rule, Colour Rule, Rule of Rigidity and Rule of Infinity.
• If you are all clear about the task, I shall show you the obstacles. If you have any questions, please ask me at each obstacle after I have finished my explanation of the obstacle.
• Gentlemen, you will get 30 minutes for doing this task. The time is limited and now that you have seen these obstacles, you would have realized that the latter obstacles will take more time. Therefore, you have to work fast on the starting obstacles. If you have no further questions, please run back to the first obstacle and stand there with your back towards the obstacle.
Let’s see some common points about how to perform in PGT:
• Run when in GTO field and as soon as the GTO commands to start the tasks. Show some sense of urgency and pick up the materials that you will need for further tasks and start implementing your idea as soon as you move ahead.
• While you are doing the tasks such as making bridges or tying knots then you must ask help from other group members and not try to do all of it on your own.
• If someone else has taken the lead and started implementing his/her plans then you must support them by your ideas. Do not stand and watch the other members doing it, you have to be actively involved while encouraging your group members to present their ideas too. Remember that it’s a team effort.
• You should be working the entire time and try not to remain idle for a single second. Do not ask the GTO silly questions like how much distance is 3-4 feet, at your age you are expected to have that much sense of directions and distances.
• Do not shout on your team members and keep patience as a calm mind can generate ideas rather than one at panic and chaos. Do not break the rules and if you are breaking any you have infinite chance to correct it, there is no penalty hence if you happen to break a rule then you must repeat the task again. Honesty is what is expected of you.
Task 4 – Group Obstacle Race
GOR or Group Obstacle Race or Snake race is the fourth task conducted in the GTO test series and the last one in basic series. In this task, all the groups have to compete in a race through a series of six obstacles while carrying a rolled-up stuffed tent which looks sort of a snake and that’s why the name Snake Race. Maximum of four groups take part in it at a time. Groups are made to compete with each other through a series of 6 obstacles and the objective of all the groups is to reach first on the finish line and win the race.
The four teams are assigned one channel or path to follow each. This is a high tempo task and the candidates will be thoroughly excited before this task as it is considered as a rally on the enemy lines. The continuous shouting of the war cries by all the candidates and the respective groups makes the environment full of Josh and adrenaline. The group must shout the war cry loudly in order to motivate its group members and also to spook the rival group. The aim of conducting the GOR is to assess the physical and mental stamina. They will see group dynamics maintained by an individual and courage in individual candidates. The GTO briefs about the above rules and all the obstacles in detail.
Let’s have a look at some points to boost our performance in GOR:
• Once the snake or the Load is picked up at start line it can’t be kept down till the finish line is reached. The snake is not to be shortened or folded in any respect. Remember to follow the rules at all time.
• All candidates should be holding the snake when running from one obstacle to another and while crossing the obstacle, at least three candidates should hold the snake. Consider that as a wartime Dhawa that your team is performing on enemies while crossing obstacles.
• Even if you cross the obstacle first, wait for the others to do so and then only proceed to the other obstacle. Take care of your group members and help them in crossing some difficult tasks.
• Take care of yourself and follow the safety instructions by GTO as you might get seriously hurt in these tasks if you will be careless.
ALSO READ: Instructions Given By GTO During GTO Testing In Each Task Part 2
You can prepare for SSB Interview OIR Test Officer Intelligence Rating Test and PPDT Picture Perception and Description Test and other defence entrance exams such as NDA, AFCAT, INET, and CDS by taking Written Online courses as they will not only give you access to full-length quality lectures but will also provide the facility to take standardized mock tests for better study and strategic growth in the exam. You can take multiple quizzes after each lesson to ensure the full understanding of the subject along with creating your customized lesson plans. You can check out the course content along with other important specifics at SSBCrack exams.
You can also access them through the SSBCrack Exams app available in the google play store.
Jai Hind
