2 AFSB — An exciting Experience

TL;DR

In this article, I’ll share my experience from writing exams and getting screened in, almost losing my confidence and then getting conference out. I’ll discuss excitement, anxiety, fear, and all those mixed feelings I got throughout the process. Batch: M/620 29th May to 2nd June 2023

Day 0

So day 0 counts as the day I wrote AFCAT 1 2023 paper. The paper was more manageable than CDS ( 😥 failed 2 times ) and coming from an engineering background I targeted maths and English questions. After giving the exam I was pretty confident that I’ll clear the exam and that's what happened I cleared the exam with 176/300

Prep for Day 1

After the declaration of the result, I received a notification the next day for AFSB selection ( better be quick in selecting as availability is provided on a first come first serve basis ). I checked the website on 2–3rd day and to my surprise, only 2AFSB Mysuru was left on the list which was OK for me as I work in a nearby city. I opted for that and downloaded the call letter which contained detailed instructions on what to bring with you on the fall-in/reporting date (read it carefully).

Some quick points to share that I experienced and could help you out

Documents:

• Start gathering all the documents mentioned in the call letter from today onwards.
• 10th and 12th Marksheet & passing certificates could be two different documents. Do check it with your school friends. In my case, the 10th Marksheet and passing certificate were one document but for the 12th they were two separate documents.
• Keep all your co-curricular/extra-curricular certificates too will help you in Interview rounds.
• If you already graduated and you don’t have a CGPA to percentage conversion affidavit or any other document then it’s ok they’ll give you extra time ( in my case 5 months ) to submit it in case getting recommended. Also in case you are in doubt reach out to the toll-free number mentioned in the call-up letter.
• Get a proper file folder Link for your original and a separate folder for your photocopies Link
• Download Aarogya Setu App and also get a printout of your covid vaccination( even if it’s not mentioned in call up letter )
• Prefill all the declarations. If in doubt leave blank that specific part and clarify with officers on reaching.

Dress:

• Take 3 pair of formal pants and shirts(2 pants will also work). Make sure shirts are light and pants are dark
• For GTO get everything in white (t-shirt, shorts, socks, shoes). Make sure it’s collared and not round or v-neck
• Tie is preferred and get a good haircut before going.

Day 1

My reporting was on 29th May at 0630 hrs so I reached Mysuru on 28th May and stayed in a hotel near the railway station. On the next day, I get ready by 0545 hrs and left for AFSB (Rapido is easily available so I suggest downloading the app). Suggest you dress formally.

On reaching AFSB they wanted to see four documents call letter, original admit card, Aadhaar, and a Covid Vaccine certificate (not mentioned anywhere in the required documents so they allowed showing the soft copy on mobile). You’ll be asked to keep all your documents and mobile phone in your luggage and go to the testing wing with discipline.

Once you reach the testing wing you’ll be given breakfast ( Aaloo puri in our case and coffee ). I got time to have a brief interaction with other participants and got to know from what all places they came from. We were given chest numbers based on our AFCAT roll numbers. Total 134 participants reported in that specific batch.

OIR Test

After breakfast, I was directed to go to Arjan Singh Hall for OIR test (2 booklets, 40 questions in each booklet, and 17 minutes for each booklet). You are not allowed to wear wrist watch during any of the tests and no watch will be there in the hall 😱 for the OIR officer told us the start time and in the end directly said time over pens down. No warning nothing so I would suggest you better take some quick mockups before coming and be quick. In my case both times I was able to do 1/3rd of the total questions and for the others, I just randomly marked whatever came to mind (not suggested). This is where my overall feelings changed as I knew I didn’t do well in OIR and I’ll be routed back the same day.

PP&DT

Just after the OIR we started with the PPDT test in the same hall. We were shown a picture for 30 seconds and then given 4 minutes to write a story around the same. I suggest checking out videos on YT by Col. Nehru as I find them sufficient enough to complete this test. After 4 minutes we were routed to smaller rooms where we need to narrate our stories for 1 min (freshers) and then discuss them in groups to come up with a single story. Luckily I was nominated to narrate my story as it was closest to the scene shown to us. Let me know if you wanted to know what it was :) I’ll edit it in the article. After the PPDT we were asked to go for lunch and I found people in my PPDT group congratulating me on getting selected for next round but deep down I knew what blunder I made in OIR and was in full mood that I’ll be routed back and will go to Mysuru Palace 😶.

After lunch, we were asked to assemble in front of CPSS testing building and DSO announced the results to my surprise, I was one of the 48 screened-in participants. Getting nominated in PPDT played a major part in this selection process.

After results, we were asked to submit our mobile phones and routed to our hostel (Aashiyaana) for some rest and to be prepared for the psychology test.

Psychology Test

It consists of four parts

• Thematic Apperception Test (TAT): You’ll be shown 10 pictures for 30 seconds each and you’ll get 4 minutes after each image to write a story around that.
• Word Association Test (WAT): This will show around 60 words for 15 seconds each and you have to write a sentence that comes to your mind after reading that word.
• Situation Reaction Test (SRT): You’ll be given 60 situations and a total of 30 minutes to record your reaction to those. Be very conscious of the time for this part of the test and no alarms will be given.
• Self Description test (SDT): I received four questions and need to write a paragraph for the same. The questions were:
  - What do your parents think about you?
  - What do your colleagues think about you?
  - What do you think about yourself?
  - What do you want to be?

The psychology test was all about good English, speed, and how well you know about yourself. After the test, we were asked to fill out a PIQ form and given new chest numbers and informed about our group (8 members). Our group shared the room “Apache” and the very first night is the right time to introduce yourself to each and everyone as you will be working together as a team from tomorrow early morning.

Day 2

We woke up at 0500 hrs with a series of patriotic songs played by rooms speaker and I personally found it effective enough to wake me up. We get ready for GTO in our white dresses and shoes.

We went through
- Group Discussion or I would say casual discussion on two topics given by the assessor.

- Group Planning Exercise: You’ll be shown a mini model and the accessor will describe a situation of some disaster/attack about to happen and will require you to write a plan to tackle the situation. Be crisp and sure with speed distance time. Then a group discussion will start to come on a common plan. Nominate someone/yourself confident with the plan and know the proper stats (speed distance time)

- Progressive Group Task (PGT): You’ll be told all the rules and what’s expected from you is that you discuss the plan and execute it such that no man is left behind and all the tasks are done on time keeping in mind all the rules. On an individual level, you should remember to not get lost in your own thoughts after seeing no one listening to you. You have to keep yourself engaged both mentally and physically. Believe in your teammates and keep suggesting your solutions too. “This is the place your team will decide who all are actively participating”

- Half Group Task: Smalled group and only one obstacle to cross all other things remain the same as PGT.

- Lecturette: 4 topics to choose from given 3 minutes to think about the content and the next 3 minutes to speak on the same in front of your group.

Day 2 was more about how you solve puzzles as a team. Do you find yourself lost or do you help your team reach the solution or just contribute in making the fishmarket situation?

Day 3

Day 3 started with
- Group Obstacles Race/ Snake Race: You’ll be given a long cargo and you have to take it from one end to another with obstacles in between. You’ll be assessed on your agility and dare to take calculated risks. Your physical fitness plays a crucial role in completing these obstacles.

- Command Task: Each one will be given an opportunity to be a commander and shown an obstacle to cross and can call 1/2 helpers so that both commander and helper can cross from one side to other

- Final Group Task: It’ll be similar to PGT and the accessor wants to see what you learned from PGT and how improved is your group coordination now. Are you still wasting time or approaching problems in the wrong way?

Interview

On Day 3 after GTO I had my interview and the interviewing officer was DSO (Wing Commander). The trend this time was knowing you better and not the GS questions. Some questions

Q1 - Tell me about the 10th percentage then 12th marks subjectwise and total percentage, how/why you opted for engineering, your cgpa, your friend circle in college, your two good friends, financial problems in completing graduation if any, your future plans for higher studies’😐

Q2 - How many people in your family, tell me about their qualifications, how you spend your time with them, if you have any problem who you reach out to, what the latest problem you discussed with them, How you spend your paycheque.

Q3 What two things youyr parents want you to improve on, your two strengths and weakness, your extracurricular activities, participation in sports events etc.

Q4 (More IT specific)What software companies make softwares for IAF. How many seats you saw in the plane you came from, what engine models used in aircrafts, What kind of computers used by IAF

Q5 Who is the vice president of India, Name of Air Chief Marshal, Name two helicopters used by IAF, Name two fighter jets used by IAF.

Day 4

Day 4 was free for us so we went toChamundi hills and then have to comeback from gate of Mysuru palace due to heavy rain.

Day 5

Day 5 was conference day and each and every candidate will be called in conference hall for max 2 minutes where he’ll get to see all the officers including president of board and will have a casual talk about from where he came from how was his stay etc. For me it was about the meaning of my name and then how was your stay.

After an hour results were declared and only 3 participants were recommended out of 48 screened in. One of the selected participant was fresher and other two were 16 times and 21st time repeater resepectively.

Summary

After staying for 5 days in the IAF facility one thing that I got to know is decipline, time and right dress does half of the work and other half you need to work on. For me personally it showed me mirror and helped me analyse my weak points. Made some good friends and got to know what else people are doing out of 9–5 office work. Overall it was exciting times and I really learned the real life experiences. SSB is no place to go for vacation but yes if you want to assess your self on ground level then there is no better place then this.