Best Strategy to Crack CDS SSB Interview in First Attempt

Registration - 10 Dec '25 - 30 Dec '25

Updated on Mar 29, 2023 11:50 IST

CDS Service Selection Board (SSB) Interview is conducted for candidates who qualify for the written exam. CDS SSB Interview assesses candidates on physical, physiological, and analytics level. Here are certain tips which will help candidates in CDS SSB interview.

How to Prepare for CDS SSB Interview?: Aspirants who qualify in all the three papers of CDS exam make it to the interview. Service Selection Board Interview is a unique process and is conducted for five days. CDS SSB Interview comprises two stages-Stage 1 is Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception Description Test (PP&DT) and Stage 2 is Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests, and Conference. CDS SSB interview is a lengthy process and it assesses a candidate's overall personality, teamwork, and basic outlook toward life in general. Knowledge, as well as personality, plays an important role in the CDS SSB interview.

Table of content

CDS SSB Interview
CDS SSB Interview Centres
SSB Interview Structure
How to Prepare for CDS SSB Interview?

CDS SSB Interview

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) prepares a list of candidates who obtain the minimum qualifying marks in the written exam. Candidates whose name appears in the merit list of the written exam are called for CDS SSB Interview for intelligence and personality test. For prepare for SSB interview, candidates should start their preparations by running daily. Physical fitness plays an important role in SSB Interview. Candidates must enhance their thinking by being more realistic. Read newspapers and current affairs. Candidates must introspect themselves by knowing their strengths and weaknesses. CDS exam 2023 is conducted for admissions to the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers' Training Academy courses.

Q: How can I prepare for the CDS exam in three months?

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the CDS exam evey six months. The candidates can prepare for the CDS exam in three month. However, the candidates need to focus and study rigorously in order to crack the CDS exam in three months. While preparing for the CDS exam in three months, the candidates need to take following things in consideration:

Basics of the exam: If a candidate has completed his/her graduation and twelfth standard with grip on the subjects then it is easy to cover the complete syllabus in time. However, if the candidate have to start from scratch then it will be very difficult to cover the syllabus of the CDS exam
Time Table: The candidate must stic a time table that can complete the syllabus in time as well as leave ample time for revisions and mock tests
Question Pattern: The candidtae must go through the question pattern and solve the previous years' question paper and search for repition in topics and question asked in the exam.
Mock Test: Take maximum number of mock tests in exam condiction to get habit of sitting and taking the exam. It will help the candidate get relief from freefo in the CDS exam.

Q: How can I prepare for CDS exam?

The candidates are advised to go through the syllabus and the exam format to keep the basics clear. Concentrate on Important Issues. Start With Simpler Questions. Create A Proper Schedule. Candidates appearing for CDS should start at least 3 to 6 months before the examination. Follow a regular study routine so that the entire syllabus can be completed. Make a timetable and devote 6 to 8 hours especially for preparations. The list of best books for CDS is as follows: Wren & Martin's High School English Grammar & Composition: S. Hand Publication. Word Power Made Easy: Norman Lewis (Goal Publishers) Objective General English S. P. Bakshi (Arihant Publication) General Knowledge by Manohar Pandey. Manorama Yearbook.

Q: What was the difficulty level of CDS English paper in CDS 1 2022 exam?

The difficulty level of CDS 1 2022 exam was easy to moderate in terms of difficulty level. There were questions asked from the previous year's question paper. The questions paper comprised questions from topics like Noun, prepositions, pronoun, reflexive pronoun, demonstrative pronouns, demonstrative pronouns, adjective, adverb, ordering of chunks in a sentences, idiom and phrases, spotting errors, synonyms, antonyms, cloze composition, prepositions and determiners, completion of sentences, comprehension, unseen passage, etc. According to the responses of the candidates taken the exam on April 16, 2023, the overall difficulty level of the CDS English exam was easy to moderate in terms of difficulty level.

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CDS SSB Interview Centres

The list of CDS SSB Interview centres for Army, Navy and Navy across the country is given below:

Q: What are the common mistakes to avoid during the CDS exam?

Here are some common mistakes to avoid during the CDS exam: 1. Not reading the instructions carefully: It is essential to read the instructions carefully before beginning the exam. Not doing so can lead to mistakes, such as marking the answers in the wrong format or not following the required instructions. 2. Not managing time effectively: Time management is crucial for success in the CDS exam. Not managing time effectively can lead to unfinished sections, incomplete answers, and poor overall performance. 3. Not attempting all sections: It is important to attempt all sections of the exam, as each section carries equal weightage. Avoid skipping any section, even if you are not confident in it. 4. Not revising the answers: Not revising the answers before submitting the exam can lead to careless mistakes. Make sure to review your answers and revise any mistakes before submitting the exam. 5. Not staying calm and composed: The CDS exam can be stressful, and it is important to stay calm and composed throughout the exam. Avoid getting nervous or anxious, and focus on your performance. 6. Not following a strategy: It is important to have a strategy for attempting the exam. Not having a strategy can lead to confusion, mistakes, and poor performance. 7. Guessing blindly: Guessing blindly can lead to negative marking and reduce your overall score. It is essential to make an educated guess based on your knowledge and eliminate the options that are clearly incorrect. Remember, avoiding these common mistakes can significantly improve your overall performance in the CDS exam. Make sure to read the instructions carefully, manage your time effectively, attempt all sections, revise your answers, stay calm and composed, follow a strategy, and make educated guesses to avoid any mistakes. Additionally, focus on understanding the concepts, revise regularly, and practice mock tests to improve your overall performance and increase your chances of success in the CDS exam.

Q: How can I prepare for CDS Maths and Current Affairs for CDS exam?

You can use the following approach to Current Affairs for the CDS WATCH TV- Spend a couple of hours watching TV every day. It offers information on every subject in an engaging manner that is simple to remember. Watch reputable news stations like CNN and BBC for the daily bulletin. It serves as the greatest and the simplest method to understand current events. NEWSPAPER READING The oldest and most popular method for increasing understanding of current issues is to read newspapers. Local, regional, national, and international news can all be found there. Get a subscription to a reputable newspaper, such as "The Hindu, " and make reading the newspaper a morning ritual. USE THE INTERNET SMARTLY: Use your time online more wisely by avoiding time-wasting websites like Facebook and Instagram. In terms of websites, there are several, however practically all of them require payment. As a result, I would prefer to advise you to use reputable YouTube channels, such as Study IQ instruction. Write because you tend to forget what you've read easily. Writing aids in memory retention and strengthens information in the brain. Therefore, put what you learn in writing and take brief notes that you can refer to later. For CDS Maths Prioritize the preparation of the crucial topics first while allocating time for the challenging ones. Determine how much time to spend on each sort of question by taking practice exams. Additionally, in order to have a sense of the kinds of questions that will be in the exam, candidates must complete prior year's question papers. Candidates must acquire time management shortcuts, suggestions, and techniques. Recall basic computations like squares and cubes. Make a list of formulas and shortened forms to keep on hand for last-minute revision. Due to the exam's negative marking policy, they should only mark an answer if they are certain about it. During the exam, avoid making educated guesses. Candidates should consult quality mathematics textbooks when preparing for the CDS.

Q: Can I prepare for the CDS exam on my own or do I need coaching classes?

It is possible to prepare for the CDS exam on your own without coaching classes. However, coaching classes can be helpful for candidates who need additional support and guidance, especially if they are new to the exam or have difficulty understanding certain topics. Coaching classes can provide candidates with access to specialised training, experienced faculty, and mock tests to help them prepare for the exam. This can be particularly helpful for candidates who are not familiar with the exam pattern or who need extra help with specific subjects. That being said, many candidates have successfully prepared for the CDS exam on their own by using textbooks, online resources, and previous year question papers. It ultimately depends on the candidate's level of preparation, familiarity with the syllabus, and personal preferences.

For Indian Army

Selection Center East (SCE) Allahabad: (Uttar Pradesh)

11 SSB
14 SSB
18 SSB
19 SSB
34 SSB

Selection Center Central (SCC) Bhopal: (Madhya Pradesh)

20 SSB
21 SSB
22 SSB

Selection Center South (SCS) Bangalore: (Karnataka)

17 SSB
24 SSB

Training Centers/Institutes

Indian Military Academy (IMA) Dehradun (U.K) – Permanent Commission for Male
Officers Training Academy (OTA) Chennai (TN) – Short Service Commission for both Male & Female
Officers Training Academy (OTA) Gaya (BH)– Permanent Commission for TES & SCO Male Course
National Defense Academy (NDA) Khadakwasla, Pune (MH)– Permanent Commission

For Indian Air Force

1 AFSB Dehradun: (Uttarakhand)
2 AFSB Mysore: (Karnataka)
3 AFSB Gandhi Nagar: (Gujrat)
4 AFSB Varanasi: (Uttar Pradesh)

Training Centers/Institutes:

Air Force Academy (AFA) Hyderabad (A.P)– Permanent/Short Commission for both Male & Female
National Defense Academy (NDA) Khadakwasla, Pune (MH)– Permanent Commission

For Indian Naval Academy

NSB Coimbatore: (Tamilnadu)
12 SSB at SCS Bangalore: (Karnataka)
33 SSB at SCC Bhopal: (Madhya Pradesh)

Training Centers/Institutes

Indian Naval Academy (INA) Ezhimala (Kerala) – Permanent/Short Commission for both Male & Female
National Defense Academy (NDA) Khadakwasla, Pune (MH)– Permanent Commission

SSB Interview Structure

SSB Interview of CDS follows a two-stage selection process. All the candidates will be first put to the first stage one test on the first day of reporting at selection centres. Only those candidates who qualify stage one will be called for stage two. Candidates need to submit a photocopy of the Class 10 certificate or equivalent in support of date of birth, Bachelor’s degree/Provisional degree alongwith mark sheets of all semesters/years.

Stage I comprises of Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests are Picture Perception Description Test (PP&DT). The candidates will be shortlisted based on a combination of performance in OIR Test and PP&DT.

Stage II comprises Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests and the Conference. These tests are conducted over four days.

Three different assessors such as Interviewing Officer (IO), Group Testing Officer (GTO) and the Psychologist assess the personality of candidates. There is no separate weightage for each test. The marks are allotted by assessors only after taking into consideration the performance of the candidate holistically in all the tests.

In addition, marks for conference are also allotted based on the initial performance of the Candidate in the three techniques and decisions of the board. All these have equal weightage.

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How to Prepare for CDS SSB Interview?

The various tests are designed to bring out the officer like qualities. Accordingly, candidates are recommended or not recommended at the SSB. Candidates need can follow the preparation tips for CDS SSB Interview:

For OIR and PP-DT, candidates should focus on basic aptitude, verbal and non-verbal reasoning, Image recognition, story writing in 4 to 5 mins, narrating stories, articulating the group discussion ability, etc.
Candidates must get over the fear of speaking. Start practising public speaking. The best way is by contributing to discussions taking place with family and friends. Also, try to interact with people, it will help in boosting confidence. This will help candidates in GD rounds.
Candidates can also stand in front of a mirror and talk. Read poems/stories. This will help candidates to improve body language, expression, and pronunciations. It will contribute to overall personality development.
There are certain questions such as aim in life and determination and family background are asked frequently in SSB Interview. Keep their answers ready in the best possible way.
There are physical activities in the SSB interviews for which candidates need to have a fit body.

Candidates need to do well in SSB Interview. They need to secure the prescribed minimum qualifying marks in the test. The final selection of candidates is done based on SSB Interview and written exam.

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