Thematic Apperception Test

This is the first test that will happen in the day-2 of the SSB process. After having the breakfast, the candidates will be asked to report in the psychological testing hall. Once you reach there, they will provide you blank sheet and you will be given instructions on how to go about the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT). You should listen to the instructions very carefully, because they might make small changes here and there in the rules to make sure that you don’t replicate what you learnt in coaching classes. Remember that you are not tested for your ability in English or anything. Instead they are testing your personality. Hence write the story in simple words and try to show Officer Like Qualities from the lead character in your story. You’ll be shown 11 slides with pictures and a blank slide. You need to write story on the basis of each picture you saw and finally a story of your own imagination for the 12^th picture. Remember, you need to write stories related to the picture and not describe the picture.

1.1.        How to write the story:

The test paper looks something like following:

After filling in the particulars at the top of the booklet, they will show you the first slide with picture for 30 seconds. After that, you’ll be given 4 minutes to write. Then the next slide with picture will be shown for 30 seconds and you’ll be given 4 more minutes. This continues till 12 slides. Remember, unlike PPDT, you are not required to write the age or mood of the character. You can straight away start writing your story in the space given. It should be around 150 words. If you feel that the space in the page is not enough, you can strike off the numbers provided in the page and start writing a little above providing numbers manually

1.2.        Some useful tips on how to frame the story:

1.      Keep a lead character: Always keep a lead character and let the story revolve around that character. This character should possess all officer like qualities. If you don’t know what officer like qualities are, please search and learn about them in the internet

2.      Stay positive: Be optimistic in your story. Don’t force yourself to be positive but try to be positive. Never write negative things just from your end. For example, if there are 4 people in the picture other than the lead character, don’t just like that write that they are thieves unless you can see so in the picture

3.      Keep positive ending: Even if the story starts in a negative manner, end it in a positive way. For example, if the lead character’s father dies, write that the lead character comes out of the sadness and fulfill his dad’s dreams

4.      Don’t write coached type of stories: Never have pre-conceived notions or stories in head

5.      Be realistic: Don’t write fantasy type of stories where people can fly and catch bullets

6.      Keep your handwriting legible: Write in a legible way. You have enough time

1.3.        How TAT is evaluated:

Once you complete the story writing, the paper is taken for evaluation. They’ll go through each and every story written by you and check the following points:

1.      Whether the lead character written in each story by you possess all Officer Like Qualities (OLQs). The lead character you write in the story is equivalent to you. So, if the lead character possesses OLQs, that means you possess it. Also, every story might not want the lead character to show all OLQs as pictures are situation specific. But make sure that the behavior of the lead character creates an image in the reader that the character possesses some or the other OLQs. (If you don’t know what the 15 OLQs are, search the internet)

2.      Whether your ideas are consistent throughout

3.      Whether you were fast enough to complete the stories in the stipulated time

4.      Whether you are perceiving the presented picture or the situation in the proper way

1.4.        TAT example pictures:

These are some sample pictures that you may practice writing stories for. Take enough papers and pen. Assume the paper is similar to the TAT example paper that is shown in this document earlier. Look at the picture for 30 seconds and write stories within 4 minutes. Make sure you follow the tips mentioned earlier. These examples can also be used for practicing and preparing for Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PPDT). Please remember not to mug up these stories. Just use it to self-evaluate. All the best!