The screening test aims to assess candidates' aptitude and potential before the full assessment over 3 days. On the first day (Stage 1), around 50-60% of candidates are eliminated. The tests include intelligence tests covering both verbal and non-verbal reasoning, a picture perception test where candidates analyze pictures and write stories, and a group discussion to come to a consensus on the stories. The goal is to identify candidates most suitable for the defence environment and give assessors more time to evaluate potential candidates in-depth over the 3 days.

1. Army career as an Officer-5(Screening test)
•ByColMukteshwarPrasad(Retd)

2. Introduction
• Screening test had been introduced few years back in Services selection
centres
– To enable Assessors to concentrate on potential candidates suitable for
Services
– Although they are called based on cut off marks set for particular entry
or based on written examination conducted by UPSC(in case of
NDA/IMA(Direct entry)/OTA(Combined def services examination) yet
• They may not possess OLQ to requisite level suitable for defence
environment
• Hence a need to check their aptitude/potential before going for full
test for 3 days
• This gives Assessors more time to dwell on potential candidates.
• On strict psychological terms the screening tests
– gets loaded and gives advantage to Urban candidates with
English medium schooling because rural candidates are
» shy
» slow starter
» get inhibited
– Not scientific because many bright students are likely to be left
out .But serves he purpose

3. Day-1(Stage 1)
• On day 1(Stage-1) 50-60% candidates get weeded out
.Hence need for out of box sincere performance
• Intelligence test (Verbal &Non verbal)
• Picture perception test
– Picture flashed for 30 sec
– No of Character
– Age
– Sex
– Mood
– Action relating to past, present and future of each character in
one min
– Time for story writing 4 min

4. Day-1(Stage 1)..
• Discussion of picture 30min
• Group of 15
• Narrates story verbatim
• Common consensus about character and theme of story

5. Intelligence test
• Intelligence tests
– Generally in two parts given one after another
– Time varies from test to test
– Consists of
• Verbal
• Nonverbal
– Scores are normalised and Officer Intelligence rating is arrived at
.Ratings are
• 1-Heighest and the best- Pertains to IQ score of 100 and above
• 2-Acceptable- Pertains to IQ score of 100 and above
• 3-Acceptable- Pertains to IQ score of 100 and above
• 4-Acceptablen-At least Two D
• 5-Acceptable –At least 3 yes

6. Intelligence test..
• Verbal Tests
– Simple question of reasoning and syllogism
– Male female relationship
– Analogies
– Mathematical series of increase or decreases
– Two or more series in one
– Missing words/no in addition/ substraction/ multiplication
– Coding of letters /word from English alphabet
– JUMBLED WORDS
• Non verbal tests
– Orientation/rotation clock/ anti clock or by certain degree
– Filling of figures
– Removal of part figures
– Increase or decrease in figures

7. Intelligence test…
• Emotional tests
– Another set of 20-25 questions based on emotional reaction are
asked to be answered as
• Always-A
• Sometimes-B
• Rarely-C
• Never-D
– Example
– I am confident –Always(Ideal answer)

8. Intelligence test…
• Suggestion
• Remain cool and do not get perturbed if you could not answer one or
two questions
• Do not waste time trying to think hard to find solution to a problem. Skip
that and go ahead. You may find easier questions later
• Intelligence generally has no problem. Remain open and apply your
brain. Candidates who have passed UPSC or achieved scholastic level
have adequate IQ
• Time is important .Use it effectively
• Practice with many IQ tests available now a days to increase your
familiarity and sharpen your answering skill
• While answering emotional questions think yourself to be ideal person
or God

9. Story writing
• Thematic apperception test
• One slide generally consisting of 3 or more character
and slightly hazy is projected for 30 sec
• Spatial Test
– The candidate is required to identify character
• Male/female
• Approximate age
• Mood-Positive/Negative/Neutral
• Mark them in spatial relationship with original
picture on a rectangle provided on the answer
sheet

10. Story writing..
• Story writing
– The title of the picture based on activity and action is to be
written in one word
– The candidate is to write a story based on impulse provided in
the picture broadly in three heads
– Consider the slide as a frame of movie and yourself as one of
the character in the movie
– As a matter of fact you should be the hero itself who perfoms
– What led to the situation ?
– What is happening now ?
– What is going to be the outcome ?

11. Story writing…
• Point of consideration
– It is written proof ,hence serious effort be made
– Keep your mind open like a parachute and use logical thinking
– Concentrate on the picture for 30 secs lest you miss details
which are vital for spatial test/story writing and title
– Imagine a plot around character and scene projected
– Plot should ideally be clear ,realistic , original
– Through the action of the hero project your officer like qualities
– Story’s standard in terms of problem, solution directly reflects
your personality

12. Story discussion
• Discussion on picture
– Each candidate gives out their story verbatim sequentially one by one and
– Then group is given 30 minutes to discuss in leaderless group and come out with
a common solution
– Point for consideration
– Though sheet containing story is going to be with candidate how ever it is
recommended that candidates give out their story verbatim with confidence in
concise manner
– Participate actively in group discussion to find common solution
– Behave like a honey bee which gives out honey of story in group’s hive and
keeps coming out and in for discussion
– Try and manage common solution
– Marks for Intelligence test is considered for border line candidate only, otherwise
fate is decided on the performance of discussion only.
– Mutual give and take would only facilitate solution
– No solution is wrong .Hence no story can be wrong.
– Avoid criticizing others for being wrong or giving wrong story
– Empathy adds flavour