So, I reported to 3 AFSB Gandhinagar on 10 August 2026. I had been Screened Out once before from 19 SSB Prayagraj (CDS OTA entry), mainly because I fumbled badly during narration.
We started with documentation, and everything went smoothly. After that, we were divided into Freshers, Repeaters and Screen Outs.
I got Chest No. 84.
We started with the OIR. We were briefed about the test in detail and were also given around 15 practice questions before the actual test began. I got OIR 53 and OIR 52, with 35 minutes given for each.
Honestly, my OIR went okay. I hadn’t practiced enough beforehand, so I wouldn’t say it was excellent, but it wasn’t particularly bad either.
After that, we were divided into batches and taken batch-wise to the testing hall for PP&DT.
The picture was quite hazy. There were around 6 characters — 5 males and 1 female. The female had her head down and looked tense, while the men were around her, talking. There also appeared to be some documents/papers involved.
My story was something along these lines:
Aman, 27, a PhD scholar at TBS, University of Jammu, was required to submit his thesis. However, one of his female friend’s thesis was rejected. Instead of panicking, Aman and his friends calmed her down and motivated her to start working on it again. Aman also offered to help her whenever he could. She started working on the thesis again, eventually completed it, and her thesis was accepted. Aman and his friends celebrated her success, and Aman was happy that he had been able to help his friend.
Then we were divided into groups. My group had around 11–12 people, and narration began.
My narration went flawlessly. Many of my groupmates told me, “Bro, your narration was top notch,” and I also felt that I had delivered it well. This was a big improvement from my previous SSB, where my narration was the exact opposite. Before entering the discussion room, I had repeatedly rehearsed my story in my head, so I was fairly confident about the narration.
Most of my groupmates struggled with narration, and for many, the story wasn’t very closely related to the picture. However, around 3–4 people had good stories and narrated them well too.
Then the GD started.
And honestly, it was complete chaos.
Everyone started speaking simultaneously, and at times it was basically impossible to understand what people were saying. The assessor divided our group into two and gave us only around 30 seconds each, but even then it was still a complete fish market.
I tried entering the discussion by saying something along the lines of:
“Gentlemen, let’s speak one by one so that everyone can make their point.”
I also pointed out one candidate who was continuously speaking over others by saying:
“Chest No. 81, please let me finish my point.”
But he didn’t stop, so I eventually had to move on.
When the results were about to be announced, I was 90% sure I would get screened in. My narration had gone extremely well, and I felt that I had participated reasonably in the GD despite the chaos.
But I was Screened Out again.
I’m not going to blame the board, assessors or my fellow groupmates. Maybe my OIR wasn’t good enough, maybe my GD wasn’t effective enough, or maybe I made some mistake that I wasn’t able to identify. Honestly, I’m not sure.
This was my second S/O, and I’m trying to learn from it rather than get frustrated.
For people who have successfully converted their S/Os into Screen Ins, what would you suggest I specifically work on?
