2 AFSB MYSORE - DECEMBER 2013 - PART 2

DAY 3: GROUP TEST

This day too started as usual but the alarm rang at 0505 Hrs. Out of the 8 groups 4 groups had their Group Tests today. The groups are split according to the rooms. We wore white sports outfits with sports shoes. First we had group discussion on 2 topics. 1 topic was chosen by us and another given to us by the officer. Then we were given a model situation and asked to prepare a solution first individually and then as a group. Later we proceeded for the outdoor group tasks. First was the Progressive Group Tasks. Here we were asked to cross 4 different obstacles with the help of a few materials such as balli, plank, rope and we had to carry a fragile load too. Then we had a race called as the Snake race. In this race the whole group should go through a series of obstacles while carrying a tent filled with sand. At a single point of time at least 3 people must be holding the ‘snake’. We were asked to have our own war cries too and shout it throughout the race. Almost all of us finished at the same time (the officers ensure that by giving time penalties for the fun to be alive). Then we had a half group task. We were asked how we would like to be split into half groups. We chose odd numbers and even numbers. Thus we had to cross obstacles with the help of materials and a fragile load. After the half group task we had a lecture session. We were each given 3 minutes for preparation and 3 minutes for lecturing. 4 topics each were given and we could select any 1 from those. My topic was on Right to Education. Those candidates who didn’t have group task were called for their interview. Others who had nothing to do were really off for the day. In the afternoon all the Flying Branch candidates had the Computerized Pilot Selection System (CPSS) test. This test will burnout the eyes. They are very stressful and tests your patience and eye capacity. There were two parts to this test. The first part was called as the Synchronous Motor Test and had 392 question split into 8 various tests. Each had its own set of questions and time limit. Before the start of each test there were instructions and a sample question. After this tiresome test we had Psychometric test. This was the second part of CPSS. Here we were given the controls in a flight and were tested for hand eye coordination and reflexes. After all that physical and mental strain we headed for dinner and went flat. We had roll call and instructions and the laundry was collected at nights and given back at the same time next day. End of Day 3.

DAY 4: GROUP TEST AND REST

We had current cut during the night but we didn’t know that because of the weather. We hadn’t switched on the fan. In the morning the alarm was switched on only at 0610 Hrs. That’s when we realised it. We had already got up by then and were ready for the day’s work. I was the ‘human alarm’ for my roommates and hence woke them up at the right and convenient time to get ready. After the breakfast we had our Group

GROUP PHOTO

Photo session in 2 batches of 34 each chest number wise, had our roll call and then we headed straight to grounds. There we had Command Task as the first test. Each of us were assigned the role of a commander and with the help of 2 of our group mates, who were called as helpers, we were asked to cross the obstacle. The others were asked to be seated away from sight and keep silent (real test of patience). After all the commanders were finished we had refreshments and headed for our individual tasks. These individual obstacles were 10 in number and had corresponding marks. #1 obstacle had 1 mark, #2 obstacle had 2 marks and so on. The total made up to 55. We were given totally 3 minutes time to complete the tasks individually and if we complete within that time we could go for another round (seriously that’s very tough and breath taking). The obstacles were (1) Slope Jump, (2) High Jump, (3) Wall Climb, (4) Burma Bridge, (5) Balance Walk, (6) Monkey Crawl, (7) Double Jump, (8) Pass through a tyre, (9) Tiger leap and (10) Rope climbing (they are not in correct order). After these individual task we were given for one last time the Final Group Task and we dispersed. After this our group was free for the rest of the day. The others who didn’t have group task had their interviews. At 1430 Hrs. we were given the opportunity roam about the city and return by 1930 Hrs. We went through the market place. Unfortunately the Maharaja had expired a few days ago and the Palace was closed. A few of them went to the Chamundi Hills and Zoo. After returning we had dinner, played games and watched TV as usual till lights off (and extra after that too :P) and finally retired for the day. End of Day 4.

DAY 5: INTERVIEW AND REST

Most of us in our room had interview and the others were completely off for the day. We got up as usual and headed for the interview. Each of us had our own experience during the course of the interview. The PIQ formed that we filled on the day of arrival was thoroughly questioned during the interview and if you had made any blunder in that, you will be easily caught. The other groups who had interviews the other 2 days had their GTs today and tomorrow. After the interview I was completely free and we were playing TT, Carrom, etc. The whole day went off silently. Again after the regular procedures we retired for the day. By this time all of us had got a hang of it and all of us were bada dosts by now. We were roaming in gangs, pranking, joking, gossiping and what not. It was the start but sadly nearing the end too. End of the penultimate day, Day 5.

DAY 6: BOARD CONFERENCE AND TATA BYE BYE!!

Today was the D – Day. We dressed ourselves to the best. We were to be interviewed for a few minutes by the whole board. It was to be a one against 20 – 25 board members. The final groups had concluded their GTs by 0930 Hrs. and all of us were ready for the conference by 1015 Hrs. We dropped our bags in the bus and headed to the testing area. We were called chest number wise to board room and each of us had only 30 seconds to a maximum of 4 minutes of time for the questionnaire. After all the formalities the Officer came to announce the results. He gave us all a few words before announcing the results. It was a situation where we had mixed feelings. Among the 68 members 9 of them were selected. I wasn’t one of them but still I was really happy that 3 from my room were selected. I was always care – free throughout the testing and was the same here too. The last batch had only 3 selected out of 84 and we were happy to have outnumbered them. Then came another officer to announce the PABT results and hurray I had cleared it!! Except for the 9 of them all of us went to the main gate and collected our deposited gadgets. We boarded the bus and were dropped at the Railway Station. We took back strong memories and left back history too! The 9 recommended candidates had a few procedures before they were relieved in the night. When we all scattered from the station we were really filled emotions and all of us had our own way of conveying it. We noted down the numbers of our new gang, FB IDs, email IDs, etc. to be in contact and relive the dream that we were in for the past week. Away from the routine, common world, etc. and without MOBILE PHONES!!! OMG!!!

The one week went off so fast and we had so much joy. People reading this cannot have the visual impact of this unless they have experienced. As I write this down all the detailed parts run through my mind. This experience was something that can never be expressed in words. The Human touch and Human feel is always special and will always be special. Thank you guys for being part of this wonderful journey. Thank you Air Force for giving us this beautiful opportunity. It’s really once in a lifetime. Once in a lifetime only!!!

2 AFSB MYSORE - DECEMBER 2013 - PART 1

Hello everyone! I am here to share my best ever Interview experience at the Air Force Selection Board this December. It was an experience that can never be expressed in words. I will try my level best to write it down, but the fact is it’s an experience that has to be lived by everyone! New place, new people, new atmosphere, no mobile phones, laptops but above all the joy, laughter, enjoyment and experience were all priceless!

First of all I wrote the AFCAT examination on 25^th of August 2013. It was mostly from the 10^th standard CBSE portions with logical reasoning and puzzles. It had 100 questions with +3 for correct answers and -1 for wrong answers. This time the cut – off was 116. I scored 123 by attempting 99 questions (1 Biology question was really awkward :P).  After writing it I almost forgot about it and suddenly I received a mail from Air Force saying that “You haven’t chosen your date and centre for the interview. We have selected it with a pre – determined logic.” It was chosen for Mysore but my date was on 02/12/2013. I had my semester exams till 06/12/2013. When I contacted them for a change of date, they were very nice in answering all the queries. They asked me to send a letter regarding the same and as soon as the letter was delivered to them they changed the date. My new date for interview was 09/12/2013. It was to be either for only 1 day or 6 days depending on when I will be screened out. My experience at AFSB was like this:

DAY 1: PICK – UP AND TESTS

We were asked to report at Mysore Railway Station before 0645 Hrs. on the 9^th. We were all to be picked up by an Air Force bus to the Selection Board. I reached there around 0620 Hrs. and 3 buses arrived at 0623 Hrs. Already there were nearly 150 candidates waiting at the Railway Station. We all hurried to the buses and it started at 0635 Hrs. Within 15 minutes we were into the Air Force Station. Upon arrival we were asked to form a queue for our baggages to be checked and we were sent in a batch of 10 to a shed. We kept our luggage there and carried with us only the relevant documents like Travel ticket, ID proof, etc. and writing material. We stood in lines of 5 each. That was when I could find out that the exact number. We were 173 candidates in total for this week. Here we were split according to our AFCAT numbers and given a unique Code Number. For people like me who had changed their dates, we were asked to wait separately and one Officer took our details and gave us the Code Number. Then, we were asked to proceed to the first floor where we were given 2 forms. One form asked to fill the details about our travel, so that Air Force could reimburse the travel amount. The second asked a few questions about ourselves, whether we had appeared earlier in any SSB, etc. After filling the forms we came down, submitted the tickets with the filled form and the Call – Letter and AFCAT admit card were submitted along with the second form. We were also asked to produce an ID proof for checking our identity. Then we were given Tea and a slice of bread after this as refreshments. After the refreshments we assembled again in groups of 5 and went to the first floor to take our Officer’s Intelligence Rate test. Here we had two sets of books given which contained sample problems and also the questionnaire. Each set was answered separately. There were 40 questions in each and we were given 17 minutes for each set. The whole test was based logic and reasoning. After the test we assembled once again in the ground floor and we were given temporary chest numbers. Our unique Code Numbers were called, we told our name and date of birth for confirmation, received our temporary chest numbers and went to the first floor again to take the Picture Perception Test and Discussion test. Till this time we sat in a random order but now we sat according to our chest numbers. In this test we were shown a picture for 30 seconds. We were asked to decipher the number of characters in the picture, their gender, mood and age and then make our own story based on the past, the present and the future condition without describing the photo within 4 minutes. All of us were then split into groups of 15 and sent to the opposite blocks which had discussion rooms. Here, we were asked to tell our story one by one, discuss and arise to conclusion. These two tests are used as the short listing procedure for Phase – II. Once again we stood in groups of 5 and we were told the results. Luckily I was one of those who were selected for Phase – II. We took our luggage kept it under the stairs and proceeded to the first floor with our educational documents. We were given 4+2 forms here. In these forms we were asked to fill the details about our educational qualifications with each semester marks, an undertaking that we will submit all forms within 15^th of June next year with witness signatures, an Indemnity form and personal details form with witness signatures. Then there were 2 additional forms which we were asked to fill afterwards. After these forms were filled we were called for document checking and the filled forms were taken. Be truthful and ensure you have all the documents with you before the check. If there is any discrepancy in the documents then you might get rejected. 2 of them were rejected in my batch. After the check, they collected our gadgets such as mobile phones, pen drives, cameras, recorders, etc. and gave us a token. Then we re – assembled in the hall and filled the remaining two forms. This form is called as the Personal Information Questionnaire (PIQ Form). Whatever we fill here must be remembered because, the details given here will be questioned 2 or 3 days later during the interview. We were asked about our place of birth, residence, maximum stay, parents, sibling details, educational details, age, height, weight, games/sports, hobbies/interests, extra – curricular activities, the commission applied for, previous SSB details (if any) and at last our signature. While these forms were being given, we were given our permanent chest number which are our ID cards for the stay. These are given in the ascending order of the age i.e. from youngest to oldest, first to the freshers next to the repetitors. After the procedure was completed we were given the instructions about the next day and then we proceeded to the Candidates’ Mess for dinner and there we were allotted rooms. Each room had 9 members and the lockers and beds were provided. The dinner was rice, dal and vegetables. We were briefed about the facilities in the mess such as PCOs, Internet café, TV room, carom, chess, TT room, Basketball court, laundry facility, motivation room which had books on defence and also the newspaper dailies. We were also briefed on the group photo and tour of Mysore city. We paid for that, that night itself, collected our blankets and hanger and retired for the day after the roll call. End of Day 1.

DAY 2: PABT AND PSYCHOLOGICAL TEST

We were told that there will be alarms at 0500 Hrs. But the alarm started ringing only at 0536 Hrs. The alarm is a series of Patriot songs for at least half an hour. I got up before that and woke up my roommates too. We had roti n sabzi for breakfast and headed to the test centre at 0715 Hrs. All the candidates who had applied for Flying Branch stayed back and the rest went back to the rooms. A couple of them who went back to the room had their one on one interview conducted between 0900 Hrs. and 1400 Hrs. Others headed to the test centre for the Pilot Battery Aptitude Test (PABT). This is a test that can be taken only once in our lifetime. Before the start we were briefed about the various instruments that are used by pilots and the test was based on these instruments. After the test we had Lunch back at the Mess and then all of us headed back to the testing centre for the Psychological test. This test has 4 parts. In the first part 12 photos are shown for 30 seconds each and 4 minutes are given to make out a story. The next part has 60 words displayed for 15 seconds each and within this time a sentence has to be made with the word whichever comes to our mind first. It may or may not contain the word in the sentence. In the third part 60 situations are given and our reaction is to be written down in 30 minutes. And in the last part we were asked to describe about ourselves in 5 paragraphs. This test seriously tested our back bones. They are stressful and demand patience. This was just the start. After that we headed back to the rooms, had dinner. We were called for our roll calls and briefed about the next day’s schedule before hitting the sack. End of Day 2.

A FRESHER'S PERSPECTIVE

To the Indian recruiters and the Indian recruitment System for Civil Engineers, Thank you for welcoming us to the world of unrealistic approach and the unfair world in the most best and abrupt manner. All the companies in the Civil Engineering field world have the same criteria for the intake of freshers and new comers. You start separating them into 3 most identified groups and shortlist them. Let’s discuss these groups one by one.

The first group are the students who are the brainy in college – THE TOPPERS. Surely they will never get placed in any of the Civil Engineering companies for more than one reason. These students work out day in and day out throughout their college life. Most of them come into college (Under Graduation) with a complete aim, on what to do after their 4 years. The main aim for most of them will be to go for higher studies. The few who have already planned to go for work after their UG are in the pre-set to get loads of marks for entry into the field. This is not their point of view. This is how the companies tell at the beginning and all the counsellors. But what happens at the end of the fourth year is highly different. First of all, there are no campus interviews in colleges apart from IITs, NITs, etc. Why, aren’t the students from other colleges equal enough to compete with them? Do you think that the freshers from those ‘reputed’ colleges will be loyal, sincere and ‘disciplined?’ Think over. Secondly, when they start sending their resume or CV to the company HR and by chance if they get selected for an interview, they are shooed away for either ‘highly educated’ (how the hell, when you are in the mind-set of IITs and NITs are the best?) or by telling that they have no ‘experience’.

The second group of students are those who have had the toughest troubles in passing the exams for variety of reasons apart from just studying (financial, peer pressure, etc.) – THE BELOW AVERAGERS. They are to clear the minimum criteria in all the interviews which is mostly 60% or equivalent Grade Point. When they sit for an interview they are surely shooed away for either their marks (Why do you then call them for the interview when you can see the marks in their shortlist procedure? To embarrass them make them feel insecure? Awesome, really awesome!!) or they are rubbed off by saying no ‘experience’!!??

The last group of students are the largest bunch – THE AVERAGERS. They can never be toppers. They study the most important factors. They are surely up to date with all the current scenarios. They can express themselves in classes, friends group, etc. But when it comes to penning down their answers they write the same amount as toppers but are at the wrath of the ‘Red Pens’. No one knows why, even the ‘Red Pens’. Now, they are a special group. Some of them go for higher studies and some of them go for a job. They are basically a mixed fruit jam. When they start searching for companies by shortlisting them and eventually getting shortlisted in one of the companies here is what that will happen. They will clear the Apts, they clear the GD and sit for the interview. In the interview all their technical questions are answered with respect. They conduct themselves with heads neither high nor low. They behave in the ideal way. But they are surely rejected for one particular reason. ‘NO EXPERIENCE’.

Do you all see the one reason for being rejected – NO EXPERIENCE. We remember many of them telling us that one of the greatest minds in Indian Civil Engineering, the brain behind the Delhi Metro, the “Metro Man”, Respected Dr. E. Sreedharan, an inspiring soul, calling all the young civil engineers to work for Civil Firms rather than joining an IT firm or by completing a MBA and joining a marketing or banking network, as the want for young brains is high and all the Engineers currently are at the verge of retirement. Sir, the answer lies with the HR and Recruitment base of the Civil Engineering companies. They say that we have NO EXPERIENCE. How will we get experienced when we are not exposed? This is not the case in just one company. This is in all of them. This is why all of them opt for getting kicked out of the country for jobs or getting themselves placed in the IT firms or Marketing and Banking Networks. Sir, we want to work for a company that practices what we have learnt. We want to serve our mother land. We want to learn more, deep into the subject that we have learnt and practice it. But, we are shooed away. We are embarrassed, humiliated and driven away. Please provide the answers for all these. All of you recruiters Thank You!! We have learned the art too now!

An Irritated, frustrated fresher who loves to work for Civil Engineering.