The candidates who have passed the UPSC written examination, or who, in the case of the Territorial Army have been recommended by a Preliminary Interview Board (PIB), or, who have been asked to present to the Service Selection Board are allocated a SSB centre to attend.

Day 0:

Candidates report to their allocated centre and document verification. A briefing about the schedule and general instructions may be given.

DAY 01 (Screening Test):

• This includes a verbal and non-verbal intelligence test and then a Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT).
• In this test, a picture, either hazy or clear is shown to the candidates for 30 seconds.
• Each candidate observes it and then, in the next one minute, must record the number of characters seen in the picture.
• Then, in 04 minutes, each candidate must in over seventy words, make a story from the picture.
• The candidate must record the mood, approximate age and gender of the first character they saw, known as the “main character”.
• In stage two of the PPDT, the candidates are given their stories, which they may revise. Then, in a group, each candidate must narrate his story in under one minute. The group is then asked to create a common story involving each or their perceived picture stories.

DAY 02 (Psychological Tests):

• Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) or picture story writing is administered.
• Again the candidates are shown a picture for thirty seconds and then write a story in the next four minutes. Twelve such pictures are shown sequentially. The last picture is a blank slide inviting the candidates to write a story of their choice.
• Candidates do not need to remember the number of characters in each picture and there is no group discussion.
• Word Association Test. 
• Situation Reaction Test.
• Self Description Test.

DAY 03 and 04 (Group Testing):

• There are tasks including group discussion; group (military) planning exercises; progressive group tasks; small (half) group tasks; individual tasks (obstacles); group obstacle or “snake race”; command tasks; a lecturette and a final group task.

DAY 05:

• Each candidate has a conversation with a panel of assessors.
• The assessors look for confidence and expression when speaking; a positive attitude in adversity and in life; and honesty.
• Meritorious candidates remain for an intensive medical examination taking 03-05 days at a military hospital.