The screening test is the initial stage of the selection process. It includes the Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) test and Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT). Candidates are required to write a story based on a picture shown to them and later discuss it in a group.
Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) test
Officer Intelligence Rating Test is similar to Intelligence Quotient Test commonly called as an IQ Test. The OIR Test is an objective type written test consisting of around 50 questions. You would be administered two papers in succession. The test includes questions based on language and numerical ability as well as logical and analytical reasoning.
Verbal section consists of questions based on Relationship, Jumbled words, Coding and Decoding, Antonym and Synonym. They also may include questions based on reconstruction of sentences, one word substitution, Odd One Out or just plain common sense. Non-verbal section consists of questions based on a Figure different from the others, Completion of series, Locate the concealed figure or Fill in the correct figure.
The result of OIR Test is based on a weighed score. That means to say, if the test is difficult, the scoring will be lenient. Likewise, if the test is easy, scoring will be tough. A good OIR score is given additional weightage in the screening test. To be screened in, you have to clear OIR with minimum cut off marks. Therefore, you practice similar questions in your free time.
Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT)
Picture Perception and Discussion Test consists of three stages. It starts with writing a story based on a hazy picture flashed for 30 seconds. In the next stage, you would be taken to a discussion room where you would have to narrate your story to a group of friends in one minute.
Perception of Picture and Story Writing
Write a story about the picture on a sheet of paper in 5 minutes. A good story forms the basis for a good round of discussion. A few details are to be mandatory to be written in a given format.
- Number of characters you have observed in the picture
- Gender of the characters as M/F/P for Male/Female/Person
- Person is written if the Gender is not clear
- Approximate age of the people in the picture
- Mood of the people as +/-/0 for Positive/Negative/Neutral
- Circle the details of your main character.
- Title of your story
- Story of 100 words
- The story should cover the Past – Present – Future
Narrating your story to the group
After the narration, you would have to discuss with the rest of the group to make a common story. The time for discussion is 10 minutes. At the end of the discussion, your group would have to nominate a person to tell the group’s story. Remember PPDT is one continuous test.
Your story should be original, positive, relevant to picture as well as to the group, solve a problem or helpful to others – The final acid test is acceptability by the group. Try to keep your story short and simple so that you can narrate your story within a minute. Dont describe the picture. Group Discussion starts among group members automatically after narration.
Group Discussion to finalise a common story
Discussion Test consists of Individual Narration and Group Discussion. You will be seated with 12 -14 candidates in a Semi-circular or Circular seating arrangement. You may get a chance to revise before the individual narration. You will be required to narrate your story in sequence of seating. The next candidate would start narration automatically. Individual narration would continue till the last candidate. The aim of group discussion is to make a common group story and not to find out whose story is better. Your group may get approximately 10 minutes for discussion. One member from the group is required to tell the group agreed story.
Narrating the group’s story to the assessors
Group would be given the privilege os selecting the person who would narrate the group story. The narration of group agreed story would end the discussion. Assessors may ask if any person has something to add to the story. Once the group story is finalised do not suggest any changes in the story. A combination of your performance in the OIR Test, Individual Story and Group Discussion would determine your recommendation for phase 2 of testing process.