How to self prepare for SSB GTO tasks? No preparation needed?!

I see many SSB gurus saying that GTO is hardest part of SSB, It is deciding part, you need coaching and all, All of them are nothing more than marketing gimmicks and myths. 

Just get yourself familiar with the selection process and do not exclusively prepare for individual tasks, rather than that work on your improving overall personality.

Frankly speaking, you will be worthy to be officer, if you are leading a holistic life and if you keep yourself updated about the things around you, then there is no need to get over concerned about GTO tasks.

The basic skills or capabilities you should have are below (forget about OLQs,)

1)fitness

2)practical planning and execution

3)general knowledge and communicating your ideas clearly

4) team work and interpersonal skills

5) stress handling

These are the basic skills you anyways need whether you join the forces or not.

Anyways, as many of the candidates are overly concerned about GTO preparations I have exclusively written this blog, to help them,

Please feel free to add your tips and tricks in the comment section so that it will help others also.

I have divided all nine group tasks into below categories; based on overlap of preparation required.

• IOR/snake race

Individual obstacle race (IOR) mainly needs fitness and agility. Task and obstacles are fairly simple they just look daunting as they quite large and we do not practice them daily. Snake race is also on similar frequency but it demands team work and coordination from you.

To perform better in these two tasks do basic strength workouts such as pushups, pullups and squats everyday. To improve your agility/physical stamina run at least 2 Km daily and practice long jumps.

• Lecturette

This task needs two skills, one general knowledge as the topics given to speak are general in nature but they will be fairly easy and second one is public speaking.

In general assessors judge candidate's thought process and if a candidate is given task to brief his/her subordinates can he/she communicate his/her thoughts clearly.

to practice this, there are no short cuts you will have to read and rehearse.

give yourself a general topic and practice speaking infront of mirror or record yourself, make it iteratively until you get better and confident. 

using same format/framework makes the lecturette easy.

Below is one small frame work which you can use while giving lecturette

read this blog on how to give lecturette easily

• GD/GPE

Tasks again needs clear communication and your thought process

The common thing about these two tasks is that you need to share across your thoughts and ideas with other group members and also listen to others thoughts and move the discussion towards a positive direction.

As far as preparation is concerned for GD read news paper editorials everyday and watch interviews and healthy discussions over internet. Writing your opinions over internet and discussing your thoughts with your family& friends will help you.

GPE is more of practical planning like the way you plan any planned or unplanned event; for that you may need to know basic functioning of all the local authorities and keep social constraints in mind. To be honest be observant, pay attention, think practically and start thinking on your feet(Jugaad), you should be good to tackle GPE.

Click Here to read more about GPE

• CT/PGT/HGT/FGT

These are the task where practical implementation of planning, communicating your idea and team work plays most important role.

there is no specific preparation needed for these tasks watch YouTube videos and get yourself familiarized with the type of tasks and rules; One tip I can give for this is be vigilant and think on your foot during the tasks.

Bottomline:

If you are a logical thinker, good with people, good at communicating your thoughts, if you stay updated with your surrounding and if you are reasonably fit, then you should be good for Ground tasks. There is no much preparation needed for GTO and there is no need of any coaching for the same but make sure you are familiar with tasks and selection process.