Analysis of 15 OLQ Factors
Factor 1: Planning and Organizing
This factor includes four qualities which are associated with the spiritual or mental aspects- i.e., your genetic being.
(i) Reasoning Ability (RA)– The ability of an individual to understand a given situation and thereafter come to a solution induced by rational thought process. In RA, SSB wants you to be receptive, have an inquisitive mind, logical thinking and the capability to see root cause of a problem, and then have the ability to solve it.
(ii) Effective Intelligence (EI)– Intelligence is the ability of a person to evolve solution to practical problems. Please do confuse this basic intelligence, which is measure using the intelligence tests (Verbal and Non Verbal). In evaluating your EI, SSB wants to see your EI, SSB wants to see your ability to solve daily problems of life and how you cope with difficult situations in daily life.
(iii) Organizing Ability (OA)- A good organizer is one who is able to use the available resources systematically, thus producing effective results. In OA, SSB is looking for ability to see how an individual can use material resources made available to you produce expected results.
(iv) Power of Expression (PoE) – A good expression is the ability to convert your thoughts and ideas into comprehensible words and then put them across with ease clarity. PoE includes both verbal and written expression.
Factor 2: Social Adjustment:
This factor includes three qualities which are associated with the heart/ conscience of an individual. These are
(v) Social Adaptability (SA)– It is the ability of an individual to adapt himself to the environment around himself and adjust well with persons and social group of a diverse nature. SSB is interested in how you adapt to members of a group, interact with them, (and the evaluator) and whether you have tact in your behavior with others.
(vi) Cooperation (Co)– It is your attitude to participate willingly and harmoniously with members of a group, a way to achieve group social goals. What is important is to be a team player and try and be selfless. Remember, group aim/objectives are more important as compared to individual ones, SSB is keen to see your team attitude, not individual quests.
Factor 3: Social Effectiveness:
This is an important factor and has five qualities an outcome of the dynamic interaction of the above two factors, i.e., maxing of your head (mind) and heart-
(viii) Initiative (Inv)- It is the ability to originate an action. SSB wants to see if you take the lead in the right direction and are able to sustain it till the very end.
(ix) Self Confidence(SC)- Confidence in one’s own abilities to meet stressful and unfamiliar situations, results from a good upbringing and independent thought and action.
(x) The Speed of Decision (SOD): It is the ability to come to a workable decision quickly. There are two parts, namely, appropriateness of decision and speed in arriving at it both equally important.
(xi) Ability to influence the Group (AIG)- The way a person influences others in a group, to go for the goals set by him/her. What is seen by SSB is, if you can convince others to do as per your bidding (willingly), what you want them to do, minus any force/prodding.
(xi) Liveliness (Liv): It is the capacity of a person to remain calm and cheerful atmosphere in the group. What is seen is, if you gets unduly worried or disturbed when faced with difficult situations.
(xii) Courage (Cou): Courage stems from the ability to understand and take purposive risks. Take risks only where required and that too after carefull though. Some candidates take hasty decisions which may put the life of juniors/comrades in danger, which is not desirable. So, what is important is “take sustainable risks as required ”
(xiii) Stamina (Sta): The ability to withstand continued stain-both mental and physical. It also includes endurance for pain, hardship and agony again both physical and mental.
Factor 4: Dynamic:
This factor includes three qualities which are associated the limbs or the coordination between the mind and the body.
(xiv) Determination(Det): It is the ability to put in sustained efforts to achieved desired aims, in spite of hurdles and setbacks. The SSB wants to see whether you are focused, able to concentrate on the task and work thoroughly towards achieving the desired aims.
(xiii) Courage (Cou): Courage stems from the ability to understand and take purposive risks. Take risks only where required and that too after careful though. Some candidates take hasty decisions which may put the life of juniors/comrades in danger, which is not desirable. So, what is important is “take sustainable risks as required ”
(xiv) Stamina (Sta): The ability to withstand continued stain-both mental and physical. It also includes endurance for pain, hardship and agony again both physical and mental.