Mastering the TAT:
Crafting Compelling Stories

The Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) is a crucial part of the SSB interview process. This guide equips you with a step-by-step approach to crafting compelling stories that showcase your perception and problem-solving skills.

TAT comprises 3 parts which include:

1. What Led to the Situation.
2. What is Currently Happening.
3. What Will Be the Favourable Outcome.

A. What Led to the Situation (Introduction)

The introduction sets the stage for your story. Here's what you need to focus on:

• Introduce the main theme of the story. It should be completed in a maximum of two lines.
• The introduction sets the scene and introduces the situation you've created. This is where your main character will act and perform their actions.
• The introduction should also include a clear problem statement.

Things to keep in mind while writing the introduction:

• Maximum 2-3 lines:Don't just introduce the character, introduce the story itself.
• The introduction should involve a problem statement.
• The problem/situation you create should be solvable within a short period of time.
• Example:

  (These are just sample examples for reference):

  • Rajat, a college student in Dehradun, receives a call from his cousin to meet at a park.When he arrives, he finds her emotional.
  • Rahul, on his way to college from his village, encounters a neighbor working in a farm who seeks his help to bring a few groceries from the market.
  • Manan is attending his cousin's sister's wedding. When the groom's side arrives, he notices there are many more guests than anticipated.

B. What is Currently Happening (Main Body)

This is the main part of the story. Here, you describe what is currently happening in the story. This is where a hero situation arises that needs to be acted upon.

• This section focuses on the hero's actions. Describe their objective actions, not their feelings or motivations.
• Example: Instead of "He felt sympathetic and decided to help," write "He agreed to help and took out his phone to note down the list."
• The hero's actions should be realistic and within their capabilities. They should be performed systematically and logically.
• This section should show how the hero's actions lead to a specific outcome. Aim for 6-7 lines.
• Example:
  • Rahul readily agreed to help his uncle. He pulled out his phone, opened the notes app, and meticulously listed the groceries. He informed his uncle that he would buy the items while returning from college. After attending his classes, Rahul went to the market, purchased the groceries, and even called his mother to see if she needed anything else. He bought those items as well, collected the receipt, and headed back to his village. Upon reaching his uncle's place, Rahul handed over the groceries and the bill, receiving the money in return.

3. What Was the Favourable Outcome (Conclusion)

The conclusion wraps up the story by highlighting the positive result of the hero's actions.

• This section wraps up the story by describing the positive result of the hero's actions.Aim for 1-2 lines.
• The conclusion should showcase the benefit or resolution achieved.
• Example:
  • With his task completed, Rahul bid farewell to his uncle and returned home.

Summery-Bringing It All Together: (How Your Story Will Look)

• A complete TAT story should have three distinct parts: introduction, main body (actions), and conclusion (outcome).
• Total Story Length: Aim for a total story length of 8-12 lines.
• Example:
  • E.g. Rahul while going to college from his village meet a neighbour working in farm who seeked for a help to bring few goods from market.
  • Rahul told uncle yes he will bring goods for him, took out phone noted down the list in notes , and told he will bring while returning. Rahul went to college did all classes, went to market bought goods ,called his mother he she also needed goods from market, bought, took bill returned to village, he went to uncles house gave goods and bill took money.
  • Rahul after retuning goods went to his home.

Things to Keep in Mind While Selecting a Hero :

• The hero should be someone the candidate can relate to and whose actions they could realistically perform.
• The hero should ideally be someone under pressure in the picture.
• Preferably, the hero should be an individual depicted in the picture.
• Avoid mentioning the hero's profession unless it's relevant to the story.
• Use generic terms like "a young man," "a woman," or "a student" when describing the hero initially.

A complete TAT story should be a concise narrative with a clear beginning, middle, and end.