Who Is a “Borderline” or “Doubtful” Candidate? Purpose of a Longer Conference Duration

During the SSB Conference, candidates are sometimes categorized as “borderline” or doubtful. These are candidates whose performance is neither clearly recommended nor clearly unsuitable. Their abilities, personality traits, or responses may require additional discussion and assessment by the officers.

1. Understanding Borderline Candidates

• Performance in GTO, Psychology, or personal interviews may be inconsistent.
• The candidate may have both strengths and weaknesses that are significant.
• More deliberation is needed to decide whether the candidate is suitable for selection.

2. Purpose of a Longer Conference Duration

For borderline or doubtful candidates, the conference may take longer due to:
• Detailed discussion among officers about the candidate’s performance.
• Assessment of additional factors such as leadership potential, adaptability, and decision-making.
• Weighing strengths versus weaknesses carefully to make a fair and balanced recommendation.
• Clarifying any ambiguous responses or behavior observed during GTO/Psychology tasks.

3. How Candidates Should Approach It

• Stay Calm: Do not get anxious if the conference seems longer than usual.
• Be Honest: Continue answering questions truthfully and confidently.
• Show Consistency: Reinforce your strengths and avoid contradictions.
• Demonstrate Positivity: Officers notice composure, confidence, and attitude under prolonged evaluation.

4. Key Points to Remember

What It Indicates	Candidate Approach
Performance is borderline or inconsistent	Stay calm, honest, and confident
Officers need more discussion for fair judgment	Reinforce your strengths, avoid contradictions
Additional time is used to clarify doubts	Maintain composure and positive attitude
Decision is carefully balanced	Show consistent behavior and maturity

Pro Tip: If your conference lasts longer, it does not indicate a negative outcome. Officers are ensuring a fair and balanced assessment. Stay confident, consistent, and positive throughout the process.