TAT & Story from Beginning Lines
[ The short answer ]
The TAT and Story from Beginning Lines are the personality story tests of the written battery: four stories each, some in Bangla and some in English, written against a tight per-story time limit. Original stories, not memorized ones, show your personality most accurately.
- Thematic Apperception Test (TAT):
The Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) is an important component of the ISSB Personality Test series. In this assessment, candidates are shown a number of pictures on a screen. Based on each picture, they are required to use their imagination to create a logical and meaningful story.
Candidates are typically required to write four stories—the first two in Bangla and the remaining two in English.
Each picture is displayed for 30 seconds. During this time, candidates are instructed to observe the picture carefully without taking any notes. They are then given three minutes to write a story based on what they have observed.
While writing the story, candidates should focus on the background, characters, and overall theme of the picture. The objective is to understand the situation depicted and develop a logical story around it.
- Story from Beginning Lines:
Another assessment in the Personality Test series is Story from Beginning Lines. Instead of pictures, candidates are provided with incomplete story openings or beginning lines. Based on the given opening, they must write a logical and coherent story.
In this test, candidates are also required to write four stories—two in Bangla and two in English.
At the beginning, candidates are given 30 seconds to read and note the opening line. They are then allowed three minutes to complete the story.
The story should be developed in line with the theme suggested by the opening sentence. Candidates are expected to use their imagination to build a logical sequence of events and conclude the story with a realistic and meaningful ending.
Candidates are advised to avoid memorized or pre-planned stories. Instead, they should respond naturally to the given situation and present an original story based on their own thoughts. This allows their personality, perspective, creativity, and values to be reflected more accurately.