Chapter Nine-How To Master Word Association Test
In this chapter you will understand why ‘Active’ appears in the Word Association Test. Avoid common mistakes, analyze real responses, and learn the perfect model sentence with expert guidance.
3. Active
(This is Chapter 9. To read Chapter 10, click on the button at the bottom of the page)
The third word we have taken for study is ‘active’. Please write a sentence on it quickly and only then read further.
Analysis of why a word like active comes in Word Association Test: First let us understand why the word ‘active’ is displayed in Word Association Test. A word like active is displayed to understand what kind of things the candidate is active in or is actively involved in. It is with the same principle that even during the personal interview, the interviewing officer asks about daily routine or routine during holiday/leave. The purpose of those questions is to understand what kind of activities the candidate is involved in. This is a way to check if the candidate is doing anything in his daily life apart from the mandatory routine work. If he is the kind of person who does nothing apart from the required routine work then he is a lifeless being and will not be considered desirable. Thus, the candidate can use the word active to confirm that he is not a lifeless being and is worthy of recommendation. When we discuss model sentences, you will understand how the candidate can do this.
Another thing is that the moment a word like active is displayed, the candidates tend to immediately write something like ‘exercise keeps body active’ or ‘meditation keeps mind active’ or something of a similar nature. These responses are not only something that the assessor is bored of seeing but the main problem with these kind of responses is that it does not reveal what the word is trying to check.
First, let us analyse responses submitted by candidates and then we will discuss model sentences.
39. Dhiraj-Physical activity build stamina.
Analysis: The sentence is in the right direction but fails to meet the required quality. How? Let us see. True! Physical activity does build stamina but the problem though is: even a person who is weighing 150 kilograms and never goes out even for an evening walk can write this. So how do we know whether the candidate is involved in any physical activity and whether he has a good level of stamina? Very simple: the candidate could have made slight modification to the sentence and it would have revealed something about the candidate directly. Let me help you understand how.
34
40. Modified sentence: Being active in gym has built strength.
Analysis: The first positive thing about this sentence is that it shows what the candidate is actively involved in: Gym. The next thing is that the use of the phrase ‘has built’ clearly implies that the candidate is talking from his own experience. Please note that there is a difference between ‘built’ and ‘build’ in terms of showing candidate’s own traits. Its similar to the difference between ‘helped and ‘helps’. The word ‘built’ in the phrase ‘has built strength’ personalizes the sentence. It shows that the candidate is writing from his own past experience which has come from action/activity. Nothing displays your psychology more than your actions/deeds. All this proves that the candidate has love for fitness and sticks to his gym routine in a very disciplined manner. Qualities like love for fitness and discipline are both highly desirable in an Officer and hence this sentence will prove very beneficial for the candidate from the evaluation perspective.
41. Pawan-army remains active to guard the nation around the clock.
Analysis: The first problem with this sentence is that it is not about the candidate. It does not reveal anything about the candidate. The second weak area is the word ‘army’. Writing ‘our army’ would have been better. Third, the sentence is merely informative and is talking about a fact of life or what is called universal truth. Overall, the sentence is not at all useful from the evaluation perspective.
42. Shivam-Runners are always active.
Analysis: As already mentioned, lot of candidates will write these kind of sentences during the word association test. These kind of sentences will be in the right direction but will still not meet the quality mark for the simple reason that they are not adequately personalized. They do not reveal anything about the candidate as a person. As discussed in the analysis of Dhiraj’s sentence, a slight modification in this sentence also would have been of great help.
43. Modification : Daily running has helped stay active.
Analysis: As discussed earlier, the use of the phrase ‘has helped’ shows that the candidate is writing from his own personal experience. To be specific, the word ‘has’ shows he is talking about present tense. This means he is going for running even in present times. It confirms that the candidate goes for running daily and that is how the candidate will become desirable to the board. This is an example of how you should write in the word association test.
35
44. Amad-Regular exercise keeps body active.
Analysis: Analysis for Amad’s sentence will be the same as of Dhiraj and Shivam’s sentence.
45. Abhishek-Meditation activates brain cells.
Analysis: Informative. Universal truth. Could have been modified easily to reveal qualities. These kind of sentences are most undesirable in the word association test.
46. Modification: Meditation is done actively every day.
Analysis: It reveals that the candidate does meditation every day. Although its preferable to highlight those activities which are of an outdoor nature and require physical energy as, in the future, the candidate will be required to be having a high degree of physical energy and a love for outdoor activities. The saving grace about meditation in this sentence is that it shows that the candidate is involved in at least some activity apart from the routine things.
47. Nitin-Soldiers remain active by physical activities.
48. Tarun-Exercise helps keeping our mind active.
Analysis: Again, For Nitin and Tarun’s sentences, the analysis will be the same as Dhiraj and Shivam’s sentence.
49. Husan-activeness shown the presence of mind.
50. Manish-active involvement shows confidence.
51. Navpreet-active body manifests higher brain activity.
Analysis: Husan, Manish and Navpreet’s sentences display general observation of life and nothing about the candidate’s own personal behavior or activity. Has almost no scope of personalizing.
36
52. Shrey-work on active hours of day decide future life.
Analysis: Sounding like a grandfather giving a lecture to his grandson. These kind of sentences come across as tall talks in the word association test. It makes it look like the candidate is some 90 year old person who has seen enough life to be able to give a lecture to others. Naturally, the impression in front of the board won’t be positive.
Model Sentences:
53. Active participation in school games was enjoyed.
54. Being active participant in corps day was fun.
Analysis: The first sentence reveals that the candidate was actively involved in games during schooldays. A very positive trait. The second sentence is more suitable for a serving candidate and shows how he loves being part of events like corps day. It also gets revealed that he is a team player and enjoys working in coordination with other unit members. Again, a very highly desirable quality in a candidate.
Not all WAT words are heroic or inspiring—some, like beggar, are designed to test something much deeper. In the next chapter, we explore why such a word is deliberately included in the test and how it quietly exposes a candidate’s mindset, values, and emotional maturity. With 10 real responses, critical analysis, and scientifically-backed model sentences, this chapter will show you how one uncomfortable word can make or break your psychological impression. Click Here to read the next chapter.
Enjoying the content? Get full digital access to the WAT book for just ₹99 — Click here to unlock now!
Enjoying the content? Get full digital access to the WAT book for just ₹99 — Click here to unlock now!
37