The Self Description (SD) Test is the final psychological test conducted on Day 2 of the Services Selection Board (SSB). In this test, you are asked to write five short paragraphs describing what the following people think about you:
- Your Parents
- Your Teachers / Employers
- Your Friends
- Yourself
- What qualities you would like to improve in yourself
The SD test provides the assessors with valuable insights into your self-awareness, your understanding of how others perceive you, and your willingness to acknowledge and work on your shortcomings. Honesty and a balanced perspective are key to performing well in this test.
Understanding the SD Process:
- Five Descriptions: You will need to write a separate paragraph for each of the five categories mentioned above.
- Time Limit: You will be given a limited time (typically around 15-20 minutes) to complete all five descriptions.
- Be Concise and Truthful: Your descriptions should be brief, to the point, and reflect your genuine understanding of how these individuals perceive you.
Key Strategies for SD:
- Be Honest and Authentic: The assessors are looking for a genuine self-assessment. Avoid exaggeration or presenting an idealized version of yourself.
- Seek Feedback Beforehand: Before your SSB, it can be helpful to actually ask your parents, teachers/employers, and friends for honest feedback about your strengths and weaknesses. This will give you a more accurate perspective.
- Focus on Behavioral Traits: Instead of just listing qualities, try to describe your behavior that leads to those perceptions. For example, instead of saying “I am helpful,” you could write, “My friends think I am helpful because I am always ready to assist them when they are in need.”
- Maintain a Balanced Perspective: Acknowledge both your strengths and weaknesses. Showing awareness of areas for improvement is seen as a positive trait.
- Be Consistent with Other Tests: Your descriptions in the SD should ideally align with the personality traits and behaviors you have portrayed in the other psychological tests (TAT, WAT, SRT). Inconsistencies might raise red flags.
- For “Yourself,” Highlight Your Strengths: Focus on your positive qualities, achievements, and the values you uphold.
- For “Qualities to Improve,” Be Realistic and Show Intent: Choose genuine areas where you feel you can improve and briefly mention how you are working or plan to work on them. Avoid generic weaknesses like “getting angry easily” without any indication of self-awareness or effort to change.
- Manage Your Time: Allocate your time wisely among the five descriptions to ensure you complete all of them within the given limit.
Example Snippets (Illustrative):
- Your Parents: “My parents believe I am a responsible and caring individual. They appreciate my dedication to my goals and my consideration for family values.”
- Your Teachers / Employers: “My teachers/employers see me as a hardworking and sincere person. They have often commended my commitment to tasks and my willingness to learn.”
- Your Friends: “My friends consider me to be a loyal and supportive companion. They value my sense of humor and my ability to be there for them in difficult times.”
- Yourself: “I believe I am a determined and optimistic person. I am passionate about [your interests] and I strive to give my best in everything I undertake.”
- Qualities to Improve: “I recognize that I can sometimes be overly critical of myself. I am consciously working on developing a more positive self-image and celebrating my achievements.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Presenting only strengths without acknowledging any weaknesses.
- Listing generic qualities without providing any behavioral context.
- Contradicting the image you portrayed in other tests.
- Showing a lack of self-awareness.
- Choosing unrealistic or superficial qualities for improvement.
- Not providing any indication of your effort to improve.
- Running out of time and leaving descriptions incomplete.
The Self Description Test is an opportunity to present a holistic and genuine picture of yourself. By being honest, introspective, and providing specific examples, you can effectively convey your self-awareness and your potential to grow.
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