The Self-Description Test (SDT) is a crucial component of the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview process. As a Stage II assessment, it reveals your self-awareness and authentic personality by asking you to articulate how different people in your life perceive you. A well-crafted self-description can significantly influence your overall performance in the SSB interview.
Understanding the Self-Description Test
The SDT requires candidates to describe themselves from four distinct perspectives:
- Your parents’/guardians’ opinion about you
- Your teachers’/employers’ view of you
- Your friends’/colleagues’ perception of you
- Your own self-assessment
For each category, you need to write 4-5 lines highlighting both your positive attributes and areas requiring improvement. The goal is to present an honest, balanced view of yourself that demonstrates self-awareness and personal growth.
Also Read: How To Write Best Self Description In 10 Minutes
7 Essential Tips for Writing an Effective Self-Description
1. Be Authentic and Original
Avoid copying someone else’s self-description. The psychological assessors are trained to detect fabricated responses. Instead, gather genuine feedback from people in your life and reflect on your true personality traits.
2. Focus on Actions Rather Than Labels
Rather than simply labeling yourself with adjectives like “hardworking” or “trustworthy,” illustrate these qualities through specific actions and behaviors. For example, instead of writing “My parents think I’m responsible,” write “My parents entrust me with important family decisions and challenging tasks, knowing I’ll handle them diligently.”
3. Maintain a Positive-to-Negative Balance
Include predominantly positive traits while acknowledging one area for improvement in each category. This demonstrates self-awareness without overemphasizing shortcomings. The assessors are looking for candidates who recognize their strengths while being conscious of areas needing development.
4. Choose Appropriate Areas for Improvement
When mentioning areas needing improvement, select traits that are:
- Moderate in severity
- Fixable with effort
- Not detrimental to military service
For instance, “sometimes taking time to open up to new people” is more appropriate than “having anger management issues.”
5. Be Specific and Concise
Adhere to the 4-5 line limit for each category. Focus on quality over quantity by providing specific examples rather than vague generalizations. This demonstrates your ability to communicate effectively under constraints.
6. Prepare Supporting Examples
Be ready to elaborate on your self-description during the interview. The Interviewing Officer (IO) may ask you to provide specific examples demonstrating your mentioned traits or areas of improvement.
7. Practice Timed Writing
Conduct timed practice sessions to prepare for the actual test conditions. This helps develop the ability to articulate your thoughts clearly under pressure, ensuring your true personality emerges naturally.
Sample Responses: The Do’s and Don’ts
Parents’ Perspective:
Poor Example: “My parents feel I am very hardworking, trustworthy and an obedient son/daughter.”
Improved Example: “My parents include me in important family decisions, valuing my perspective. They entrust me with challenging responsibilities, knowing I’ll handle them with dedication. They appreciate my respectful nature and willingness to help with household duties. My mother often mentions my patience when helping my younger siblings with their studies. However, they feel I could improve my time management skills when juggling multiple responsibilities.”
Teachers’/Employers’ Perspective:
Poor Example: “My teachers think I’m intelligent and disciplined, but sometimes too quiet.”
Improved Example: “My teachers commend my analytical abilities and thorough preparation for examinations. They value my punctuality and consistent submission of assignments. My mathematics teacher particularly appreciates my methodical approach to problem-solving and willingness to help peers. My project guide recognizes my ability to work independently with minimal supervision. However, they suggest I could participate more actively in classroom discussions to share my insights.”
Friends’/Colleagues’ Perspective:
Poor Example: “My friends tell me that I am too choosy while making friends and also that I get aggressive and rude at times.”
Improved Example: “My friends value my loyalty and dependability during difficult situations. They appreciate my ability to maintain composure in challenging circumstances and my willingness to offer honest feedback. They enjoy my sense of humor that lightens tense moments. My roommate particularly values my organized approach to shared responsibilities. However, they notice I take time to open up with new people, though I form deep connections once I do.”
Self-Assessment:
Poor Example: “I am an intelligent and hardworking person with leadership qualities.”
Improved Example: “I consider myself a determined individual who perseveres through challenges until reaching my goals. I value integrity and strive to maintain high ethical standards in both personal and professional contexts. My analytical thinking allows me to approach problems systematically, considering multiple perspectives. I derive satisfaction from mentoring others and contributing to team success. However, I recognize I need to improve my ability to delegate tasks and trust others’ capabilities when leading a team.”
Conclusion
The Self-Description Test offers a unique opportunity to demonstrate your self-awareness and personal growth mindset. By following these guidelines and practicing diligently, you can present an authentic portrayal of yourself that resonates with the SSB assessors. Remember, a genuine self-description that balances your strengths and areas for improvement will always be more impressive than an idealized but unrealistic self-portrait.
The key is to adopt positive self-talk in your daily life, which will naturally reflect in your responses during the test. Continuously working on self-improvement not only enhances your chances of success in the SSB interview but also contributes to your personal development as a potential officer in the Armed Forces.
Also Read: Self Description Test – Honest Feedback From Family And Friends
