How to Write the Self-Description Test in an SSB Interview

The Services Selection Board (SSB) interview process is designed to assess a candidate’s personality, aptitude, and potential as an officer in the Armed Forces. Among the various psychological tests conducted (TAT, WAT, and SRT), the Self-Description Test (SDT) is the final one. It asks you to present how you perceive yourself, and how significant people in your life (parents, teachers/employers, friends/colleagues) perceive you.

This test provides the psychologist with insights into your self-awareness, your clarity about personal strengths and weaknesses, and the consistency between how you view yourself versus how others view you. A well-crafted Self-Description can reinforce the positive impression created in the earlier tests and help tie together the overall picture of your personality.

1. Purpose and Importance of the Self-Description Test

1. Self-Awareness: The SDT checks how well you understand your own qualities, shortcomings, and areas for development. The Armed Forces value individuals who are introspective and can continuously improve themselves.
2. Consistency: Through your responses in TAT, WAT, and SRT, the psychologist already has a preliminary idea of your personality. The SDT should support these impressions, not contradict them.
3. Authenticity: The SSB interviewers look for genuineness. Inflated or superficial claims are easy to spot. They want honest self-evaluation regarding your attributes, experiences, and motivations.
4. Structure and Clarity: The SDT typically has five parts:

• • What your parents think of you
  • What your teachers/employers think of you
  • What your friends/colleagues think of you
  • What you think of yourself
  • Your aims in life and the qualities you would like to improve

By covering all five aspects with focus, honesty, and brevity, you show coherence in your personality.

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2. General Guidelines for Writing an Effective SDT

1. Reflect on Feedback: Before appearing for the SSB, speak to your parents, teachers, friends, or current employers/colleagues to gather genuine feedback.
2. Stay Positive: Focus on constructive statements. Even when addressing weaknesses, mention the steps you are taking to improve.
3. Be Honest and Realistic: Over-exaggerated claims reduce credibility. Keep it straightforward.
4. Maintain a Friendly and Humble Tone: Avoid boastfulness. Show that you appreciate the positive and acknowledge the negative with a learning attitude.
5. Keep It Brief and Organized: Usually, you have limited time to write. Present each point in a concise paragraph.

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3. Structuring Your Self-Description

When writing your Self-Description, use the following structure:

1. Parents’ Perception
   • Highlight how they view your strengths and areas they want you to improve.
   • Mention responsibilities they entrust to you and how you fulfill them.
2. Teachers’/Employers’ Perception
   • Focus on your academic or professional attributes (punctuality, sincerity, responsibilities handled).
   • If applicable, note any feedback about specific traits, such as leadership, organization, or teamwork.
3. Friends’/Colleagues’ Perception
   • Emphasize interpersonal qualities (friendliness, helpful nature, trustworthiness).
   • Mention any conflicts or differences of opinion and how they get resolved.
4. Self-Perception
   • Give an honest appraisal of your personality traits, including a balance of strengths and weaknesses.
   • Mention achievements and how they have shaped your confidence.
   • Show enthusiasm for learning and personal growth.
5. Aims in Life and Areas of Improvement

• • State your goals (short-term and long-term).
  • Highlight how you plan to overcome your weaknesses and enhance strengths.

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4. Five Sample Self-Descriptions

Below are five sample Self-Description statements illustrating different backgrounds (a student, a recent graduate, someone who has work experience, etc.). Use these as inspiration to frame your own personalized responses.

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Sample 1 (Student Perspective)

Parents:
My parents believe I am an active and bright child. They often encourage me to take up new challenges and trust me to handle tasks independently. They also appreciate my friendly nature and feel I balance my studies and extracurricular activities well.

Teachers:
My teachers say I am honest and sincere. They trust me with important responsibilities like organizing events and heading team activities. They appreciate my enthusiasm in class but advise me to maintain a better balance between academics and my outdoor interests.

Friends:
My friends like my helpful and honest behavior. They feel comfortable sharing their thoughts with me, seeing me as trustworthy. They say I am committed to tasks and a fun, easygoing person they enjoy spending time with.

Self:
I see myself as a sincere and responsible individual. I am not the top scorer academically, but I remain confident in handling tough situations and tasks effectively. My focus is on maintaining simplicity, staying optimistic, and enjoying life to the fullest.

Aims in life/Qualities I would like to improve:
I aim to achieve success through consistent hard work. I am trying to become more focused and disciplined, particularly with my studies. I am also working on expanding my vocabulary to enhance my communication skills.

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Sample 2 (College Student or Recent Graduate)

Parents:
My parents regard me as responsible and involve me in important family decisions. They encourage me to improve my academic performance, believing I can achieve my goals through persistent effort.

Teachers:
My teachers think I excel in practical applications but could improve my theoretical knowledge. They have trusted me with leadership roles, such as head of the cultural society. Their support has helped me develop better organizational and leadership skills.

Friends:
My friends describe me as lively and someone they seek advice from. They motivate me to pursue my ambitions. We have occasional differences, but we resolve them through open communication.

Self:
I realize I have not fully utilized my academic potential but continue striving to improve. I happily shoulder responsibilities, whether it is at home or among friends. Helping others gives me satisfaction, and I constantly work to be a better version of myself.

Aims in life/Qualities I would like to improve:
I want to excel academically and be more patient in challenging situations. I can be short-tempered sometimes, but I am learning to manage it effectively. I continue refining my weaknesses through discipline and focus.

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Sample 3 (Well-Balanced Student with Extracurricular Focus)

Parents:
My parents have always viewed me as a dutiful, obedient child who excels in academics. They rely on me for various household tasks and trust me to make good decisions, though they sometimes criticize me if I push for something they initially disagree with.

Teachers:
I have been known to be a well-behaved student who consistently performs in both academics and extracurricular activities. Teachers appreciate my initiative but sometimes scold me for skipping classes to attend sports meets or NCC camps.

Friends:
My friends describe me as kind-hearted and sympathetic. They rely on me for guidance and support. Though they don’t always agree with me—especially regarding rules—I’ve managed to convince them to maintain discipline whenever necessary.

Self:
I am an optimistic person who faces challenges head-on. I take pride in balancing my academic performance with my passion for sports and NCC. I stay calm under pressure, ready to adapt to adventurous tasks and responsibilities.

Aims in life/Qualities I would like to improve:
I aim to strengthen myself physically and mentally. I am also working on building unshakeable confidence and exploring more advanced reading and knowledge resources to enhance my perspective.

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Sample 4 (Aspiring Armed Forces Officer)

Parents:
My parents appreciate my obedience and feel I am a bright child who brings value to the family. They admire how I care for my siblings and remain thoughtful toward family matters. They sometimes tease me about being extravagant, but they know I prefer quality.

Friends:
My friends like my straightforwardness and sense of humor. They rely on me for help in studies or personal issues. Although some say I talk too much, they generally enjoy my company and positive energy.

Teachers:
They see me as an above-average student with good communication skills. They are pleased with my willingness to shoulder responsibilities, although they note I can be naughty sometimes. They appreciate how actively I participate in both academics and extracurricular activities.

Self:
I believe I am responsible, honest, and proactive. I work to complete tasks well ahead of time and encourage group collaboration, believing it is the key to success. I consider myself an average student but try to learn continuously and stay updated.

Aims in life/Qualities I would like to improve:
I wish to join the Indian Army, inspired by my father’s service. I am focusing on enhancing my physical fitness, mental endurance, and general knowledge through regular exercise, meditation, and reading newspapers.

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Sample 5 (Working Professional Seeking Armed Forces Entry)

Parents:
My parents recognize me as a responsible individual, proud that I have secured a decent job. They believe in my dream to join the Armed Forces and provide unwavering support to help me achieve it.

Employers:
My employers see me as regular, punctual, and well-organized. They mention my transparency in communication and how efficiently I complete tasks on time. They appreciate the positive example I set for other employees.

Colleagues/Subordinates:
Colleagues find me practical, candid, and cooperative. We work well together and address tasks as a team. While they sometimes propose questionable shortcuts, I politely decline and persuade them to maintain ethical standards.

Self:
I consider myself optimistic, sincere, and socially responsible. I handle challenges confidently and think logically to convince people of my viewpoint. I step up to lead when necessary and embrace accountability for my actions.

Aims in life/Qualities I would like to improve:
I want to join the Armed Forces and further refine my existing qualities. I believe that experience is the best teacher and strive to learn from every challenging situation to become the best version of myself.

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5. Tips to Excel in the Self-Description Test

1. Prepare in Advance:
   • Talk to your parents, siblings, teachers, and friends to gather real feedback.
   • This advance work ensures authenticity and consistency.
2. Stay Confident but Humble:
   • Highlight achievements, but never boast.
   • Acknowledge areas of growth—this shows maturity.
3. Write Clearly and Neatly:
   • Examiners appreciate clarity in handwriting and structure.
   • Keep paragraphs short and direct.
4. Stay Consistent with Other Psych Tests:
   • TAT, WAT, SRT, and SDT should paint a cohesive picture of your personality.
5. Practice Under Time Constraints:

• • During SSB, you’ll have limited time to write the SDT.
  • Practice completing your final draft within that time limit.

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6. Final Thoughts

The Self-Description Test is a reflective exercise that ties together all your responses in the previous psychological tests. By providing a clear, honest, and concise description of how you and those around you perceive your personality, you demonstrate the self-awareness, integrity, and motivation the Armed Forces seek in potential officers.

Keep in mind:

• Authenticity is the key.
• Present a positive yet realistic picture of yourself.
• Show that you are willing and able to learn and grow.

Approach the SDT with sincerity, and you will leave a strong impression on the assessor, reinforcing the traits you displayed throughout the SSB process.