How to write best self description at SSB Interview | Preparation Tips for SSB Interview - CDS PDF Download

Self Description (SD) test at SSB Interview forms the part of the psychological test, which is conducted on the second day at SSB Interview. How to write the best Self Description (SD) at SSB Interview is one of the common questions arising amongst SSB Aspirants, as Self Description is one of the least talked about tests among the other psychological test. The 4 tests under the battery of Psychological tests at the SSB Interview are

• Thematic Appreciation Test (TAT)
• Word Association Test (WAT)
• Situation Reaction Test (SRT)
• Self-Description Test (SDT)

In this article, we will focus on the question of How to write the best Self Description (SD) at the SSB Interview, as it is one of the main tests at SSB Interview. There are certain aspects of Self Description (SD) that every aspirant must know before appearing for an SSB Interview. So, let’s know the tips which will help in giving your best in writing your Self Description (SD) at SSB Interview.

Why Self Description is conducted at SSB Interview?

• The Test gives a chance to the candidate to reveal his own personality or character to the psychologist. The psychologist can compare their findings of the candidate’s personality from their earlier psychologist test like TAT, WAT, and SRT to the type of personality the candidate has portrayed in the Self Description.
• This test also gives an idea to the Psychologist regarding how deep the candidate is aware of himself, and whether they are aware of their strengths and weakness. The candidate should be aware of their strengths and weaknesses. If a candidate is aware of their weaknesses, they can always improve with conscious efforts. If they lack this insight about themselves, they cannot utilize their skills to their fullest. They cannot benefit from opportunities and training for their self-improvement.

The Procedure of Self Description (SD) Test at SSB Interview

• What is the opinion of your parents about you? 
• What is the opinion of your teachers/seniors about you?
• What is the opinion of your friends/colleagues about you?
• What do you think about yourself giving out your strong and weak points?
• What is your Aim in life and what qualities would you like to develop?

The candidates are given 15 minutes in total and are asked to write a paragraph for each question describing every opinion about themselves. Thus the candidate gets less than 15 minutes to write.
The space available in the sheet is for almost 50-60 words for each paragraph and you should try to give as much information as possible within these limits of words.

Why you should not FAKE in the SELF DESCRIPTION (SD) Test

• The psychologist prepares a portrait of your personality based on your responses to WAT, TAT & SRT. If your Self Description is true to your personality, then it should match the psychologist’s findings. Please be informed that since the psychologist is an expert in his profession, they are capable of pinpointing your strong and weak points. Therefore, it is in the candidate’s own interest, to draw a true pen picture of themselves through self-description.
• The Maturity level of the candidate is assessed through Self Description. It also reveals whether the candidate is overestimating themselves or got a balanced opinion about themselves. A mature mind is a basic quality required in the candidate.
• Your Interviewing officer (IO) has a copy of your Self Description Test – unless your Interview has been conducted before the Psychological test. IO bases his questions on this description, and from the candidate’s answer, he can not only confirms his own findings but can also have a fair estimate of the candidate’s insight of himself.
• Even in different GTOs Tasks, your response or reaction should be in line with your self-description.

It is, therefore, not in your interest to make a vain attempt to mask or conceal your weakness or mention you’re good qualities. Make a free, frank, and bold confession of your weakness and faults as well as your strong points.

Points to keep in mind while writing the Self Description (SD) Test

• At the start of the test, the Candidate should listen to the instructions given by the Psychologist carefully.
• Your Self Description should be tailored made and must be as per your personality. Hence it must be written in your own words. It should be true to the best of your knowledge and straight from your heart. A candidate can prepare their Self Description in advance as the questions are already known. They can refer to their parents, friends, etc, and ask them what they feel about you.
• The candidate should have a daily look at it, to see if it actually fits their personality or not.
• The most favorable way to write the Self-Description is to describe your personality in brief but with various qualities.
• The Self Description must comprise some of the good points of your personality and one or two areas of improvement in each question.
• During the Interview, if the IO asks the candidate about their weaknesses, they should also be ready with some past examples or instances from their life. For e.g. when you preferred work over family or some instance when you lost your cool, etc.
• Also, be prepared to justify any of your grey areas. For example, if the candidate’s parents think that they spend lavishly, then they can justify it by saying that they always go for quality products which has an added cost compared to the normal items.
• There are higher chances that the interviewing officer will ask questions related to any point or quality mentioned in your self-description. For example, if the candidate has mentioned that ‘I help my mother in buying daily vegetables’. Then the candidate must be aware of the current market price of all the vegetables.
• If the candidate has mentioned that they want to improve their physical stamina and endurance then there may be questions in the Interview, like “what are you doing to improve your physical stamina, whether you are doing some special exercise or following any diet for the same.

DON’Ts for Self Description Test

• Do not write more than three odds lines for each category. Be brief and precise while writing your opinion.
• Never copy someone else’s Self-description. The candidate must write an authentic Self-description true to themselves.
• Avoid sharing irrelevant negative points.
• Avoid writing the qualities that go against OLQs. For Example, Lack of decision-making, fear of speaking, etc. This will be against you.