SSB SDT - Teachers Thought About You

The Self-Description Test (SDT) in the SSB (Services Selection Board) Interview is designed to evaluate a candidate’s personality, self-awareness, and alignment with qualities expected of an officer. One of the most common prompts in the SDT is: "What your teachers think about you?" This question gives insight into how your teachers perceive you, especially regarding your academic behavior, discipline, and leadership potential.

In this article, we’ll guide you on crafting a thoughtful and honest response to this question, provide examples, and share tips to help you perform well.

Importance of the Question

The question "What your teachers think about you?" serves several purposes:

1. Reflects Academic Discipline: Highlights your behavior and performance in an academic environment.
2. Shows Leadership Potential: Assesses how well you took initiative or contributed to group activities.
3. Reveals Character Traits: Provides insights into your discipline, responsibility, and teamwork skills.
4. Alignment with Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs): Evaluates traits like punctuality, honesty, and ability to take constructive criticism.

Your answer should highlight these qualities while maintaining authenticity and balance.

How to Structure Your Answer

To write a well-rounded and impactful response, follow this structure:

1. Positive Qualities
   Start by mentioning traits your teachers appreciate about you, such as sincerity, discipline, or leadership.
2. Constructive Feedback
   Include one or two areas where your teachers feel you can improve, framed positively.
3. Commitment to Growth
   Conclude by explaining how you are working on improving yourself based on their feedback.

Key Points to Include

1. Highlight Positive Traits: Mention qualities like punctuality, sincerity, teamwork, and curiosity.
2. Acknowledge Weaknesses: Show awareness of areas for improvement, such as being more participative in discussions.
3. Show Respect for Feedback: Demonstrate that you value your teachers’ opinions and work on their suggestions.
4. Relate to OLQs: Align your answer with qualities like integrity, responsibility, and problem-solving.

Sample Answers

Example 1: Balanced and Realistic

"My teachers think I am sincere, disciplined, and eager to learn. They often appreciate my ability to grasp concepts quickly and my willingness to help classmates. However, they feel I should participate more in extracurricular activities to develop my confidence further. I value their feedback and have been actively engaging in group discussions and events to grow in this area."

Example 2: Emphasizing Leadership

"My teachers consider me a responsible and dependable student. They often praise my leadership skills, especially in group projects and organizing events. At the same time, they feel I could improve my ability to manage stress during tight deadlines. I am working on this by staying more organized and practicing time management."

Example 3: Focused on Academic and Personal Growth

"My teachers think I am hardworking, respectful, and curious about learning new things. They appreciate my dedication to academics and my supportive nature toward peers. They have also encouraged me to become more vocal in expressing my ideas during class discussions. I am taking their advice seriously and am gradually building my confidence in this area."

Tips to Write a Strong Answer

1. Be Honest and Realistic
   Avoid exaggerating your achievements. A balanced response with strengths and areas for improvement is more authentic.
2. Reflect Officer-Like Qualities
   Highlight traits like discipline, teamwork, and a willingness to improve, which align with the expectations of the armed forces.
3. Keep It Concise
   Write a clear and to-the-point response that addresses all aspects of the question without unnecessary details.
4. Use Real-Life Examples
   Incorporate examples of situations where your teachers appreciated or guided you, to make your answer relatable.
5. Practice Writing
   Regularly draft and revise your answer to ensure clarity and confidence during the test.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Being Overly Idealistic: Avoid making claims like "My teachers think I am perfect." This can come across as insincere.
2. Ignoring Weaknesses: Mention at least one area of improvement to show self-awareness.
3. Contradictory Responses: Ensure your answer aligns with your behavior in other parts of the interview and your PIQ form.
4. Lengthy Answers: Keep your response concise to save time and maintain focus.

Conclusion

The question "What your teachers think about you?" in the SDT of the SSB Interview is an opportunity to showcase your academic discipline, personality, and willingness to grow. A well-thought-out response that balances positive traits with constructive feedback can make a strong impression.

Also, check our list of recommend books for SSB Interview preparation: 3 Best Books for SSB Interview Preparation