Self-Determination Scale (SDS) Test

Understand how much you act from true choice and self-awareness in just 3 minutes. Get a fast, research-backed snapshot that supports coaching, therapy, or studies without adding burden.

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Questions: 123 minutes

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08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

25290 views

2094 completions

1691 likes

Scale Explorer

How the Scales are Structured

example score

3/5

Self-Expression (S)

Self-Expression measures how much a person feels their personal contribution, significance, and authentic self-realization in an activity.

Low self-expression

Moderate self-expression

High self-expression

1 – 2.4: Low self-expression | 2.5 – 3.4: Moderate self-expression | 3.5 – 5: High self-expression

A score of 3 indicates a moderate sense of contributing and expressing one’s abilities in the activity, with some aspects feeling self-driven and others less fully realized.

example score

3/5

Perceived Choice (PC)

Perceived Choice measures how strongly a person feels they have freedom to choose and act based on their own decisions rather than external pressure.

Low perceived choice

Moderate perceived choice

High perceived choice

1 – 2.4: Low perceived choice | 2.5 – 3.6: Moderate perceived choice | 3.7 – 5: High perceived choice

A score of 3 indicates a moderate sense of freedom of choice, with some situations feeling self-directed and others influenced by external factors.

example score

3/5

Authenticity (A)

Authenticity measures how closely a person’s actions and life choices align with their internal values and ideals.

Low authenticity

Moderate authenticity

High authenticity

1 – 2.4: Low authenticity | 2.5 – 3.6: Moderate authenticity | 3.7 – 5: High authenticity

A score of 3 indicates a moderate level of authenticity, suggesting partial alignment between inner values and everyday behavior with some inconsistency across situations.

example score

3/5

Self-Determination Index (SI)

The Self-Determination Index measures overall autonomy and intrinsic motivation, reflecting how independently a person defines goals and chooses actions.

Low autonomy

Moderate autonomy

High autonomy

1 – 2.4: Low autonomy | 2.5 – 3.6: Moderate autonomy | 3.7 – 5: High autonomy

A score of 3 indicates a moderate level of self-determination, suggesting a balanced mix of self-directed choice and some influence from external factors.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Clients in coaching or therapy

41%OF USERS

People working with a coach or therapist take it to see how much their choices feel self-directed versus driven by pressure.

Students and early professionals

34%OF USERS

They use it during study or career decisions to understand whether their goals come from personal values or external expectations.

Researchers and practitioners

25%OF USERS

Psychologists, educators, and HR specialists administer it to measure perceived choice and self-awareness in assessments or studies.

BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.

RESULTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE

What You’ll See After You Finish the Test

Scale Results
— Explained Clearly

Your scores across each test scale, translated into plain, usable insights. Not just numbers, but what they actually mean for your daily life, emotional state, and overall well-being.

AI-Powered
Interpretation

A structured, clinically grounded explanation. Our AI analyzes patterns and relationships between scales to provide a coherent interpretation — without alarmist language.

Statistical
Comparison

See how you compare to others. Your scores are placed in a statistical context, showing percentiles and trends based on anonymized platform data to help you understand what`s typical.

Practical
Recommendations

Actionable guidance tailored to your profile. Receive clear, realistic suggestions you can apply immediately — focused on coping, self-regulation, and realistic next steps.

AI-Detected
Insights

Key patterns you might not notice on your own. Surfacing subtle connections in your responses that help you better understand what may be driving your current results.

Discuss with
an AI Psychologist

Clarify, reflect, and explore right away. Talk through your outcomes, ask questions, and explore meanings in a calm, non-diagnostic dialogue environment.

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Used in 52+ countries

Benchmarking

See How You Compare

Once you finish the test, your results will be compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of the benchmarks we use to place your score in context.

Self-Expression (S)

Average

3.2

Normal range

2.5 — 3.9

min.

max.

majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.

Perceived Choice (PC)

Average

Normal range

3.5 — 4.5

min.

max.

majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.

Authenticity (A)

Average

3.8

Normal range

3.1 — 4.5

min.

max.

majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.

Self-Determination Index (SI)

Average

2.2

Normal range

1.5 — 2.8

min.

max.

majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.

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CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

Any questions left?

What does this questionnaire measure?

It measures perceived freedom of choice in behavior and the level of self-awareness during decision-making. Scores reflect the extent to which actions are experienced as self-endorsed versus externally driven.

Who is this questionnaire intended for?

It is intended for adolescents and adults in counseling, coaching, education, and research settings. It is not a diagnostic instrument for mental disorders.

How long does it take and what is the format?

It includes 12 items and typically takes about 3 minutes to complete. Items are answered using a fixed response scale.

How should results be interpreted?

Higher scores indicate a stronger sense of choice and clearer awareness of one’s motives and decisions. Lower scores indicate greater reliance on external pressures or reduced clarity about personal reasons for action.

Are there different versions and can scores be compared across them?

Two versions are commonly used, emphasizing authenticity/self-expression or conscious choice. Scores should be interpreted within the selected version and not treated as directly interchangeable.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Self-Determination Scale (SDS) Test

self-determination

This brief self-report measure is used to assess perceived autonomy and self-awareness related to personal decision-making. The Self-Determination Scale (SDS) can support clinical or research efforts that examine how individuals experience choice and self-directed behavior.

It includes 12 items and typically takes about 3 minutes to complete. Responses are intended to provide a high-level indicator of perceived choice and awareness of one’s actions, which may be considered alongside other clinical information and relevant contextual factors.

The Self-Determination Scale (SDS) is not a standalone diagnostic instrument and is best interpreted within the limits of self-report and the respondent’s current circumstances.

Author: edward-l-deci, richard-m-ryan

Literature: Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist. 2000.; Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. Plenum Press. 1985.; Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. Self-determination theory: Basic psychological needs in motivation, development, and wellness. Guilford Press. 2017.; Sheldon, K. M., & Deci, E. L. The Self-Determination Scale. University of Rochester. 1993.

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