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Self-Determination Scale (SDS)3

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

08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

27,625 views

2,448 completions

1,862 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

Scale Explorer

How the Scales are Structured

example score

3/5

Self-Expression (SE)

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 (SDI)

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.

Benchmarking

See How You Compare

Once you complete the test, your results are compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.

Self-Expression (S)

Average

3.2

Normal range

2.5 — 3.9

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Perceived Choice (PC)

Average

Normal range

3.5 — 4.5

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Authenticity (A)

Average

3.8

Normal range

3.1 — 4.5

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Self-Determination Index (SI)

Average

2.2

Normal range

1.5 — 2.8

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

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SAMPLE QUESTIONS

Example Questions From the Test

Read each pair of statements and consider which one best describes you during this period of your life. Indicate the extent to which you prefer one statement over the other.

- Only statement A is true
- Statement A is more true
- Both statements are partly true
- Statement B is more true
- Only statement B is true
- Only statement A is true
- Statement A is more true
- Both statements are partly true
- Statement B is more true
- Only statement B is true
- Only statement A is true
- Statement A is mostly true
- Both statements are partly true
- Statement B is mostly true
- Only statement B is true

These are 3 of the 12 real questions — the rest appear in the test. No sign-up needed to start.

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WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Self-Determination Scale (SDS) Test - Symptoms and Signs

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.