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Sentence Completion Test
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About Sentence Completion Test
Scale Name
Sentence Completion Test
Author Details
Robin Hedderly
Translation Availability
English

Background/Description
The Sentence Completion Test (SCT) is a projective psychological assessment tool widely used to explore an individual’s thoughts, emotions, and personality traits. This test involves presenting participants with incomplete sentences that they are asked to complete in their own words. The SCT leverages the open-ended format to encourage respondents to project their unconscious thoughts, attitudes, and concerns into their responses, making it a valuable tool for understanding underlying psychological dynamics.
Developed by Robin Hedderly, the SCT is grounded in psychodynamic theories and is commonly used in clinical, educational, and organizational settings. Its flexibility allows for adaptation to diverse populations, including children, adolescents, and adults. The SCT provides insights into personality structure, emotional functioning, and potential psychopathology, offering a qualitative understanding that complements other psychological assessment tools.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain a copy of the SCT from the original author or a licensed distributor.
- Explain the purpose of the test to the respondent, emphasizing that there are no “right” or “wrong” answers.
- Provide clear instructions, such as encouraging spontaneous and honest responses to each incomplete sentence.
- Inform the participant about the approximate time required to complete the test, typically 15–30 minutes.
- Administer the test in a quiet and private setting to ensure the participant feels at ease.
Reliability and Validity
The SCT is primarily qualitative in nature, which can pose challenges in establishing traditional psychometric properties. However, studies indicate that the SCT demonstrates moderate inter-rater reliability, depending on the scoring system used. Standardized versions of the SCT, like the Rotter Incomplete Sentences Blank (RISB), show higher reliability and validity.
Validity varies based on the context of use. Construct validity is supported by the SCT’s ability to elicit responses that correlate with known personality traits or clinical diagnoses. Criterion-related validity has been observed in studies linking SCT responses to specific behaviors or outcomes, such as academic performance or therapeutic progress.
Available Versions
40-Items
Reference
Hedderly, R. (1995). Sentence completion test. Dyslexia Review, 7(2), 19-21.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Sentence Completion Test (SCT)?
The SCT is a projective tool used to assess personality, emotions, and thought processes through incomplete sentences.
Who can use the SCT?
The test is widely used by clinicians, educators, and researchers across various settings.
How long does the SCT take to complete?
The test typically takes 15–30 minutes, depending on the number of sentences provided.
Is the SCT standardized?
While the SCT is projective, standardized versions like the Rotter Incomplete Sentences Blank (RISB) offer higher reliability.
What age groups can take the SCT?
The SCT is adaptable for children, adolescents, and adults.
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