{{ progressPercent }}%
  • {{ q.id }}. {{ q.text }}
{{ resultText.title }}
{{ resultText.badgePrefix }} {{ totalScore }} – {{ bandName }}
{{ resultText.answersHeading }}
# {{ resultText.questionCol }} {{ resultText.answerCol }}
{{ a.id }} {{ a.text }} {{ a.answer }}
Tags: Psychology , Psychometrics
Export to PDF Fullscreen
:

Self control is the capacity to resist short term urges and stay aligned with lasting goals. The Brief Self Control Scale summarizes these patterns into one practical score that reflects your typical behaviour over time.

Many people use it to notice where impulses pull attention and where steady focus supports progress. You answer a small set of statements and then review a total along with two subscores that describe impulse control and goal focus in plain language.

Each statement is rated from not at all like me to very much like me, so the pattern that emerges shows both strengths and likely derailers. A person who struggles to resist fun distractions yet keeps aiming at long range goals might see a balanced result that points to temptation management as the next lever.

Answer based on your usual behaviour rather than a single week, and keep the same timeframe when you retake it so trends make sense. Take your time, then decide on one small action to try before you run it again.

This tool provides informational estimates and does not substitute professional advice. Results do not constitute a clinical diagnosis.

Technical Details:

The Brief Self‑Control Scale (BSCS) uses thirteen statements rated on a five‑point Likert scale to capture two related quantities: the regulation of impulses and the pursuit of longer‑term goals. Responses describe a snapshot of typical behaviour, not a diagnosis, and are interpreted as bands that indicate relative strength.

The total score is computed by summing all items after reverse‑scoring negatively phrased statements. Two subscores are also formed: Impulse control and Goal focus, each reported as a fraction of its maximum with descriptive labels. These transformations make raw selections comparable and easier to read as strengths or challenges.

Band cut‑points classify the total as Low, Below Average, Average, Above Average, or Very High. Values near a threshold should be read cautiously, as a one‑point change can shift bands without reflecting a meaningful difference in everyday functioning.

S = ∑ i∉R xi + ∑ i∈R ( 6 − xi )
Symbol Meaning Unit/Datatype Source
S Total BSCS score Integer 13–65 Derived
xi Response to item i Integer 1–5 Input
R Reverse‑scored item set {2,3,4,5,7,9,10,12,13} Set of indices Constant
Iimp Impulse‑control item set {2,4,5,7,9,12,13} Set of indices Constant
Igoal Goal‑focus item set {1,3,6,8,10,11} Set of indices Constant
n Number of items 13 Constant

Worked example

Positive items (not in R) answered “Mostly like me” (4). Reverse‑scored items answered “A little like me” (2), so each recodes to 4.

Reverse recode : 6−2=4
S= 4×4 + 4×9 = 16+36=52
Impulse:7×4=28/35 , Goal:6×4=24/30

Result: Total 52 → Above Average; both subscores are “very strong,” yielding a balanced profile.

Band Lower Upper Interpretation Action cue
Very High 55 65 Exceptional self‑regulation across settings. Keep routines and stretch goals.
Above Average 48 54 Strong control with infrequent slips. Leverage strengths on complex tasks.
Average 41 47 Typical balance of urges and aims. Plan around predictable triggers.
Below Average 34 40 Frequent challenges noticeable day‑to‑day. Reduce cues and pre‑commit.
Low 13 33 Persistent difficulty in regulation. Seek strategies or guidance.

Subscale labels are assigned by proportion of the maximum: developing (<0.35), moderate (<0.60), strong (<0.80), very strong (≥0.80). Exact boundary values of 0.60 and 0.80 select the higher label.

Field Type Min Max Step/Pattern Error text Placeholder
Per‑item response Integer (Likert) 1 5 Step 1 None shown —
URL param r String 13 chars 13 chars ^[1-5\-]{13}$ Invalid values are ignored —
Input Accepted families Output Encoding/Precision Rounding
Thirteen Likert selections 1–5 per item Total, band, two subscores Integers only Displayed as integers
Shareable state URL query param r Restored answers 13‑char code —

Privacy & compliance. Processing is client‑only. No data is transmitted or stored server‑side. If you share the URL, anyone with that link can reconstruct your responses.

Step‑by‑Step Guide:

The BSCS measures self‑control with thirteen statements and returns a total plus two subscores.

  1. Select Start Assessment to begin.
  2. Answer each statement from 1 to 5 based on your typical behaviour.
  3. Use the question list to revisit any item before finishing.
  4. Review the total, band, highlights, subscores, and suggested next steps.
  5. Optionally copy answers to CSV, download CSV, or export to DOCX for your records.

Example: If most positive items are “4” and most negative items are “2,” your total will often fall in the Above Average band.

  • Answer for your usual month, not a single day.
  • If you plan to compare later, retest at a similar time of day.

Finish with one small change you can try this week.

FAQ:

Is my data stored?

No. Scores are computed locally and not sent anywhere. If you share the page link, it can include your encoded answers, so share only if comfortable.

Privacy: answers remain on your device unless you share them yourself.
How accurate is this result?

It reflects self‑report at one point in time. Mood, stress, and context can shift answers. Use repeat runs and look for stable patterns, not single‑point precision.

Interpretation: near a boundary, treat shifts of 1–2 points as noise.
What do the numbers mean?

The total ranges from 13 to 65. Higher is stronger. Subscores show impulse control and goal focus as a proportion of their own maximums with descriptive labels.

Cut‑points are fixed in the code for band names.
Can I use it offline?

Yes, once the page is loaded. Charts and exports run locally. If a dependency fails to load, the gauge may not appear, but scoring still works.

Network: no data is sent for scoring.
Does it cost anything?

There are no sign‑ins or payment steps in this package. It is presented as‑is for informational use.

Licensing: terms are not specified here.
How do I export my answers?

Use Copy CSV to clipboard, Download CSV for a file, or Export DOCX for a formatted document. Exports include your total and band.

Tip: keep exported files private if they contain sensitive notes.
What does “borderline” mean?

If your total is within one or two points of a band boundary, interpret cautiously and retest on another day. Look to the subscores and top driver items for guidance.

Context matters: small changes may reflect normal variation.
Can I load answers from a link?

Yes. A query parameter can encode thirteen selections. If it is invalid, it is ignored and the assessment opens blank.

Shared links can reveal your answers to anyone who has them.

Assumptions, Limitations & Edge Cases:

  • Heads‑up Self‑report can be biased by mood, stress, or recall.
  • Differences of 1–2 points are often not meaningful.
  • Reverse‑scored items require careful reading; misreads can invert meaning.
  • Subscale groupings are fixed to the sets shown above.
  • Band names are descriptive, not diagnostic.
  • Encoded links include your selections in plain text form.
  • Charts are presentational; scores are computed independently.
  • Text is English‑only in this package.
  • Invalid or short query codes are ignored on load.
  • Unanswered items suppress results until all thirteen are complete.
  • At 0.60 and 0.80 subscale ratios, higher labels are selected.
  • Progress percentage is rounded to the nearest integer.
  • Rapid retakes may shift scores due to transient factors.
  • Blocked dependencies may hide the gauge visualization.
  • CSV separators follow standard commas; locale decimals are not used.
  • Exports rely on client capabilities; file prompts may vary by device.
  • Copy‑to‑clipboard can be denied by browser permission settings.
  • Very similar totals can reflect different item patterns; check the driver items.