Purpose of the Study :With exploratory factor analysis (EFA), this study aimed to create a valid and trustworthy survey instrument to gauge self-directed learning. With the ultimate goal of promoting lifelong learning skills, this research endeavors to create a foundation upon which doctoral students can build not only their dissertations but also a mindset that transcends academia, preparing them for a future of continuous intellectual and professional development. Methodology: The researcher used IBM-SPSS-AMOS 24.0 to run the EFA procedure on construct elements for a survey with an interval scale between 1 and 10 and the extraction method of Principal Component with Varimax Rotation. Additionally, the Bartletts' Test of Sphericity and the KMO sampling adequacy were carried out. The reliability of the kept items was examined using Cronbach's Alpha. Primary Results: The Bartletts' Test of Sphericity has a significant level of significance (sig. 000). Additionally, there is great sample adequacy as indicated by (KMO=0.860). Cronbach's alpha values for the two components are more than 0.7. Additionally, all 13 items' Cronbach's Alpha values were higher than the cutoff value of 0.7. The instrument's consistency and stability across samples was verified by the development scale and validation. Applications of the Study: This research was conducted primarily for postgraduate students studying at Malaysian public universities, particularly those in Sabah and Sarawak. The PhD candidates who are enrolling in doctorate programmes at local public universities were the focus of the study. Originality of this Study: The study's unique contribution is in its ability to quantify self-directed learning within the setting of doctorate students. The EFA outcomes revealed that the elements are usable in this study, as they constitute a configuration that isolates two components of self-directed learning that can be measured by 13 items established in this research.