What you will learn
What are the benefits of a personality test?
Personality tests can offer real benefits, both personally and professionally. They can help you foster self-awareness by providing insights into your behavior, preferences, and tendencies, ultimately helping you make more informed decisions and develop strategies for personal growth.
Some personality tests help you understand yourself on a personal development level (for example the Enneagram), others are used in the context of career development (for example Myers-Briggs Type Indicator MBTI or the Big Five personality traits). What they all have in common: They can help individuals identify their strengths, weaknesses, motivations, and fears.
Our 5 top picks for personality tests
- Personality Path
The Enneagram made simple and accessible. Personality Path helps you discover your personality, motivations – and their impact.
What we love most:
- free test
- a beautiful user experience
- detailed and well-researched practical tips
- detailed guide and workbook available
- 16 Personalities
A new and simplified way to experience the MBTI assessment. They provide insights into strengths, weaknesses, and personalized advice on various areas of life.
What we love most:
- offers a user-friendly personality assessment
- combines psychological theory with practical guidance
- perfect for making informed life choices
- Big Five Test
The Big Five Personality offers a snapshot of an individual’s personality based on widely recognized psychological traits.
What we love most:
- open source project
- available in 20 languages
- highly reliable
- Best Personality Test’s DISC assessment
Best Personality Tests provides a free and easily accessible DISC assessment for analyzing behavioral styles.
What we love most:
- focus on situational behavior instead of general personality traits
- High 5 Test
An innovative personality test for self-awareness, offering detailed reports on strengths and growth areas.
What we love most:
- free assessment
- user-friendly approach
- highlights strengths and areas for growth
What is a good personality test?
Personality tests can serve as a tool for personal development and continuous improvement. Armed with the knowledge of your personality traits, you can set realistic goals, work on areas that may need improvement, and capitalize on your strengths.
While personality tests offer these benefits, it’s important to approach them with a degree of skepticism and self-reflection. No test is perfect, and individual experiences and contexts can shape behavior beyond what a standardized test may capture. Additionally, personality is complex and dynamic, and it can change over time based on various factors.
While not every personality test out there may speak to every person in the same way, there are a couple of benchmarks a “good” personality test does very well:
Reliability, Validity, and Sensitivity
A “good” personality test consistently produces reliable results across different situations. This is important, as unclear or faulty results may guide users in the wrong direction and ultimately defeat the purpose of having taken a test in the first place.
It should demonstrate validity by accurately measuring the psychological constructs it claims to assess and should follow standardized procedures for administration, scoring, and interpretation.
User-friendly
A good personality test makes it easy for the user to understand, take, and read the results of the test. This means it has an appropriate length, is thorough and captivating, and offers meaningful insights that are easily applied to personal development.
Transparency
Most importantly: Transparency is key. Clear communication about the test’s purpose, methodology, and any potential limitations or biases has to be given to the user.
What are the different systems of personality?
There are a myriad of personality tests available – and the “best” ones may depend on individual preferences, purposes, and contexts. The five most commonly and widely recognized and respected personality tests are:
Enneagram
The Enneagram is a personality system that groups people into nine main types, each with its own distinct way of thinking, feeling, and behaving. It helps individuals understand their motivations, fears, and patterns of behavior, offering insights into personal growth and relationships. You can find a pretty good explanation here.
- Focus: Categorizing individuals into nine interconnected personality types, each with distinct motivations and behaviors.
- Used in: Used for personal growth, interpersonal understanding, and spiritual development.
Here’s a list of our top 3 picks for Enneagram tests:
1. Personality Path
How long does it take? – 12 minutes
How much is it? – Free (optional paid version for in-depth report and workbook)
Can you create an account? – Yes
Personality Path offers a free Enneagram test for you to discover your personality, motivations, and how (and why) they shape you. Compared to other offers out there, you’re greeted by a user-friendly and attractive website, with plenty of free resources regarding each Enneagram type, the Enneagram personality system, or mistyping. After taking the test you get your most likely type plus wing(s) as your personal test result.
You get the chance to explore the Enneagram and all it has to offer for free. Additionally, they offer a paid product for 29$: An in-depth resource (Full Type Report and Workbook) for individuals, groups, or coaches to work with the Enneagram.
With an accuracy rate of up to 90%, it’s a trustworthy source to get to know, deepen your knowledge, or work with new facets of the Enneagram. Take the free Enneagram test now!
2. Eclectic Energies
How long does it take? – 10-15 minutes
How much is it? – Free
Can you create an account? – No
The Eclectic Energies Enneagram Test can help you discover your emotional landspace. It’s a user-friendly tool that provides an assessment of your emotional makeup in two versions (shorter and longer). Although it’s a less modern take on the Enneagram, it still offers a thorough assessment.
Tailored to your preferences, it offers an extended 15-minute option covering various areas and a quicker alternative based on character traits. This test also offers an Enneagram test with wings feature, providing additional insights into your profile. It promises to embrace the transformative power of this self-improvement tool to unlock your true potential and enhance self-awareness.
3. Your Enneagram Coach
How long does it take? – 10 minutes
How much is it? – Free
Can you create an account? – Yes
Gain deeper insight into yourself with Your Enneagram Coach’s Enneagram Test, a valuable tool for understanding your core motivations and their impact on your decisions. In just 10 minutes, this test offers insights into your strengths, weaknesses, and growth potential.
You can uncover your Enneagram type and explore the path to becoming the “best version of yourself”. You can simply sign up with your email to seize this opportunity for enhanced self-understanding and self-improvement.
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, or MBTI, is a personality test that helps people understand their preferences in how they interact with the world. It categorizes individuals into 16 personality types based on four pairs of preferences.
- Focus: Identifying personality types based on preferences in four dichotomies (e.g., extraversion vs. introversion, sensing vs. intuition).
- Used in: Popular in workplaces and personal development.
Here are our top 3 picks for taking the MBTI test:
1. 16 Personalities
How long does it take? – 10 minutes
How much is it? – Free
Can you create an account? – Yes
16 Personalities provides a comprehensive personality assessment based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). With a user-friendly interface, individuals can discover their unique personality type among the 16 distinct categories.
The platform not only reveals insights into personal strengths and weaknesses but also offers tailored advice on relationships, career paths, and personal development. It combines psychological theory with practical guidance and aims to assist users in better understanding themselves and making informed life choices.
2. Human Metrics
How long does it take? – 10 minutes
How much is it? – Free
Can you create an account? – Yes
With HumanMetrics‘ reliable personality test, covering Jung-Briggs Myers personality type, career choices, communication, learning styles, and stress behavior, you can discover more about your personality.
The free test provides valuable insights into your strengths and weaknesses. The feature offers answers on career, relationships, and personal growth. HumanMetrics’ toolkit collections provide a comprehensive approach to understanding and improving your life with MBTI system.
3. MBTI Online
How long does it take? – 15 minutes
How much is it? – Paid
Can you create an account? – Yes
MBTIonline can help you unlock profound insights into your personality and interpersonal dynamics. The online assessment swiftly reveals your type and provides detailed interpretive reports. It also offers type-based action guides and personalized courses on various topics.
A special offer for teams is also available: Enhance team dynamics through MBTIonline Teams, a self-guided virtual team-building experience for groups of 3 to 30.
Big Five Personality
The Big Five Personality Traits describe five main aspects of a person’s personality. These traits help researchers and psychologists understand and study different aspects of individuals’ behavior and preferences.
- Focus: Assessing personality based on five broad dimensions: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism.
- Used in: Widely used in psychological research and applied settings.
Here are our top 3 picks for taking the Big Five Personality test:
1. Truity
How long does it take? – 15 minutes
How much is it? – Free
Can you create an account? – Yes
Truity’s free Big Five personality test gives you accurate scores for the Big Five personality traits. You can determine exactly how you score for Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism with this scientific personality assessment.
The Big Five stands out from other personality systems by focusing on traits rather than types. Each individual possesses varying levels of these key factors, influencing thoughts, decisions, and behavior.
2. Big Five Test
How long does it take? – 10 minutes
How much is it? – Free
Can you create an account? – No registration required
The Big Five Personality test assesses individuals based on five key personality dimensions. Users answer a series of questions to determine their scores on each dimension, revealing their unique personality profile. The test aims to provide insights into behavior, preferences, and potential areas for personal development. It offers a snapshot of an individual’s personality based on widely recognized psychological traits.
With over 4 Million taken tests, this service offers high reliability. It’s an open-source project and scientifically validated. It’s also available in over 20 languages.
3. Crystal
How long does it take? – 5 minutes
How much is it? – Free
Can you create an account? – No registration required
Crystal offers a pretty straightforward test – simply choose the words that best and least describe you. After obtaining your results, Crystal provides free resources to help you understand your traits better. The test, taking only 5 minutes, is presented in an accessible format for both beginners and enthusiasts.
While it offers comprehensive resources for exploring traits further, the platform is fully self-service, with limited options for in-person consulting and training.
DISC Assessment
In the workplace, recognizing our strengths and limitations is crucial for fostering productivity and harmony. The DISC assessment is a tool that helps people understand their behavior styles in different situations. It categorizes individuals into four main personality traits, providing insights into how they communicate and work with others.
Focus: Evaluating behavior styles based on four personality traits: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness.
Used in: Commonly used in workplace settings for team building and communication.
Here are our top 3 picks for taking the DISC assessment:
1. Open Psychometrics
How long does it take? – 5 minutes
How much is it? – Free
Can you create an account? – No
Open Psychometrics presents a diverse range of personality tests for individuals seeking entertainment or self-education. From scientific instruments to personal quizzes, these tests explore strengths, weaknesses, and various personality systems.
The DISC assessment test consists of 16 opinion statements you can rate on a scale of 1-5. It’s a quick and easy process, typically taking around 4-6 minutes. They do make it very clear that the test is purely for educational purposes, not as psychological advice. It doesn’t come with guarantees of accuracy or fitness for any specific purpose.
2. 123 Test
How long does it take? – 5 minutes
How much is it? – Free and paid
Can you create an account? – Yes
Discover your DISC personality type effortlessly with the free test from 123test.com, providing a graphical representation and detailed textual analysis in just five to ten minutes.
Unlike other assessments, this stress-free experience doesn’t demand right or wrong answers. Explore additional resources on 123test.com, including IQ and career assessments, team roles, and more, to take a step towards self-improvement by understanding your unique personality type.
3. BPTs DISC assessment
How long does it take? – 10 minutes
How much is it? – Free or paid
Can you create an account? – Yes
Best Personality Tests offers a free and easily accessible test for analyzing behavioral styles with the DISC assessment. The DISC Personality Test helps individuals understand their behavior in different situations. Unlike assessing underlying personality traits, the test focuses on situational behavior, providing a clear outward manifestation of behavior.
Strength-based personality tests
Strength-based personality assessments are tools that help individuals discover and understand their unique talents and strengths. It identifies and categorizes these strengths into lists (e.g. CliftonStrengths shows you 34 themes), offering insights to guide personal development and maximize one’s potential in various areas of life.
Focus: Identifying and leveraging individual strengths.
Used in: Often used in professional development and team-building contexts.
Here are our top 2 picks for strength-based personality tests:
1. Gallup’s Clifton Strengths
How long does it take? – 30 minutes
How much is it? – Paid
Can you create an account? – Yes
Gallup’s Clifton Strengths Assessment is a tool designed to help individuals identify and leverage their unique strengths. The assessment focuses on what individuals do best rather than highlighting weaknesses.
It provides users with a personalized list of their top strengths from a pool of 34, and offers insights into how they can excel in various aspects of their personal and professional lives.
2. High 5 Test
How long does it take? – 20 minutes
How much is it? – Free and paid
Can you create an account? – Yes
High 5 Test is an innovative platform that offers a personality test that provides valuable insights into individual traits and preferences. The test is designed to enhance self-awareness by highlighting strengths and areas for growth.
Users receive a detailed report, outlining their unique personality profile and offering guidance on leveraging their strengths in various aspects of life. With its user-friendly approach, High 5 Test aims to support personal development and foster a deeper understanding of oneself.
It’s important to note that while these tests can provide insights, they have their strengths and limitations. Interpretation should be done with caution, and results are not absolute or fixed. Individual preferences and cultural factors may influence the relevance and effectiveness of these assessments, too.
Which personality test is right for you?
We type “personality test” into Google and are flooded with a ton of options. But how can you determine, which test is the right one for you?
Ask yourself the following questions:
- What’s out there?
Research Different Tests. Look into various personality tests. Understanding the underlying principles and areas of life they aim to improve can be super beneficial.
- Why are you taking the test?
Purpose and context are important! Do you want to communicate better with your spouse? Find strengths for your career? Different tests serve different purposes – know the area of growth you want to tackle.
- What are you looking for?
Reflect on what you’re looking to gain from the assessment. Some people prefer detailed and nuanced insights, while others may prefer a straightforward approach and practical tips. Which one are you?
- Is this even reliable?
We mentioned this before: A good personality test is reliable and valid. Look for tests and systems with a solid (scientific) foundation and a history of being used in reputable contexts. Look for feedback and reviews from individuals who have taken the test. Their experiences can provide insights into how practical the test may be for you.
- Does it feel like you?
Consider whether the underlying principles of the test align with your personal values and beliefs. Some people may resonate more with certain frameworks than others.
Remember that personality tests are tools that offer insights, but they should not be viewed as absolute or deterministic. Choose a test that aligns with your goals and resonates with you personally – and always stay open to interpreting the results in a constructive and reflective manner.
What personality tests can help you with
- Self-Understanding:
Personality tests can provide valuable insights into your preferences, behaviors, and motivations, fostering a deeper understanding of yourself. This can lead to making more informed decisions in various aspects of your life.
- Career Guidance:
Emphasis on “guidance”, personality assessments can help you look at different aspects concerning a career that aligns with your strengths and preferences. This can help you make more informed career decisions, leading to greater job satisfaction and success.
- Improved Relationships:
Personality tests can enhance your interpersonal relationships by helping you understand the communication styles and preferences of others. This can lead to better collaboration, reduced conflict, and stronger connections in both personal and professional settings.
What personality tests can’t help you with
- Predicting Specific Behaviors:
Personality tests cannot predict specific actions or behaviors. Human behavior is influenced by so many different factors, including context, environment, and personal choice. No personality assessment can capture all of this accurately. And if they claim they can, it’s best to stay away from it.
- Sole Determination of Career Choices:
Though this may be the dream (or the reason you’re looking to take a personality test), personality tests mustn’t be used as the sole determinant of career choices. You’re way too complex a being for a test to suggest the ideal career path for you.
- Comprehensive Assessment of Mental Health:
This is the most dangerous aspect when it comes to personality tests, so we want to emphasize it: Personality tests are not substitutes for comprehensive mental health assessments. They may highlight certain traits or tendencies but are not designed to diagnose mental health conditions.
Individuals facing mental health concerns should seek professional guidance from qualified mental health professionals for a thorough evaluation and appropriate support.