Since it was first published in 1962, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) has become the gold standard for personality tests. But many people have criticized the test, saying it’s arbitrary and based on unproven theories. Let’s look at five Myers-Briggs alternatives you can consider.
[Read more: How to Tell if You’re an Introvert or Extrovert at Work]
The Big Five Personality Test
The Big Five Personality Test is based on the belief that most people embody five core personality traits. The test is given by Psychology Today and takes about 25 minutes to complete.
After you’re finished answering the questions, you’ll receive a complimentary summary of your results and will be given the option to purchase your results for $6.95. Your results will be broken down into the following five categories:
- Openness.
- Conscientiousness.
- Extraversion.
- Agreeableness.
- Neuroticism.
Each personality trait represents a range between two extremes, with most people falling somewhere in the middle. And one of the things that’s unique about the Big Five test is that it doesn’t just share flattering information.
[Read more: 8 Personality Tests to Help You Hire the Best Candidate]
The Enneagram
The Enneagram test outlines nine different interconnected personality traits, with 27 additional subtypes. The nine traits are then grouped into three different “centers”: instinctive, feeling and thinking.
Here is an overview of each of the nine personality traits:
- The Reformer: Perfectionistic and self-controlled.
- The Helper: A generous people-pleaser.
- The Achiever: Driven and image-conscious.
- The Individualist: Dramatic and temperamental.
- The Investigator: Innovative and perceptive.
- The Loyalist: Responsible and engaged.
- The Enthusiast: Fun-loving and spontaneous.
- The Challenger: Self-confident and decisive.
- The Peacemaker: Agreeable and complacent.
The DiSC Assessment
The DiSC assessment looks at four different personality types: dominance, influence, steadiness and conscientiousness. Most people contain elements of all four personality traits and use them to varying degrees.
The test is based on the book written by William Moulton Marston called “Emotions of Normal People.” There are eight different scales measured on the DiSC assessment, and it’s likely your results will show a combination of one or two letters.
Workplaces often use the DiSC assessment to help employees understand how to communicate and work together.
Workplaces often use the DiSC assessment to help employees understand how to communicate and work together.
The Four Color Personalities
This test uses four different colors to symbolize the four standard personality types and is designed to help you uncover important social information about yourself to better understand how well you work with others.
Many organizations use this test to promote effective communication at work. Here are the four color personalities:
- Orange:The orange personality type tests to be energetic and action-oriented. This individual enjoys taking risks, is competitive and loves to push past normal boundaries.
- Gold: If your primary color is gold, you prefer structure and organization. You tend to be on time and expect others to be on time as well. These individuals like rules and following a predetermined schedule.
- Green: The green personality type is analytical and intuitive. They tend to be big picture thinkers who think outside of the box.
- Blue: Blues are empathetic, enjoy working with others and tend to be very social people. They look for opportunities to collaborate with other people.
[Read more: 6 Personality Traits That Make Great Entrepreneurs]
Goleman’s EQ Test
The EQ test is a free test offered by the Global Leadership Foundation. The test is based on Daniel Goleman’s four quadrants of emotional intelligence:
- Self-awareness.
- Self-management.
- Social awareness.
- Relationship management.
The test can help you understand the emotions that are driving your behavior and how to redirect negative impulses. It can also help you uncover the motivation driving many of your behaviors.
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