What is a personality test?
A personality test is a questionnaire that maps how you tend to think, work and relate to others, rather than testing right or wrong answers. Employers use it to judge how well you fit a role and a team. Because there is no pass mark, the most useful thing you can do is understand what each test measures and answer honestly and consistently.
What types of personality test do employers use?
The most common are the Big Five, Myers-Briggs (MBTI), DISC and SHL’s
Occupational Personality Questionnaire (OPQ). Each measures traits
differently, but all ask you to rate how strongly a set of statements
describes you.
- Big Five (OCEAN): scores you on openness, conscientiousness,
extraversion, agreeableness and emotional stability, and underpins
most workplace tests.
- Myers-Briggs (MBTI): sorts you into one of 16 types across four
preference dimensions.
- DISC: looks at behaviour through dominance, influence, steadiness
and conscientiousness.
- 16PF: profiles you across 16 personality factors for a more
detailed picture.
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Why do employers use personality tests?
Employers use personality tests to see how you are likely to work, not what you know. They help them judge whether your values fit the company culture, predict how you might perform in a specific role, and understand how you would fit into an existing team. Because they reveal things a CV and interview often miss, more employers now include one early in the hiring process.
How are personality tests scored?
Personality tests are not passed or failed. Your answers produce a raw score for each trait, which is then compared against a large group of people who have taken the same test, so the employer can see how you sit relative to others. Many tests use a sten scale from 1 to 10, where 5 to 6 is around average and 1 or 10 is at the extremes. There are no right answers, but a role will call for certain traits, so it helps to know what the job is likely to value before you start.
How do I prepare for a personality test?
The best preparation is to know the traits the role calls for and to answer honestly and consistently. Read each question carefully, since some are worded negatively or repeat a similar idea to check that your answers line up. There is usually no time limit, so there is no need to rush. Honesty also protects you: answers that stretch the truth tend to contradict each other, and they can land you in a job that does not actually suit you.
