Are you familiar with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and its 16 personality types? You may have taken the test for a particular job, or perhaps you were interested in the topic. The Myers-Briggs is just one of many psychometric tests that measure personality traits, but it’s one of the most popular options out there.
Personally, I’m not a big fan of psychometric testing because the questions can often be ambiguous. Nevertheless, I was curious to explore it from time to time. I was mainly interested in seeing if my results would change when I felt I had, so I took the test a few times over the last ten years.
Now, ten years isn’t a long time when it comes to testing changes in personality, but it does provide some perspective. I can remember how different I was in my 20s, 30s, and even 40s compared to now. Although my personality type hasn’t changed in the last decade—I still score as a “Mediator” (INFP-A)—the percentages in introversion vs. extroversion, intuitive vs. observant, feeling vs. thinking, prospecting vs. judging, and assertive vs. turbulent have shifted.
I wouldn’t endorse using this or any psychometric test for hiring decisions due to the potential for bias. After all, who would answer negatively about themselves when high stakes are involved? However, I do think these tests can be useful for personal reflection. They can help you understand the differences among the 16 personality types, offer you a broader perspective, and maybe even help you turn around a bumpy relationship.
So if it’s been a while since you took the test, click here and give it another shot from the comfort of your home. If nothing else, it’s fun!