Comparison of 5 free personality tests
Why personality tests?
In a world that is constantly changing, many people are looking for ways to understand themselves better.personality tests offer a structured way to gain insights into your behavioral patterns, strengths and development potential. They are not only useful for self-reflection, but can also provide valuable guidance in professional contexts, career planning or interpersonal relationships.
Advantages of personality tests
Personality tests offermany advantages that can provide valuable insights in both a private and professional context:
Promote self-awareness: They help you to better understand your own behavioral patterns, strengths and areas of development and to deal with them consciously.
Support career planning: By identifying your personality traits, you can choose career paths that better suit your individual characteristics, leading to greater satisfaction and performance.
Improve teamwork: In companies, personality tests can help optimize team dynamics by providing insights into the communication and working styles of team members.
Making personnel selection more efficient: When recruiting new employees, personality tests can help to better assess the suitability of applicants and thus increase the accuracy of fit for certain roles.
Promoting personal development: They serve as a basis for coaching and personal development by highlighting individual potential and challenges.
Aim of the article
In this article, I will introduce you to five renowned, free personality tests: Big Five, 16 Personalities, High 5 Strengths Finder, Enneagram and DISC. For each test, I will highlight the scientific basis, areas of application, advantages and disadvantages as well as recommended test options. The aim is to provide you with a sound basis for deciding which test best suits your individual needs.
1. big five personality test (OCEAN model)
What is the Big Five Test?
The Big Five test is based on the OCEAN model, which measures five main dimensions of personality: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism. In contrast to typological approaches, this model does not assign fixed personality types, but views each dimension as a continuum. This results in a differentiated personality profile that takes individual nuances into account.
Scientific basis of the Big Five Test
The Big Five model is considered to be one of the best researched and scientifically validated personality theories. It was developed through extensive psychological studies and is widely used in research as well as in practical areas such as coaching and personnel development.
Areas of application of the Big Five Test
Self-reflection and personality development: Recognize how pronounced individual dimensions of your personality are - such as your openness to new things or how you deal with stress.
Career and professional orientation: Use the results to identify fields of activity that match your personal characteristics.
Team development and communication: Understand how you work with others - and where differences might arise.
Psychological research and coaching: The Big Five Test is considered the gold standard in personality psychology and is widely used in professional contexts.
Advantages and disadvantages of the Big Five test
Advantages:
High scientific validity and reliability
Differentiated personality profile without rigid typing
Broad applicability in different contexts
Disadvantages:
Requires a certain capacity for self-reflection
The interpretation of the results can be complex
Recommended free test options for the Big Five Test
BigFive-Test.com: A free, open-source test without registration, based on the scientifically validated Big Five model.
Truity's Big Five Test: Another free test with a detailed evaluation of the five dimensions.
2. 16 Personalities (MBTI-based)
What is the 16 Personalities test?
The 16 Personalities Test is a modern interpretation of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and combines this with the Big Five model. It assigns people to one of 16 personality types based on four dichotomies: Extraversion/Introversion, Intuition/Sensing, Thinking/Feeling and Judging/Perceiving. Each type is represented by a four-letter abbreviation (e.g. INFP, ESTJ).
Scientific basis of the 16 Personalities Test
Although the MBTI is widely used in practice, its scientific validity has been criticized. The 16 Personalities Test attempts to achieve greater accuracy by integrating elements of the Big Five model. Nevertheless, the results should be interpreted with a certain degree of caution and should not be regarded as absolute truth.
Areas of application of the 16 Personalities Test
Easy access to personality analysis: Ideal for people who are looking for a simple and striking approach to personality analysis
Career planning and career choice: The type descriptions provide impulses as to which working environments might suit you.
Team analysis and understanding of roles: Find out how your type behaves in groups - and what strengths you can contribute.
Communication and relationship building: Understanding your type and the types of others helps you to better understand and resolve conflicts.
Advantages and disadvantages of the 16 Personalities Test
Advantages:
Simple and accessible typology
Helpful for initial insights into your own personality
Widespread and well-known
Disadvantages:
Scientific validity is controversial
Can lead to overidentification with a type
Recommended free trial for the 16 Personalities Test
16Personalities.com: A comprehensive, free test with detailed descriptions of the 16 personality types.
3rd High 5 Strengths Finder
What is the High 5 Strengths Finder?
The High 5 Strengths Finder is a free online test that aims to identify your five strongest character traits. It is based on positive psychology and focuses on discovering and utilizing individual strengths. The test consists of 120 questions and provides you with a personal strengths profile that can serve as a basis for your personal and professional development.
Scientific basis of the High 5 Strengths Finder
The High 5 Test was developed to help people recognize and use their strengths. It is based on a data-driven model that is continuously being developed. Although the test does not have the same scientific validation as the paid-for CliftonStrengths test from Gallup, it still offers valuable insights into individual strengths.
Areas of application of the High 5 Strengths Finder
Personal development: Recognize and use your strengths to reach your full potential.
Career planning: Identify activities and roles that suit your strengths.
Teamwork: Understand the strengths of your team members to work together more effectively.
Advantages and disadvantages of the High 5 Strengths Finder
Advantages
Free of charge and easily accessible
Focus on positive characteristics and strengths
Fast implementation and immediate results
Disadvantages
Less scientifically validated than other tests
Limited depth in the analysis
Recommended free trial options for the High 5 Strengths Finder
High5Test.com: Official website of the test with further resources for interpreting the results.
4th Enneagram test
What is the Enneagram?
The Enneagram is a personality model that describes nine basic personality types. Each type represents certain patterns of thinking, feeling and behavior. The model offers deep insights into the motivations and fears that influence our behavior and serves as a tool for self-reflection and personal development.
Scientific basis of the Enneagram
The scientific validity of the Enneagram is controversial. While some studies have found positive effects on personality development, there is a lack of comprehensive empirical research. Nevertheless, the Enneagram is used successfully in various contexts, particularly in pastoral care and coaching.
Areas of application of the Enneagram test
Self-reflection: Recognize your inner motivations and behaviour patterns.
Relationship work: Understand the dynamics in interpersonal relationships.
Spiritual development: Use the Enneagram as a tool for personal transformation.
Advantages and disadvantages of the Enneagram test
Advantages:
Deep insight into personal motivations
Promotes self-confidence and personal development
Application in various areas of life
Disadvantages:
Limited scientific validation
Complexity can lead to misunderstandings
Recommended free test options for the Enneagram test
Eclectic Energies Enneagram Tests: Offers two different test formats to determine your Enneagram type.
Truity's Enneagram Personality Test: A user-friendly test with detailed results.
5th DISC personality test
What is the DISC test?
The DISC test (or DISG test) is a personality model that identifies four main behavioral styles: Dominance (D), Initiative (I), Steadiness (S) and Conscientiousness (C). It was developed to understand and improve people's behavior in different situations, especially in professional contexts.
Scientific basis of the DISC test
The DISC test is based on the theory of William Moulton Marston from the 1920s. Although the test is widely used, there is debate about its scientific validity. Some studies support its use in certain contexts, while others question its reliability.
Areas of application of the DISC test
Personnel development: Understand the behavioral styles of your employees and promote effective communication.
Team building: Identify the strengths and weaknesses of team members to improve collaboration.
Leadership development: Use the test to develop and adapt leadership skills.
Advantages and disadvantages of the DISC test
Advantages
Easy to understand and use
Helpful for improving communication
Widely used in the business world
Disadvantages
Scientific validity is controversial
Can oversimplify behavioral styles
Recommended free test options for the DISC test
123test's DISC Personality Test: A free test with a quick evaluation of your DISC profile.
Crystal's DISC Assessment: Provides a detailed analysis of your DISC profile with additional insights.
Conclusion: Which test is right for you?
The choice of the right personality test depends on your individual goals and needs.
For scientifically sound insights: The Big Five Test offers you a differentiated and empirically validated personality profile.
For an initial overview: The 16 Personalities Test provides you with an easy-to-understand typology that gives you an initial insight into your personality.
For identifying your strengths: The High 5 Strengths Finder helps you to recognize and use your five strongest character traits.
For profound self-reflection: The Enneagram offers you deep insights into your inner motivations and behavioral patterns.
To improve team communication: The DISC test helps you to understand behavioral styles and improve teamwork.
Regardless of which test you choose, the following applies: personality tests are tools for self-reflection and personal development. They can give you valuable impulses, but are no substitute for a deeper examination of yourself.
Marco Schmitt - Systemic Coach
If you would like to delve deeper into your personal development and are looking for professional support, please get in touch with me.