Personality tests help us understand who we are better than anything else. They can give us insight into our strengths and weaknesses. We all know that there’s nothing wrong with knowing our strengths and weakness, but why do we want to know them? Why take a personality test?
Personality tests find our hidden strengths and weaknesses to improve our performance and make better decisions. A study showed that people who took a personality test had improved their job performance and happiness levels.
We all know that there‘s no such thing as perfect, but a personality test gives us feedback about where we stand compared to others. This information is useful because it allows us to identify areas where we could improve. You can also read our post on how to guess someone's MBTI type.
Personality tests are used to determine how people react to different situations. A personality test is like a mirror that reflects our real selves. If we look at our reflection, we can see what we really think and feel.
Knowing yourself helps you improve your performance and make better decisions
There are two basic types of personality tests: self-report and projective tests. Self-report tests are instruments designed to measure psychological traits and are often used by psychologists and psychiatrists. Projective tests are instruments designed to reveal information about a person’s unconscious thoughts and feelings. In both cases, the goal is to determine how people behave in certain situations.
A self-report inventory is an instrument designed to measure psychological traits such as intelligence, creativity, honesty, etc.
- An example of a self-report inventory is the MBTI. This test measures one’s ability to think logically and solve problems.
- Rorschach inkblot tests are a type of projectivity test. These tests were developed by Hermann Rorschach in 1921. He believed that his patients could tell him what was troubling them simply by looking at pictures. The idea behind the Rorschach inkblot test is that it allows you to see into someone’s mind. If you find yourself drawn to some of the ink blots, you might want to consider talking to a psychologist or psychiatrist about your concerns.
Pros and Cons of Personality Test
While personality tests are important, below are a summary table of pros and cons in personality test:-
| Pros of Personality Test | Cons of Personality Test |
| Know your strength and weakness | Not accurate and not trustworthy |
| Fun tools for compatibility with others | Generalize people in a few buckets |
| Understanding friends | Can change over time |
Pros of Personality Tests
1. You get to know yourself better
You might not think you need to know more about yourself, but taking a personality test shows you things about yourself that you didn't realize before. It gives you a chance to discover what makes you tick. And once you do, you’ll have a much clearer idea about how to improve yourself.
2. Fun tools to discuss compatibility with others
If you want to date someone, then a personality test is a great ice breaker whether they match well with you. If you don't feel comfortable talking to them, a personality test is a great way to talk about compatibility about others. You can get a good idea of what kind of person they are and if you two would have any problems together. A lot of people use them to figure out who their soulmate is. You can read our comparison post on perceivers and judgers.
3. Understanding friends easier
When you take a personality test, you'll start getting to know people around you better. So you'll be able to understand your friends better. By understanding yourself, you'll be able to understand others better. That means you'll be able to communicate better with everyone around you.
Cons of Personality Tests
1. Not accurate
Personality tests aren't always accurate or reliable. Many people get different results by changing their answer slightly. Sometimes they don't tell the truth about yourself at all. Also, some people might not want to know everything about themselves. People who take personality tests tend to get defensive about answering certain questions. Don't let people make assumptions about what you're thinking just because you didn't answer their question.
2. Generalize People in a few buckets
A lot of people believe that taking a personality test before dating someone means that you won't end up with anyone. But, that couldn't be further from the truth. A personality test is simply a tool that helps you understand yourself better. It shouldn't dictate where you go from here. You can see our post on how to differentiate between sensors and intuitive.
3. Your answers might change depending on how you feel
You may have different answers to the same question depending on how you feel. So, don't worry about giving the right answer; instead, focus on being honest.