How to Take the 16 Personalities Assessment
Taking the 16 personalities assessment is straightforward, but following best practices helps ensure you get accurate, meaningful results that reflect your authentic self. This guide walks you through the process step-by-step.
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Find a Reputable Assessment
Choose a Reliable Test
- Look for assessments based on established personality frameworks
- Avoid overly simplified or commercialized versions
- Read about the assessment's methodology
- Check reviews and recommendations
What to Look For
- Clear explanation of what's being measured
- Transparent about limitations
- Provides detailed results, not just type codes
- Offers explanations of dimensions and types
Step 2: Prepare for the Assessment
Choose the Right Time
- Take it when you're calm and focused
- Avoid times when you're stressed or distracted
- Allow 15-30 minutes of uninterrupted time
- Ensure you're in a comfortable environment
Mental Preparation
- Be ready to reflect honestly on yourself
- Understand this measures preferences, not abilities
- Know there are no right or wrong answers
- Prepare to be open and honest
Set Intentions
- Focus on understanding yourself better
- Approach with curiosity, not judgment
- Remember this is a tool for self-awareness
- Be open to what you might discover
Step 3: Answer the Questions
Respond Based on Your Authentic Self
- Answer as you naturally are, not as you want to be
- Choose options that reflect your true preferences
- Avoid answering based on social expectations
- Be honest about what feels natural to you
Don't Overthink
- Go with your first instinct when possible
- Avoid analyzing what the question is "really asking"
- Trust your natural reactions
- Don't try to game the system
Be Consistent
- Answer similar questions consistently
- Remember your earlier responses if questions are related
- Don't contradict yourself unless you genuinely feel differently
- Maintain consistency throughout the assessment
When Uncertain
- Choose middle options if you truly can't decide
- Reflect briefly but don't overanalyze
- Pick what feels slightly more natural
- Remember that slight preferences still count
Step 4: Understand What's Being Measured
Four Core Dimensions
The assessment measures your preferences across four dimensions:
1. Energy Direction (E/I): Where you get energy - from external world or internal reflection
2. Information Processing (S/N): How you take in information - through concrete facts or abstract patterns
3. Decision Making (T/F): How you make decisions - based on logic or values
4. Lifestyle Approach (J/P): How you approach structure - preferring plans or flexibility
16 Possible Combinations
Your preferences across these four dimensions create one of 16 personality types:
- Analysts: INTJ, INTP, ENTJ, ENTP
- Diplomats: INFJ, INFP, ENFJ, ENFP
- Sentinels: ISTJ, ISFJ, ESTJ, ESFJ
- Explorers: ISTP, ISFP, ESTP, ESFP
Step 5: Review Your Results
Read Your Type Description
- Start with your overall type description
- Read about your type's characteristics and traits
- Understand your type's strengths and growth areas
- Learn about your type's preferences and behaviors
Explore Cognitive Functions
- Understand your dominant and auxiliary functions
- Learn how your type processes information and makes decisions
- Recognize your natural preferences and tendencies
- Identify functions you use less naturally
Understand Growth Areas
- Recognize areas for development
- Identify weaker functions to strengthen
- Understand stress responses for your type
- Learn about development opportunities
Step 6: Apply Your Insights
Use for Self-Awareness
- Reflect on how your type manifests in your life
- Recognize patterns in your behavior and preferences
- Understand why you think and act the way you do
- Appreciate your unique strengths
Apply Practically
- Use insights to improve relationships
- Guide career and life decisions
- Manage stress and maintain well-being
- Set goals aligned with your authentic self
Continue Learning
- Read more about your type
- Explore other types to understand differences
- Join communities discussing personality types
- Keep learning and growing
Tips for Accurate Results
Answer Honestly
- Be truthful about your preferences
- Don't answer based on what sounds good
- Avoid trying to get a "desired" type
- Focus on your authentic self
Choose Natural Preferences
- Pick what feels most natural to you
- Don't overthink your choices
- Trust your instincts
- Remember preferences, not abilities
Don't Overthink
- Go with your first reaction
- Avoid analyzing what questions "really mean"
- Don't try to predict your type
- Trust the process
Be Consistent
- Maintain consistency in your responses
- Answer similar questions similarly
- Don't contradict yourself unnecessarily
- Stay true to your authentic preferences
Understand the Questions
- Read questions carefully
- Understand what's being asked
- Consider your natural tendencies
- Choose based on preferences, not ideals
What to Expect
Question Format
- Typically 60-100 questions
- Multiple choice or rating scales
- Questions about preferences and behaviors
- Takes 10-20 minutes to complete
Types of Questions
- "Do you prefer..." questions about activities
- "When making decisions..." questions about processes
- "In social situations..." questions about behavior
- Questions about energy, information, decisions, and structure
Results Format
- Four-letter type code (e.g., INTJ, ENFP)
- Type description and characteristics
- Information about cognitive functions
- Strengths, challenges, and growth areas
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Answering as You Want to Be
- Don't answer based on ideal self
- Focus on who you actually are
- Avoid trying to seem a certain way
- Be honest about your authentic preferences
Overthinking Questions
- Don't analyze what questions "really mean"
- Avoid trying to game the system
- Trust your natural reactions
- Go with your instincts
Inconsistency
- Don't contradict yourself
- Maintain consistency in responses
- Remember similar questions should get similar answers
- Stay true to your authentic self
Trying to Get a Specific Type
- Don't aim for a particular type
- Answer honestly regardless of outcome
- Avoid manipulating answers
- Let your authentic preferences emerge
After Taking the Assessment
If Results Feel Accurate
- Explore your type in depth
- Read about cognitive functions
- Connect with others of your type
- Use insights for growth
If Results Feel Inaccurate
- Consider that you might be in the middle of dimensions
- Reflect on whether you answered honestly
- Read about similar types
- Remember types describe preferences, not absolutes
- You might want to retake after time for reflection
Continuing Your Journey
- Keep learning about your type
- Explore other types to understand differences
- Apply insights practically in your life
- Use for personal growth and development