Know yourself better: 3 personality tests to try today

Try these free online personality tests to learn more about yourself.

I've tried many personality tests in the last years.

Mostly, it’s been about understanding myself and improving my self-awareness. Sometimes, it’s been for hiring processes or team-building sessions.

I deeply respect people who have a genuine desire to keep learning and improving.

If you’re subscribed to Getting Better, there’s a very good chance you’re one of these people.

So why not try one of these three personality tests to help you know yourself better? I've tried them all (they’re free), and I definitely have a favorite.

---

16personalities test

Most recently, I re-did the 16personalities test, which is an introspective self-report developed by Briggs and Myers.

🕰️ Time required: 5-10 minutes.

It's a familiar one. You might have even taken it already.

And it is probably the most easily available personality test and one of the most popular personality tests in the world.

The test assigns you one of these 16 personality types based on your answers.

---

For example, I got “Architect”, though a few years ago, my result was different. That’s one of the interesting aspects of these tests: your results can change as you grow.

The test also shows you famous people who share your personality type.

---

I’m in the same category as Nietzsche and Musk, which can feel a bit strange. But hey, that’s part of the fun.

Despite its appealing look and ease of use, I find this test somewhat simplistic.

---

---

The SAPA Project

With this test you will get two types of feedback:

1. Scores on 27 personality traits (e.g. sociability, self control, creativity, attention seeking, conformity, trust, etc.). For each personality trait you will be given a detailed description as to what it means.

2. Scores on five broad personality traits (i.e. the "Big Five": agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, neuroticism, openness). This method for assessing personality has the most consensus among psychology researchers and has been around for several decades.

🕰️ Time required: 20-30 minutes.

The more questions you answer, the more reliable your results, so try to avoid skipping.

The test is entirely anonymous and part of a non-commercial scientific project, which is a nice touch if you ask me.

You can find detailed FAQs for more context on the project.

If you are into self-awareness and learning, you might also like this other piece I wrote on “how to learn 10x faster according to science”.

PrinciplesYou

A few years ago, Ray Dalio (founder of one of the greatest hedge funds in the world) and other remarkable people (Adam Grant among them) developed PrinciplesYou, which has since become my favorite test.

This test will help you understand how you:

• prefer to think (creative, detail-oriented, practical, logical, etc.)

• engage with others (critical, nurturing, extroverted, inspiring, etc.)

• respond in various situations (e.g. when problem-solving, interacting with others, under stress, etc.)

🕰️ Time required: 30-40 minutes.

While it’s not quick, the depth is worth it.

It assigns you one or more “archetypes”, which summarize your preferences and include insights on your strengths and areas for improvement.

Most people identify with more than one archetype, so you may see up to three.

For example this was my result.

Obviously, for each match you are given a detailed description:

And the strengths and areas of improvements:

This depth is one reason why I find PrinciplesYou to be one of the best personality tests out there.

---

Recent highlights on on ‘Getting Better’:

• 🚶 Do this to get more creative ideas

• 💰 How to sell more and influence people

• 🗣️ Use these words to become more persuasive

---

Each test offers really unique insights, from broad personality traits to specific behavioral patterns, helping you understand yourself better.

I know you’re curious - so why not give one (or all) of them a try? You might discover something surprising about yourself.

Let me know your favorite ⬇️

---

See you all next Sunday 🗓️
Thanks,
Giacomo