What type of person are you? Quizzes for self-improvement

Medically reviewed by Paige Henry, LMSW, J.D.
Updated January 22, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team

Many personality quizzes online can be fun to take, such as those that tell you which Marvel superhero you would be or which sitcom TV character you most resemble. You may see people share their results on social media, proclaiming that the animal they’re most similar to is a monkey. These multiple choice quizzes can offer a way to pass the time or laugh with friends. In addition, many people like to learn about themselves through symbolism and their favorite interests. 

If you're in the mood for a personality quiz, you might also consider one that offers insight into your strengths, areas for growth, and goals for the future. While fun personality quizzes may help you pass the time, self-improvement quizzes could help you learn more about yourself and make changes to align with your self-purpose. Self-improvement quizzes may also give you inspiration if you’re struggling with next steps in life.

Although personality quizzes are not a replacement for advice from a licensed mental health professional, they can be a positive starting point in understanding your personality. After receiving your results, from a personality quiz, consider bringing them to therapy with you to discuss them in further detail.

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“What type of person are you?” quizzes

"What type of person are you?" quizzes may help you discover interesting facts or insights about yourself, how you get along with others, and how you see your future. However, these quizzes are only for entertainment unless offered by a licensed mental health professional via a research-backed test. An online "what kind of person am I quiz" may not offer a complete picture of who you are. You can define yourself through your actions, thoughts, beliefs, and feelings. 

Some people believe that there are only a few archetypes of human beings. For example, people following the "five personality types" theory might believe that each personality type impacts how conscientious, extroverted, agreeable, open, and neurotic a person is. Others believe in MBTI or inkblot testing to understand one's personality. There are hundreds of personality profiling tests worldwide. Some are used within professional settings, whereas others are used for fun. 

Personality tests are not scientific classifications but the perceptions of educators, doctors, and psychologists. Psychologists actively debate personalities, the forming of behavior, and the reasons behind behaviors. While the science behind personality quizzes may not be precise, you may still improve your life by using them to build self-awareness.

Questions for “What type of person are you?” quizzes

Rather than focusing on what other people think you are, ask pointed questions regarding who you want to be. If you like to journal, you can use the following questions as prompts when discovering your personality type: 

  • Do you have goals and ambitions for the future? What are they?
  • How do you support other people? 
  • What skills and resources do you have that could be of help to others?
  • What do you want to accomplish in your life? 
  • Do you have one goal in mind or a set of multiple goals?
  • How do you enjoy spending your social time?
  • What influences or factors hold you back from accomplishing said goals? 
  • Do you often look back and realize that you dream frequently but never go after those aspirations? 
  • What prevents you from transforming dreams into reality?
  • What thoughts or beliefs do you want to change?
  • What are five ways to change unwanted thoughts each day? 

Personality quizzes to try

If you're seeking guidance and clarity, try out any or all of the following free personality quizzes. 

The "Who Am I?" visual DNA test

The "Who Am I?" quiz uses pictures instead of verbal questions, which may be helpful for someone who struggles with reading long quizzes. After answering the questions, you can be rated on openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. The results may give insight into topics like professional leadership and personal relationships.

Test Color

Test Color asks two questions: "What colors do you like the most?" and "What colors do you like the least?" From your answers to these questions, this quiz derives an array of insights about your leadership style, relationship approach, and what motivates you.

See My Personality

Ph.D. researchers developed a series of brain teasers to garner insight into how your brain works. The questions in the "See My Personality" test break down your spatial abilities, logic, and reasoning skills to determine whether you're more of a "right-brained" or "left-brained" kind of person. However, scientific theories don't back up the "right-brain" and "left-brain" theory, so this test might be used to check whether you're a more logic-minded or creative individual.  

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Skills You Need

The "Skills You Need" quiz evaluates your interpersonal skills in listening abilities, verbal communication, emotional intelligence, and teamwork. You'll discover which areas you excel in regarding your personal and professional relationships and where you might benefit from social practice.

16 Personalities

Based on the work of Carl Gustav Jung, the 16 Personalities quiz looks at the Myers-Briggs Personality Indicator (MBTI) for results. It breaks down your personality into four different spectrums, yielding 16 unique personality types and revealing implications for romantic relationships, careers, friendships, and other aspects of life. 16 Personalities is a free and simplified version of the psychology-backed Myers-Briggs test and may be an accurate place to start if you're interested in the MBTI. 

SoKanu Career Assessment

If you're trying to figure out what career is right for you, the SoKanu assessment may help you decide. It takes inventory of your skills and strengths to create a list of careers that might benefit you. By asking how you'd react to different simulated situations, you can gain valuable insight into your path in life.

The Mensa IQ Test

Although the disclaimer announces that the quiz is "just for fun" and not a real IQ test, it may be an interesting way to see how your IQ compares to people from the past. The Mensa IQ Test looks at how you answer specific logical puzzles, mathematic equations, and word games to see your intelligence in logical thinking. 

The Institute For Health And Human Potential (IHHP) Test 

The Institute for Health and Human Potential examines your emotional intelligence score (EQ). This test determines your strengths and growth areas related to emotions by asking how you'd react in various situations. It also gives you specific skills to work on.

Goleman's EQ Test

The Goleman's EQ Test is the first emotional intelligence test in the world. Daniel Goleman, the person behind the test, developed the Goleman test to look at emotional intelligence related to career paths. This quiz can offer insight into what careers you might enjoy based on your emotional awareness and empathy levels. 

Are you experiencing obstacles to self-improvement?

Although quizzes can be a beneficial place to start, they might not offer all the answers to complex psychological or personality-related challenges. If you are struggling to find your aspirations and ambitions in life, consider starting a self-reflection journal. You could also ask yourself the following questions: 

  • Do any people in my life limit me from going after my goals? 
  • Have I doubted myself in any areas? 
  • Do I have specific hobbies that bring me joy? 
  • If I don't have hobbies, why? 
  • Do I feel that my true dreams are unattainable?
  • Am I self-sabotaging my goals? 
  • Are there areas of my life that, if removed, would help me reach my goals? 

One approach to happiness is finding a balance between accomplishing your dreams and helping those around you. If you don't have resources in property or money, consider what you can offer in talent and time. Some people use volunteering to find causes that make an impact in their lives. 

Self-improvement often starts with self-awareness. By asking yourself questions, you may grow a deeper understanding of yourself and find ways to make changes you can be proud of. 

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Counseling options 

There are several benefits to learning more about yourself. While there are steps you can take on your own to increase your self-awareness, working with a professional may augment the process. People may limit themselves by not reaching out for support when they think they could benefit. However, if you're experiencing barriers to professional support, alternative options are available, such as online therapy. 

Online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp can connect you with certified therapists from home. Whether you're struggling with personality concerns, personal challenges, or a mental health condition, you can chat with a therapist who can guide you toward solutions. In addition, online therapy is often more cost-effective, convenient, and flexible than some in-person options, which can fit the schedule of specific individuals.  

One study by the Berkeley Well-Being Institute demonstrated how people who used online therapy experienced a significant decrease in depression symptom severity after engaging in online therapy. If you're living with depression or struggling to find the motivation to change your life, you might consider speaking to an online therapist. 

Counselor reviews

“Dr. Cameron is friendly, direct, and respectful. He listens with care. I feel like he understands my concerns and helps me find my next steps in a gentle but affirming way.”

“Kennedy is really good at listening to what your personal mental health goals are, and finding ways to achieve them. He will also suggest exercises and reading materials that are appropriate to your personal approach. He asks direct questions that really help you look at yourself.”

Takeaway

There are many personality types, each with unique dreams, talents, and goals. Instead of labeling yourself or forcing yourself into a box, try to recognize that you are unique. Many aspects of your personality may be strengths, and others could be looked at as areas for growth.  A personality test can be one way to learn more about yourself, but the questions it contains are likely not enough to really dive into what makes you you. 

If you're struggling to accept yourself as you are or want to grow in self-awareness, confiding in a professional could help. Working with a therapist, you can set goals for yourself that are attainable, realistic, and measurable. A therapist can be a compassionate guiding voice as you work through these questions for yourself.

You are deserving of positive self-esteem
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