As a child of the internet, I love nothing more than to pass the time by filling out silly little online quizzes. Especially during this time of #COVID19. Finding out if i'm house Hufflepuff or really team Gryffindor from a fun little buzzfeed quiz seems to be a pretty good distraction from my fears and anxieties of the world and a pretty good way to pass the free time I usually have reserved for socializing.
If you are like me and finding yourself finished with figuring out which Avengers superhero you are then I sincerely hope you keep reading! I've compiled here 5 Online Quizzes that will help you get to know yourself better and improve on your communication with people in both your personal and professional life.
Here are the top 3 free online quizzes for self development that I find myself recommending to my clients the most as a Registered Psychotherapist.
*Please note some of these quizzes have a paid options, these are simply recommendations and I have no personal or financial relationships with any of the recommended companies*
16 Personalities duration time: 15-25 minutes
16 personalities is a juggernaut of an online test and one that you may already have heard of. Based on the research of psychologist Carl Jung's theory of psychological types, and Katherine Cook Brigg's creation of the the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator in the 1920s. This online quiz and assessment is long and comprehensive (be ready to spend at least 15 minutes on this thing) and breaks down your personality into 4 main quadrants: Introvert (I) versus Extrovert (E), Intuitive (N) versus Sensory (S), Thinking (T) versus Feeling (F), Judging (J) versus Perceiving (P).
16 personalities does a comprehensive assessment to help you determine which of the 16 quadrants you are. The percentage score of each quadrant (e.g. you could be 60% introversion and 40% extraversion) alongside a detailed report is given as an end result. This report will describe difference aspects of your personality type like: strengths, weakness, ability to deal with stress, and what your relationship with friends, family, romantic partners might look like.
You can opt into to have the results emailed to you for future reference and there is a pay option to unlock more information about your personality type.
PROS: Easy to use, Fun to read.
What I find myself enjoying the most is that the information is represented in a clear and easy to understand manner, you don't have to have a psych degree to decipher your results and I've found it to be quite accurate for many folks. I especially enjoy that each personality quadrant is further broken down into percentages, helping people understand that we are never just one thing or another. It seems like these percentages also affect your results, seemingly taking one step further into ensuring a highly personalized set of results.
The information is represented in a clear and easy to understand manner, you don't have to have a psych degree to decipher your results
CONS: Grounded in Science? Not Really
Many companies and business, from Fortune 500 companies to universities to small business, use the MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) for employee trainings, and even sometimes during the hiring and promotion process. Yet the MBTI, while revolutionary in the 1920's field of psychology, does not hold up as a scientifically valid tool and measure for personality today. The test was developed and born out of the ideas of a few choice individuals rather than in empirically tested and proven science
You might also find (like many have) that your results don't really match with who you are. Some folks have found their results changing depending on their mood or current environmental factors. You might find that some of the information fits for some circumstances in your life but completely inaccurate in other factors. Using tools like 16 personalities may be super popular these days, but the tests lack the scientific validity and accuracy to make it something that one can use in confidence to accurately describe someone's personality.
You might also find (like many have) that your results don't really match with who you are. Some folks have found their results changing depending on their mood or current environmental factors.
Therapist's Final Thoughts: A helpful self-awareness tool
Given the cons of MBTI, why am I still recommending 16 personalities? It's the same reason that these tests continue to be super popular in the workplace: it's a helpful tool to help us find and develop self-awareness.
There are many things in this life that are helpful and nurturing to our development as a person in this world that are not born out of empirically based science, that doesn't take away the fact that they are still good for us.
I've found that this test is an easy way to talk more about the individual quirks and strengths of oneself, a great opportunity for self awareness and an opportunity to learn about areas of growth. When you take this test with friends and family, it creates a quick and fun way to talk about how each other's personalities interact with one another. Most of us may have a pretty good understanding of ourselves already, but we can always be learning more. Having an easy way and language to talk about what makes us who we are makes it easier for us to understand what makes other's who they are. There are many things in this life that are helpful and nurturing to our development as a person in this world that are not born out of empirically based science, that doesn't take away the fact that they are still good for us. As long as you take a grain of salt with this assessment and find something from this test helpful in informing you how to better develop yourself and/or your relationship with others, feel free to utilize this tool.
There are many things in this life that are helpful and nurturing to our development as a person in this world that are not born out of empirically based science, that doesn't take away the fact that they are still good for us.
Daring Leadership Assessment duration time: 5-15 minutes
If you’ve ever encountered Brené Brown’s powerful work on vulnerability, courage, and leadership, this quiz might be right up your alley. Brown’s research has influenced countless individuals and organizations, making her a leading voice in emotional resilience and leadership development.
The Daring Leadership Assessment, inspired by her book Dare to Lead, focuses on identifying your strengths and areas for growth in key skill sets:
Rumbling with Vulnerability
Living into Our Values
Braving Trust
Learning to Rise
The assessment is quick to complete and provides insightful feedback on how you show up as a leader in both your personal and professional life. Whether you're leading a team at work, your family, or simply yourself, this quiz offers actionable insights to develop a stronger, more courageous leadership style.
PROS:
Short and accessible, taking under 10 minutes.
Results are actionable and directly tied to Brené Brown’s evidence-based research.
Focuses on essential leadership skills applicable in any context.
CONS:
Centered on leadership, which may feel less relevant for individuals not in leadership roles.
Limited details in the free version of the results.
Therapist's Final Thoughts: We all can be leaders
The Daring Leadership Assessment is a great resource for exploring emotional intelligence and fostering personal growth. The key takeaway is learning how to lead with vulnerability and courage, whether in your career, relationships, or day-to-day interactions. Even if you don't identify as a "leader," these principles are universal and can improve how you connect with others.
Enneagram Personality Test
duration time: `10-20 minutes
The Enneagram Personality Test is another excellent tool for self-discovery. It categorizes individuals into one of nine distinct personality types, each with unique motivations, fears, and desires.
This ancient system has gained widespread popularity for its ability to help people better understand their inner workings and relationships. The test provides insight into why you behave the way you do and how you relate to others, offering guidance for personal growth and self-awareness.
PROS:
Comprehensive, covering core fears, desires, and tendencies.
Emphasizes personal growth rather than fixed traits.
A great conversation starter for deeper discussions with friends and family.
CONS:
Results can feel overly simplistic or abstract without deeper exploration.
May require additional reading or paid resources for more detailed insights.
Therapist's Final Thoughts: We all have our Triggers
The Enneagram is a powerful framework for understanding yourself and others. It’s particularly helpful for exploring emotional triggers and patterns, making it a useful tool for therapy and personal development. Take the test with an open mind and use the results as a starting point for deeper self-reflection.
Final Thoughts
Online quizzes are more than just a fun distraction—they can serve as valuable tools for self-awareness, personal growth, and communication improvement. While they’re not replacements for professional therapy, they offer a unique way to explore different aspects of yourself and your relationships.
Take these quizzes with an open mind and use the insights to reflect on your strengths, areas for growth, and ways to connect more authentically with others.
Ready to Explore More?
If you’ve found value in these quizzes and want to dive deeper into your self-development journey, consider working with a therapist. At Your Story Counselling, we specialize in helping individuals uncover their unique strengths, improve communication, and navigate life’s challenges.
Your Story Counselling Services is a multicultural, inclusive, BIPOC clinic that offers online services as well as in-person sessions in Vaughan and Markham.
Judy Lui and her team of clinicians and supervised therapist interns offer trauma-informed, clinical counselling in the form of art, play, and talk therapy. With an emphasis on social equity and justice,
Your Story offers counselling at a range of fee levels. Judy continues to see her clients, manages the clinic as Clinical Director, and mentors master ’s-level therapist interns.
Judy has been featured in the Toronto Star, where she discussed the impact of mental health struggles and the toll of COVID-19 on romantic relationships. She also co-authored a chapter in the first edition of An Intersectional Approach to Sex Therapy Centering the Lives of Indigenous, Racialized, and People of Color. She is a committee member with the Anti-Racism Advocacy Group at the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, where she helps organize community events and panels on racial trauma and advocacy.
Judy is also one of three 2024 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards Micro-Business Finalists and will represent the Central Canadian Region (Ontario & Montreal) for this honour.
If you have additional questions regarding the contents of this article please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to answer you.
Should you have questions or inquiries regarding counselling and the process of counselling, please visit our FAQ page. contact us to ask questions, or learn more about our team of therapists before signing up for a free 15 minute consultation.
Terms and Conditions of Use:
The information provided in this article is intended to be general knowledge and does not constitute as professional advice or treatment. This information is not intended for the use of diagnosis or treatment. Please do not share or distribute this article without the proper referencing or written/verbal consent of Judy Lui. Additional information can be found at www.yourstorycounselling.com or requested via info@yourstorycounselling.com
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