How it works
The method behind the 16 Types test, in five short parts.
The statements
The test has 40 short statements, 10 for each of the four scales. Half of each scale points to one letter and half to the other, so agreeing with everything does not push you one way.
You answer each statement on a five-point scale, from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). The statements are adapted from the International Personality Item Pool (IPIP), which is in the public domain.
The score
Each scale gets one score:
The score runs from 10 to 50, with 30 in the middle. Above 30 gives E, N, T or P; below 30 gives I, S, F or J. A score of exactly 30 counts as I, S, F or J and is marked Balanced. The bar shows the same score as a percentage: (score − 10) ÷ 40 × 100.
How clear each letter is
The distance from the middle (30) sets the label next to each bar.
| Distance from 30 | Label | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 0–3 | Balanced | Either letter could fit. We show the other type too. |
| 4–10 | Moderate | A lean one way. |
| 11–16 | Clear | A steady preference. |
| 17–20 | Very clear | A strong, consistent preference. |
Calibration
Before launch, the draft statements are tried with at least 300 people. A scale is kept only if its answers hang together (Cronbach’s alpha of 0.70 or more), and a group retakes the test after two to four weeks to check that results hold.
After launch, answers are copied without any link to your account and used to check each statement. Any change, however small, becomes a new test version. Your earlier results keep the wording of the version you took.
| Version | Status |
|---|---|
| p16-v1.0-en | First version, in calibration |
What the test is not
- It is not the official MBTI® assessment.
- It describes preferences, not abilities or intelligence.
- It is not meant for hiring, diagnosis or other decisions about a person.