Humans are wired to focus on the negative. Whether it’s a wrong word you said years ago or a perceived failure, pessimism is a natural predisposition—what psychologists call negativity bias.
Below we discuss what a strengths-based test is, how it can help you, and several strengths-based assessments that you can take if you’re curious to know your unique set of strengths.
What Is a Strengths-Based Test or Assessment?
Many tests use a strengths-based approach to identify a person’s unique set of skills. This helps them become more aware of their abilities and capacities, so they can build on them to counter their weaknesses.
A strengths-based approach aims to counter this by focusing your attention and energies on your strengths. It helps you explore your abilities rather than be derailed by your weaknesses.
Strengths-based tests are online assessments that measure your innate abilities based on how you usually think, behave, and feel. All strengths-based assessments have a list of strengths that are grouped in categories or domains.
During the test, you’ll usually be shown a series of paired statements and be asked to pick one that best describes you. Then, the assessment will measure your strengths and list them down according to dominance. However, most tests will only give you your top five or top 10 strengths.
Most often than not, the tests come with a detailed description of each strength and actionable steps on how you can improve them or make the most out of them.
How Can It Help Me?
Knowing your strengths can offer you many benefits. Becoming aware of them will help you understand yourself better and develop your self-awareness.
Understanding your inherent skills and abilities will also help you sift through opportunities and decisions better, allowing you to pay attention to the things that matter. Be it a new job, personal opportunity, or new relationship, understanding your strengths can help you make the best choices possible.
Understanding what you’re good at can also help boost your potential. You can utilize your strengths to help you find the industry or workplace that suits you best. Most employers use strengths assessments in conjunction with aptitude tests to place their employees in jobs that fit them, leading to improved efficiency and productivity.
Below are our four top picks for strengths tests that you can take online:
1. CliftonStrengths
Formerly known as Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment, CliftonStrengths is a paid online talent assessment that measures your talents using 177 paired statements.
You have the option to choose between the Top 5 Clifton Strengths and the Clifton Strengths 34. The test will unlock your unique combination of the 34 CliftonStrengths themes, what it calls your Talent DNA, arranged from the most dominant to the least dominant.
Unfortunately, you only get access to your Top 5 strengths unless you purchase the Clifton Strengths 34. The more advanced test has 34 different themes based on four domains: Executing, Relationship-Building, Influencing, and Strategic Thinking.
The test is available for individuals, students, managers, teams, and organizations. There is also a community of Gallup-certified CliftonStrengths coaches across the world ready to empower people to help people achieve their purpose.
2. High5 Test
High5 Test is a free online strength test that aims to help you understand and appreciate yourself and others by finding your personal strengths. HIGH5 strengths are recurring patterns of actions, decisions, feelings, and thoughts.
Related: Sites for Fun and Insightful Psychological Tests
The free test shows you your top five personal strengths and their definitions. However, to gain access to the comprehensive report containing actionable insights about your strengths, areas to avoid, and career applications, you need to purchase it as a standalone. There is also the option to purchase the advanced test alongside a complementary debriefing call with a HIGH5 coach.
3. VIA Character Strengths Survey
The VIA Character Strengths Survey is a free, scientific survey that helps you learn your character strengths that will only take 15 minutes.
Unlike the other strengths test, VIA comes in two forms, one for adults (18 and above) and one for the youth (10-18 years old). Like the rest, this strengths test ranks your character strengths according to the ones that are most core to your identity.
Unlike the free High5 test that only gives you a short description of your top five strengths, the VIA survey allows you to download your strengths profile. The Strengths profile will show the ordered ranking of your 24 strengths from your top five signature strengths to your 14 middle strengths and five lesser strengths.
You can also purchase the top five reports or the full 24 report that contains an in-depth analysis of your strengths, and also contains tips, exercises, and more.
4. Strengths Profile
Strength Profile describes a strength as something you enjoy doing, something you are good at, and something you do a lot of time. Compared with all the tests listed here, the Strengths Profile assesses the most number of strengths—60 strengths in total.
After you take the test, you will get your Quadrant Profile, which shows you up to seven of your Realized Strengths, the strengths you know, and up to seven of your Unrealized Strengths, or the ones you should capitalize on more often.
It will also show you up to four of your Learned Behaviors, the strengths you frequently use but not necessarily enjoy, and up to three of your Weaknesses, or the things that you not only enjoy but also find hard.
The Quadrant Profile comes with descriptions of the strengths and tips on how to use them wisely and how to improve them further. If you’re curious to see the full 60 strengths, you have the option to upgrade to Expert Profile.
Capitalize on Your Strengths
A strengths-based approach is a good tool for celebrating your unique capacities in a society that focuses too much on negativity and deficit.
Not only is it a good tool towards self-awareness and positivity, but using your strengths at work and in life, in general, is a proven way to keep you motivated, happier, more confident, and more energized.
