In our search for self-knowledge, we’ve all likely taken one (or several) personality test(s). The Myers Briggs personality test is the most popular one of these. The goal is to gain insights about ourselves – why we are the way we are. But are these tests any good? Do they accurately measure personality, and are they actually helpful for self-understanding?

Any good test needs to demonstrate two things. Good validity (measuring what it’s supposed to measure) and reliability (stability, so that you don’t get different scores for the same person at different times).

The Myers-Briggs is one of the most widely administered psychological test in the world. It is based on Carl Jung’s theory – or at least an interpretation of it – and was constructed by the mother and daughter team of Katherine Cook Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers. It has 4 dimensions:

Introversion-Extraversion – whether you gain energy from being around others or being alone; Intuition-Sensing – whether you prefer abstract concepts over practical detail; Thinking-Feeling – whether you make decisions based on emotion or rational judgement; Judging-Perceiving whether you prefer planning or spontaneity. Combinations yield 16 personality types, and users get to know their 4-letter “type.” (e.g., ESTJ; INFP). These tests are widely available to take online in varying degrees of detail.