The Enneagram Test

The Enneagram test is a widely used personality test. It is a test of a 144-pair forced-response approach, and the one that most closely matches the subject’s preference must be selected.

The product obtained from the test reflects the psychological traits of the subject’s personality. The duration of the test is approximately 60 minutes.

What is the Enneagram test?

The test part of the supposed premise that human beings have three major forms of intelligence: mental, emotional, and instinctive.

The enneagram defines candidates as centers and assigns three different personality types to each group.

There are three main personality signals for each enneagram: passion, compulsion, and virtue. Passion would be our greatest defect; compulsion, our strategy of unconscious evasion, while the strength of our core quality.

The different Enneatypes

According to the test, the mental centers privilege the rational. The types that compose it are forecasts, strategists but especially fans of objectivity and neutrality.

Enneatype number 1: ethics

It establishes that ethics is required permanently, following the principles considered good. Their major defect is anger, although it is particularly good at compulsion level to avoid it, even in their useful aspects. One of their fears is to make mistakes.

Enneatype number 2: altruism

This enneatype describes a trait of a person overturned towards others, full of benevolence. Sometimes they even forget themselves. Their compulsion is not taking into account their needs. They are also sincere and comprehensive.

Dependent on the recognition of others, although conscious of their qualities. They may feel proud. To counteract this, their mission would be to discover the joys of humility.

Enneatype number 3: chameleon

They can adapt quickly to any circumstance and feel comfortable in society. Behind their ambition and sense of competition can hide a compulsory escape from failure. They can be opportunistic. The chameleon’s challenge is to remain authentic under its various costumes.

Enneatype number 4: the artist

It has a high sensitivity, as an artist rejects the routine. The search for it is aesthetic. An important feature is the excess of desire: the beautiful and different. They believe that it does not take much to be happy. 

They can be romantic, timid, capricious, and can be highly creative. It is considered the rarest of the enneatype for its characteristics.

This enneatype prefers to live here and now more than in the future. They are oriented to do well and live well.

Enneatype number 5: the observer

Mostly withdrawn, very observant, they seek to understand their environment. They dissect and analyze the smallest challenges.

Enneatype number 6: the loyal

They are very committed and are generally safety-oriented. They are often trustworthy, very responsible, and hard-working.

Sometimes they seem to be defensive. Likewise, they are usually undecided and cautious. They can become rebels.

Enneatype number 7: the enthusiast

They are usually very productive and quite optimistic. They have a good sense of humor, are practical, and often try to live new experiences. They can become impulsive. They focus on targets and worthy goals. They also tend to be quite grateful.

Enniatype number 8: the leader

They are independent and like self-control. Are proactive, action-oriented, and have initiatives. They can exceed, and their avoidance strategy is to flee vulnerability. They are sure of themselves.

Enneatype number 9: the pacifier

They play the role of mediator. They are calm and reflective, like their comfort and others’ comfort. They avoid and prevent conflicts and like peace. They are usually humble and accommodated.

The instinctive center is that of spontaneous reactions but also that of analysis. They must understand their environment well to make decisions, even if they are fast. Energetic people with a good adaptation capacity are found in this group.

Validity and accuracy of the Enneagram Test

Although some may discuss that the test could have some failure, at a basic level, the Enneagram test can be useful for self-assessment. Many studies agree that this instrument is scientifically reliable and valid as a test instrument with solid psychometry.

The internal consistency reliability scores show that the RHEI varies from 56% to 82% accuracy in different types, with an average general accuracy of 72%.

However, there is a disadvantage that this test is vague. Personality types can be spacious or widespread, especially when you only consider basic personality and not both sides of the diagram.

Likewise, when used as a tool for self-analysis and personal improvement, the enneagram can be excellent. It is important to take strengths and weaknesses, looking for ways to use the fortresses while working on those weaknesses instead of avoiding them at all.

Benefits of the Enneagram Test

Within the benefits highlights the determination of the basic personality type. Likewise, it identifies our strengths and weaknesses.

By identifying them, we can use the knowledge of our strengths in our favor. Find jobs that work with those strengths or find ways of living that match our personality type.

The test can allow us to be aware of how to achieve our goals. By understanding many authors, it is a very good tool for self-analysis and improvement.

The test allows us to identify our weaknesses. Although we do not like to know our negative side, focusing on aspects in which we are not good can be very useful.

The fact that we can identify our weaknesses allows us to improve. By becoming aware of them, we can turn them into strengths. In addition, we can improve our interpersonal relationships, communication, and leadership skills.

Myths and realities of the Enneagram test

It is a test for self-analysis, not a test to change personality. When used inadequately, it can become very stressful, which is usually the issue when certain personality traits are considered more beneficial or perfect than others.

Some think that being a devotee is better than being a pacifier. Or being a challenger is better than being loyal.

Many people will see disadvantages in a personality trait. However, the focus is on improving those traits and building on our strengths.