Recently, I came across a clever tweet that quipped: “Myers-Briggs is basically astrology for business school graduates.”
It gave me a good chuckle! And yes, I’ve taken the Myers-Briggs test myself—multiple times over the years, actually. My results seem to fluctuate between ENFJ and INFJ, and honestly, I can never recall my type. If it ever comes up in conversation, I have to dig through an older blog post to remind myself. Hah!
In the replies to that tweet, quite a few people argued that Myers-Briggs lacks solid scientific backing—specifically, that researchers couldn’t reproduce consistent outcomes. One master’s student in Experimental Psychology explained: “The problem with personality tests like the MB is their poor test-retest reliability. If a measurement tool doesn’t yield the same results repeatedly, it’s not trustworthy. A ruler that reads 2 inches one time and 4 inches the next is a useless ruler.”
Of course, plenty of Myers-Briggs enthusiasts also chimed in. Some have found the test genuinely useful in their daily lives and gained self-awareness from taking it. I take their word for it. (If you’re interested in trying the MB test yourself, the official site offers a paid version. I’ve only ever completed a free version, so I can’t say whether that impacts the accuracy of the results.)
Other commenters suggested alternatives. One person pointed to a test called Lipson-Shiu, calling it “the only personality test worth taking.” For a more research-backed option, many recommended the Big Five Inventory. Another quiz I often hear mentioned is Gretchen Rubin’s Four Tendencies Quiz, which focuses on habits. It may not be a strict personality test, but it feels related. I haven’t tried any of these three yet, but I’d be open to doing so.
What about you? Where do you stand on all this? Do you have strong opinions about astrology (I’m a Gemini), Myers-Briggs, or other personality assessments? Do you see them as mainly entertainment—like being sorted into a Hogwarts House—or do you find them insightful and valuable? Have you ever had your children take a personality test? Or do you pay attention to their zodiac signs? Is there a favorite test or quiz I didn’t list? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
