The Big Five Personality Traits Model

The Big Five test can reveal if your personality matches your role

The model can help you better understand yourself and, by extension, in which type of role you would be most happy. It measures five key dimensions of your personality and you receive a score for each (high to low). Most people score somewhere in between the two extremes of each dimension.

Openness

High: inventive/curious
Low: consistent/cautious

This measures the degree of your intellectual curiosity, the desire for knowledge and new experiences, and your preference for variety over a strict routine. People with high scores tend to be more adventurous and creative, although they may also be unpredictable or lack focus. People with low scores are pragmatic and data-driven, but can often be closed-minded.

Conscientiousness

High: efficient/organised
Low: easygoing/careless

This looks at the level of care you take in your work. If you score high, you are thorough, thoughtful and focused on planning and achieving goals. You also possess a great degree of self-discipline, but can be stubborn and obsessive. If you score low, you tend to be more flexible and spontaneous, but can be perceived as unreliable.

Extraversion

High: outgoing/energetic
Low: solitary/introverted

This dimension measures your level of sociability, whether you are outgoing or not. People with high scores tend to be excitable, talkative and emotionally expressive. They draw their energy from the company of others, but can also be perceived as attention-seeking and domineering. People who score low have a reserved, reflective personality, and can be perceived as aloof or self-absorbed.

Agreeableness

High: friendly/compassionate
Low: analytical/detached

This personality dimension looks at how kind and helpful you are, and whether you can empathise with others. People who score high tend to be more cooperative towards others than low scorers, but can be viewed as naive or too submissive. Low scorers are more competitive and argumentative.

Neuroticism

High: sensitive/nervous
Low: secure/confident

This measures the level of your emotional stability: whether you are vulnerable to experiencing worry, anger and anxiety. High scorers often react irritably to bad news, they obsess over small details, and are prone to moodiness. They can be perceived as unstable or insecure. Low scorers are more emotionally resilient and stable. They react calmly in stressful situations, but can be seen as indifferent and unenthusiastic.


Iwona Tokc-Wilde, writer

"Most people score somewhere in between the two extremes of each dimension"