Enneagram Typescreener Quizzes

The Enneagram symbol and the wisdom it contains were strictly "narrative" (meaning that none of these teachings were written down) until the 1960s, which is why it's hard to pin down exactly how and when the Enneagram came to be.

In my sessions, I use the Enneagram as a map to help my clients understand their default patterns and how to shift or change those patterns.

When used this way, the Enneagram can help you answer questions like:

• why am I always so reactive?
• why do I always avoid conflict?
• why is being correct or right so important to me?
• why do I always over-prepare for everything and anticipate problems?
• what's wrong with being such a private person?
• why do I always focus on what's missing in my life?
• why do I tend to focus on the negative?
• why do I tend to focus on the positive?
• why is being liked and appreciated so important to me?
• why do I always help others - and ignore my own needs?
• why do others have issues with how direct I can be?

In other words, the Enneagram is an excellent self-growth tool, helping you understand yourself (and others) better.

When used properly, working with the Enneagram can be a very deep and profound practice that can help you become a better person - both psychologically and spiritually.

A few things about this system and the two tests below:

These tests are not meant to put you in a box.  Instead, they are to help you see the cozy box that you are already in, and how to venture outside of that box (if you desire to!).

I like to think of the 9 numbers of the Enneagram as “energies”. Each energy has its strengths and development areas.  We have all 9 of these energies within ourselves.

However, we each lead with one energy or type.  You will hear Enneagram teachers call this "the type you lead with".

It is important to know what energy is most dominant in you because you can then use this system as a map for personal growth and development, which may look a little different for each person, depending on what they want to work on:

• Each type is connected to two other types by straight lines. These are "Resource Points," and we can learn a lot by leaning into them. 
• Each type has a "passion" (a lower emotional state); working so that this passion is not in charge of our daily choices can be a big part of Enneagram work.
• Each type has a "fixation" (a lower mental state); working on this can help our mindset and beliefs about ourselves.
• We all have three instinctual variants; balancing these can be part of the work we do
• We all have three centers of intelligence (head, heart, gut); balancing these can also be part of our work.
  
  

PLEASE NOTE:  It can be challenging to find your type, and this too is part of the work of the Enneagram!  For example:

• Some Type 6s can look like Type 8.
• Some Type 7s can look like Type 2.
• Some Type 9s can look like Type 2 as well.
• Some Type 3s can look like Type 1, 5, or 8.
• etc etc etc.

Most typing/sorting quizzes are usually done by behavioral patterns, which many types/energies may share. However, the Enneagram is about core motivations, fears, and desires, not behaviors.  

We also shift and change throughout our lifetime, and have life events that may affect our behavior. Our upbringing, culture, trauma, and the amount of personal inner work a person has done can all make it challenging to hone in on which Type you lead with.

This is why we do not recommend typing others. We do not know their inner experiences and personal history.

Work on yourself first and take time to understand the system.

I strongly encourage you to learn about all 9 energies/types.  This can help not only see which energies are challenging for you to call upon, but also to better understand where others are coming from.

This can cultivate better communication, relationships, and compassion for those who see the world differently than you do.

After finishing both assessments (there are two on this page), check the key at the bottom to see the corresponding numbers.

I invite you to look at the top 2-3 numbers overall from the two quizzes (they may or may not be the same). When you finish *both* tests, you might have results that look like this:

First Test:  2,6, a little of 4  (W, S, a little of A).
Second Test: 2 (CX), maybe 6 (CY).

Have fun, and we'll discuss more in our upcoming session.

If you are curious to learn more, I have included an excellent website below the answer key.

Sandy

PS: DON'T FORGET TO SCROLL DOWN FOR THE *SECOND* TEST.  

FIRST TEST: Enneagram Typescreener (It may help to print this out to highlight on paper - or copy to a text editing app.) 

As you read the paragraphs below, underline or highlight the words,
phrases, or sentences that relate to how you have been most of your life.

Some paragraphs may have many sentences highlighted, some paragraphs may have none.
Do not think too hard about these;  see what resonates with you straight away.

The paragraph that has the most underlines/highlights could be ranked #1, the next paragraph #2, etc. 

Exploring the top 2-3 types is a great start to better understanding yourself.

A:
I have strong feelings, and I am keenly aware of my own moods, which have a major effect on what I think, decide, and do. It is not unusual for me to have a melancholy longing for something that is "missing," but I can't quite identify what it is. I am sometimes pessimistic about whether I can get or experience what I want. It seems like other people don't have that feeling of loss or sense of something missing... if only I could have that fulfillment! Sadness is an emotion I am ok with.  I'm often sad and sometimes love being sad. I am not easily understood by others. I am creative, and I appreciate creative and artistic talents, such as the arts, dramatics, and decorating. I feel I am special, and I express that in my dress and my environment. I feel a lot. Sometimes I procrastinate because it just doesn't "feel right" to do something. Sometimes it is difficult making a living doing what most appeals to me, so I may work at what I do love for little pay, while at the same time working at a mundane job I don't care for to make a living. There are times when my down moods make me withdraw from others and go inside to experience the mood. When I go into a room of people, I may be aware of how different I am from them. I feel envy of others who have and experience what I am missing. "Being authentic is the most important thing in the world" might be my mantra.

S:
I place great importance on loyalty to family, country, religion, employer, or other organized systems of rules and standards. I like to know what is expected of me, and I find it reassuring to know my boundaries and the limitations that apply to me. I like being a part of a team in my work, my neighborhood, and other organizations I am a part of. I am alert to possible danger and am always scanning for risks in my environment.  I can also troubleshoot and plan for those risks, so if something happens, I am prepared. At times, I may be able to ignore fear and take on a dangerous situation head-on. I am responsible and loyal, and I can be counted on to carry out my duties. I wish that my self-confidence were stronger and that I didn't doubt my abilities and worry as much as I do. I overthink things a lot. I'm constantly in my head. I ask a lot of questions. I am often very slow to trust others. When I go into a room of people, I make sure it is the place I am supposed to be. I observe what is expected and behave accordingly. I approach others cautiously, but I become part of a group of people I feel safe with. I generally enjoy the company of others, and I can be quite sociable. I do a lot of anticipating and prefer to know what to expect. I like trustworthy leaders. "Better to be safe than sorry" is good advice. 

V:
I easily find flaws and imperfections in things and situations. I would rather do something myself so it gets done right. When I do something wrong, I am hard on myself. I am aware of a critical inner voice that is on 90-95% of the time. I am skilled in giving great attention to detail. It is important to me to make corrections or have others make corrections of flaws and mistakes. It is important to me that the right things are done down to the details. I am a rule follower and tend to be overly responsible. I can be critical of people I love because I want the best for them and want them to do things right. I am persistent in following through, and I can be counted on to do things correctly. When I go into a room, my attention goes to what’s not in place or done properly, like too dark, too small, chairs too close together. I may also notice the appropriateness of people's attire and my own.  If I have to make a choice, it is more important to "do it right" than to "get it done on time.” 

T:
I am energetic and extroverted and can easily juggle several projects or activities at once and successfully see them through to completion. Goals are important to me. I am competitive and like the recognition that comes with winning and being successful. I have a special aptitude for getting positive results, even with projects that others may view negatively. I am always doing, doing, doing. Emotions aren't really high on my list, because they slow me down. Same with resting. Gratification comes from being recognized by others for my success. Image is important to me. I believe most situations have the potential for success. I am effective in portraying the correct role and projecting the right appearance or image for the situation. When I go into a room of people, I will seek out other successful people to compare myself with. I usually find that my successes are equal to, if not greater than, theirs. I can easily shift how I appear to others to match their energy and manners. Being recognized for my success gives me a real high. To-do lists are my best friend.  "Failure is not in my vocabulary" is something I would say.

K:
I relish being in control and having power. I show my passion openly, and other people often find me intimidating.  I sometimes appear angry even if I'm just excited or passionate about something. I have a lot of forward-moving energy and prefer to take charge in a situation rather than depend on someone else. I challenge others and test them out. I don’t back down. I will argue with, and go toe-to-toe with an adversary. I love it when others match my energy; I respect them more when they do. I can be counted on to be a protector of friends, innocent people, or animals. It's more effective to take action than to think, talk, or negotiate. Justice is important to me. If I see an injustice, I will speak up or act out to make it right.  If someone crosses me, I’ll find a way to get revenge. I can burn the candle at both ends. I feel things in my gut, and it is exciting. Others may see me as overindulgent, but what seems to be excessive pleasure to others, for me, is just normal, or having what I want. I make the rules, and I break them. I don't overthink things; I'd rather just take action. I don't like being vulnerable. When I go into a room full of people, I identify who is in charge, who has the power. If I don't like what is going on, I’ll tell them to change things - or I’ll change them myself.
For the ladies: As a woman, people may think I'm too aggressive and have been called a b*tch in the past.

G:
I prefer alone time to interacting with others. I tend toward introversion, and I need more solitude than most others in order to renew my energy, especially after significant interactions with others. I am cautious about intimacy and will not reveal much about myself until I am sure others will not be intrusive. I can get by with fewer creature comforts than most people. I am better than most people at keeping my feelings out of the way, and so I can be objective, even in situations that others become emotional about. I can sum up a presentation or group discussion in a few sentences that succinctly state the key points. Books and podcasts are my best friends. I think a lot. I enjoy going to my favorite place to read or work without interruption. I like to study and learn all there is to know about a subject that interests me, and I can sometimes get lost down these "rabbit holes" of information instead of taking meaningful action. It is important for me to be viewed as a competent person who knows what they are talking about. Others see me as a private person. I do not readily share myself or my feelings. When I go into a room of people, I find a place where I can observe what is going on, and from which I can leave the room easily if the situation does not interest me. I am more likely to converse with one person than with a group. "I wonder how this works?  And why?" are questions that intrigue me.

L:
I am easy-going, pleasing, and responsive to what others want to do or think is important. I don’t have a lot of drive or inertia. I tend to put things off and not do difficult things until I absolutely have to. I prefer that someone else make the decision, and it's usually something I can go along with. I can see all sides to an argument or an issue, and I can help others compromise and work things out. I often forget myself. It is difficult for me to set priorities, and that keeps me from taking action. By going with other people's agendas, I can maintain my relationships with them. When it comes to making a decision, I can get caught up in the pros and cons and keep from making the decision. Some people think I am stubborn, but it’s just that I can’t make up my mind. I sometimes feel as though I am being tugged back and forth, and I can’t decide or know which way I want to go. It’s hard for me to say "no" because I don't want to offend others. I really dislike conflict and feel this in my gut - it's not pleasant.  I just want everyone to get along. Sometimes I enjoy indulging and "numbing out" - putting important things off until later. When I go into a room of people, I find a comfortable spot and enjoy the refreshments and conversation. "Go with the flow" feels right. 

W.
I am very attracted to other people and am especially aware of their needs and feelings. I am usually able to pick up on the moods and needs of others. Being loved by and feeling appreciated by others is important to me. I can adapt myself readily to be responsive to the needs that I perceive in others. When I don't feel appreciated by others, even though I feel I have been meeting their needs, I get a little angry but don't say anything -  being humble about it is for the best. I often don't have a clue as to what I want or need. I have a tendency to people-please, and my boundaries aren't always the best. I can get resentful or manipulative if I am not appreciated or noticed. When I go into a room of people, I feel energized and will easily be drawn to someone. By the time the event is over, I will have become acquainted with a large number of people that I did not know before, or I will have learned new things about my friends and acquaintances. Satisfaction comes from knowing people and meeting their needs, rather than from events or objects. I'm generally a very positive person and see the glass as half-full. "How can I help?" is a common phrase that is always running through my mind.
For the guys: As a man, people may think I'm too "soft" or "emotional".

M.
I am an idea person, an optimist, and I see life as adventurous. I like to have new experiences and try out challenges. I have several enjoyable things going on at the same time, and I move to whatever interests me most at the time. I have lots and lots of plans. I don't like being tied down or limited in my options - I value freedom and the ability to change my mind if I want to. Commitment can be hard sometimes, but I can leave things unfinished with no regret if I lose interest. I appreciate all that life has to offer, and I want to sample as much of it as I can. I seek out good food and drink and have good taste in selecting the best. I have lots of energy and enjoy partying and playing. Some people might say I am like Peter Pan - I've never grown up. My energy is infectious, and I can draw people into my world and my work. I am a very fast thinker; sometimes others have a hard time keeping up. I have a wonderful imagination and can easily escape into my ideas; I often get lost in these ideas as a way of escaping boredom. My life has been filled with good times and positive experiences. I can usually reframe any negative situation. My optimism permits me to try and experience activities that many other people find fearful. I avoid experiences that would lead me into the painful side of life; challenging emotions are no fun! When I go into a room of people, I will look for the fun and enjoyment that is occurring. I can be very social, and others often say that I can be the life of the party. "The FOMO is real!" is a phrase I invented.

Mark your answers now for the first test - again, look at the top 2-3 letters. The corresponding Enneagram types are in the key below, and don't forget to scroll down for the second test.

A - Type 4

S - Type 6

V-  Type 1

T - Type 3

K - Type 8

G - Type 5

L-  Type 9

W- Type 2

M - Type 7

Keep scrolling for the second test!

SECOND TEST: The Riso-Hudson “Quick Enneagram Sorting Test”:  For the“Quick Enneagram Sorting Test” (aka QUEST) to yield a correct result, follow these instructions:

Select one paragraph in each of the following two groups of statements that best reflects your
general attitudes and behaviors, as you have been most of your life.

You do not have to agree with every word or statement in the paragraph you select,
but you should agree with the general tone and overall "philosophy" of that paragraph.

Do not overanalyze your choices.
Go with your intuition.

After choosing one paragraph from each group, you will have two letters.
For example:  CX.

If you cannot decide which paragraph best fits you in one of the groups, you may make two choices, but only in one group.
For example: C in group one, and X and Y in group two.
You would then have two groups of letters: CX and CY.

GROUP ONE (choose one)

A. I have tended to be fairly independent and assertive: I've felt that life works best when you meet it head-on. I set my own goals, get involved, and want to make things happen. I don't like sitting around--I want to achieve something big and have an impact. I don't necessarily seek confrontations, but I don't let people push me around, either. Most of the time, I know what I want, and I go for it. I tend to work hard and to play hard.

B. I have tended to be quiet and am used to being on my own. I usually don't draw much attention to myself socially, and it's generally unusual for me to assert myself all that forcefully. I don't feel comfortable taking the lead or being as competitive as others. Many would probably say that I'm something of a dreamer--a lot of my excitement goes on in my imagination. I can be quite content without feeling I have to be active all the time.

C. I have tended to be extremely responsible and dedicated. I feel terrible if I don't keep my commitments and do what's expected of me. I want people to know that I'm there for them and that I'll do what I believe is best for them. I've often made great personal sacrifices for the sake of others, whether they know it or not. I often don't take adequate care of myself--I do the work that needs to be done and relax (and do what I really want) if there's time left.

GROUP TWO (choose one)

X. I am a person who usually maintains a positive outlook and feels that things will work out for the best. I can usually find something to be enthusiastic about and different ways to occupy myself. I like being around people and helping others to be happy--I enjoy sharing my own well-being with them. (I don't always feel great, but I try not to show it to anyone!) However, staying positive has sometimes meant that I've put off dealing with my own problems for too long.

Y. I am a person who has strong feelings about things--most people can tell when I'm unhappy about something. I can be guarded with people, but I'm more sensitive than I let on. I want to know where I stand with others and who and what I can count on--it's pretty clear to most people where they stand with me. When I'm upset about something, I want others to respond and to get as worked up as I am. I know the rules, but I don't want people telling me what to do. I want to decide for myself.

Z. I tend to be self-controlled and logical--I am uncomfortable dealing with feelings. I am efficient--even perfectionistic--and prefer working on my own. When there are problems or personal conflicts, I try not to bring my feelings into the situation. Some say I'm too cool and detached, but I don't want my emotional reactions to distract me from what's really important to me. I usually don't show my reactions when others "get to me."

Answer key for the second test:

AX  -  Type 7

AY  -  Type 8

AZ  -  Type 3

BX   -  Type 9

BY   -  Type 4

BZ   -  Type 5 

CX   -  Type 2

CY   -  Type 6

CZ   -  Type 1

If you are curious about learning more about the Types, the website below has great resources on each type.

I invite you not to get attached to the name prescribed to each type; many Enneagram teachers have different names for the different types, and this can get confusing. E.g. Type 1 is the Perfectionist or Reformer... Type 7 is the Adventurer, the Epicure, the Enthusiast, etc.  We also might subconsciously be drawn to a certain name, which is not helpful in determining type.  Who doesn't want to be an Adventurer or Enthusiast??

The Enneagram Institute has great overviews of each type.  I invite you to scroll down within a type and read about the “Personal Growth Recommendations”;  if something here makes you uncomfortable, that most likely means you are on the right path. :)