The Most Common Mistakes People Make When Taking Personality Tests - And How to Avoid Them

Personality tests can be insightful, fun, and even eye-opening - if you take them the right way. But many people unknowingly make mistakes that lead to inaccurate results, confusing outcomes, or the classic:

“That’s not me at all!”

If you’ve ever wondered why your test results feel off or inconsistent, this article is for you.

Let’s break down the most common mistakes people make when taking quizzes, and more importantly - how to avoid them to get the most honest and helpful results.

1. Answering How You Wish You Were — Not How You Are

It’s tempting to click the answers that sound cool, successful, or ideal.

(“Of course I’m always calm under pressure!”… even though you're internally screaming at group projects.)

What to do instead:

Be honest - not aspirational. Good test results reflect the real you, not your highlight reel.

If a question feels tricky, ask: “What would I do on a random Tuesday, not in a perfect world?”

2. Rushing Through Without Thinking

We get it - quizzes are fun, and sometimes you’re just curious about the result. But if you speed-click without thinking, you risk sending mixed signals to the algorithm.

What to do instead:

Take your time. Even if it’s a fast quiz, give each question a few seconds of real thought. The more present you are, the more accurate your result.

3. Retaking the Same Test Over and Over (to Get the “Better” Result)

Taking the same test five times to try and “become” an INFJ or “get” Ravenclaw doesn’t help - it just distorts your data and leaves you feeling disconnected from the truth.

What to do instead:

Treat the first result as your baseline, even if it surprises you. Then take a different test if you want a second opinion or a new perspective.

4. Choosing Answers Based on Mood, Not Patterns

Your answers will shift depending on your mood that day - especially if you’re tired, stressed, or hyper. But your core personality stays more stable than you might think.

What to do instead:

If you’re unsure how to answer, think long-term: What’s my usual reaction over time?

You can even take the test again a week later to compare results when you’re in a different headspace.

5. Misinterpreting the Questions

Some test questions are abstract, symbolic, or slightly vague on purpose - and it’s easy to overthink them or read them too literally.

What to do instead:

Go with your first instinct. Most personality tests are designed to work best with intuitive answers. If a question is confusing, think about what it’s getting at, not just what it says on the surface.

6. Ignoring the Full Result (Only Reading the Headline)

A test result that says “You’re the Strategist” might sound cool, but if you skip the rest of the breakdown, you’re missing the real value - the analysis, tips, and traits behind the label.

What to do instead:

Read the entire result. Focus on the strengths, challenges, and suggestions. Even a fun or silly quiz often hides surprisingly useful insights.

7. Taking Tests Without Reflecting After

Many people just take the test, read the result, share it... and move on. But that’s a missed opportunity. Tests are tools - and tools are most powerful when used consciously.

What to do instead:

Ask yourself:

• “What surprised me about this result?”
• “What feels true? What doesn’t?”
• “How can I apply this in real life - at work, in relationships, or in self-growth?”

Bonus Tip: Combine Different Test Types

No single quiz can define your entire personality. But taking different types - like MBTI, Big Five, archetypes, and even “silly but accurate” aesthetic quizzes - helps build a fuller picture.

It’s not about choosing the one right test, but using multiple lenses to understand your personality in layers.

Final Thought

Great personality tests don’t give you a final answer - they give you better questions to ask yourself.

By avoiding common mistakes like rushing, pretending, or overthinking, you’ll get results that feel way more accurate, relevant, and meaningful.

So next time you’re on testportal.gg, take a deep breath, answer honestly, and treat each quiz as a tiny adventure into your inner world.

🔜 Coming soon on testportal.gg:

“Test Smarter, Not Harder: A Meta-Quiz That Tells You What Kind of Quiz-Taker You Are”

“Can You Hack the Algorithm? Take a Test Where Every Answer Changes the Path”