The Birkman Method Personality Test (2024 Guide)
Updated November 3, 2024
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- The Birkman Method
- The Science Behind The Birkman Method
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- Why Is The Birkman Method Important?
- Is It Possible to Prepare for a Birkman Method Personality Test?
- Structure of The Birkman Test and How to Prepare in 2024
- How Are the Results of The Birkman Test Reported?
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- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
A Gallup poll conducted in 2011–2012 revealed that almost 75% of Americans often feel disengaged with their jobs. It's becoming clear that entering the workforce without knowing what interests and motivates you can result in an unfulfilling and uninspiring career.
As engagement at work grows in focus, it's increasingly likely that prospective employers will require you to take a personality test to identify your underlying motivations and occupational needs.
One such test is The Birkman Method personality test. Scientifically proven to boost employment successes and opportunities, the Birkman assessment is routinely used by employers to identify the most suitable candidates during their hiring processes.
The Birkman Method
The Birkman test was developed by organizational psychologist, Roger Birkman, who began to develop his interest in occupational psychology during the 1940s while he was serving in the US Army Air Corps.
He observed his fellow pilots and noted that placement within the Air Corps was not based on personality. He also noticed that pilots’ behaviors were directly affected by their own perception of events around them.
In the late 1940s, Birkman began to develop his method. Focusing on perceptions and the impact on personality, he stated:
“The reality of life is that your perceptions – right or wrong – influence everything else you do. When you get a proper perspective of your perceptions, you may be surprised how many other things fall into place.”
Birkman’s goal was to measure employees’ occupational needs and behaviors. The results could then be used by employees or their employers to discover their strengths and motivations and to improve their performance at work.
In 1951, Birkman founded Birkman International Inc. to bring The Birkman Method personality test to people across the world.
The man himself (source: birkman.com).
The Science Behind The Birkman Method
One way to understand The Birkman Method is to apply a model developed by Doctor Kurt Lewin. Lewin states that B = ƒ(P, E) or, in other words, “Behavior is a function of the Person and his/her interaction with their Environment.”
The test assesses your personality across broad categories, as follows.
Underlying Needs
We all require certain treatment from the people and environment around us, and needs vary from person to person.
When our needs are satisfied, we feel comfortable, confident and able to perform productively. It can be difficult to identify your needs as they are not visibly perceptible.
Interests
This relates to what you enjoy doing both in your personal life and your occupation.
Practice Birkman Test with JobTestPrep
Personality and Perception Relative to Societal Norms
People do not cultivate their personalities in bubbles but are influenced by the society in which they live.
A better understanding of one’s own perceptions of the world can promote empathy, a must for people working within collaborative, professional environments.
Usual Behavior
This relates to how your interests, motivations and perceptions result in behaviors which influence your performance at work. Your usual behaviors are the visible result of your needs being fulfilled.
Stress Behavior
This is how you react when your workplace needs are not fulfilled.
Why Is The Birkman Method Important?
Self-awareness is now classified as a basic requirement for graduates across all fields, from customer service to medicine.
For example, the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education states that Doctor of Pharmacy graduates must be “... able to examine and reflect on personal knowledge, skills, abilities, beliefs, biases, motivation, and emotions that could enhance or limit personal and professional growth”.
Around 80% of midsize to large companies now use personality assessments during their hiring process. You may also be required to take a Birkman test if you are applying for postgraduate study.
Some employers currently requiring applicants to take a Birkman test include:
- JP Morgan
- Coca-Cola
- Shell
- AT&T
- IBM
- Philips
- Procter & Gamble
- MailChimp
- Walmart
- Duracell
- Chevron
- Goodwill
- Right Management Manpower Group
- Sage Hospitality
Is It Possible to Prepare for a Birkman Method Personality Test?
The good news is there is no “wrong” sort of personality and you cannot fail The Birkman Test. However, it is possible to prepare.
As the aim of the test is to assess self-awareness; the more self-aware you are, the better you will perform. To do well you need to understand the format of the test and be familiar with the way the results are reported.
The less you need to worry about the logistics of taking the test, the more you can focus on answering the questions thoughtfully and accurately.
Structure of The Birkman Test and How to Prepare in 2024
The test is taken as an online assessment. It is comprised of 298 questions: 250 true/false questions, and 48 multiple-choice questions. It is not timed, although the average time for completing all the Birkman test questions is 30 minutes. The results are available immediately after the test is completed.
Preparing for a test you cannot fail is surprisingly difficult. However, here are some tips to consider in advance of a Birkman personality test:
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Learn about the organization or company you are applying to. The type of job and the qualities an employer is looking for in a candidate are linked. Gaining insight into what the job requires will help you think about your own strengths and weaknesses. As previously mentioned, the more self-aware you are, the better you are likely to perform.
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Do not try and trick the test. You may be tempted to try to answer the questions the way the employer wants you to answer them. However, The Birkman Method has over 60 years worth of data against which to test the reliability of your results. Trying to give the 'correct' answers may result in skewed and inaccurate data that makes you appear less capable than you are. The best-case scenario is that your strategy works and you end up getting hired for a job which you are not suitable for. Instead, make sure you answer the questions honestly. Let your natural qualities shine through.
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Take practice tests. If you can anticipate the types of questions that may come up, you are likely to feel less anxious about taking a Birkman test. Try searching for 'personality test practice questions' or 'Birkman test practice questions' online. Take a look also at JobTestPrep.
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Take your time. You do not have to answer the questions within an allotted amount of time, so don’t rush. Try not to take too long either, as this may suggest you are indecisive.
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Take care of yourself. Ensure you are in a good mental state to take the test. If you feel good within yourself, you are more likely to be capable of accurate introspection. Ensure you get a full eight hours of sleep the night before taking the test, eat well and drink plenty of water.
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How Are the Results of The Birkman Test Reported?
The Birkman Method offers a complex system of reporting. There are over 40 report styles, including one-on-one comparisons and group comparisons. The type of report will generally depend on the needs of the person or organization requesting it.
For many of the report styles, a Birkman Certified specialist is required to analyze the data. However, there is a core report called the Birkman Basics Report that does not require specialized analysis.
This report identifies core behavioral data. The data is then presented in the form of a Birkman Map, scales depicting Areas of Interest and possible suitable Job Families and Job Titles. The data is represented through colorful pictorials to make it easy to analyze your results.
Four colors are used to depict individual styles and fundamental differences between people:
Red = Doer
Doers are action-focused. They enjoy hands-on work, project management and solving practical problems. However, doers can sometimes be aggressive or hard to reason with if their needs are not met.
Green = Communicator
Communicators enjoy working with people. They excel at selling, pitching, counseling, teaching and other vocations which require working with people. Communicators often have a natural confidence and make friends easily. They often need praise to excel and can appear argumentative if their needs are not met.
Yellow = Analyzer
Analyzers love rules and processes and have great attention to detail. They enjoy order, record-keeping and developing systems. They also tend to be cautious and value fairness. Analyzers tend to prefer indirect communication and may become stressed by change.
Blue = Thinker
Thinkers love ideas and concepts. They can think abstractly. They are innovative problem solvers and tend to work best alongside other creative people. However, they may find it difficult to cope with demanding problems and require extra support.
1. The Birkman Map
One of the main features of the Birkman Basic Report is the Birkman Map, which provides a broad overview of your personality in two dimensions. See below for an example of how the map looks.
Left to right of the map depicts whether you are more task-oriented or people-oriented. Top to bottom depicts whether you are more introverted or extroverted (whether you prefer direct or indirect communication).
The map is also divided into quadrants, depicting each of the four colors. Symbols are used to display where you fall within the two dimensions and which color quadrant you fall within.
The symbols are:
* = Interests – The asterisk represents the things you enjoy doing.
◊ = Usual behavior – The diamond depicts how you generally behave. These tend to be your areas of strength and result when your needs have been met.
○ = Needs – The circle depicts your needs. How you expect to be treated by other people and your environment.
□ = Stress behavior – The square depicts your behaviors when your needs are not fulfilled.
(source: youtube)
The image above demonstrates how a Birkman map may appear. For example, the asterisk representing interests falls within the green quadrant (communicator) and appears to be more extroverted and people-oriented. This person likely enjoys people-oriented work and activities.
The circle (needs) and square (stress behavior) fall within the blue quadrant (thinker). Therefore, this person may find problems difficult to cope with and could require extra support from the people around them.
The diamond (usual behavior) falls within the yellow quadrant (analyzer). Therefore, this person’s behavior is task-oriented and they tend to be more introverted in their approach.
2. Areas of Interest
The Birkman Basics Report also scores you based on your interests. High scores indicate things you enjoy and low scores vice versa.
Your interests may translate to actual skills or they may just represent things that motivate you (and in turn make you a more productive employee).
For example, if you score 75% in literary interests, you probably enjoy reading and writing.
3. Job Families and Job Titles
In this section, your results are compared to employees working across 22 job families. The report then suggests the job families you may be best suited to and also specific job titles.
For example, if you are suited to a construction and extraction occupation, you may enjoy a career as an electrician.
This section is more suited to individuals who take the test to explore potential careers, rather than employers during their hiring process.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Birkman Method uses more than 60 years of data to assess the reliability of a candidate’s results. Research has shown The Birkman Method to be a reliable and valid personality assessment.
80% of medium-sized to large organizations use The Birkman Method as part of the employee hiring process. When used to make recruitment decisions, it can be used at any stage of the process.
This includes prior to interview, or as part of an assessment center. The Birkman Method is also used by educational establishments as part of the application process for postgraduate studies.
To prepare for The Birkman Method assessment:
- Focus on your self-awareness.
- Find out the format of the test and familiarize yourself with how your test results will be presented.
- Research the organization you are applying for and find out more details about the day-to-day duties of the job role.
- Think about the personality traits and strengths you will need to succeed and consider whether your weaknesses are likely to hinder you in the role.
- Practice answering personality test questions honestly, being sure to highlight the positive aspects of your personality.
In the days leading up to the test, prioritize getting adequate rest and be sure to stay hydrated and well nourished.
The Birkman Method scoring system is complex. Organizations can choose from a range of report styles, including group comparisons and individual comparisons.
Aside from the Birkman Basics Report, many Birkman reports must be analyzed by a Birkman specialist.
The Birkman Basics Report is designed to highlight core behavioral data, which is transferred to the Birkman Map. This shows the candidates areas of interest, and suggests job titles and job families that they are likely to be a good fit for. Colors are used to categorize an individual’s personality style.
The Birkman Map shows whether you are task-focused or people-focused, as well as whether you tend to be introverted or extroverted. Employers will set the criteria for scoring according to the job role they are hiring for, so this will differ for each position and organization.
The Birkman Method is designed to analyze four key areas of an individual’s personality. These are Mindset, Motivation, Self-Perception and Social Perception.
By learning more about these perceptions and the impact they have on each other, people can learn more about their actions and emotions, and how these affect their life.
When taking the assessment, candidates must answer 298 questions about their behaviors and interests.
The Birkman Method is a trusted method for personality assessment, making it a significant part of the hiring process for many organizations.
A candidate’s Birkman Method results can be used to drive positive psychology principles, leading to improved performance in the workplace.
The Birkman Method test is designed to measure how people behave, and the driving forces behind those behaviors.
The Birkman Method can be administered more than once, although applicants should only be asked to take it once per job role applied for.
A candidate’s results on the Birkman Method assessment are unlikely to change, unless they experience a major life-changing event.
To achieve the status of Birkman Advanced Certified Professional (BACP), you must be Birkman certified for a least two years, completed over 25 conversations and acquired over 30 hours of professional development.
To become a Birkman Master Certified Professional, you must be Bikram certified for at least five years, completed over 50 conversations and have acquired over 50 hours of professional development.
The Birkman Method is used to devise the self-awareness of any candidate applying for a position.
The personality examines the interests, the perception of societal norms, behavior under the usual circumstance and behavior under stressful circumstances.
Large corporations like JP Morgan, Coca-Cola and Walmart all use a Birman Method personality test to judge how their employees will work in the company’s respective environment.
The Birkman personality test is great for analyzing what direction an individual should take in their career. Whether you are great in team situations or work better on your own to strict deadlines, this will be identified in the Birkman test.
The Birkman Method will reveal what your performance drivers are and how you can leverage them in your career. Understanding these drivers will help you understand what motivates you to succeed.
Finding out what your unique interests are is a great way to select a relevant education track and even help mentally prepare you for a career switch.
Identifying your strengths is fundamental to finding out how you can leverage them in the workplace. Understanding where you perform at your best will help you choose the right career for success.
In addition to this, the Birkman Method is a great tool for understanding what your personal and professional goals are.
A job that aligns with both sets of these goals will garner you better success than if you were in a job that does little for your personal or professional growth.
For an individual Birkman test you can expect to pay around $25. The test has been around for over 60 years and has proved to be one of the most popular personality resources.
If you are doing this as part of an application process or an employment screening, you will likely get to sit the test for free.
Bear in mind that if you do the test as part of a job application, you may not receive your results separately and you may have to wait for the completion of the application.
The Birkman Method is one of the most comprehensive personality tests available. It measures how people behave in usual and stressful circumstances, and it also examines why people behave that way.
To highlight the personality of an individual, a color-coded system is used, making it easy to interpret your personality type.
For employers, the Birkman method test improves cognitive awareness of its employees, reduces personnel turnover, helps identify leaders and ultimately helps understand the relationships between colleagues.
An academic study published in the American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education has highlighted the impact of the Birman Method on the assessment of student self-perception and self-awareness.
The study demonstrated that the mean accuracy across the entire destruction of individual scores was 82.2%. This means that for a personality test, the Birkman Method is very accurate.
After the discussions made in the paper, the conclusions state that the Birkman Method is a viable option for students to assess their personalities and self-awareness.
Large corporations use the Birkman Method because of its accuracy and its ability to correctly highlight the behaviors of their respective employees.
As the Birkman method is a personality test, there is no right or wrong answer.
A personality test is an examination of your behavior and how this will fit within the workplace. Despite this, there are ways in which you can perform better on the Birkman personality test.
First, you must research the company that you are doing the test for if it is part of a job application, or you must identify the exact reasons why you are doing the test. Having a goal will help you think carefully about the questions.
In addition, you must be honest with your answers and take your time. You may find some of the questions challenging and so you must be sure that you are answering the questions in good faith.
In 1951, the psychologist Roger Birkman launched the Birkman test. Since then, it has been one of the most popular personality tests used in the corporate workplace.
Some of the employers that use the Birkman test include Shell, IBM, Duracell, Chevron and Philips.
It is also a very popular choice for educational institutions in America. Harvard Business School, The University of California, The University of Tennessee and many others all use the Birkman method to analyze the personalities of both staff and students.
The Birkman test is one of the most comprehensive personality examinations available. There are a total of 298 questions and it usually takes around thirty minutes to complete.
Your results will be given to you as soon as you complete the examination. There are a total of 40 different reports or scores that can be received. These give a great depth to a person’s self-awareness, but most people receive enough information from the basics report which is a color-coordinated chart.
The Birkman Method has around 298 questions, but it only takes around 30 minutes to complete. Many of the questions are true-or-false and the other questions are multiple-choice.
Although it is a short test, it is important to take your time with answering the questions. Being honest is fundamental to receiving an accurate report on the test.
To consult employees and individuals on their Birkman method scores, you will need to become a certified Birkman professional.
To achieve this certificate, you must be Birkman certified for at least two years, you must complete over 25 conversations and you must acquire over 30 hours of professional development.
Under the category of professional development, you must take part in mindset training, Birkman learning events and attend a Birkman conference. All this training will prepare you to become a Birkman consultant.
Final Thoughts
We all want to feel engaged and satisfied with our jobs and the Birkman test is designed to ensure you find the perfect fit for your personality.
Prepare appropriately but try not to worry too much or overthink things. Remember, there is no “wrong” sort of personality. Ultimately, The Birkman Method personality test is about identifying your strengths and tapping your hidden potential.
