By Dr. Christine Powell, Education Therapist and ADHD Coach

Let’s be honest, parenting teens can feel like navigating a minefield sometimes! Between the mood swings, the eye-rolls, and the constant struggle to figure out what makes them tick, it’s easy to feel lost. But what if there was a tool that could give you a glimpse into your teen’s inner world and help them understand themselves better?

Enter: Personality tests!

Now, I know what you might be thinking: “Personality tests? Aren’t those just for fun?” While they can be entertaining, they can also be incredibly insightful, especially for teenagers who are still figuring out who they are and what they want to do with their lives.

Why Bother with a Personality Test?

Think about it — every child is unique. Your daughter might light up in a crowded room, while your son prefers to hang back and observe. One might love getting their hands dirty building things, while the other thrives on solving puzzles and riddles. These differences aren’t just quirks; they’re clues to their underlying personality and learning style.

Personality tests like the Myers-Briggs or the Holland Code can help you decode those clues. They can reveal whether your teen is a natural leader, a creative thinker, a meticulous planner, or a free-spirited artist. This information can be helpful when making choices about education and future careers.

How Can This Help My Teen?

Imagine your teen discovering they have the traits of an “ENFP — The Champion,” someone who’s naturally enthusiastic, creative, and passionate about making a difference. Suddenly, their constant brainstorming and desire to change the world makes a lot more sense! They might be drawn to careers in social justice, the arts, or entrepreneurship.

Or maybe your child is an “ISTJ — The Inspector,” someone who values logic, order, and practicality. Knowing this can help them understand why they excel in subjects like math and science and might enjoy careers in engineering, accounting, or law enforcement.

Beyond Career Choices

But personality tests aren’t just about future jobs. They can also help your teen:

Get along better with others: Understanding their communication style can improve their relationships with friends, family, and teachers.
Feel good about themselves: Recognizing their strengths and weaknesses can boost their self-esteem and help them embrace their individuality.
Tackle challenges with confidence: Knowing their tendencies can equip them with strategies to overcome obstacles and manage stress.
Ready to Give it a Try?

Here are 10 free online personality tests to get you started. Encourage your teen to take one (or a few!) and then discuss the results together.

Highly Recommended:

16 Personalities: (www.16personalities.com) This is a great starting point. It’s quick, engaging, and provides a good overview of personality types based on the Myers-Briggs system. Plus, it offers insights into strengths, weaknesses, and potential careers.
Truity: (www.truity.com) For a more in-depth analysis, Truity offers a variety of free tests based on both Myers-Briggs and the Holland Code. The results are comprehensive and include potential career paths. (Note: Truity recommends these tests for ages 14 and up.)
Sokanu: (www.sokanu.com) This platform goes beyond basic personality assessments. It combines your personality profile with career exploration tools to provide personalized recommendations for career paths, college majors, and even specific jobs.
More to Explore:

Personality Tests: (www.personality-tests.info/tests/BIG5.php) Based on the Holland Occupational Themes (also known as the Big Five), this test analyzes your responses to 50 statements to determine your personality type.
PsychCentral: (Big 5 Personality Test) This quick 7-minute test measures five key personality traits and provides personalized feedback.
Human Metrics: (www.humanmetrics.com/personality) This 64-question test gives you a detailed breakdown of your personality type, including where you fall on the introvert-extrovert spectrum, and suggests potential careers.
Crystal Knows: (www.crystalknows.com/personality-test) This site focuses on personality assessments to improve communication and relationships. It can be particularly helpful for teens learning to navigate social dynamics.
Brain Manager: (Official Career Aptitude Test) This free career aptitude test was designed by psychologists and neuroscientists. It’s a bit longer, but it generates a list of the top 10 jobs that might be a good fit.
Career Hunter: (Career Choices) While geared towards adults, this 15-minute test can help your teen explore their career aspirations.
Looking for more information on ADHD Coaching & Executive Functioning…contact Dr. Christine Powell