Quick Guide to the MBTI: The Personality Test Explained

If you’re into personality tests, you’re probably familiar with the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, or MBTI. It’s one of the most popular personality assessments out there! And, personally, it’s my favorite.

But, it can be confusing, especially for newcomers. So, today, I’m breaking it down for you.

MBTI Letters Explained

The Myers-Briggs uses 4 different letter-sets to describe a person—I or E, N or S, T or F, and J or P. Your type, then, will be a consist of 4 letters, one from each set, making 16 total personalities.

Of course, you can go online and take the personality test, but if you understand the letters, you can just as easily determine your MBTI on your own.

Introverted vs. Extroverted

The first aspect is probably the one people understand the most. It explores how we get our mental energy. 

If you’re Introverted, you may prefer being alone or with a small group of people. Socializing can be exhausting or draining for you.

This doesn’t mean you’re anti-social, though. In fact, introverted people can be easily mistaken for extroverts if they’re outgoing or friendly. Rather, introverts simply find highly social activities more taxing. 

Extroverted folks, on the other hand, are the opposite. Extroverts find being around people more energizing and seek out social activities more readily. They also tend to be more enthusiastic and excitement driven. 

Sensing vs. Intuitive

The second aspect deals with how we view the world and process external information. 

People who lean towards sensing are more realistic and practical.

Sensors tend to rely on observable facts to understand the world and their experiences. They’re also more detail-oriented and focused on the present. When facing a problem, they want practical, actionable solutions. 

Those who lean towards intuition prefer to focus on the bigger picture. Rather than looking at tangible facts, they’re paying attention to underlying messages—things that could be up for interpretation. Intuitives are more open-minded and imaginative, preferring creative solutions. 

Look at it like this: in school, you have subjects like Math and Science with clear, precise answers and steps to figuring out the problem. Then you have subjects like English and Art that are more subjective, where you can easily have more than one right answer. 

Sensors would be like Math and Science whereas Intuitives would be like Art and English. 

Thinking vs. Feeling

With the third aspect, we’re looking at how we handle emotions and make decisions. 

Like Introversion and Extroversion, this one is pretty straightforward.

Thinkers prefer to use logic over emotions. They are usually rational, level-headed, and analytical.

When making decisions, they tend to use logical reasoning over how they feel.

Feelers, then, base their decisions on their emotions and values.

They’re more emotionally in-tune with themselves and others. Feelers are also often described as being sensitive or empathetic.

Judging vs. Perceiving

The final aspect deals with how we approach the world around us, or our lifestyle.  

This one tends to be the most difficult for people simply because of the word judging. None of us want to be thought of as judgemental.

But, really, in MBTI lingo, judging refers to the ability to be decisive and responsible.

Judgers prefer predictability and structure. They’re organized and reliable planners who tend to follow rules and routine. 

Perceivers, meanwhile, are more flexible and open-minded. They’re prone to procrastination and prefer to keep their options open rather than having set plans or deadlines. (This is your friend who’s always late.)

Assertive vs. Turbulent

Traditionally, the Myers-Briggs only uses the first 4 letter-sets to identify personality type. But in some of the more recent versions, there is a fifth category included which deals with our overall identity.

There are still a total of 16 personality types, though. Now, each type is differentiated by either A or T. (So, you can be an ISFJ-T or an ISFJ-A).

Assertive individuals are more confident in themselves and their decisions. They also tend to be calmer, more relaxed, and able to handle stressful situations easily.

Turbulent individuals, on the other hand, are more sensitive to external stressors. They are more self-conscious and less confident in themselves. In addition, they tend to be somewhat perfectionistic and more driven to succeed and improve.

Related Read: 10 Easy Ways to Practice Self Love (Even When You Feel Like Shit)

Determining Your Type

Here’s a quick quiz to determine your Myers-Briggs type. Use each set to figure out which letter you are.

I vs. E — Do You…

S vs. N — Do You…

T vs. F — Do You…

J vs. P — Do You…

In the next post, I’ll be sharing more about each of the 16 personality types!