You've probably heard about personality tests. Maybe you've taken the Myers-Briggs or the Big Five. But when my HR department rolled out the HEXACO personality test last year, I'll admit I rolled my eyes. Another corporate initiative, right? Then I actually took it. And wow – it was unsettlingly accurate about things even my partner doesn't notice. Like how I'll return extra change to a cashier but secretly resent doing it. Yeah, that specific.
What Actually Is the HEXACO Model?
Developed by psychologists Michael Ashton and Kibeom Lee in the early 2000s, the HEXACO personality framework didn't just tweak existing models – it rebuilt personality science from global data. While analyzing personality descriptors across languages, they stumbled on something revolutionary: a sixth dimension missing from Western models. That's right – most tests only measure five traits. HEXACO adds Honesty-Humility, which explains why some people naturally share credit while others steal office supplies. Makes you think.
Real talk: Unlike those viral quizzes telling you which Disney princess you are, the HEXACO inventory has actual academic teeth. It's used in over 700 published studies. But it's not perfect – we'll get to its limitations later.
The Core Six Dimensions Explained
Each dimension contains four "facets" – think of them as personality subplots. Here's what they actually mean in practice:
| Dimension | High Scorers Tend To | Low Scorers Tend To |
|---|---|---|
| Honesty-Humility (H) Sincerity, Fairness, Greed Avoidance, Modesty |
Reject bribes, share resources voluntarily | Flatter superiors strategically, feel entitled to special treatment |
| Emotionality (E) Fearfulness, Anxiety, Dependence, Sentimentality |
Check smoke alarms monthly, avoid horror movies | Enjoy risky sports, rarely discuss feelings |
| eXtraversion (X) Social Self-Esteem, Social Boldness, Sociability, Liveliness |
Network effortlessly, dominate karaoke nights | Prefer books to parties, dread phone calls |
| Agreeableness (A) Forgiveness, Gentleness, Flexibility, Patience |
Meditate during traffic jams, avoid arguments | Enjoy debating, hold grudges for years |
| Conscientiousness (C) Organization, Diligence, Perfectionism, Prudence |
Color-code closets, submit work days early | Miss deadlines chronically, thrive in chaos |
| Openness (O) Aesthetic Appreciation, Curiosity, Creativity, Unconventionality |
Read philosophy for fun, question traditions | Prefer routine, distrust abstract ideas |
Notice Emotionality (E) isn't neuroticism rebranded. Low E scorers don't equate to stability – they might just take foolish risks. When I scored low here, my therapist nodded: "Explains why you quit your job to backpack Venezuela without savings." Fair point.
Taking the Test: What You're Really Signing Up For
The official HEXACO test isn't hiding behind a "Which Harry Potter House Are You?" clickbait quiz. You'll find it at hexaco.org – the research-backed version takes 15-30 minutes. Here's the nitty-gritty:
- Cost: Free for basic research version. $10-$20 for commercial sites with fancy reports
- Questions: 100-200 statements rated "Strongly Disagree" to "Strongly Agree"
- Sample Item: "I would never accept a bribe" (H dimension)
- Time Commitment: Brew coffee first. Rushing skews results badly
Pro tip: Unlike some tests, HEXACO detects lying through "socially desirable responding" scales. If you claim you never gossip or feel jealous, it flags potential faking. Sneaky smart.
Interpreting Your Scores: Beyond the Numbers
Raw scores convert to percentiles. Scoring 70% in Extraversion means you're more outgoing than 70% of people. But here's what report sites won't tell you:
| Score Range | Interpretation Caveats |
|---|---|
| 90-100% | Could indicate genuine traits OR situational stress distorting responses |
| 60-89% | Reliable indicator of core tendencies |
| 40-59% | Neutral zone - less predictive of behavior |
| 10-39% | Pay attention to extremes ("I scored 5% in Agreeableness - am I a monster?") |
My Agreeableness score was 34%. My wife read it and laughed: "Remember when you argued with the GPS for 20 minutes?" Touché. But it explained why mediation careers would destroy my soul.
Where HEXACO Shines (And Where It Doesn't)
After using this model in corporate training for three years, here's my unfiltered take:
- Workplace Superpower: Predicts counterproductive work behaviors better than any test. Low Honesty-Humility? Don't put them in charge of budgets.
- Dating Goldmine: High Emotionality + High Agreeableness partners avoid explosive fights. Science says so.
- Blind Spot: Underpredicts creative genius. Openness measures appreciation, not necessarily talent.
Controversial opinion: HEXACO's Honesty-Humility scale should replace job interviews for bank tellers. But try convincing HR of that.
How It Stacks Against Other Tests
Let's cut through the noise:
| Test | Best For | Weaknesses | HEXACO Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Myers-Briggs (MBTI) | Team icebreakers | Poor reliability, no "in-between" scores | Actual scientific validity |
| Big Five (OCEAN) | Academic research | Misses ethical tendencies | Honesty-Humility dimension |
| DISC Assessment | Sales training | Oversimplifies motivations | Nuanced facet-level analysis |
The HEXACO personality assessment dominates in two areas: predicting unethical behavior and explaining why some people thrive in high-risk jobs while others panic over spilled coffee. But it won't tell you your spirit animal. Priorities.
Unusual Applications You Haven't Considered
Beyond HR questionnaires, researchers use HEXACO for fascinating stuff:
- Cryptocurrency Behavior: Low Honesty-Humility + High Openness predicts Bitcoin obsession
- Pandemic Compliance: High Emotionality + High Conscientiousness = never leaves home without hand sanitizer
- Voting Patterns: High Openness correlates with progressive views regardless of education level
A university study found low-H-scoring entrepreneurs were 3x more likely to get fraud lawsuits. Makes you rethink that "disruptive startup founder" idolization.
Free Resources vs. Paid Reports
Where to get legit HEXACO tests without getting scammed:
- Legit Free Option: hexaco.org - academic version with PDF scoring guide
- Best Paid Report: Understandmyself.com ($20) - created by assessment experts
- Avoid: Sites promising "HEXACO Certified" coaching certificates
I paid $12 for a report that said "Your low Emotionality suggests you'd survive zombie apocalypses well." Money well spent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Let's tackle real questions from my coaching clients:
| Question | Evidence-Based Answer |
|---|---|
| Can I cheat the HEXACO test? | Sort of. Faking high Conscientiousness is easy. But faking Honesty-Humility? Nearly impossible without triggering lie scales. |
| Do scores change over time? | Core traits stabilize around 30. But major life events (parenthood, trauma) can shift scores by 10-15%. |
| Is it culturally biased? | Less than others. Developed across 50+ cultures. But still overrepresents educated populations. |
| Why trust this over astrology? | HEXACO predicts job performance with 0.41 correlation vs. astrology's 0.02. Your call. |
| Can high Openness make me creative? | No. It correlates with creativity but doesn't cause it. Genetics and practice dominate. |
Critical Limitations You Should Know
After seeing hundreds of HEXACO results, three flaws bug me:
- Self-Deception Blindspot: Your "Honesty" score reflects your perception of your integrity. Actual saints and sociopaths both score high sometimes.
- Context Collapse: Scores describe general tendencies, not behavior in specific situations. My high Agreeableness collapses during Monopoly games.
- Overreliance Risk: Some companies use it like a horoscope for promotions. Dangerous.
One client got denied a management role for scoring 62% in eXtraversion instead of their "required 70%." Absurd reductionism.
Implementing Insights Responsibly
Whether you're using the HEXACO personality test for hiring or self-discovery, follow these rules:
- Never use scores alone for employment decisions
- Always discuss results with the test-taker ("Why do you think you scored low in Flexibility?")
- Beware of labeling people - traits interact complexly
Great tool? Absolutely. Crystal ball? Nope. Treat it like a personality GPS – helpful for navigation, but you still need to drive the car.
So should you take it? If you want insights deeper than Instagram quizzes but less deterministic than genetic testing, absolutely. Just remember: knowing you're 78% open to new experiences won't automatically make you book that trip to Bali. But it might shame you into finally doing it. Worked for me.