What are career tests?
From as young as 5 years old, we are all asked by our teachers, parents, and family what we want to be when we grow up. Some kids play with trucks and say they want to be a truck driver; others play nurse and patient, and they will reply giddily they want to be a nurse. But as we grow up, so many opportunities and possibilities are presented to us, making that one important life-long decision very difficult (that was my experience, at least). I had no idea who I wanted to be or what my future career journey would look like, and as a result I was indecisive, anxious, and fearful in case I made the wrong decision.
It wasn't until a lecturer from one of my university classes encouraged the students to take a career test. In my mind I thought, "This is just a silly personality test." But upon completing it, for the first time in my life, I gained insight into who I am and the careers that would suit my interests and passions.
A career test is a tool that helps its users to get insight into their strengths and weaknesses, values, and interests through the process of completing a series of questions or surveys (Gander et al., 2020; Kumar, 2022). The test results are then used to analyse and report what kind of careers would suit that individual based on their test results (Gander et al., 2020; Kumar, 2022)
So why are career tests such valuable tools? Firstly, because they can help match the individuals' strengths with a career that would suit them the best (Bouchrika, 2025). Imagine wasting three years studying a course, thinking you would enjoy the work, only to realise when you start your job that you absolutely detest the job. You would have wasted not only your time and money for tuition, but also possibly the quality of your life would reduce because you are unhappy at your job.
Not only do career tests help you to match your personality, values, passions, and interests with a career, but they also reduce that uncertainty or anxiousness in deciding what career you want to do (Bouchrika, 2025). Therefore, career tests can help you make a more informed and meaningful decision, making you more confident and certain in your career journey (Bouchrika, 2025).
Now that you understand what career tests are and why they are so important, let's take a look at some career tests that you can explore to learn more about yourself. So far I have completed 3 tests: the Claremont Purpose Test, the 80,000 Hours Test, and the Career Aptitude Test. Here are some screenshots of my results.
1. Claremont Purpose Test
| Dimension & Items | Items | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Meaningfulness | How clear is your sense of purpose in your life? | 4 |
| How well do you understand what gives your life meaning? | 4 | |
| How confident are you that you’ve discovered a satisfying purpose? | 3 | |
| How clearly do you understand what makes your life feel worthwhile? | 4 | |
| Average = 3.75 | ||
| Goal Orientation | How hard are you working to make your long-term aims a reality? | 1 |
| How much effort are you putting into making your goals happen? | 1 | |
| How engaged are you in carrying out plans you’ve set for yourself? | 1 | |
| What portion of your daily activities move you closer to your long-term aims? | 1 | |
| Average = 1.00 | ||
| Beyond-the-Self | How often do you hope to leave the world better than you found it? | 5 |
| How often do you hope to make a meaningful contribution to the broader world? | 5 | |
| How important is it for you to make the world a better place in some way? | 5 | |
| How often do you hope that the work you do positively influences others? | 5 | |
| Average = 4.75 |
2. 80,000 Hours Test
3. Career Aptitude Test
Now you have a go for yourself! I would love to know what your results were. Were you shocked by some of the results like me?
References
Bouchrika, I. (2025, August 1). Why career exploration is important for 2025—Activities, ideas & useful links. Research.com. https://research.com/careers/why-career-exploration-is-important
Gander, F., Hofmann, J., & Ruch, W. (2020). Character strengths: Person–environment fit and relationships with job and life satisfaction. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1582. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01582
Kumar, A. (2022). Personal, social, academic and career development in higher education : soaring to success (2nd edition). Routledge. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781003126362