The 15fq+ Test (2024 Guide)

What Is a 15fq+ Test?

The 15fq+ or Fifteen Factor Question Plus test is a personality test that employs 15 of the 16 key personality traits described by Raymond B. Cattrell in 1946.

It also uses modern psychodynamic discoveries to create a personality profile.

The original 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire gave an entire overview of a personality, while the 15fq+ can identify the fundamental basics of an individual's personality, specifically regarding work and work environment.

The test was first devised as the 15fq in 1992. It has since been subjected to various revisions to reflect recent updates in technology.

The present version (15fq+) tries to avoid all cultural or gender bias while maximizing reliability.

It is available in both the standard long version (200 questions) and a shorter test (100 questions), with both computerized and handwritten options to choose from.

There are a variety of language options available.

The test does not take long to complete, despite a large number of questions. Most people finish it in about 30 minutes.

Who Is the 15fq+ Test For?

There are many reasons why you could be asked to complete the 15fq+ questionnaire, often by recruiters as part of their interview process.

This form of testing allows employers to quickly assess whether your personality and natural habits will benefit a company.

It also helps to show key areas of skill and aptitude, which may be considered positive attributes.

It is not just recruiters and employers who use the 15fq+ test. Some schools and universities offer the test as part of their career advice to help you to decide if you suit your chosen career path.

Anyone can take the 15fq+ test, and many psychologists offer testing.

What Does the 15fq+ Test Measure?

The 15fq+ test measures the strength of personality traits on a sliding scale.

Everybody possesses elements of all the traits as part of their personality; however, some will be more dominant than others.

The test will evaluate which elements are the strongest.

The 15fq+ is divided into three sections:

• First, it analyzes the 15 key personality traits identified in the original 15fq test
• Second, it measures five global factors
• Finally, it considers factors specific to an occupation

The 15 Key Personality Traits

This section of the 15fq+ questionnaire will measure traits such as:

• Compassion
• Confidence
• Self-motivation
• Intelligence
• Enthusiasm
• Whether you are group motivated
• Trustworthiness

Global Traits

The five global traits are considered part of the 15fq+ and are measured on a scale.

Scores are then calculated and indicate a tendency towards one side over the other.

The traits at either end of the scale are described below:

• Extraversion – Requires significant social contact and experience of the outside world. Enjoys public events and activities.
• Introversion – Does not require very much social contact at all. Unlikely to enjoy outside events and activities.
• Low Anxiety – Likely to be resilient and able to cope with high-stress situations. Often calm and well-adjusted.
• High Anxiety – Does not cope well with unexpected or high-stress situations. Likely to be sensitive and prone to mood swings.
• Pragmatism – Influenced by cold, hard facts; rather than the world around them. Less open to new ideas and can appear insensitive to alternative possibilities.
• Openness – Influenced by thoughts and feelings rather than facts. More likely to be open to new ideas and possibilities.
• Independence – Self-aware, certain of their own thoughts and actions. More likely to be stubborn and opinionated.
• Agreeableness – Tolerant, obliging and keen to help. Unlikely to be strong-willed and more likely to be willing to compromise.
• Low Self-Control – Displays low levels of self-restraint and control. Uninhibited by societal norms and expectations.
• High Self-Control – Very restrained, capable of remaining in control in most situations. Very aware of societal norms and expectations.

What Does a 15fq+ Test Tell You?

The test is specifically designed to measure 15 of the 16 key personality traits which we all hold. This gives information regarding how we see the world, how we think, and how we feel about things.

This can offer an employer significant insight when deciding the qualities that would most benefit their company.

Things That the 15fq+ Questionnaire Can Show:

• Are you culturally aware and sensitive of those around you?
• Are you easily motivated?
• Are you likely to work well in a team?
• Are you reliable?
• Do you cope under pressure?

How Is the 15fq+ Scored?

There will be options available when it comes to scoring the test depending on whether you choose to complete the computerized or handwritten versions of the 15fq+ questionnaire.

• Computerized tests are generally scored automatically by an in-built system
• Handwritten tests will have a choice of either computerized scoring or self-scoring

Computerised Scoring

Completing a computerized version of the test will mean your scores will be calculated automatically through an inbuilt formula to create your sten scores.

Handwritten tests calculated by computerized scoring can be manually inputted or scanned using computer-readable answer sheets.

Hand Scoring

Hand-scored tests are only an option for those who choose to take the handwritten version of the 15fq+ test. The scoring system uses raw scores, which are then plotted onto a sten profile chart.

Hand-scored tests will not offer the same depth of information in their reports as the Risk Scaled scores for general tendency and infrequency are not included.

Sten Scores

Raw scores plotted onto the sten profile chart are converted into sten scores.

These are ranked from 1 to 10, 1 being the lowest possible score and 10 being the highest.

Scores between 5 and 6 are considered average.

Risk Scaled Scores

Completing the 15fq+ test by hand will not give you scores for the Infrequency or General Tendency sections. Those scores are calculated using a risk; rather than sten scores.

The risk scale scores consider whether the test is completed is likely to be valid or not. This means it is impossible to lie during the test.

These scores will automatically pick out people who are not answering honestly.

A score above 8 in this section indicates that the test may not be valid.

Impression Management Scales

Impression management scales give an overview of the test participants' personality profiles. It does this by looking at five key areas:

• Social Desirability Scale – Assessors are often cautious of people who score highly when considering the scores for this section. A very high score on the Social Desirability Scale could indicate an inability to admit failings and flaws. A high score could also be the result of being dishonest when answering the questions.

• Infrequency Scale – This section looks at how well the test has been answered overall. It considers whether instructions have been properly followed or if questions have been answered randomly. This score can be affected by individuals who suffered from anxiety during the test (shown by a high Global Anxiety Factor score). It could also reveal the participant was trying to cheat the system.

• Central Tendency Scale – This considers whether participants have willingly answered strongly or whether they prefer to answer cautiously and stick to the middle ground. Scoring very highly in this section allows assessors to check for validity in the test, while individuals who consistently choose the middle answers could be trying to conceal their personality.

• Faking Good Scale – This section analyzes how people choose to present themselves. People who score highly on the Faking Good scale often choose to present themselves in the best possible way.

• Faking Bad Scale – Similar to the Faking Good Scale, the Faking Bad Scale looks at how individuals present themselves. This scale examines whether someone has a tendency to present themselves negatively.

Final Thoughts

Whatever your reasons for taking the 15fq+ test, you will discover much about yourself that you might not have realized.

It could help you to gain your dream job, or even point you in the direction of a career that you might never have considered.

The most important thing to remember is to be honest. There are no wrong answers.