HBDI Assessment: Detailed Guide

The HBDI – or Hermann Brain Dominance Instrument – Assessment is a personality test designed to assess individuals’ thinking preferences and cognitive styles.

Commonly used by companies, it can help to improve productivity and collaboration within the workforce by identifying key skills and abilities. The results of your HBDI assessment can help you to understand more about how your mind works and what style of thinker you might be, which can be useful both professionally and personally.

This guide will tell you everything you need to know about the HBDI assessment, including how to prepare effectively for it, so that you can gain the best possible insight from your test. You will also find free HBDI assessment example questions.

What Is the HBDI Assessment?

Developed by Ned Hermann in the 1980s, HBDI testing is designed to measure how individuals think, learn, and make decisions. This is done by considering brain dominance and categorizing thinking into four quadrants: analytical, practical, relational, and experimental.

Administered as a 116-question online assessment, individuals select answers to questions from a range of options. Their selections will then show a preference or tendency towards a particular type of thinking.

The information gained from HBDI assessments can be applied in a range of ways; helping with personal development, business growth, and education, among other things.

By identifying the way that people think, employers, educators, and individuals can tailor their approaches to tasks and better select candidates for individual projects or exercises by playing on their strengths.

Usually, an employer or educator would cover the HBDI assessment cost.

Understanding the Four Quadrants of the HBDI Assessment

The HBDI assessment aims to identify what type of thinker an individual is out of four possible options:

• Analytical
• Practical
• Relational
• Experimental 

This information can then be used to identify individual strengths and skills, making it easier to select those best suited for working within a team or specific roles.

Analytical Thinking (HBDI Test Quadrant A)

Typically, analytical thinkers are individuals who excel in logic, analysis, and critical thinking. These are the people who are excellent at analyzing available information and drawing logical conclusions from it.

Practical Thinking (HBDI Test Quadrant B)

Practical thinkers thrive with an organized, structured approach. They are excellent planners and prefer to have everything planned out before implementing changes and solutions.

Relational Thinking (HBDI Test Quadrant C)

Relational thinkers are exceptional team players, able to collaborate and build interpersonal relationships easily. They thrive in team-based situations where they can work with others and aid in decision-making processes.

Experimental Thinking (HBDI Test Quadrant D)

These individuals think outside of the box. They perform best when they are able to explore new ideas and innovate. A flexible, experimental approach to problem solving works well for these individuals. 

Free HBDI Assessment Example Questions

Analytical Thinking Questions

Question 1:

When faced with a complex problem, you prefer to:

a) Gather all relevant data and analyze it thoroughly.
b) Brainstorm creative solutions with others.
c) Discuss the impact on team dynamics.
d) Go with your gut feeling.

The correct answer is: a) Gather all relevant data and analyze it thoroughly.

This response indicates a preference for analytical thinking, which focuses on data, logic, and critical analysis.

Question 2:

In making decisions, you primarily rely on:

a) Facts and figures.
b) Emotional insights and personal experiences.
c) Group consensus and team harmony.
d) Intuition and instincts.

The correct answer is: a) Facts and figures.

This reflects a dominant analytical style that values objective information and structured reasoning.

Creative Thinking Questions

Question 1:

When working on a project, you are most likely to:

a) Stick to proven methods and procedures.
b) Think outside the box for innovative solutions.
c) Consider how it will affect team relationships.
d) Follow a strict timeline and plan.

The correct answer is: b) Think outside the box for innovative solutions.

This choice demonstrates a creative thinking style, emphasizing originality and innovation.

Question 2:

You approach challenges by:

a) Evaluating risks and benefits carefully.
b) Experimenting with new ideas without overthinking.
c) Consulting with others to reach a consensus.
d) Following the established rules and guidelines.

The correct answer is: b) Experimenting with new ideas without overthinking.

This response highlights a preference for creative thinking, embracing flexibility and exploration.

Practical Thinking Questions

Question 1:

In your work environment, you prefer to:

a) Conduct detailed analysis before taking action.
b) Jump into action and figure things out as you go.
c) Collaborate with the team to ensure everyone is on the same page.
d) Plan everything meticulously before starting.

The correct answer is: b) Jump into action and figure things out as you go.

This indicates a practical thinking approach, valuing hands-on experience and adaptability.

Question 2:

When dealing with practical tasks, you tend to:

a) Prepare thoroughly with a detailed plan.
b) Focus on immediate solutions and results.
c) Involve others to get their input.
d) Analyze the long-term implications of your actions.

The correct answer is: b) Focus on immediate solutions and results.

This response demonstrates practical thinking, which emphasizes efficiency and direct action.

Relational Thinking Questions

Question 1:

In group settings, you often:

a) Prefer to work alone and avoid too much discussion.
b) Facilitate group discussions to ensure everyone is heard.
c) Stick to the agenda and focus on tasks.
d) Make decisions based on logic and facts only.

The correct answer is: b) Facilitate group discussions to ensure everyone is heard.

This indicates a relational thinking style that values collaboration and interpersonal connections.

Question 2:

When resolving conflicts, your approach is typically to:

a) Analyze the situation logically and find a solution.
b) Consider everyone’s feelings and find common ground.
c) Stick to your principles regardless of others’ opinions.
d) Propose a structured compromise based on facts.

The correct answer is: b) Consider everyone’s feelings and find common ground.

This response reflects relational thinking, prioritizing emotional understanding and consensus-building.

Benefits of the HBDI Test

Once you have your results, you might want to think about what the benefits of this information could be. There are a number of advantages to knowing your thinking style and personality type, such as personal development, team dynamics, and leadership development.

Personal Development

By knowing more about how your brain works and the type of thinker you are, you will be able to better understand yourself and your working style.  

It can also lead to setting personal goals and growth. If, for example, your results show that you are naturally not strong in interpersonal thinking, you might choose to try and strengthen this area by taking on more group activities and working on your personal and social skills.

Team Dynamics

Teamwork can be challenging, especially when there are a lot of different personalities working together. 

But, it’s important to have a diverse range of thinking skills to effectively brainstorm and problem-solve. By understanding how the different members of a team think, leaders can better use the skills and strengths at their disposal. It can also be useful for avoiding potential areas of conflict within a team and enhance collaboration, communication, and productivity.

Leadership Development

Not only will HBDI assessments help leaders to understand their own thinking styles, it will also provide insight into the members of their team. 

This information can lead to more effective leadership styles, with tasks and responsibilities assigned to the individuals most suited to them. The increased knowledge can also help to provide guidance when it comes to additional training and job progression. 

All of this can lead to improved team performance and a more cohesive structure overall.

How to Prepare for the HBDI Assessment

Whether you’ve been asked to take the HBDI assessment by your employer, or are simply curious for yourself, it’s a good idea to know what to expect and to prepare in advance. 

You can’t really practice this type of test, as it’s designed to assess your personality not your knowledge, but preparation can help you to feel more relaxed and at ease.

Taking the HBDI Assessment

HBDI Testing is completed entirely online, with individuals answering 116 multiple-choice questions. If you have been asked by your employer to complete the test, you will usually be emailed a link (and you won’t have to cover the HBDI assessment cost).

There is no time limit, so you can take as long as you want to answer each question.

As the HBDI online test aims to identify your cognitive and thinking styles, it’s important to answer honestly. While you might feel as though you need to give the ‘right’ answers to questions, there really are no wrong answers when it comes to personality tests.

Interpreting Your HBDI Assessment Results

Your results will usually be emailed to you very quickly after completing the HBDI online test – sometimes within an hour. 

When looking at your HBDI personality test results initially, it may be confusing. You will see a diagram with four quadrants – A, B, C, D. Each quadrant relates to a different thinking type.

Your answers to each question will be placed within each of these quadrants, with strength and weakness shown on a diagram. For example, if your answers mostly suggested practical thinking, but not experimental thinking, your diagram will show strength in quadrant B and weakness in quadrant D.

By looking at the data, you will be able to see where your strengths lie and address any areas that you could potentially want to improve.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the HBDI Assessment?

HBDI personality tests analyze thinking and cognitive skills into four main types. The information gathered from these tests can help employers identify specific types of people for roles. Educators can also use this information to tailor learning to an individual student's thinking style.

How long does the HBDI Assessment take to complete?

There is no time limit for the HBDI assessment.

How is the HBDI Assessment scored?

Each answer relates to a different cognitive or thinking style. The answers given are then calculated to identify which style of thinking an individual most relates to and presented in a diagram for analysis.

Can the HBDI Assessment be used for team building?

Yes. By understanding the different styles of thinking within a team, leaders are better able to work to the strengths of individuals and create a more productive, harmonious team as a result. The company would have to cover the HBDI test cost.

How can I use my HBDI results for personal development?

By identifying areas of strength and weakness within your personal thinking and cognitive style, you will be able to see areas which you may want to improve. Consider your weaker traits and think about ways to work on them.

Final Thoughts

HBDI assessments are an exceptional tool when it comes to self-awareness and improving workplace dynamics. Whether you’re choosing to take the HBDI test to find out more about yourself, or are completing the assessment at the request of your employer (who will cover the HBDI Test cost), the information provided by HBDI testing can help to guide both personal and professional development. 

By knowing more about the way members of a team think, employers can use their staff’s skills more effectively, creating a more harmonious and productive environment. 

For individuals on a personal level, knowing the way they think can help guide future career moves or encourage personal development to improve in weaker areas.