Have you got what it takes to work for MI5?
A Personal Awareness Test

© testsonthenet.com | SpectrumX Co Ltd.
This personality test is presented by PersonnelToday.com in association with
SpectrumX Co Ltd. 

Introduction & Instructions
To avoid possible distortion and contradictions please do not discuss these questions with anyone else prior to, or whilst, completing this questionnaire.

  • This questionnaire contains 40 statements. It shouldn't take longer than 5 minutes to complete.

  • Please answer the questions in sequence.

  • Please respond to all of the statements.  

  • If you need to change an answer, simply select the correct response and the incorrect response will disappear.

  • Your results will be delivered online immediately on completion.

For each statement choose the response that best represents your opinion:

SA

Strongly Agree 

If you strongly agree or if the statement is definitely true.

A

Agree

If you agree or if the statement is mostly true.

N

Neutral

If you are neutral about the statement, if you cannot decide, or if the statement is about equally true and false.

D

Disagree

If you disagree or if the statement is mostly false.

SD

Strongly  Disagree 

 If you strongly disagree or if the statement is definitely false.

Please indicate your name - or code name:  
(please - no Marta, James or 007's)

SD
STRONGLY DISAGREE

D
DISAGREE

N
NEUTRAL

A
AGREE

SA
STRONGLY AGREE

SD

D

N

A

SA

I take charge.

I inquire about others' well-being.

I do things according to a plan.  

I get stressed out easily.

I am full of ideas.

I don't talk a lot.

I know how to comfort others.

I set high standards for myself and others.

I get angry easily.

I don't probe deeply into a subject.

I talk to a lot of different people at parties.

I take time out for others.

I continue until everything is perfect.

I panic easily.

I carry the conversation to a higher level.

25 more questions to go to find out if you've got what it takes...

SD

D

N

A

SA

I bottle up my feelings.

I am on good terms with nearly everyone.

I find it difficult to get down to work. 

I feel threatened easily.

I catch on to things quickly.

I feel at ease with people.

I have a good word for everyone.

I make plans and stick to them.

I get overwhelmed by emotions.

I can handle a lot of information.

I am a very private person.

I show my gratitude.

My word is my bond.

I take offence easily.

I like exploring new concepts and ideas.

Only 10 more questions to go to find out if you've got what it takes...

SD

D

N

A

SA

I wait for others to lead the way.

I think of others first.

I love order and regularity.

I get caught up in my problems.

I love to be challenged intellectually.

I am skilled in handling social situations.

I enjoy helping others.

I turn my plans into actions.

I grumble about things.

I love to think up new ways of doing things.



Please only click on the Submit button once - if you do it more than once your results will self-destruct and you will not be able to get your report!

▼Once you have submitted your answers and they have been analysed, scroll down to see your report... 


Your Report
Have you got what it takes to work for MI5?


The observations made in this test report are the personal opinions of the staff of testsonthenet.com and are based on their visits to the website of MI5 - The Security Service.

The Big Five Factors
Generally psychologists agree that, at the broadest level, personality can be described in terms of five main factors.  These factors give a broad global description of an individual. Collectively they are known as 'The Big Five'.

The Big Five In other words.. ...
Openness to Experience
Describes an individual's pro-active seeking and appreciation of experience for its own sake. Do you like to experience new and varied activities or do you prefer routine and familiarity?
Conscientiousness
Describes how organised, motivated and thorough an individual is in life and in pursuing goals. Are you industrious, thorough and well organised?  
Extraversion
Extraversion describes how energetic and enthusiastic a person is - especially when dealing with people. Are you an outgoing, socially active extravert or do you prefer working and being alone?
Agreeableness
Describes a person's attitudes towards other people.
Do you show compassion or are you tough and guarded?
Natural Reactions
Measures the different ways people have of reacting emotionally to pressure and stressful circumstances.
Are your reactions overly emotional?  Do you tend to be apprehensive and anxious - or - are you cool, calm and collected?

These five, relatively independent dimensions, provide a model that can be used to accurately study, describe and understand people.

Some people believe that using the Big 5 as a model for describing personality is an over-simplification.  Before coming to such a conclusion consider this....
"there are only three primary colours and yet they allow us to produce every single colour, tone and hue in the world".  

This report does not pretend to be 100% accurate - all personality test measurements contain some error. 
We would also like to stress that this test is a very short version of a much more comprehensive test instrument. 

How do you find out what your scores mean?
  • Identify the 'Range' in which your score falls. 
  • Read the Big Five description that relates to your score range.  This describes how you are likely to behave, react and think and how other people are likely to perceive you. 
  • Compare your score against the scores of thousands of other people.  You will be able to see what percentage of the population score in the same range as yourself and what percentage score higher or lower.
  • This bit is optional... we recommend that you share your report with other people who know you well.  Ask them if they think that is an accurate description of your personality.  This will help you establish the accuracy of your report.

Your Scores for The Big Five

 

High and low score descriptions are usually accurate. However, if any of your scores fall close to either the low or high boundaries, the description may be less accurate. 

People who score in the middle range will be a differing mixture of both the high and low descriptions - but less extreme.  Words such as 'reasonably' and 'moderately' have to be used.

(If your scores do not show it is because you didn't click the Submit button above!)


Your score for Openness to Experience:
Do you like to experience new and varied activities or do you prefer routine and familiarity?

In our opinion MI5 are looking for people who score 23 and above.  (However, there may be some exceptions.)

23 >


Got what it takes to work for MI5?


MI5 appear to be looking for scores in the high ranges for this area with, perhaps, some possible exceptions.

Based on visiting the website career pages of MI5 - The Security Service - we believe that they place a relatively high degree of importance on the Big Five Factor of 'Openness'.  On at least 9 occasions they mention personality traits and behaviours that are associated with this area as selection criteria. 

Openness is related to lateral thinking... the ability to think 'outside the box'.  It seems to make sense to make this a selection criteria.  Especially important for people who are going to be involved in security strategy and operations where they have to second guess the 'enemy'. 
Perhaps less important for people who have other more repetitive and structured responsibilities and job roles. Indeed, in certain circumstances, too much 'Openness to Experience', could be a handicap and a potential cause of intellectual frustration.

Identifying whether or not you've 'got what it takes' seems to be very dependent on the specific job role.

Description of Openness to Experience -

Very Low Range
> 2

Low Range
3 > 10

Middle Range
11 > 22

High Range
23 > 30

Very High Range
31 >

Likes routine and prefers to be conventional.  Works well where procedures are established and followed.  Traditionalist, down-to-earth and conventional. Practical but willing to consider new ways of doing things.  Seeks a balance between the old and the new. Creative, imaginative, open-minded and experimental.  Curious and receptive to new ideas.  Adaptable, flexible and questioning.  Likes to work in a changing environment that provides intellectual stimulation.


Your score for Conscientiousness:
Are you industrious, thorough and well organised?  

We believe that MI5 are very definitely looking for people who score 23 and above.

23 >


Got what it takes to work for MI5?

All the evidence indicates that a high score for Conscientiousness is critical.

The career pages of MI5 indicate that strengths in this area have the highest degree of importance as a selection criteria.  On at least 24 occasions they mention personality traits and behaviours that are associated with the Big Five Factor of Conscientiousness.   Perhaps this is not too surprising.  Research studies involving almost 30,000 test results and performance criteria clearly establish that this personality factor impacts on all work activities - on all competencies - at all levels. 

So if you score in the high ranges for this area, it looks as though you may have 'what it takes'.  If you are not scoring too well in this area we suggest that you "don't give up the day job" and carry on using your normal brief case!  You might also want to consider canceling that special version of the BMW Z8!

Description of Conscientiousness -

Very Low Range
> 2

Low Range
3 > 10

Middle Range
11 > 22

High Range
23 > 30

Very High Range
31 >

Easygoing, laidback and not inclined to make plans or schedules.  May be inefficient and unreliable unless working in a well-structured and supervised environment.   Reasonably dependable and organised. Industrious, disciplined and reliable.  Hard working and organised.  Pro-active. Analytical.  Strives to achieve objectives.  Resilient and decisive.  Patient.  Persevering, persistent and able to cope with frustration.  Self-sufficient but can be a good team player.  Works well in an environment where quality of work and achievement striving are valued.  (Very high scorers may be perceived by some people as being workaholics or obsessive.)

 

Your score for Extraversion:
Are you an outgoing, socially active extravert or do you prefer working and being alone?

Based on the information we have, we are not quite sure what MI5 are looking for in this area.  As an HR Professional what do you think?

?

Got what it takes to work for MI5?

Very high scores for this area could be a problem as far as MI5 are concerned.  

Personality traits and behaviours related to Extraversion get at least 7 mentions on the MI5 website career pages.  Most of these mentions relate to personal relationships internally with colleagues and team members.  Perhaps it is not so surprising that - apparently - this is one of the less important selection criteria.  After all, people who 'stand out from the crowd' by their very extraverted behaviour may be unsuitable for many security job roles.  Would Jonat