Hogan Assessments

Hogan Assessments

Are you applying for a new position and you have been asked to take the Hogan test? You are not quite sure what to expect. Don't worry, we are here to help. We will break down for you what to expect on the different Hogan assessments and how to prepare. Get a leg up against the competition and make sure you ace the interview process. Take a look at our free Hogan test prep.


What Are the Hogan Assessments?

Hogan is an assessment company which provides employers with pre-employment assessments. These assessments help the employers find the best candidates for the job. Hogan has two main types of evaluations: those that test your cognitive abilities and those that measure your personality traits. They put out the following tests:

  1. Hogan Personality Inventory (HPI)
  2. Hogan Development Survey (HDS)
  3. Hogan Motives, Values, Preferences Inventory (MVPI)
  4. Hogan Business Reasoning Inventory (HBRI)
  5. Judgement (which is a combined assessment)

What Is the Hogan Personality Inventory (HPI)?

The Hogan Personality Inventory also called the Hogan Personality Test is the most common assessment that you might face from employers. The point of the exam is to make sure your personality traits fit those needed for the role and match the company's corporate culture. The test consists of 220 questions and takes about 15-20 minutes to complete. Each question has a four point Likert scale and you need to choose the answer that best fits you. The HPI measures the "bright-side" or normal personality traits. It shows an employer if under normal work-related circumstances that you will show the "bright side" of your personality.


How Are You Scored on the HPI Test?

The test measures you on seven scales: adjustment, ambition, sociability, interpersonal sensitivity, prudence, inquisitive, and learning approach. Let's take a deeper look at what each of these scales measures.

  • Adjustment - how you adjust and work under pressure. What is your self-confidence and self-esteem like?
  • Ambition - What is your ambition level? Do you have a desire to lead and take initiative? How competitive are you?
  • Sociability - Are you an extrovert? Do you require social interaction?
  • Interpersonal Sensitivity - What is your likability? Do you focus on relationships and maintain them?
  • Prudence - Are you responsible and thorough? Do you have self-discipline?
  • Inquisitive - Are you curious and willing to look into things on your own? Are you creative?
  • Learning Approach - What is your learning approach? Do you enjoy and seek out learning opportunities? Do you keep up with the latest knowledge and research?

Your employer will receive an in depth breakdown of your personality. Here is a sample score report:

Hogan Assessments HPI Sample Test Report
© Hogan

What Is a Good Score on the Hogan Assessments?

The important thing to understand is that each profession has different personality traits it requires. That means there is no universal "good" score. The Hogan Assessments predicts your work performance according to the following six occupational scales: service orientation, stress tolerance, reliability, clerical potential, sales potential, and managerial potential. That's why it is important to know which traits are considered important for your target position.


Free Hogan Assessments Sample Questions

HPI Sample Question 1

The prospect of learning something new intrigues me

  1. Strongly Disagree
  2. Disagree
  3. Agree
  4. Strongly Agree

HPI Sample Question 2

If I see a problem I come up with new creative solutions

  1. Strongly Disagree
  2. Disagree
  3. Agree
  4. Strongly Agree

HPI Sample Question 3

After being alone for awhile I feel like I need to see other people

  1. Strongly Disagree
  2. Disagree
  3. Agree
  4. Strongly Agree

How Can I Prepare for the Hogan Assessments?

It is important to not only take a Hogan Personality Inventory practice test, but to also study which traits are expected for your target position. Take a look at the following Hogan test prep. What's great about this test prep is that it includes a study guide PDF with detailed information about the scales and what is expected from target jobs. Once you take the first practice test you can also take practice questions focusing on one single trait and improve your weak areas.

Hogan Personality Inventory Practice Test


What Is the Hogan Development Survey (HDS)?

The Hogan Development Survey is used by employers to measure the "dark side" of your personality, or how you would react under stressful situations. The evaluation gives your employer a picture of character traits that might have a negative effect on how you work. The test is made up of 170 questions to be completed in 15-20 minutes. 


How Is the Hogan Development Survey Scored?

The HDS measures you on these eleven scales: 

  • Excitable: Are you easily frustrated? Do you have enthusiasm for working? Are you inclined to give up on a project?
  • Skeptical: Can you detect deceptive behavior in others and act on it?
  • Cautious: Do you avoid risks? Do you avoid criticism? Do you have a fear of failure?
  • Reserved: Are you on the more reserved side? Do you appear to be aloof? Are you concerned with the feelings of others?
  • Leisurely: Are you self-serving and uncooperative?
  • Bold: Are you confident and self- assured? Do you have trouble admitting your mistakes and learning from experiences?
  • Mischievous: Do you seek adventure and test the limits?
  • Colorful: Are you fun? Do you seek the spotlight?
  • Imaginative: Are you creative and innovative?
  • Diligent: Are you a hard worker? Do you have high standards for yourself and those you work with?
  • Dutiful: Are you a loyal and dependable employee?

Your employer will get a score report with normative results and percentile ranking. Your score will be compared to all the other applicants who have taken the exam and then you will be given a percentile ranking compared to those applicants. Here is an example score report.

Hogan HDS Percentile Scores Sample

How Can I Prepare for the Hogan Development Survey?

The point of the Hogan Development Survey is to give employers an idea of characteristic traits that can derail your ability to succeed at the job. As the point of the test is to focus on the negative, you want to go in knowing what to expect. Make sure you excel in the HDS and take a practice test in advance.

Hogan Development Survey Practice Test


What Is the Hogan Motives, Values, Preferences Inventory (MVPI)?

This Hogan MVPI test gives an employer a glimpse of your inner personality, goals, interests, values and what motivates you to succeed. The test consists of 200 questions to be completed in 15-20 minutes. It is designed to pick up on unconscious biases you may have about projects, people, and plans. The Hogan MVPI also focuses on five themes: lifestyle, beliefs, occupational preferences and aversions, and preferred associates.


How Is the Hogan MVPI scored?

The Motives, Values, Preferences Inventory (MVPI) scores you on these ten scales:

  • Recognition: Do you desire attention and approval of your successes?
  • Power: Do you desire status, and control?
  • Hedonism: Do you lean towards fun, pleasure, and enjoyment?
  • Altruism: Do you want to help others and contribute to society?
  • Affiliation: Do you have a need for social interaction?
  • Tradition: Do you respect rules and company traditions?
  • Security: Do you have a need for stability?
  • Commerce: Do you have an interest in earning money and finding business opportunities?
  • Aesthetics: Do you care about the quality and appearance of work products?
  • Science: Do you have an interest in research and innovation?

What Is the Hogan Business Reasoning Inventory (HBRI)?

The Hogan HBRI is an exam used by employers to test a candidate's verbal reasoning, logic, abstract thinking, and numerical reasoning. There are 24 questions to be completed within NO time limit. There are two main skills which are tested on the exam; tactical reasoning and strategic reasoning. Tactical reasoning refers to your problem-solving capabilities. Strategic reasoning refers to your ability to detect logical errors or flaws. 


How Is the Hogan Business Inventory Reasoning Scored?

Your employer will get a detailed score report on how you think. The thinking styles are broken down into four different types of thinkers:

  1. Expedient thinker - If you fall into this category you have a tendency to choose the quick and easy answer. You make intuitive rather than thought through choices.
  2. Contextual thinker - If you fall into this category you have a tendency to recognize the big picture but don't focus on the details needed to solve the problem.
  3. Analytic thinker - If you fall into this category you have a tendency to concentrate on a problem and the barriers to solving the problem. You have trouble putting the problem in a larger context and prioritizing the steps for an immediate solution.
  4. Critical Thinker - If you fall into this category you have a tendency to solve a problem and successfully prioritize the short- and long-term benefits of the solution.

How Can I Prepare for the Hogan Cognitive Ability Test?

The HBRI is one of the few tests which does not have a time limit. Even though there is no time limit, the amount of time you take to answer the questions will be compared to other candidates. You want to make sure you strengthen your critical thinking skills by taking a Hogan Cognitive Ability practice test.

Practice Hogan Business Reasoning Inventory Test


What Is the Hogan Judgement Test?

The Hogan SJT is a combined assessment which will test both your cognitive skills and your personality. The cognitive portion includes both verbal and numerical reasoning questions. The personality portion measures both the bright and dark side of your personality. The test gives an employer a glimpse at how a candidate makes decisions and responds to feedback. 


How Is the Hogan Judgement Assessment Scored?

The employer will receive a score report compartmentalized into three categories:

  1. Learning - This category shows the employer how you prefer to learn. Are you a visual learner, more numerical, or do you prefer words? It shows how quickly you learn new information and how it influences your decision making.
  2. Deciding - This category shows your employer how you make decisions. Your personality influences how you go about the decision making process.
  3. Adapting - This category shows your employer how you react to your decision. Whether it be a good or bad decision the way you react tells a lot about you. Will you take responsibility for a bad decision, or blame someone else?

How Do You Pass Your Hogan Assessment?

Make sure you know which test you are expected to take. This will help you feel confident and secure on the testing day. Take a look at this Hogan Assessment preparation pack. We like this resource because it not only includes study guides and practice tests, it has a tailored feedback for various job positions.

Practice for your Hogan Assessment now

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