Beck and Nissen both teach undergraduate courses on personality at UC Davis. Beck said that while separating Big Five traits might help for research, actual personalities are much messier. 

“It seems almost silly to think that these wouldn't be correlated,” said Beck. “Of course, how extraverted I'm going to be is probably going to be a function of my emotions despite the fact that for research these should be totally distinct traits that are separately impacting our behaviors.” 

Take your own Big Five Inventory

Learn about your own personality traits by taking this Big Five Inventory. These 30 questions should take less than five minutes. Below, find out what your scores mean about your personality.

Interpreting your Big Five scores

• Agreeableness

• Very low (6-10)	You may tend to argue more with other people and have little tolerance for flattery. You may also be less trusting of other people. People with similar scores typically report having more conflicts with others, being better able to handle criticism, putting their own needs first and being more sarcastic. Studies show that people become more agreeable over their lifetime, indicating that you are likely to become even more agreeable over time.
  Low (11-15)	You may tend to argue more with other people and have little tolerance for flattery. You may also be less trusting of other people. People with similar scores typically report having more conflicts with others, being better able to handle criticism, putting their own needs first and being more sarcastic. Studies show that people become more agreeable over their lifetime, indicating that you are likely to become even more agreeable over time.
  Average (16-20)	While you may have many meaningful relationships, you may find yourself arguing more with others. You may also care very deeply about the people close to you but be less trusting of others you are unfamiliar with. People with similar scores typically report volunteering more than others, being better able to handle criticism, expressing gratitude and sometimes putting the needs of others before themselves. Studies show that people become more agreeable over their lifetime, indicating that you are likely to become even more agreeable over time.
  High (21-25)	You are probably well-liked by many people in your life. You may tend to be more trusting of others and care very deeply about other people. People with similar scores typically report being more compassionate, volunteering more than others, expressing gratitude, and sometimes putting the needs of others before yourself. Studies show that people become more agreeable over their lifetime, indicating that you are likely to become even more agreeable over time.
  Very high (26-30)	This score means that you score the highest on Agreeableness compared to the majority of other people. You are probably well-liked by many people in your life. You may tend to be more trusting of others and care very deeply about other people. People with similar scores typically report being more compassionate, volunteering more than others, expressing gratitude and sometimes putting the needs of others before themselves. Studies show that people become more agreeable over their lifetime, indicating that you are likely to become even more agreeable over time.

• Conscientiousness

• Very low (6-10)	People with similar scores tend to be disorganized and free-spirited. You may find, for example, that you’re a very “go with the flow” person who does not like to plan things out in advance. You may be late to appointments and have a messy home, but this likely doesn’t bother you. You probably frequently find yourself daydreaming or jumping into something last minute. You may often lose track of time and realize you stayed somewhere longer than you meant to. People with similar scores tend to buy and read more books, break rules and be creative. In the long term, people with scores like yours tend to perform well in jobs with unpredictable environments and engage in a variety of creative activities. Studies show that most people increase in Conscientiousness throughout the lifespan, so you will likely see that throughout your life, you become better at organizing tasks, become more punctual, etc.
  Low (11-15)	People with similar scores tend to be somewhat disorganized and free-spirited. You may find, for example, that you’re relatively relaxed and tend to prefer to go with the flow rather than plan everything out in advance. You may be late to appointments and events because you find yourself daydreaming or jumping into something last minute. People with similar scores tend to buy and read more books, break rules and be creative. In the long term, people with scores like yours tend to perform well in jobs with unpredictable environments and engage in a variety of creative activities. Studies show that most people increase in Conscientiousness throughout the lifespan, so you will likely see that throughout your life, you become better at organizing tasks, become more punctual, etc.
  Average (16-20)	People with similar scores are sometimes organized and structured but sometimes messy and slightly chaotic. You may find, for example, that you are sometimes very regimented at work or in school and other times very disorganized. You are likely inconsistently punctual, inconsistently hit deadlines and may struggle to consistently engage in positive health behaviors (eating balanced meals, exercising more, going to the doctor for preventative care). In the long term, people with similar scores have neither excellent nor poor health and longevity. They may find success in a variety of different career paths, particularly those that require you to be organized and industrious sometimes and creative and flexible at other times. Studies show that most people increase in Conscientiousness throughout the lifespan, so you will likely see that throughout your life, you become better at organizing tasks, become more punctual, etc.
  High (21-25)	People with similar scores are often organized and prefer structure, but only in some domains. You may find, for example, that you like a regimented work schedule but prefer unstructured leisure time, or you may have a tidy house but messy file structure on your phone or computer. You likely are fairly (but not always) punctual, hit deadlines when they matter to you and engage in some more positive health behaviors (eating balanced meals, exercising more, going to the doctor for preventative care). In the long term, people with similar scores tend to live slightly longer, have somewhat reduced risk of chronic health conditions (like diabetes, dementia), may advance slightly more in their careers and may make slightly more money. Studies show that most people increase in Conscientiousness throughout the lifespan, so you will likely see these tendencies reinforced across time.
  Very high (26-30)	People with similar scores tend to be incredibly organized and prefer structure. For example, you might find you prefer even a vacation to have a clearly documented itinerary of activities. You likely arrive on time (or early) to appointments and events, hit deadlines with ease, engage in a wide variety of health behaviors (eating balanced meals, exercising more, going to the doctor for preventative care). You may find that you are so regimented in some domains of your life that it causes some conflict with more free-spirited friends and colleagues. In the long term, people with similar scores tend to live longer, have fewer chronic health conditions (like dementia, diabetes), make more money and get promoted more at work. Studies show that most people increase in Conscientiousness throughout the lifespan, so you will likely see these tendencies reinforced across time.

• Extraversion

• Very low (6-10)	People with similar scores tend to be thoughtful and independent. When you think about people who are low in extraversion, you likely see them as good listeners who carefully consider new ideas before responding. You may find yourself drawn to work independently, focus on problem-solving and enjoy solitude. People with similar scores are more likely to work as engineers and developers, which tend to be financially lucrative careers. You may thrive in environments that appreciate contemplation and measured thinking as well as in online learning settings, where you can process information at you own pace. People who score similarly also tend to embrace healthy lifestyles, including being less likely to drink alcohol. Extraversion tends to decrease throughout the lifespan, so you will likely find that your existing patterns are reinforced as you get older.
  Low (11-15)	People with similar scores tend to often be thoughtful and independent but sometimes more outspoken and gregarious. People may see you as a good listener who usually carefully considers new ideas before responding. You may find you are drawn to work independently, focus on problem-solving and enjoy solitude but also often happy to work collaboratively with others. You may also find that you prefer online learning settings, where you can process information at their own pace. People who score similarly tend to embrace healthier lifestyles, including being less likely to drink alcohol. Extraversion tends to decrease throughout the lifespan, so you will likely find that you may become quieter and become a better listener as you get older.
  Average (16-20)	People with similar scores are flexible, able to adjust their behavior to fit different social situations. They strike an adaptive balance between listening and speaking up and between thoughtful analysis and presenting themselves confidently to others. These individuals often outperform even highly extraverted people in sales roles. Extraversion tends to decrease throughout the lifespan, so you will likely find that you might become more independent and quiet as you get older. Extraversion tends to decrease throughout the lifespan, so you will likely find that you start to tend more toward quiet contemplativeness and become less socially dominant as you get older.
  High (21-25)	People with similar scores are often energetic and social but sometimes quiet and contemplative. You may feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ambitions with others in some contexts but hold these back in others. You likely bring genuine enthusiasm and vitality to your interactions but are happy to let others shine as well. Your often positive outlook extends beyond the workplace - you may find that you don’t often view challenges as overwhelming stressors. People with similar scores tend to be more active. In the long term, people with similar scores live slightly longer, have slightly lower rates of dementia and are somewhat more satisfied with romantic relationships. Extraversion tends to decrease throughout the lifespan, so you will likely find that you may become somewhat less energetic and social as you get older.
  Very high (26-30)	People with similar scores are energetic and social and often feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ambitions with others. You likely bring genuine enthusiasm and vitality to your interactions. At work, you may shine in leadership roles and maintain strong resilience against burnout and procrastination. Your positive outlook extends beyond the workplace. You may find that you rarely view challenges as overwhelming stressors. People with similar scores tend to be more active in general and engage in more intentional exercise. In the long term, people with similar scores live longer, have lower rates of dementia and are more satisfied with romantic relationships. Extraversion tends to decrease throughout the lifespan, so you will likely find that you may become somewhat less energetic and social as you get older.

• Emotional Stability

• Very low (6-10)	You may tend to wear your heart on your sleeve and feel more anxious than others. You may also tend to feel more stressed than others, but that keeps you on your toes! People with similar scores typically report being more attuned to their social situations, use stronger emotion words in their daily life, move in with their partner sooner and sometimes partaking in coping strategies that are bad for their health. Studies show that people become more emotionally stable over their lifetime, indicating that you are likely to become even more emotionally stable over time.
  Low (11-15)	You may tend to feel more anxious and feel you go between emotions very quickly. You may also tend to feel more stressed than others, but that keeps you on your toes! People with similar scores typically report being more attuned to their social situations, use stronger emotion words in their daily life, move in with their partner sooner and sometimes partake in coping strategies that are bad for their health. Studies show that people become more emotionally stable over their lifetime, indicating that you are likely to become even more emotionally stable over time.
  Average (16-20)	You may tend to feel more anxious and feel you go between emotions very quickly. But you are also known to handle stressful situations well. People with similar scores typically report having many meaningful relationships, reporting greater levels of happiness, using stronger emotion words in their daily life and sometimes partaking in coping strategies that are bad for their health. Studies show that people become more emotionally stable over their lifetime, indicating that you are likely to become even more emotionally stable over time.
  High (21-25)	You tend to not feel anxious or negative feelings frequently. You also tend to experience few rapid changes in negative emotions. People with similar scores typically report having many meaningful relationships, handle stressful situations well and report greater levels of happiness. Studies show that people become more emotionally stable over their lifetime, indicating that you are likely to become even more emotionally stable over time.
  Very high (26-30)	You tend to not feel anxious or negative feelings frequently. You also tend to experience few rapid changes in negative emotions. People with similar scores typically report having many meaningful relationships, handle stressful situations well, are in better health and reporting greater levels of happiness. Studies show that people become more emotionally stable over their lifetime, indicating that you are likely to become even more emotionally stable over time.

• Open-mindedness

• Very low (6-10)	People with similar scores tend to be conventional, practical and prefer routine and tradition. They excel in structured, rule-based procedural tasks. In their everyday lives, they prefer routine activities, spend more time at home and are less likely to engage in new community activities. Throughout their lives, they preserve tradition and cultural norms, and they tend to have a more conservative ideology or worldview. Studies show that most people tend to increase in open-mindedness throughout adolescence and young adulthood and then decrease throughout the rest of the lifespan, so you will likely find yourself reinforcing your tendencies throughout the rest of your life.
  Low (11-15)	People with similar scores tend to be somewhat traditional and not strongly drawn to novelty. They focus more on practical tasks rather than engaging in abstract/artistic pursuits. In their everyday lives, they are routine-oriented but occasionally explore whether that is trying new food or hobbies. Throughout their lives, they value the traditions and norms they grew up with but can expand their worldviews. They also tend to lean more conservative. Studies show that most people tend to increase in open-mindedness throughout adolescence and young adulthood and then decrease throughout the rest of the lifespan, so you will likely find yourself reinforcing your tendencies throughout the rest of your life.
  Average (16-20)	People with similar scores tend to be comfortable with both familiar and novel experiences. They are relatively adaptable to new ideas, are moderately curious and flexible in most environments. In their everyday lives, they engage in some creative hobbies (art, music, writing), sometimes explore new activities, show curiosity in conversation but tend to stick with their original beliefs, and occasionally expand their communities when they are motivated. Throughout their lives, they keep a well-rounded perspective, valuing new ideas but not forgetting tradition. They are balanced in their political/ideological learnings. Studies show that most people tend to increase in open-mindedness throughout adolescence and young adulthood and then decrease throughout the rest of the lifespan, so you may find yourself becoming more structured and preferring routine more as you get older.
  High (21-25)	People with similar scores tend to be imaginative, curious and creative. They enjoy exploring diverse ideas and exhibit creativity, liberal values and openness to change in their worldviews. In their everyday lives, they read more books, spend more time outside of the home (restaurants, coffee shops, bars), use elaborate intellectual language and tend to have higher participation in voting and community service. In the long-term, they have higher standardized test performance, are highly capable of learning new tasks in their jobs and readily incorporate new ideas and norms. They tend to challenge assumptions and show stronger ideological liberalism. Studies show that most people tend to increase in open-mindedness throughout adolescence and young adulthood and then decrease throughout the rest of the lifespan, so you will likely find yourself becoming slightly less imaginative and curious as you get older.
  Very high (26-30)	People with similar scores tend to be exceptionally interested in new ideas and can have unconventional tastes and preferences. They are drawn to abstract thought and exploration, exhibiting high creativity, engagement with art/innovation at the risk of distractibility or eccentricity. In their everyday lives, they pursue new experiences regularly, are highly involved in creative and artistic pursuits, frequently use abstract and imaginative language and have strong participation in community or activist causes. In the long-term, they tend to have achievements in the arts, are exceptionally capable of learning new tasks in their jobs, show strong cultural adaptability and have strong liberal or avant-garde ideological leanings. They can be unstable in their long term goals due to their drive for novelty. Studies show that most people tend to increase in open-mindedness throughout adolescence and young adulthood and then decrease throughout the rest of the lifespan, so you will likely find yourself becoming slightly less imaginative and curious as you get older.

BFI-2 items copyright 2015 by Oliver P. John and Christopher J. Soto and reproduced by permission. Citation: Soto, C. J., & John, O. P. (2017). The next Big Five Inventory (BFI-2): Developing and assessing a hierarchical model with 15 facets to enhance bandwidth, fidelity, and predictive power. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 113, 117-143.

Score interpretations by Emorie Beck, Rongxin Cheng, Colin Lee and Elizabeth Long in the Beck Personality Lab.

Learn more about the Big Five Inventory