Updated: January 1, 2026 | Trusted by over 5,100 Candidates
The Hogan Personality Assessment is a set of psychological tools designed to evaluate personality traits and leadership potential in both individuals and teams.
Kemi, Hogan Assessments Expert at JobTestPrep
Hi, I’m Kemi Cohen. Drawing on my psychology training and experience with psychometric and aptitude testing, I guide candidates through challenging recruitment assessments using realistic practice tools and easy-to-understand strategies.
Here you'll find full coverage of the Hogan Personality Inventory (HPI) test and a full breakdown of the HDS and MVPI, and a free HBRI practice test. (Hogan's cognitive ability test).
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The Hogan Assessment System is a suite of scientifically validated psychometric tools used by organizations for talent acquisition, leadership development, and employee coaching. Developed by Drs. Robert and Joyce Hogan, these instruments stand out by assessing an individual’s "reputation"—the impression they make on others—to reliably forecast workplace effectiveness.
The system typically includes three core personality Hogan exams, supplemented by additional cognitive assessments.
What can you expect from the free sample questions on this page? Chosen from our full Hogan prep pack, these questions feature straightforward answers and valuable tips, giving you the confidence and support you need to excel on your Hogan assessment.
The Hogan Personality Inventory (HPI), often referred to as the Hogan personality survey, is a psychometric tool that measures normal personality traits, focusing on how individuals behave and interact when performing at their best.
It’s widely used in hiring, leadership development, and talent management to identify strengths and predict how someone will contribute to a team or organization.
The HPI test is very common and is usually administered alongside the Hogan Development Survey (HDS) questionnaire as part of the Hogan assessment.
Let’s begin by reviewing some sample Hogan Personality Inventory questions!
Each of the HPI examples presents a statement, and you have to rate your level of agreement from strongly agree to strongly disagree.
When posed with challenging obstacles I am inclined to walk away.
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly Agree
This statement assesses the Ambition trait.
Ambition reflects your drive to overcome challenges and achieve career objectives, but interpreting this statement requires caution, as it may be misleading.
The implication that encountering obstacles leads to giving up can misrepresent true ambition. Individuals handle challenges differently depending on circumstances and available support.
Extreme responses, either "Strongly Agree" or "Strongly Disagree", can signal problematic levels of ambition to employers, such as avoidance of challenges or excessive restlessness.
Choosing a moderate response demonstrates balanced ambition, maturity, and adaptability, conveying both a strong work ethic and prudent decision-making.
Academically I was or am often at the top of my class.
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly Agree
This statement assesses the Learning Approach trait.
At first glance, it might seem strange to encounter questions about your academic history in a personality assessment.
However, this aims to evaluate your Learning Approach, a trait reflecting how you tackle learning and problem-solving.
Employers use this insight to gauge your ability to acquire new knowledge and overcome challenges, which can be crucial in various roles.
Remember, the focus is less on past academic success and more on your learning style’s fit for the job. Tailor your response honestly and thoughtfully, informed by research into the role and company values.
I believe in doing something right, or not doing it at all.
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly Agree
This statement assesses the Prudence trait.
This statement assesses your Prudence. A trait that evaluates how you balance conscientiousness, reliability, and perfectionism in your work approach.
Employers rely on this information to better understand how you manage quality standards and maintain effective work practices.
While strongly agreeing may signal that you hold yourself to high standards and demonstrate a strong commitment to excellence, it is important to recognize that excessive perfectionism is not always desirable.
Depending on the nature of the position, some roles demand meticulous attention to detail, while others emphasize adaptability and the ability to deliver timely results, even if that means accepting "good enough" outcomes.
It is advisable to avoid extreme responses, as presenting yourself as inflexible or rigid can be a disadvantage. Instead, offer a genuine answer that reflects your own work philosophy, backed by careful research into the expectations of the role and the organization.
Prepare for the HPI test by practicing sample statements to master traits like ambition and sociability. Learn the “optimal range” for each trait—balanced responses are key to success. Avoid extremes and aim for authentic, nuanced answers.
Get full HPI simulations, tips, and job-specific feedback in our Hogan PrepPack for just $79. Start now and maximize your results!
To learn more about the assessment, visit our dedicated Hogan Personality Inventory page.
Other Hogan assessments you might encounter in your hiring process include the HBRI, HDS, and MVPI. Below, you'll find explanations and practice materials for each assessment.
The HDS is a Hogan assessment that measures potentially problematic personality traits. When these traits fall outside an optimal range, they can undermine employee performance or disrupt team dynamics. This detailed evaluation consists of 168 questions, providing insight into the “dark side” of personality.
HDS questions share the same format as the HPI but focus on traits that may sometimes help you, yet pose risks during high-stress situations.
It may sound complex, but it becomes much clearer once you try the free Hogan Development Survey practice questions below. Use our sample questions and resources to prepare and deepen your understanding.
Most of the time, I do what my manager tells me to, despite my own opinions
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly Agree
This statement assesses the Dutiful trait.
The Dutiful trait reflects your tendency to be obedient, follow authority, and prioritize rules and hierarchy. While these traits can be beneficial for general employees, ensuring reliability and adherence to company policies, they are often less desirable for leadership roles, where independence and critical thinking are valued more.
For leadership roles, it's important to score lower on this trait to show that you can make independent decisions and lead without excessive reliance on authority. For non-leadership roles, a moderate score may be acceptable, as being dependable and following instructions can be important, but it’s crucial to research the role beforehand. Understanding the company’s culture and the role’s requirements will help you know how to approach your responses.
Learn more about Hogan HDS.
The third Hogan personality test is the Motives, Values, and Preferences Inventory (MVPI).
Unlike the previous assessments, this test doesn’t evaluate personality traits but focuses on your motivations, interests, and goals through 200 targeted questions.
The MVPI helps determine your fit within a specific work environment, whether managerial or employee roles, and distinguishes between business-oriented (realistic) and creative (aesthetic) positions.
The humanities are the principle of all culture
Disagree
Agree
Uncertain
The Aesthetic trait in the Motives, Values, Preferences Inventory (MVPI) measures how much value you place on creativity, visual appeal, and artistic expression. Individuals with high Aesthetic scores are drawn to design, culture, and aesthetics, which influence both their work and lifestyle.
The statement, “The humanities are the principle of all culture,” reflects a creative, visually oriented mindset, aligning with the Aesthetic trait. Agreeing with it shows you value creative expression and cultural appreciation, important for roles that focus on these qualities.
For business and scientific positions, this statement is neutral, as these roles generally require medium scores in Aesthetic traits. For creative or design roles, however, a high Aesthetic score is highly relevant, as these positions require strong alignment with artistic and cultural values.
It’s important to research the roles you’re applying for to understand which traits are most valued. This will guide you in selecting the most appropriate responses on the MVPI assessment, ensuring you highlight the traits that matter most for each position.
Learn more about Hogan MVPI.
The HBRI (Hogan Business Reasoning Inventory). is an exam built to test your ability to identify and solve business-related problems through 24 challenging questions in just 30 minutes.
The HBRI assesses reasoning skills across three key areas:
Get started with our Hogan business reasoning inventory practice test and explore Hogan assessment sample questions to maximize your preparation.
To get a better sense of what our practice tests look like, take this HBRI interactive assessment.
Learn more about Hogan HBRI.
Congratulations!
You have successfully completed our Hogan Assessment Test free practice. Now that you're familiarized with the Hogan personality and cognitive tests and you have been introduced to different solving techniques, it is time to begin your practice.
Our Hogan test prep includes comprehensive guides to better understand the traits for each personality test, and unique and useful solving techniques and tips.
Prepare yourself through full and accurate simulations that will help you reach your desired level.
Our all-inclusive Hogan test prep, available starting at 79$, includes comprehensive preparation material, including:
To learn more about other personality tests and how we can help you prepare for them, check out our designated pages:
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