NAME:

BIG FIVE INVENTORY- How I am in general

Here are a number of characteristics that may or may not apply to you. For example, do you agree
that you are someone who likes to spend time with others? Please write a number next to each
statement to indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with that statement.

1 2 3 4 5
Disagree Disagree Neither agree Agree Agree
Strongly a little nor disagree a little strongly

I am someone who…
2
1. _____ Is talkative 1
23. _____ Tends to be lazy

3
2. _____ Tends to find fault with others 4
24. _____ Is emotionally stable, not easily upset

4
3. _____ Does a thorough job 3
25. _____ Is inventive

1
4. _____ Is depressed, blue 3 Has an assertive personality
26. _____
3 4
5. _____ Is original, comes up with new ideas 27. _____ Can be cold and aloof

5
6. _____ Is reserved 4
28. _____ Perseveres until the task is finished

4
7. _____ Is helpful and unselfish with others 5 Can be moody
29. _____

2
8. _____ Can be somewhat careless 30. _____
3 Values artistic, aesthetic experiences

3
9. _____ Is relaxed, handles stress well. 31. _____
5 Is sometimes shy, inhibited

10. 4_____ Is curious about many different things 5

32. _____ Is considerate and kind to almost everyone

3
11. _____ Is full of energy 5 Does things efficiently
33. _____

12. _____
3 Starts quarrels with others 3
34. _____ Remains calm in tense situations

3 Is a reliable worker
13. _____ 3
35. _____ Prefers work that is routine

3
14. _____ Can be tense 36. _____
4 Is outgoing, sociable

4
15. _____ Is ingenious, a deep thinker 37. _____
1 Is sometimes rude to others

16. 5_____ Generates a lot of enthusiasm 3 Makes plans and follows through with them
38. _____

3
17. _____ Has a forgiving nature 3
39. _____ Gets nervous easily

1
18. _____ Tends to be disorganized 3
40. _____ Likes to reflect, play with ideas

4
19. _____ Worries a lot 4 Has few artistic interests
41. _____

4
20. _____ Has an active imagination 42. _____
3 Likes to cooperate with others
3 Tends to be quiet
21. _____ 43. _____
4 Is easily distracted
5
22. _____ Is generally trusting 3
44. _____ Is sophisticated in art, music, or literature
 SCORING INSTRUCTIONS
To score the BFI, you’ll first need to reverse-score all negatively-keyed items. The following
questions need to be reverse-scored:

Extraversion: 6, 21, 31
Agreeableness: 2, 12, 27, 37
Conscientiousness: 8, 18, 23, 43
Neuroticism: 9, 24, 34
Openness: 35, 41

To recode these items, you should subtract your score for all reverse-scored items from 6.
For example: if you gave yourself a 5, compute 6 minus 5 and your recoded score is 1.
That is- a score of 1 becomes 5, 2 becomes 4, 3 remains 3, 4 becomes 2, and 5 becomes 1.

Next, you will create scale scores by averaging the following items for each B5 domain (where
R indicates using the reverse-scored item).

Extraversion: 1+ 6R + 11 + 16 + 21R + 26 + 31R + 36 = ? / 8 =

22

Agreeableness: 2R + 7 + 12R + 17 + 22 + 27R + 32 + 37R + 42 = ? / 9 =

20.6

Conscientiousness: 3 + 8R + 13 + 18R + 23R + 28 + 33 + 38 +43R = ? / 9 =

18.5

Neuroticism: 4 + 9R +14 +19 + 24R + 29 + 34R + 39 = ? / 8 =

22.75

Openness: 5 + 10 + 15 + 20 + 25 + 30 + 35R + 40 + 41R + 44 = ? / 10 =

25.7
Extraversion refers to the energy you draw from social interactions.
High score A high extraversion score might mean you:
• seek excitement or adventure
• make friends easily
• speak without thinking
• enjoy being active with others
If you score high on extraversion, you might consider yourself an extrovert. You might enjoy
attention and feel recharged after spending time with friends. You likely feel your best when in a
large group of people.
On the other hand, you may have trouble spending long periods of time alone.

Low score A low extraversion score can mean you:

• have a hard time making small talk or introducing yourself
• feel worn out after socializing
• avoid large groups
• are more reserved
A low extraversion score can mean you prefer to spend time alone or with a small group of close
friends. You might also be a more private person when it comes to sharing details about your
life. This might come across as standoffish to others.

Agreeableness refers to a desire to keep things running smoothly.

High score A high score in agreeableness might mean you:
• are always ready to help out
• are caring and honest
• are interested in the people around you
• believe the best about others
If you score high in agreeableness, you you’re helpful and cooperative. Your loved ones may
often turn to you for help. People might see you as trustworthy. You may be the person others
seek when they’re trying to resolve a disagreement.
In some situations, you might a little too trusting or willing to compromise. Try to balance your
knack for pleasing others with self-advocacy.

Low score A low agreeableness score might mean you:

• are stubborn
• find it difficult to forgive mistakes
• are self-centered
• have less compassion for others
A low agreeableness score may mean you tend hold grudges. You might also be less sympathetic
with others. But you are also likely avoid the pitfalls of comparing yourself to others or caring
about what others think of you.

Conscientiousness describes a careful, detail-oriented nature.

High score If you score high on conscientiousness, you likely:
• keep things in order
• come prepared to school or work
• are goal-driven
• are persistent
If you are a conscientious person, you might follow a regular schedule and have a knack for
keeping track of details. You likely deliberate over options and work hard to achieve your goals.
Coworkers and friends might see you as a reliable, fair person.
You may tend to micromanage situations or tasks. You might also be cautious or difficult to
please.
Low score A low score on conscientiousness might mean you:
• are less organized
• complete tasks in a less structured way
• take things as they come
• finish things at the last minute
• are impulsive
A low conscientiousness score might mean you prefer a setting without structure. You may
prefer doing things at your own pace to working on a deadline. This might make you appear
unreliable to others.

Neuroticism describes a tendency to have unsettling thoughts and feelings.

High score A high score in neuroticism can mean you:
• often feel vulnerable or insecure
• get stressed easily
• struggle with difficult situations
• have mood swings
If you score high on neuroticism, you may blame yourself when things go wrong. You might
also get frustrated with yourself easily, especially if you make a mistake. Chances are, you’re
also prone to worrying.
But you’re likely also more introspective than others, which helps you to examine and
understand your feelings.

Low score If you score low on neuroticism, you likely:

• keep calm in stressful situations
• are more optimistic
• worry less
• have a more stable mood
A low neuroticism score can mean you’re confident. You may have more resilience and find it
easy to keep calm under stress. Relaxation might also come more easily to you. Try to keep in
mind that this might not be as easy for those around you, so be patient.

Openness, or openness to experience, refers to a sense of curiosity about others and the world.
High score If you scored high on openness, you might:
• enjoy trying new things
• be more creative
• have a good imagination
• be willing to consider new ideas
A high score on openness can mean you have broad interests. You may enjoy solving problems
with new methods and find it easy to think about things in different ways. Being open to new
ideas may help you adjust easily to change.
Just make sure to keep an eye out for any situations where you might need to establish
boundaries, whether that be with family members or your work-life balance.

Low score A low openness score might mean you:

• prefer to do things in a familiar way
• avoid change
• are more traditional in your thinking
A low openness score can mean you consider concepts in straightforward ways. Others likely see
you as being grounded and down-to-earth.