Self-Tests / Self Assessments
There is now a large selection of self-tests or so-called self-assessments on the Internet that can help you choose the program that fits you best. On this page, we help you find out where and how to find such tests from the wide range of offers, whether you should do a self-test in the first place, and what it will do for you.
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What is a self-test / self-assessment?
You can use so-called self-tests or self-assessments for study orientation. These are tests that focus on your personal inclinations and interests as well as your strengths and abilities. The purpose of these tests is to give an assessment of which subjects or fields you might be interested in or how well your personal characteristics fit into specific subjects or fields. A rough distinction is made between three types of self-tests:
Self-Test Type “That's me. Which subject or field of study suits me best?”
These are tests that make suggestions for specific subjects or fields based on your personal characteristics. They are designed to provide support in the orientation phase of the subject selection.
Examples of such self-tests:
was-studiere-ich (Universität Hohenheim)
Borakel (Universität Bochum)
Self-Test Type "I chose this subject or field of study, does it suit my profile?"
These are tests that make suggestions for specific subjects or fields based on your personal characteristics. They are designed to provide support in the orientation phase of the subject selection.
Self-tests of the University of Bremen on individual subjects are offered in German:
Self-tests on the teaching profession:
- Career Counselling for Teachers (CCT Germany)
- Selbsterkundung zum Lehrerberuf mit Filmimpulsen SeLF (Münchener Zentrums für Lehrerbildung MZL)
- Fit für den Lehrerberuf (Verband Bildung und Erziehung)
Apart from this rough distinction, self-tests are different in other ways as well. While some tests take into account characteristics of your personality (such as openness to new experiences), others focus on your areas of interest (e.g., interest in trade / economics) or testing your performance (e.g., attentiveness).
Tips for conducting self-tests / self-assessments
Be honest with yourself when taking part in such a test. Only then can you make use of the test results. Do the tests alone and in peace and quiet. Take enough time; some tests can be very time consuming.
Talk to family and friends, but also professional consultants, about the results and keep in mind: What types of question were asked? What can the test results say? For example, a test result can only consider your aptitude for teamwork if this is included in the catalog of questions. Please be critical of what a self-test can do and what it cannot do!
What self-tests can do:
- offer a rough orientation
- encourage self-reflection
- assist with the decision of what to study
- give a first impression of the requirements of a subject or field of study
- provide feedback on personal characteristics (e.g., interests, strengths)
- inspire and open you to new ideas
- complement other advice and orientation offers
What self-tests cannot do:
- replace your own considerations
- replace a visit to a local university
- replace reports from students of the subject
- replace discussions with teachers of the subject
- replace a conversation with the Central Student Advisory Service
Further information on self-tests / self-assessments
There are many different providers of self-tests. Some tests are available online for free; others can only be found in books or at a local provider, others can only be done for a fee. The self-tests of the University of Bremen are available to you online free of charge. For some subjects you are required to take a self-test.
If you engage in self-tests, you will quickly find that there is a very wide range of different self-tests on the market. Why not try out different ones? Please also note that even the self tests designed for one and the same subject may differ from one provider to another.
The self-tests presented here relate primarily to subjects or academic fields. In general, self-tests, depending on the provider, are also suitable for testing occupational fields or specific professions or providing orientation to the question “Is studying really the right thing for me?”.
If you want to find out more about which career path suits you best, you can refer to a large amount of literature. In good books, as is the case with self-tests, you are asked to examine and reflect on your personal characteristics, and then make an informed choice. In this respect, such books contain a lot of good advice and tips on self-reflection.
Literature tips:
- Hesse, J. & Schrader, H.C. (2010). Was steckt wirklich in mir? Die Potentialanalyse. Frankfurt am Main: Eichborn.
- Westphal, B. (2010). Eigentlich wär ich gern … Wie Sie Ihre Talente zum Traumjob machen. Frankfurt am Main: Campus.
- Gulder, A. (2007). Finde den Job, der Dich glücklich macht. Von der Berufung zum Beruf (2. Auflage). Frankfurt am Main: Campus.
- Bolles, R.N. (2001). Durchstarten zum Traumjob. Das Bewerbungshandbuch für Ein-, Um- und Aufsteiger (5. Auflage). Frankfurt am Main: Campus.
These and other books on the subject can be borrowed both in the Bremen State and University Library, the Bremen City Library, and in the reference library of the Central Student Advisory Service of the University of Bremen – where for a fee of 10 euro, they can be borrowed during office hours for up to 2 weeks.