DISC: What Is a DISC Assessment?

On average, an online DISC assessment test takes about 10-15 minutes and results are instantaneous. A paper DISC test takes approximately 15-20 minutes due to additional time needed to manually score the results.

The short answer: no. Certification is not required to administer or interpret DISC. PeopleKeys DISC Reports are self-explanatory and can be used as a standalone tool for personality analysis.

Adding Certification in Behavioral Analysis to your credentials will show you have an in-depth understanding of people and their predictable behavior as to why they do what they do. At the end of the course, you will have a deeper appreciation for DISC theory and application.

One’s DISC style will likely change in three ways:

• Environment – When you think about your personality style in different situations, it probably differs in some ways from when you’re at work to when you’re at home or out with friends. This is true of most people. It’s important when taking a DISC test to think about a specific environment when answering the questions instead of answering them in a more generalized way. This is the best way to see the differences in your style between environments.
• Stress – When assessed during times of stress or when you are uncomfortable in a particular environment, your DISC style results will reflect that stress and uncertainty. This can cause unique patterns in the graphs, such as overshifts or undershifts. When assessed again at a less stressful time in that environment, your graphs are likely to change.
• Time – It’s not uncommon for one’s personality style to change over time, as we learn, grow, change, and increase our behavioral intelligence and self-awareness. If you take a DISC personality assessment periodically, you may notice differences in your style over time and in different environments.

The DISC Personality Assessment itself is culturally consistent, as the basic elements of personality are present in all cultures. However, the way these elements are viewed may be different from culture to culture. For example, Dominance may be revered in one culture but looked down upon in another. However, the Dominance trait is still present in one’s personality and measurable with a DISC assessment.

The DISC theory, researched by Dr. William Moulton Marston at Harvard University is a method of identifying predictable actions and personality traits within human behavior. Marston narrowed these predictable personality traits into four DISC personality types: (D) Dominance, (I) Inducement, (S) Submission, and (C) Compliance.

While the core principles of the DISC model remain the same as when founded by Dr. Marston, today’s presentation of the DISC model incorporates advancements in psychology measurement and theory, as well as more contemporary terminology and descriptions for the four behavioral styles.

Want to learn even more about Marston? Visit this page.

The DISC instrument and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) are highly recognized assessment tools to predict human behavior, personality, and temperament and enhance communication. Both instruments are widely used today in organizations around the world.

Probably the most critical point to keep in mind is that these two instruments are not mutually exclusive. Organizations or individuals can use these assessments in tandem for an in-depth and multi-faceted glimpse at human behavior. Both psychometric tools are highly validated. For many years, MBTI was the standard in psychometric testing. However, over the years, the DISC psychometric test has grown in popularity, especially for business applications, for a few reasons:

• The MBTI takes about 30 minutes to complete and contains approximately 90 questions. The DISC assessment test can be completed in half the time, approximately 10 to 15 minutes, and includes only 24 questions.
• DISC is less complicated than MBTI, which makes it easier to remember, understand and apply. People often remember at least their primary DISC style of D, I, S, or C, even years later, while it’s less likely to remember your MBTI combination after much time has passed.
• One can become trained and certified in DISC theory and application in less time.
  You could take a DISC assessment online and read the comprehensive report on your style with no training and still gain an in-depth understanding of your personality style, communication style, and predictable behaviors. The MBTI would be more challenging to understand without some training or guidance.
• DISC is easy to apply in day-to-day scenarios at the workplace or home and with colleagues, friends, and families. Others’ styles are more straightforward to predict with DISC than MBTI, allowing you to adjust your style to create better communication with those around you.
• DISC is simpler for young people (8+) to understand and apply with family and friends.
• DISC focuses less on theory than MBTI and focuses more on practical application.
• MBTI focuses on behavioral dichotomies that illuminate the ways we think internally.

DISC focuses on predictable behaviors (why we do what we do, act the way we act, and react the way we react).In the end, preference is up to the user. What traits are they trying to gauge? Do they have time for training or have someone who can explain the test? Do they need something more straightforward? How much time do they have to take the assessment and go through the results? What is the application? These questions will often guide you either towards the MBTI or the DISC personality test as your psychometric test tool.

Your DISC graph may consist of opposing values (i.e., D-S or I-C). Most combinations of styles are referred to as “style blends” because each DISC type blend tends to shape or modify the other expressed styles.

For example, when a C is blended with an S, you often find a more measured and deliberate person. They are perfectionists that hold others to a high standard. When a C is blended with a D, you often find a person who can make quick decisions when presented with information. They are still perfectionists but also place a high value on acting quickly and efficiently.

Sometimes, opposing styles don’t blend. Instead, the individual will find that they move from style to style depending on the situation. The I-C will have the ability to research, analyze, and study but can quickly turn around and present their findings to others with great verbal skill. The D-S will want to move swiftly and decisively, while another part of them wants to slow down and spend some time thinking.

Opposing styles are usually a learned or adaptive response to the environment or an experience. For example, a high I style will learn to be more analytical after losing a big account due to a spelling error. A high S will learn to be more assertive as the oldest sibling after his/her parents pass away.