We sat down with Tamara Polvogt, The Enrichery’s Certified Birkman Coach, to answer your most frequently asked questions about the Birkman Assessment and how it supports students in making informed, confident decisions about their college and career path. Here’s everything you need to know!
1. What exactly does the Birkman measure, and how is it different from other personality or career tests?
The Birkman assessment reveals several components of one’s personality, offering insights into how people function best. It evaluates areas including pace of life, social activity, time management, decision making, and environmental preferences.
What sets the Birkman Method apart is its multidimensional approach. While many personality tests focus only on observable behaviors, Birkman also examines the underlying needs and motivations behind those behaviors. This leads to a deeper, more complete picture of personality.
Additionally, the Birkman Method identifies stress behaviors that emerge when our core needs aren’t met. This is vital for understanding challenges and creating environments that support long-term success. When people’s needs are met, they show up as their best, most productive selves at home, school, and work, resulting in less stress, better communication, and healthier conflict resolution.
2. Why is the Birkman Assessment an advantageous tool for students, professionals, and individuals in general?
In life, whether at work or play, we’re constantly interacting with people. Often, how we present ourselves doesn’t reflect how we truly need to be treated. For example, someone may appear quiet but actually thrive on regular social interaction.
The Birkman helps individuals advocate for their needs, navigate conflict, and avoid stress that stems from unmet emotional and social needs. With these insights, people can build trust and stronger relationships through effective communication.
The assessment also helps eliminate misperceptions, offering tools to communicate and collaborate more effectively. By understanding personality differences, teams can work together with more creativity, efficiency, and productivity.
3. How can the assessment specifically help my child choose a career path?
The Birkman consultation provides extremely accurate guidance toward the best career options. Many career assessments are vague or overly broad, but the Birkman offers specific, personalized direction.
One client took both the YouScience assessment and the Birkman and was shocked by how much more accurate and insightful the Birkman results were. What truly makes the difference is the consultant’s interpretation, which connects the data to real-life choices and goals.
4. What is the best age for someone to take the Birkman? Do the results change over time?
The Birkman is recommended for individuals age 16 and older. Before that age, people may not fully understand themselves well enough to answer accurately.
The Birkman measures core personality traits, or the “nature” part of who we are, which does not change over time. While people can learn to behave differently in certain environments, their underlying needs remain constant.
5. How accurate and reliable are the results?
The Birkman is a scientific, research-based, data-driven assessment that has been used for over 75 years. Its accuracy and reliability are widely respected.
Every person I’ve worked with has been impressed, even overwhelmed, by how precisely the Birkman pinpoints their needs and provides actionable insights for understanding themselves and others.
6. How long does the assessment take, and what is the process?
The assessment is sent via email and taken online. It typically takes 45 to 60 minutes in a quiet setting.
I always advise, “Take your time, but don’t overthink it.” Once completed, I carefully review and interpret each student’s results to prepare for a personalized, in-depth consultation that brings the data to life.
7. How are the results interpreted and shared with families?
This is one of the most valuable parts of the process. A 90-minute consultation is scheduled with the family and consultant. During this meeting, every section of the report is discussed in detail—from personality overview to personal needs to ideal career paths, as well as the best college options that align with the results.
8. Tell us one interesting thing about the Birkman that most people don’t know.
The Birkman results include specific, personalized tips that are incredibly useful across all areas of life. For example, the report offers guidance on how to interview effectively based on your personality, how to manage conflict productively, and how to navigate a wide variety of relationships — from roommates and coworkers to parents and partners. It’s filled with pages of actionable, tailored advice that can support growth, communication, and confidence in nearly every situation.
If you’re interested in using the Birkman to support your student’s college admissions readiness, career planning, or self-awareness, contact The Enrichery today.
