Comparing the HIGH5 Test system with the CliftonStrengths system can be challenging, but knowing the differences between the two could be highly beneficial to you. These assessments are similar in many ways. Both are strengths tests and have relatively similar structures.
Taking either one of these assessments offers you numerous benefits. For instance, you could become more confident, better hone your skills, choose a career that maximizes your odds of happiness as well as success, and so much more.
But, you need to understand the way these tests work and what your results mean to get these great benefits. In this article, we will outline the differences and similarities between the HIGH5 Test and CliftonStrengths while also providing additional insights on their benefits plus uses.
Systems Compared: The 20 vs The 34 Type
One of the major differences between the HIGH5 test and the CliftonStrengths system is how they classify strengths. There are 4 overarching strength types when you take the HIGH5 assessment. They are called strength domains, or clusters of strengths that are similar to one another.
Within each of these 4 main categories, there are 5 more specific types of strengths associated to it. When you finish the test, your top 5 strengths will be displayed.
The CliftonStrengths system uses more subdivisions within their strength test. If you decide to take the CliftonStrengths test, note that there are a total of 34 possible outcomes for any test taker. These strength types, or themes, include a wide variety of abilities. For instance, they could be strategic, future-oriented, analytical, empathetic, achieving, intellectual, and more.
Furthermore, the CliftonStregths test also further divides these 34 strength types into 4 distinct strength themes. These themes are: influencing, execution, relationship building, and strategic thinking.
Around 8-9 strengths are included in each of the categories. For example, the empathy and harmony strengths would be related to the relationship building theme, while discipline and responsibility are related to the executing theme.
Both system give you valid and important insights. The HIGH5 test breaks down only your top strengths, so your results are easier to manage, although you are tested for a possible 20 different strength types. The CliftonStrengths test gives you a greater number of strengths they analyze.
However, this could make the test results overwhelming or confusing. By taking HIGH5, you can focus most on your strengths that truly stand out.
Categories and Structure: 4 Strengths Domains vs 4 Domains
Another key difference between the HIGH5 assessment and the CliftonStrengths system is in the result categorization. You might think that once you take a strengths test, your results should be about the same, regardless of which test you take.
This is a common misconception, but the reality is that there are numerous differences that separate the results of HIGH5 from CliftonStrengths.
The categorization system used by HIGH5 is one of 4 strength domains. In essence, there are 4 main strength types, or domains, that your strengths could fit into. However, within each of these strength domains, there are numerous different types of strengths.
It is important to remember that a total of 20 strength profiles are tested for in the HIGH5 test.
The CliftonStrengths test, as noted in the previous section, consists of four domains. These are also overarching groups of abilities similar to that of HIGH5. HIGH5 and CliftonStrengths use different domains, though.
CliftonStrength’s 4 strength domains are execution, influencing, relationship building, and strategic thinking. Within these broad categories, numerous strengths are included. For example, one of the top strategic strengths could be creative thinking. One common relationship-building skill would be empathetic communication.
What Do Results Tell You? Personal Strengths VS Personal Strengths
There are many reasons you should take a strengths test. They give you more confidence, help you reach your career goals, allow you to improve relationships, assist you in taking calculated risks, and offer many other key benefits. However, there are numerous skills and strengths tests on the market. You may be thinking: which one should I take, and how are they different?
Previously, we highlighted the key differences between the HIGH5 test and the CliftonStrengths system. While there are many factors that set them apart, there are also key similarities you should be aware of. One of these commonalities is in what the results communicate.
When you take either HIGH5 or the CliftonStrengths assessment, you will be given a report on your strengths (your top skills).
This sets HIGH5 and CliftonStrengths apart from many other assessments on the market. When compared to tests such as the MBTI and Enneagram, they are more focused. Both HIGH5 and CliftonStrengths focus on strengths to help you apply a strength-based approach to self-improvement.
You will not see any of your weaknesses after taking these assessments. This is done to help you stay positive and focused on growing your existing abilities.
What Do Tests Highlight? Strengths To Use VS Strengths To Use
The previously highlighted many differences there are between the HIGH5 test and CliftonStrengths. While they are certainly crucial to recognize, it is also important to be aware of these tests similarities. After all, they are both strengths tests. They share more in common between each other than virtually any other strengths-related assessment.
When looking at the wide variety of online personality or strengths assessments, CliftonStrengths and HIGH5 stand out for what specifically they highlight. Both HIGH5 and CliftonStrengths focus solely on your strengths. They do not mention your weaknesses. This is crucial since it allows the test taker to remain confident and fully implement a positive mindset in their self-development process.
Both the HIGH5 test and CliftonStrengths put an immense emphasis on using a strengths-based approach to personal growth. Therefore, you will not be bogged down with trying to overcome your weaknesses.
It is great to know what your strengths are. But, if you do not know how to implement them to your advantage, all of that knowledge will not be used to your advantage. In addition to this, both of the tests will highlight how you can use your strengths, too.
At the end of the test, you will find a few strategies for using your unique strengths and the ways your strengths can shine on a daily basis. In this way, both the HIGH5 test and CliftonStrengths highlight how and which strengths you should use.
How many strengths are there in the HIGH5 test?
The HIGH5 test is one of the most comprehensive strengths assessments available on the market. If you want to get a great look at your strengths without it being overly overwhelming, this is a great test to take. Many test takers naturally wonder about how many total strengths HIGH5 tests them for.
HIGH5 categorizes its strengths database into 4 main domains. You should think of strengths domains like clusters of similar strengths. Each of your strengths is associated with a strengths character, too.
For example, there are numerous strengths included in the strengths cluster of ‘leveraging.’ Just a few of those strengths include the Problem-Solving character, Thinkers, and Philomaths.
The other 3 main categories of strengths included in the HIGH5 test are strengths that help you navigate, delegate, and focus. In total, HIGH5 will test you for 20 different strengths profiles (5 strengths for each of the 4 domains).
However, each strength character also has numerous strengths associated with them. Think of an Empathizer. Their primary strength is empathy, but they must also possess other interpersonal skills and even some communication strategies to acquire this result on the HIGH5 test.
What is the difference between StrengthsFinder and CliftonStrengths?
SteengthsFinder and CliftonStrengths are highly similar tests. In fact, some individuals even confuse the two of them. However, there are certainly differences between the two of them.
If you want to take just one of these assessments, it is crucial to understand which first your needs more. Recognizing the differences between these assessments is a good first step.
For one, the history of the two tests is shared. Donald Clifton was widely credited for performing some of the greatest strengths research in the world. Once Clifton joined Gallup, they were able to develop a test based on Dr. Clifton’s work. It was originally called the StrengthsFinder. However, in recent years, that test has been renamed to be CliftonStrengths.
The content on the test has remained relatively similar. With every year, Gallup does provide some changes to the way they classify strengths. This is why there are numerous versions of the CliftonStrengths test and why the exact questions occasionally change from year to year. The StrengthsFinder is one of the older versions of this assessment, and thus, it is more outdated.
In recent years, there has also been another test developed that rivals CliftonStrengths. This test is known as the Strengths Profile assessment. Like CliftonStrengths, it also tests your top skills. This assessment was originally developed through the research of Dr. Alex Liney and his team.
The main difference between the Strengths Profile test (which is now also administered by Gallup) is that the Strengths Profile test also tests your weaknesses. On the other hand, CliftonStrengths focuses solely on your strengths.
CliftonStrengths recognizes that providing weaknesses to the test taker could make them less confident and less likely to use a strengths-based approach. The Strengths Profile tests places an emphasis on knowing your entire personality, even your weaknesses.
How accurate is the StrengthsFinder test?
After reading about all the benefits of the strengths test and how each of them differ, you might be interested in taking one yourself. But, you might be thinking: how accurate are they? No online personality or strengths assessment can be 100% accurate.
The result’s accuracy and helpfulness is highly individualized. One person may find their results to be a perfect match and gain a tremendous amount from taking the test. Someone else may think it was not worth the time.
However, there are generally many benefits to taking these assessments, and they tend to be quite accurate. Strengths tests like the StrengthsFinder assessment are based in scientific research. Dr. Donald Clifton, a world-renowned psychologist, was one of the leading experts contributing to this test’s development. Carl Jung’s theories also contribute to the test’s accuracy.
Other scientists disagree with Jung and Clifton, but millions of test takers across the glove have found these tests to be accurate. Gallup continuously collects data from test takers to further improve the test. This further adds to its accuracy.
If you answer honestly, your results will likely be accurate as well. Then, you can use their knowledge to help you in your future personal development journey.
Final Words
The HIGH5 test and CliftonStrengths have become some of the most popular strengths assessments in recent years, and for good reason. Both of them give you insightful information about your top strengths and how you can start using them.
After taking the test, you can implement what you about yourself to your daily life. For example, if you learned about leadership being your top quality, start advocating for your team more. Step up to leadership positions and take risks.
Both of these assessments also help you with using a strength-based approach, both to leadership, learning, self-improvement, and life in general.
Instead of focusing on the negatives (your weaknesses), HIGH5 and CliftonStrengths empower you to embrace as well as further your existing strengths. This is not only efficient but also highly powerful for your mental health.
There are differences between these assessments as well. HIGH5 categorizes its results into 20 distinct strengths while CliftonStrengths has a strengths range of 34. HIGH5 uses strengths characters, too, while CliftonStrengths does not.
In the end, both of these tests can be highly valuable tools in your journey to self-development. By using a strength-based approach to personal growth, you can achieve more than you ever thought possible, and with less effort!
