DiSC Assessment vs. Predictive Index

Choosing the right personality assessment for your business can be difficult. Many options are available, and each one claims to be the best. This blog post will compare two of the most popular assessments: the DiSC assessment and the Predictive Index. 

We will discuss each assessment, how they work, and the pros and cons of each. In addition, we will look at how they compare with other popular assessments and help you decide which one is right for your business. 

What Is The DiSC Assessment? 

The DiSC assessment is a personality test designed to help you understand your personality and the personalities of others. People use the DiSC assessment for various reasons, including improving communication with others, better understanding themselves, resolving conflicts, building better relationships, and improving team dynamics. 

DiSC assessment examines how a person ranks in four key areas of behavior - (D)ominance, (I)nfluence, (S)teadiness, and (C)onscientiousness, hence its acronym, DiSC. 

How Does The DiSC Test Work?

The DiSC test is an online 80-question assessment that takes about 15 - 20 minutes to complete. It comprises four different subscales, each measuring one of the four key areas of behavior. 

The subscales are Dominance (D), Influence (I), Steadiness (S), and Conscientiousness (C). Each subscale has several questions, and each question has five possible answers. 

Candidates are required to choose the answer that best describes how they typically behave in each situation to complete this test.  

disc assesment

What Is A Predictive Index Test?

A Predictive Index test is a work personality assessment that measures individuals' preferences and tendencies. Many organizations use Predictive Index tests as a way to screen job candidates. The test is designed to give employers insight into applicants' workstyle and whether they will be a good fit for the organization. 

The two main Predictive Index tests are Predictive Index Cognitive Assessment and Predictive Index Behavioral Assessment.

Predictive Index Cognitive Assessment (PICA)

PICA is an online assessment that measures individuals' cognitive abilities and tendencies. It is often used as a pre-employment screening tool to identify candidates who are likely to be successful in a specific job role.

Predictive Index Behavioral Assessment (PIBA)

PIBA is an online assessment that measures individuals' behavior tendencies across four areas: dominance, extraversion, patience, and formality. 

Employers use PIBA to help identify individuals who are likely to be successful in certain roles. For example, a sales position might require someone high in extraversion and dominance, while a customer service position might require someone high in patience and formality.

How Does The Predictive Index Test Work?

The Predictive Index test is an online assessment that takes about 20 minutes to complete. It tests both the cognitive and behavioral aspects of an individual's personality. 

Predictive Index Cognitive Assessment (PICA) Test

The PICA test is a timed online assessment that measures your ability to think abstractly, solve problems, and remember information. It is made up of 50 questions which include mathematical, verbal, and spatial reasoning questions. 

An individual is required to answer as many questions as possible correctly within a 12-minute time limit. 

Predictive Index Behavioral Assessment (PIBA) Test

The PIBA test is an online assessment that measures your behavior tendencies across four key areas: dominance, extraversion, patience, and formality. It is made up of two checklist pages, each containing 86 adjectives. 

Candidates are required to mark adjectives that best describe how they feel others expect them to behave in the workplace environment, and adjectives that best describe them. Although the test is untimed, people generally take about 6 - 8 minutes to complete it.

the predictive index logo

DiSC Assessment vs. Predictive Index

DiSC and Predictive Index assessments are the two most popular personality assessments on the market, and for a good reason! These assessments can give you a deep understanding of your employees and help you make better hiring decisions. However, each of these assessments has its pros and cons.

DiSC Assessment Pros And Cons

Businesses often use the DiSC assessment to help them understand their employees better and make more informed hiring decisions. Some of the pros and cons of using DiSC assessment include the following:

Pros

  • The DiSC assessment is more accessible and user-friendly than most other personality assessments.
  • It is one of the most widely researched personality assessments and has proven reliable and valid.
  • The DiSC assessment can give you a deep understanding of an individual's personality and help you predict how they will behave in different situations.

Cons

  • The DiSC assessment is not as comprehensive as some other personality assessments, and does not cover all aspects of personality.
  • It can be difficult to interpret DiSC results, and you may need help from a trained professional.
  • There are many versions of the DiSC assessment, and not all are equally reliable.

behavioral test example

Predictive Index Pros And Cons

The Predictive Index is another popular personality assessment that can help businesses better understand their employees and make more informed hiring decisions. The pros and cons of the Predictive Index include the following:

Pros 

  • The Predictive Index is a comprehensive assessment covering all aspects of personality. 
  • It is also very reliable and has been validated by many scientific studies. 
  • It is relatively easy to administer and interpret the Predictive Index tests.

Cons

  • The Predictive Index can be expensive to administer, especially if you want to test many employees.
  • It takes significant time to complete the Predictive Index tests, which can deter some people.
  • The Predictive Index is not as widely used as some of the other personality assessments, so there may be less support available if you have questions or need help interpreting the results.

predictive test example

DiSC Assessment vs. Predictive Index Accuracy

There has been a lot of debate about which personality assessment is more accurate between the DiSC assessment and the Predictive Index. Both assessments have been shown to be reliable and valid. However, there are a few factors to consider when looking at their accuracy.

Cognitive Ability

The DiSC profile provides no measure of cognitive ability. However, the Predictive Index Cognitive Assessment (PICA) is a short online test that measures an individual's verbal, numerical, and logical reasoning abilities. 

The PICA is predictive of job performance and can be used to identify individuals with the potential to succeed in roles requiring high cognitive ability levels.

Job Assessment 

The DiSC does not offer an assessment of job performance, but the Predictive Index Cognitive Assessment profile is predictive of job performance. The PICA is based on years of research and has been shown to be a valid and reliable predictor of job performance.

Similarities Between The Predictive Index And DiSC

Some of the similarities between the Predictive Index and DiSC include the following:

  • The Predictive Index and DiSC assessment are self-reported questionnaires, meaning that respondents are responsible for providing accurate information about themselves. 
  • Both assessments are used to predict human behavior and have been shown to be reliable and valid. This means that they can help businesses better understand their employees and make more informed hiring decisions. 
  • Additionally, both assessments can help individuals better understand themselves and make more informed career choices.

Predictive Index vs. Myers-Briggs

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is another popular personality assessment. The MBTI is very different from the Predictive Index, as it focuses on psychological types rather than personality traits. 

It is used to identify individuals' preferences in four different areas: extraversion vs introversion, sensing vs intuition, thinking vs feeling, and judging vs perceiving.

The MBTI is a widely used assessment and is considered one of the most popular personality assessments in the world. 

The Predictive Index is a comprehensive assessment that covers all aspects of personality, while the MBTI focuses on the psychological type. 

The Predictive Index is easier to administer and interpret, and is more widely used than the MBTI. However, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator has been around for longer and is more widely known. 

Additionally, the MBTI is better suited for individuals, while the Predictive Index is better suited for group use. 

Birkman vs. Predictive Index

The Birkman assessment is often compared to the Predictive Index (PI) assessment. Both are psychometric tests used in organizational psychology, but they differ in their approach and what they measure.

The Birkman assessment is a personality test that measures individuals' interests, behaviors, stress management, and organizational abilities. It focuses on understanding individuals' motivations, needs, ways of communicating, and levels of dedication. 

The Predictive Index, on the other hand, is a cognitive ability test that measures individuals' aptitude for specific tasks. It focuses on predicting individuals' job performance.

What Is The Best Option For You?

The simple answer is, it depends on what you're looking for in an assessment. 

If you are looking for a comprehensive assessment that covers all aspects of personality, then the Predictive Index may be the best option for you. 

However, if you are looking for an assessment that focuses more on specific areas of personality, then the DiSC assessment may be a better option. 

Final Thoughts

Predictive Index and DiSC assessment are excellent tools that can improve your business by helping you to better understand your employees and make more informed hiring decisions. 

However, it is important to remember that no assessment is perfect, and each has its strengths and weaknesses. Ultimately, your best option will depend on your specific needs and what you are looking for in an assessment. 

If you're not sure which assessment is right for your business, Opusuna can help you decide. We are experts in both Predictive Index and DiSC assessments, and we can help you choose the right assessment for your business. 

Contact us today to learn more!