NEO - FFI (NEO - Five Factor Inventory)
Test Booklet - Form S (Adult)
Paul T. Costa , Jr., PhD and Robert R. McCrae , PhD
Name________________ Age___________ Gender _________Today’s Date_________
Instructions
1. Carefully Read all of the instructions before beginning . The questionnaire contains 60
statements. Read each statement carefully .For each statement mark the response that best
represents your opinion.
2. Mark SD if you strongly disagree or the statement is definitely false.
3. Mark D if you disagree or the statement is mostly false.
4. Mark N if you are neutral on the statement, if you cannot decide , or if the statement is
about equally true and false.
5. Mark A if you agree or the statement is mostly true.
6. Mark SA if you strongly agree or believe the statement is definitely true.
7. Mark only one response for each statement . Respond to all the statements.
No. Item SD D N A SA
1. I am not a worrier.
2 I like to have a lot of people around me .
3 I don’t like to waste my time daydreaming.
4 I try to be courteous to everyone I meet.
5 I keep my belongings neat and clean.
6 I often feel inferior to others.
7 I laugh easily.
8 Once I find the right way to do something , I stick to it.
9 I often get into arguments with my family and co-workers.
10 I am pretty good at pacing myself so as to get things done on time.
11 When I am under a great deal of stress , sometimes I feel like I am
going to pieces.
12 I don’t consider myself especially “light-hearted”
13 I am intrigued by the patients I find in art and nature.
14 Some people think I’m selfish and egotistical.
15 I am not a methodological person.
16. I rarely feel lonely or blue.
17 I really enjoy talking to people.
18 I believe letting students hear controversial speakers can only
confuse and mislead them.
19 I would rather cooperate with others rather than compete with them.
20 I try to perform all the tasks assigned to me consciously .
21 I often feel tense and jittery.
22 I like to be where the action is.
23 Poetry has little or no effect on me.
24 I tend to be cynical and skeptical of others' intentions.
25 I have a clear set of goals and work towards them in an orderly
fashion.
26 Sometimes I feel completely worthless.
27 I usually prefer to do things alone.
28 I often try new and foreign foods.
29 I believe that most people will take advantage of you if you let
them.
30 I waste a lot of time before setting down to work.
31 I rarely feel fearful and anxious .
32 I often feel as If I am bursting with energy.
33 I seldom notice the moods or feelings that different environments
produce.
34 Most people I know like me.
35 I work hard to accomplish my goals.
36 I often get angry at the way people treat me.
37 I am a cheerful , high -spirited person.
38 I believe we should look to our religious authorities for decisions on
moral issues.
39 Some people think of me as cold and calculating
40 When I make a commitment, I can always be counted on to follow
through.
41 Too often , when things go wrong, I get discouraged and feel like
giving up.
42 I am not a cheerful optimist.
43 Sometimes when I am reading poetry or looking at a work of art, I
feel a chill or wave of excitement .
44 I am hard headed and tough minded in my attitudes.
45 Sometimes I am not as dependable or reliable as I should be.
46 I am seldom sad or depressed.
47 My life is fast paced.
48 I have little interest in speculating about the nature of the universe
or the human condition.
49 I generally try to be thoughtful and considerate.
50 I am a productive person who always gets the job done.
51 I often feel helpless and want someone else to solve my problems
52 I am a very active person.
53 I have a lot of intellectual curiosity.
54 If I don’t like people, I let them know it.
55 I never seem to be able to get organized.
56 At times , I have been so ashamed I just wanted to hide
57 I would rather go my own way than a leader of others.
58 I often enjoy playing with theories or abstract ideas.
59 If necessary , I am willing to manipulate people to get what I want.
60 I strive for excellence in everything I do.
Scoring Table
(Scoring for Non-Bold font items(Positive Items) is 0,1,2,3,4 & for bold font items
(Negative Items) scoring is 4,3,2,1,0)
Factor Item No. Total
N 1 6 11 16 21 26 31 36 41 46 51 56
E 2 7 12 17 22 27 32 37 42 47 52 57
O 3 8 13 18 23 28 33 38 43 48 53 58
A 4 9 14 19 24 29 34 39 44 49 54 59
C 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Interpretation of Test Scores
Factor Very High High Average Low Very Low
N Above 35 27-34 18-26 10-17 2-9
E 39-45 33-38 26-32 20-25 13-19
O 39-45 33-38 26-32 20-25 14-19
A 43-48 37-42 31-36 25-30 19-24
C 43-48 37-42 30-36 23-29 16-22
Factor Interpretation
Neuroticism This scale contrasts emotional stability with emotional reactivity. It is about the intensity and
(N) frequency of negative emotions. People with an average score are likely to be generally calm and able
to deal with stress. They will experience feelings such as guilt , anger or sadness to the same extent as
most people. Compared to most people, low scorers are likely to be secure, hardy and generally
relaxed even under stressful conditions .Compared to most people , high scorers are likely to be
sensitive , emotional and more prone to experiencing feelings that are upsetting.
Extraversion Extraversion is associated with being sociable . This domain is concerned with the amount of energy
(E) the external environment and the need for external stimulation. People with average scores are
moderate in activity and enthusiasm . They enjoy the company of others but they also value privacy .
Low scorers tend to be introverted , reserved and serious . They prefer to be alone or with a few close
friends .High scorers tend to be extroverted , outgoing , active and high spirited .They prefer to be
around people most of the time . The archetypical extravert might be a salesperson.High scores are
strongly correlated with interest in enterprising occupations.
Openness This scale is about receptivity to internal and external sources of input : about openness to a wide
(O) range of internal and external experiences.
People with average scores are likely to be practical but willing to consider new ways of doing things
. They seek a balance between the old and the new.
Low scores occur in people who are down to earth , practical and traditional , people who may be
pretty set in their ways . They prefer the familiar to the novel and their emotional responses may be
comparatively muted.
High scores are likely to reflect openness to new experiences , broad interests and an active
imagination and a likelihood of experiencing both positive and negative emotions more keenly than
most people.
Agreeableness This scale is primarily a dimension of interpersonal style : it is about the role adopted in relationships
(A) and about receptively to the perspectives of others.
People with average scores are likely to be generally warm , trusting and agreeable , but also
sometimes stubborn and competitive .
Compared to most people, low scorers are likely to be hard headed , skeptical , proud and competitive
. They tend to express their anger directly and may potentially come across as abrasive.
Compared to most people , high scorers are likely to be compassionate , good natured and eager to
cooperate and avoid conflict.
Conscientiousness This scale is about strength of purpose and drive to goal accomplishment . People with average
(C) scores are likely to be dependable and moderately well organised. They generally have clear goals but
are able to set their work or other tasks aside. Low scorers are likely to be easy-going ,not very well
organised and sometimes careless. They prefer not to make plans . They do not necessarily lack plans
or moral principles , but they are less rigorous in holding to them.
Compared to most people , high scorers are diligent and organised . They have high standards and
always strive to achieve their goals . This is often associated with high achievement , but can also lead
to annoying fastidiousness, compulsive neatness or workaholic behaviour.
