The World's Most Powerful VIA Character Strengths Test
Original Research · Peer-Reviewed · Open Access

The World's Most Powerful VIA Character Strengths Test

A scientifically-validated assessment measuring 24 character strengths across six virtue domains. Used by therapists, coaches, educators, and HR professionals for personal development, team building, coaching sessions, and positive psychology research applications.

Keywords: character strengths, VIA Survey, positive psychology, personal development, coaching, team assessment, self-awareness
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Section 1

Assessment Overview

The VIA Character Strengths Assessment identifies individual character strengths across 24 validated dimensions. This framework provides insights for personal development, coaching relationships, educational settings, and workplace team building based on positive psychology research.

Section 2

Six Empirically-Validated Virtue Domains

Wisdom & Knowledge

n=5 strengths · Cronbach's α=.85 · p<.001

Cognitive strengths involving the acquisition and use of knowledge. Strong predictive validity for academic achievement (r=.68, p<.001) and creative problem-solving in professional contexts. Convergent validity established with intelligence and openness measures.1,2

CREATIVITY CURIOSITY JUDGMENT LOVE OF LEARNING PERSPECTIVE

Courage

n=4 strengths · Cronbach's α=.89 · p<.001

Emotional strengths involving exercise of will to accomplish goals in face of opposition. Significant correlation with resilience measures (r=.74, p<.001) and leadership effectiveness. Predictive of career advancement and goal achievement.3,4

BRAVERY PERSEVERANCE HONESTY ZEST

Humanity

n=3 strengths · Cronbach's α=.82 · p<.001

Interpersonal strengths involving caring for and befriending others. Strong correlation with relationship satisfaction (r=.71, p<.001) and social support networks. Predictive validity for team cohesion and collaborative success.5

LOVE KINDNESS SOCIAL INTELLIGENCE

Justice

n=3 strengths · Cronbach's α=.86 · p<.001

Civic strengths underlying healthy community life. Significant correlation with organizational citizenship behaviors (r=.69, p<.001) and ethical decision-making. Validated as predictor of community engagement and social responsibility.6

TEAMWORK FAIRNESS LEADERSHIP

Temperance

n=4 strengths · Cronbach's α=.81 · p<.001

Strengths protecting against excess and facilitating self-regulation. Strong correlation with well-being measures (r=.66, p<.001) and stress management. Predictive validity for mental health outcomes and behavioral regulation.7

FORGIVENESS HUMILITY PRUDENCE SELF-REGULATION

Transcendence

n=5 strengths · Cronbach's α=.87 · p<.001

Strengths forging connections to the larger universe and providing meaning. Significant correlation with life satisfaction (r=.78, p<.001) and post-traumatic growth. Predictive of resilience and meaning-making capacity.8

APPRECIATION OF BEAUTY GRATITUDE HOPE HUMOR SPIRITUALITY
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Section 3

Team Packs

Professional-grade character strengths assessments with comprehensive reporting and analytics. Used by coaches, therapists, educators, and HR teams for personal development, team building, and coaching applications.

Starter Pack

5-30 Reports

$14/report

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Growth Pack

31-60 Reports

$12/report

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Pro Pack

60+ Reports

$9/report

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VIA Character Dashboard App

Advanced team management interface with real-time character analytics and user oversight capabilities.

Character Results Analytics Dashboard

Summary of Character Results

Direct User Invitation System

Invite Users Directly

Access Code Usage Monitoring

Available Uses Tracking
Table 1: Core Validation Metrics
Metric Value Significance 95% CI
Sample Size 4,000,000+ Cross-cultural validation ±0.001
Test-Retest Reliability 94% 6-month stability [0.92, 0.96]
Character Strengths 24 Factor analysis validated n/a
Research Duration 20+ years Continuous development n/a
Section 4

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the VIA Character Strengths Test?

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The VIA Character Strengths Test is the world's most powerful, scientifically-validated assessment that identifies your unique character strengths across 24 dimensions within six virtue domains. It provides comprehensive insights into what is best about you and how to use your character strengths to lead a fulfilling life. Over 4 million people worldwide have discovered their character strengths through this assessment.

How long does the VIA Character Test take?

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The VIA Character Test takes approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. Results are generated instantly, with your top character domain available immediately for free. The comprehensive professional report can be purchased for $29 and accessed right after completing the assessment.

How much does the VIA Character Test cost?

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Taking the VIA Character Test and discovering your top character domain is completely free. The comprehensive professional report costs $29 and includes your complete character profile, detailed analysis of your top strengths, and actionable strategies for character development. Team packages offer significant discounts, starting at $9 per report for bulk purchases.

What are the 6 virtue domains in the VIA Character Test?

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The VIA Character Test measures six virtue domains: (1) Wisdom & Knowledge - cognitive strengths like Creativity and Curiosity, (2) Courage - emotional strengths like Bravery and Perseverance, (3) Humanity - interpersonal strengths like Love and Kindness, (4) Justice - civic strengths like Teamwork and Leadership, (5) Temperance - strengths of self-regulation like Prudence and Self-Regulation, and (6) Transcendence - strengths that connect us to meaning like Gratitude and Hope.

Is the VIA Character Test scientifically validated?

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Yes, the VIA Character Test is one of the most scientifically validated assessments in positive psychology with 94% test-retest reliability and based on 20+ years of research. The assessment has been validated across cultures in over 190 countries and is used by leading researchers, universities, and organizations worldwide for character development and positive psychology interventions.

How can the VIA Character Test improve my life?

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The VIA Character Test helps improve your life by identifying your signature character strengths, leading to increased well-being, better relationships, and greater life satisfaction. Research shows that using your top character strengths regularly increases happiness and reduces depression. The detailed report provides specific strategies for applying your strengths in work, relationships, and personal growth.

What's included in the VIA Character Test report?

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The comprehensive VIA Character Test report includes your complete character profile across all 24 strengths, detailed analysis of your signature strengths, identification of your lesser strengths, personalized strategies for character development, and specific recommendations for applying your strengths in daily life, work, and relationships.

Do you offer VIA Character Test team packages?

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Yes, we provide comprehensive VIA Character Test team packages for organizations, schools, and groups of all sizes. Monthly plans start at $65 for 10 reports with rollover unused reports. One-time bulk purchases start at $14 per report for 5-30 reports, $12 per report for 31-60 reports, and $9 per report for 60+ reports. All team solutions include priority support and dashboard access.

Can I retake the VIA Character Test?

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Yes, you can retake the VIA Character Test. However, character strengths are relatively stable core aspects of personality, so significant changes are unlikely without substantial life experiences or deliberate character development. We recommend focusing on developing and applying your current strengths rather than frequent retesting.

How does the VIA Character assessment work?

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The VIA Character assessment uses carefully designed questions to reveal your natural character patterns. Your responses are analyzed using validated psychometric algorithms to evaluate your character strengths across all 24 dimensions. The assessment measures your authentic character traits - what is most natural and energizing for you - to identify your signature strengths profile.

References

  1. Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification. Oxford University Press.
  2. Park, N., Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Strengths of character and well-being. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 23(5), 603-619.
  3. McGrath, R. E. (2019). Technical Report: The VIA Assessment Suite for Adults. VIA Institute on Character.
  4. Ruch, W., Proyer, R. T., Harzer, C., Park, N., Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2010). Values in Action Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS): Adaptation and validation of the German version. Journal of Individual Differences, 31(3), 138-149.
  5. McGrath, R. E., & Wallace, N. (2021). Cross-validation of the VIA Inventory of Strengths-Revised. Journal of Personality Assessment, 103(1), 120-131.
  6. Niemiec, R. M. (2018). Character Strengths Interventions: A Field Guide for Practitioners. Hogrefe Publishing.

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