FAQs | Blueprint Enneagram

Frequently asked questions

Tests and results

How did you develop and validate your tests?

We began by researching each type using the existing literature, including studies, books, forums, and more. Then we ran our own comprehensive testing alongside in-depth interviews with many people of every type, subtype, and instinct. We used the resulting dataset to conduct a feature analysis to determine the most predictive behaviors and statements for each type, iterating on thousands of questions in the process to discover which ones would provoke the most polarizing reactions (strong agreement or strong disagreement). Once we gathered a large enough dataset of responses and analyzed them alongside respondents whose types we were certain of, we applied our proprietary distributed clustering and logistic regression models to determine the probability that a person is a given type, subtype, and instinct.

In our test development and validation, we focused heavily on our tests’ ability to discern common mistypes and outliers, zeroing in on the core aspects of each type. For example, Twos and Social Nines can look similar in their behaviors despite having different underlying rationales for acting as they do. We iterated on thousands of test questions to isolate those that best identify the highest-signal differentiators for each type and wing, and between commonly mistyped pairs. Tactics like subtle word choices and framing statements as positives or negatives make significant differences in whether certain types will agree or disagree with test questions.

Our tests are dynamic, so the type and number of questions changes based on how you answer. If your responses narrow you down to two similar types, the questions will shift to delineate between them. The tests will end when the model reaches a set threshold of confidence in your type, wing, and/or instinct, which means that the number of questions you receive may not be the same as the number that someone else gets.

What are some test-taking tips to help me get more accurate results?

Try to take the tests in a quiet place where you can focus and think deeply about yourself. Self-awareness and honesty is key. Here are a few other tips for more accurate results when taking Blueprint’s tests:

Think about how you have been for most of your life, especially before personal growth
Consider all areas of your life (work, romance, personal, family, etc.)
Answer as you truly are, not what you wish you were
Avoid taking the test when you’re in an extreme mood
Don’t overthink the questions; trust your gut
Consult people who know you well if you’re unsure

How accurate are the tests?

No predictive model is 100% accurate. That said, our initial testing has suggested that we’ve built one of the most accurate and predictive Enneagram models available on the market. We are continually working to heighten its accuracy.

Your results are expressed as a percentage, with the Enneagram type that has the highest probability of matching you at the top. The percentage expresses the likelihood that you belong to a certain personality type, or “cluster.” For example, if your results say that you’re 94% type Eight, 67% type One, and 59% type Three, that means that the test found that there’s a 94% probability that you’re an Eight, a 67% probability that you’re a One, and a 59% probability that you’re a Three. It does not mean that you’re made up of a mix of these types, nor that you’re an Eight with a One wing (which can’t exist in the model; see our FAQ answer on wings to read more about this).

All personality test outcomes depend on the test-taker’s self-awareness and honest self-assessment: the better you know yourself, the more accurate your results tend to be. Colloquial wisdom suggests that about 80% of people know themselves well enough to answer self-assessment questions in ways that accurately reflect them. Research has shown that introspection, mindfulness, and self-reflection can improve your self-awareness (and thus the accuracy of your test results). Asking people who know you well to chime in on their perception of your behavior--romantic partners, family, coworkers, and others who you spend lots of time with as your “real” self--has also been helpful according to studies, given that your behavior is outwardly observable even if your motivations are internal and non-observable.

Are these tests unique to Blueprint?

Yes, we developed the test questions and predictive model ourselves.

Can I take the tests again?

Yes. When you get your results, you’ll see a link that says “Retake the test” below the “Read more” button. You can access this link and your results in both the “Home” feed and the “Questions” tab. When you tap on the icon for the test that you’d like to retake in the “Questions” tab, you should see your most recent test results and get the option to redo it.

Can I change my test results manually?

Yes: to edit any of your test results, navigate to your profile (tap on the “You” tab on the bottom right of your screen), then tap the “Edit” button in the top left corner. You’ll see a pencil and paper icon pop up over each of the tests you’ve already taken, indicating that you can edit them. Tap on any of them to select a new result. You won’t be able to manually select your type until you have taken the test at least once.

What if I got a different result from a different test?

We have worked hard to develop a highly predictive and accurate Enneagram test, but our results will not be 100% right all of the time, and nor will any other test’s results. Some people get consistent results across a variety of tests, and others don’t. Getting different results on different tests is merely one factor to consider if you’re trying to figure out your type. It could be a sign, however, that you’re answering the test questions as you’d like to be, not as you are or have been most of your life.

You are the only one who can definitively say which type you are, and although tests are a good starting point for that determination, the best way to hone in on your Enneagram type is by reading more about each type and seeing what sounds the most like you.

What if my test results don't sound like me?

We did our best with our test, but no test is 100% accurate. No test or person knows you as well as you know yourself. The best way to hone in on your Enneagram type is by reading more about each type and seeing what sounds the most like you. Try to be deeply honest with yourself about who you are now and have been most of your life, not who you’d like to be.

It can be easy to relate to the positive aspects of each type, but it’s often the negative traits that differentiate the most. Many people describe feeling a pang of guilt or shame when they read their own type’s negative traits. If it hits close to home and feels difficult to read, it’s a strong signal that you’ve found your type.

You can also ask people who know you well to give their opinion on the types that you’re torn between: everyone has blind spots about their own behavior, and those you trust can shed a light on yours.

Can I send feedback on a test question?

Yes, you can send us feedback on a test question at hello@blueprintapp.co. We want to make sure our test is understandable and easy to use, and we appreciate your feedback.

I want someone to take your test; do they have to download the app?

Yes, the only way to take our test at the moment is to do so in the app, which is free but only available on iOS currently.

Product

What is Blueprint?

Blueprint is your pocket guide to understanding yourself and others using the Enneagram personality model. With Blueprint, you can discover your personality type through our predictive test, learn about the people around you (friends, family, romantic partners, and co-workers), easily compare and contrast different types of people, and receive personal growth tips to become the best version of yourself.

How did you verify the accuracy of your content?

We drafted our content over a two-year period based on our experience using the Enneagram as a tool in our personal lives and careers, extensive research using the many excellent Enneagram books available, analyzing data from hundreds of volunteers who took early versions of our test, and conducting interviews and user testing with individuals representing every type, subtype, and instinct. Countless hours and rounds of direct feedback from a diverse array of people spanning the entirety of the Enneagram helped us further refine our work; we thank some of the most crucial contributors here. We are always iterating and improving and welcome your feedback at hello@blueprintapp.co.

What if something doesn’t feel accurate for me or my type?

There are three main reasons why something could sound inaccurate for you: 1), you’re looking at a type that isn’t actually yours; 2), you aren’t aware of your own blind spots (and very few people are), so you don’t realize that you actually do certain behaviors; or 3), we made a mistake in our content. You can let us know what you think is inaccurate at hello@blueprintapp.co, but understand that we won’t be able to tell which of these three reasons is underlying the problem unless we know you very well.

The Enneagram is a personality framework that clusters people into nine types based on highly similar motivations, fears, and perceptions. We’ve found these nine types to be incredibly accurate shortcuts for categorizing people, far more predictive and useful than gender, job role, physical appearance, or any other superficial framework for making fast decisions about how to interact with someone.

However, no personality model is going to get every detail right. There are as many personalities as there are people in the world, so to categorize every person exactly, you’d have a model so complex that it wouldn’t be usable. Even among people of the same Enneagram type, vast variations in life experience, upbringing, careers, family structure, physical abilities and skills, level of health, gender, and more can make some aspects of that type resonate more or less strongly.

We sought to describe the most broadly applicable and accurate version of an average person of each type, but we understand that we cannot represent everyone perfectly.

What if another Enneagram resource says something different than you do?

The Enneagram has some basic tenets that apply in virtually all material, and other areas where authors, researchers, and creators have made their own interpretations. One common example is the names of the subtypes, where many people have their own formulations (e.g., the 2w1 is sometimes called The Servant, but we renamed it The Altruist in our materials).

Tell us if you find a difference between something we said and something you’ve read elsewhere. Some differences may be intentional, but we will fix any that we believe are incorrect. Also note that we apply more credibility to certain sources than to others (e.g., books by renowned Enneagram scholars carry more weight than Instagram memes).

What if I'm offended by something?

Our goal is to put out accurate, useful Enneagram content. We want to promote self-reflection and personal growth, which can mean noticing and working on negative tendencies. Sometimes those can be hard to acknowledge. We don’t want to offend, but we do want to draw attention to challenging or uncomfortable truths. Blueprint may be uncomfortable for you, and we’re okay with that. That said, if we consistently get feedback that a particular word or phrase is interfering with a significant number of people’s enjoyment of the app, we may choose to modify it.

Can you add a certain feature?

We have a long list of features that we’d love to add if the app is well-received. We’re a small team and built Blueprint with our own resources, so the decision to add features is significant, and we need to see if the data supports demand. To help us keep track of your interest in a new feature, please email us at hello@blueprintapp.co.

Can you make a version for businesses?

We are considering making an enterprise version, but we wanted to start with a consumer app because it’s more broadly applicable (we’re all individuals, even at work). To help us keep track of your interest in an enterprise version, please fill out this form to answer a few quick questions about what you’d like to see.

Are you making an Android version?

We plan to make an Android version of the app if the iOS version is well-received. We’re a small team and built Blueprint with our own resources, so the decision to make another app is a big one and we need to see if the data supports demand. We realize this is a bummer for you Android users. To help us keep track of your interest in an Android version, please fill out this form and we’ll let you know if we release one.

Do you provide support for the app?

Not for the free version, but yes (in a limited way) for the premium version. With the free version, we are giving you access to the tests and hundreds of pages of reference content at no cost, so we would be operating at a loss if we offered support on a free app.

If you’re using Blueprint Premium, you can email us at help@blueprintapp.co and we’ll log your question and do our best to get back to you. Please remember that we are an extremely small team and will not be able to respond to every message.

Where can I send suggestions, typos, bugs, etc.?

Thanks for helping us make Blueprint better. You can email us at help@blueprintapp.co and we’ll log your note and do our best to get back to you. Please remember that we are an extremely small team and will not be able to respond to every message.

Premium, accounts, and billing

How do I sign up for a Blueprint account?

Creating an account in Blueprint is free and lets you get your results and data across devices. First you’ll need to download the app. Once you’re in the Blueprint app, tap on the Profile tab on the bottom of the screen. Then tap the three dots in the top right corner to open the menu. Tap Log in / Sign up. Enter your email and your desired password, then hit the “Sign up” button.

How do I log into my existing Blueprint account?

Once you’re in the Blueprint app, tap on the Profile tab on the bottom of the screen. Then tap the three dots in the top right corner to open the menu. Tap Log in / Sign up. On the screen that comes up, tap “Log in.” Enter the email and password that you used to create your Blueprint account, then hit the “Log in” button.

How do I reset my Blueprint password?

Once you’re in the Blueprint app, tap on the Profile tab on the bottom of the screen. Then tap the three dots in the top right corner to open the menu. Tap Log in / Sign up. Tap the “Log in” link at the bottom of the screen. On the page that pops up, tap the “Forgot your password?” link. Enter the email address associated with your Blueprint account to receive an email that will let you reset your password.

What's the difference between the free and premium versions?

Subscribing to Premium unlocks various content sections in Blueprint that aren’t available for free users. The Premium version lets you access all of the content in the app, giving you deeper dives into each type, letting you compare types across 90+ dimensions, and delivering more personalized insights and recommendations. If you want to become an Enneagram expert, Blueprint Premium is the way to go.

The free version still allows you to take all three tests (type, wing, and instinct), read lots of reference content about every type, compare types in some (but not all) categories, receive daily tips about your personality, make a profile, and access your profile across different devices. If you’re a free Blueprint user, you’ll see the premium content indicated by a lock icon.

How do I upgrade to premium?

To upgrade to Premium, you’ll need a Blueprint account. Read about how to create an account and how to log in. Once you’re logged in, tap on the three dots on the top right corner of the Profile tab to open the menu. Tap on Subscription. Choose your billing preference (annual, monthly, or weekly), and hit the Go Premium button.

How much does Premium cost?

Currently, Blueprint Premium is $1.99 for a weekly subscription, $4.99 for a monthly subscription, and $39.99 for an annual subscription. Subscriptions renew automatically each billing period.

How do I cancel my subscription?

Because we run our subscriptions through the App Store, you must cancel your subscription directly on your iPhone or on the web using your Apple account; we cannot do it for you. You can cancel at any time by opening the Settings app on your iPhone, tapping your name, then tapping Subscriptions. You can also see Apple’s instructions for cancelling app subscriptions here.

How do I change my payment info?

Because we run our subscriptions through the App Store, you must update your payment info directly on your iPhone or on the web using your Apple account. We cannot do it for you. You can see Apple’s instructions for changing your payment info here.

Can I get a refund?

Because we run our subscriptions through the App Store, you must request a refund directly on your iPhone or on the web using your Apple account. We cannot do it for you. You can see Apple’s instructions for requesting app refunds here.

Can I get a free upgrade to Blueprint Premium, or can I try it for free?

Unfortunately, no. We are a small team of people who love the Enneagram and built everything in this app ourselves: none of us got paid, we didn’t raise any money to make Blueprint, and a few of us work full-time jobs at the same time. This app is our baby and we worked hard on it to bring you lots of value, including by making most of the content free, but we can’t give everything away.

Company

Who are you?

We are a small group of people who love the Enneagram and built everything in this app ourselves. None of us got paid, we didn’t raise any money to make Blueprint, and a few of us work full-time jobs at the same time. We started building Blueprint when we saw a need for a more accurate and predictive Enneagram test after seeing many people mis-typing themselves. We also liked the idea of using an app to make visual comparisons between the types fast and easy.

What are your qualifications?

We are a small team who has been using the Enneagram in our own lives for a combined 60+ years. We are fascinated by human behavior, motivations, and relationships, and believe that the Enneagram is one of the most comprehensive tools available for understanding people at their deepest levels.

We drafted our content over a 2.5-year period based on our experience using the Enneagram as a tool in our personal lives and careers, extensive research using the many excellent Enneagram books available, analyzing data from many volunteers who took early versions of our test, and conducting interviews and user testing with individuals representing every type, subtype, and instinct. Countless hours and rounds of direct feedback from a diverse array of people spanning the entirety of the Enneagram helped us further refine our work.

Isabella has a B.A. in Psychology and a lifelong interest in human behavior, growing up immersed in the Enneagram by parents who used the model for marriage, parenting, and work relationships. As a Data Scientist and later VP of Product at startups in the Boston tech world (developing products used by more than 70 million people), she discovered that friends and co-workers craved the insights of the Enneagram. Isabella has run Enneagram workshops and used the model as a leadership tool. Beyond work she can be found compulsively reading for hours that are more stolen than spare.

Sarah has a B.A. in Psychology and a J.D. She worked at several consumer tech startups in Marketing and Content before becoming an investor. Her fascination for human behavior—primarily decoding, predicting, and improving it—has been the common linkage across her work. Her writing, both in the products she’s worked on and on her own blog, has received tens of millions of views. Sarah learned the Enneagram from Isabella, and ever since, she has been applying it to the founding teams and companies she works with to help hire, solve conflicts, and assess investment opportunities. A few of Sarah’s favorite things include video games, freedom of speech, science fiction, and round animals.

Jon has an M.B.A. with a concentration in Organizational Behavior, and a B.A. in Economics and Spanish. He previously worked in Marketing at big data and artificial intelligence startups, increasing revenue 300% year-over-year and driving two early-stage companies to acquisitions. While the technical projects were enjoyable, Jon was more invigorated by the people element of the work: developing strong emotional intelligence, establishing close relationships, and fostering exceptional group dynamics. In his latest venture he met Isabella, where they formed a fast friendship analyzing people and situations and eating snack food. Besides potato chips, Jon is into basketball, reading, dancing tango, teaching meditation, and traveling.

Marcus has a B.A. in Neurobiology and is a self-taught full-stack engineer. He worked as an engineer or tech lead in a neuroscience lab, several venture-backed consumer startups (one in travel, the other in fitness wearables), and a tech behemoth, always finding himself at the intersection of software engineering and data science. He’s often forcing himself to deadlift in sub-zero degree temperatures in a horse stall, his 1RM is 505+ pounds, and he has only been full once.

What’s your vision for Blueprint?

Today, the world is at once more connected and more polarized than ever before. People are talking past each other, speaking different psychological languages and getting increasingly frustrated in the process. We believe that the Enneagram is one of the most powerful tools that people can harness to bridge these gaps, gaining both self-knowledge and empathy.

Our goal is to provide the most accurate Enneagram test and the most useful, detailed, and actionable information about all of the types. We want Blueprint users to be able to pull out their phones and get fast and easy guidance on all things Enneagram. We want to help people have happier, more fulfilling personal relationships; better understand themselves, romantic partners, friends, family, and co-workers; learn to see and break out of their negative behavioral patterns; and become the most emotionally healthy version of themselves.

Where are you based?

We are a remote team, but we all met in Boston and most of us live in or near New England.

How do you make money?

The only ways we make money are 1), if you decide to subscribe to the premium version of the app, or 2), if you optionally choose to tip us. We don’t put any ads in the app, nor do we have business partnerships or sponsorships that pay us. We don’t sell any of your data, either.

Can I give you a tip?

Wow; thank you! We are a small team who built this app without pay, so we really appreciate your tips. They go a long way and mean a lot to us. You can tip us at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BlueprintApp

How do you use my data?

We do not sell any of your data. We collect the minimum data that we need to tailor Blueprint to you and give you a personalized experience (only usage data in the app and email if you choose to make a profile, which is optional).

We use the small amount of data that we collect to run the app, provide our services to you, and manage your account. You can view our privacy policy here.

Will you run a workshop or speak at my company or event?

We don’t normally do workshops or speaking engagements because working on the app takes a lot of time and resources, and we’re a small team. That said, you can tell us about what you have in mind for your event at hello@blueprintapp.co, and we may consider it if travel, compensation, impact/significance, and other factors are compelling.

How do I contact you?

You can reach us at hello@blueprintapp.co or on Instagram @EnneagramBlueprint.

Thank-you’s and shout-outs

We got an incredible amount of feedback from many, many people representing every combination of type, wing, and instinct while we built this app. Thank you to the hundreds of people who took early versions of our test, critiqued our writing, answered our interview questions, and/or helped us with user testing; we are in your debt. And a special shout-out to those who went above and beyond as representatives for every type in our research:

Ones:

Florian Allroggen, Ethan Bernstein, Tyler Luonogo-Zink, Ibrahim Nahas, Freya de Mink, Edan Naiberg, Bry Novak-Rich, Michael Millis, Thea Rømmen, Matt Stayman

Twos:

Zoe Anetakis, Matt Brand, Brianna Bolden, Giuli Colina, Cameron Donegan, Ryan Gravelle, Jill Millis, Ashlan Musante, Carolina Ortecho, Nadia Rawjee, Alyssa Rose, Ray Rieder

Threes:

Leang Chaing, Rushil Gambhir, Vinod Krishnan, Brian Lavigne, Cory Munchbach, Dan Yu

Fours:

Laura Alessi, Wrenn Bartlett, Liv Benger, Heather Jassy, Amanda Millis, Gina Patton, Sam Zimmerman

Fives:

Daniel Downey, Richard Patton, John Lynch, Rico Rodriguez, Irina M.

Sixes:

Grace Alessi, Daniel Chang, Sunny Dhillon, Johanna Fieldler, Jenna Fowler, Paul Mains

Sevens:

Fareesa Abbasi, Adam Caplan, Janet Comenos, Arun Desai, Russ Jones, Donna Leverone, Nadia Mufti, Trevor Patton, Jessica Song, Svenja Torke

Eights:

Seth Bartlett, Laine Berry, Christina Pawlikowski, Farhan Pirzada, Paige Sander

Nines:

Ella Alkalay, Emily Dabney, Donna Downey, Matthew Downey, Jeff Fagnan, Christopher Luonogo-Zink, Maggie Moran, Mia Patton, Sarah Pavlu, Jose Raymond, Marcus Way

Tests and resuts

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Frequently asked questions

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