Beyond Personality Tests: Why I Added the Highlands Ability Battery to My Coaching Practice
I am no stranger to personal assessments, from Myers-Briggs to the Enneagram to the various "Which <movie/TV show/pop culture character> are you?" quizzes on BuzzFeed. Each one has given me some helpful insights for self-reflection (well, maybe a little less so in the case of the Buzzfeed quizzes). However, each one has the usual limitations that can come with self-report survey items. Last year, I learned about the Highlands Ability Battery and was surprised to discover an assessment distinctly different from others I’ve taken because of its emphasis on a Whole Person Model approach and focus on measuring abilities. I was intrigued to learn more, and now I'm excited to share that I've officially become a Certified Highlands Ability Battery (HAB) Consultant.
What Is the Highlands Ability Battery?
The Highlands Ability Battery (HAB) is an assessment designed to measure natural abilities through a series of performance-based exercises or “work samples.” Though there are a small number of self-report items, the work items set the HAB apart from other assessments I’ve taken that are fully based on self-reported opinions or preferences. Don’t get me wrong, self-report items are useful and I’ve developed and tested them in academic research, but I also know their limitations, and it’s one of the reasons I found the HAB so unique. The assessment is also based on decades of research into human abilities and is built on the idea that each person has a unique pattern of natural aptitudes. The abilities measured include:
Visual speed and accuracy
Working with numbers and patterns
Inductive and analytical reasoning
Structural visualization
Verbal aptitude
Idea generation
Memory
Musical aptitude
The assessment results include a set of (very!) detailed reports outlining each ability, ability combinations and patterns, and connections to career options that align with those patterns. After completing the assessment, you also have a debrief with a Highlands Consultant (that would be me) to talk through all of the results and resources.
Why I Chose to Become HAB Certified
I’ve worked in quite a few different careers and environments, largely driven by my interests. What I like about the Highlands Ability Battery is the ability to reflect on all of that by answering a question I’m not sure I have always given enough thought:
"What am I naturally good at?"
As I know all too well from my career information-seeking research, many people make educational and career decisions based on interests, perceptions, and expectations from others about what they “should” do. Those things do have an impact and are reasons for the Highlands Whole Person Model. Understanding your natural abilities adds another important piece to the puzzle because it centers you. Your career will likely take up a lot of your time, and I believe you’ll be more satisfied if you can confidently evaluate how you will spend that time.
The HAB doesn't tell you what you must do with your life. Instead, it provides objective information about how you're wired, giving you a deeper understanding of environments, tasks, and career paths that may align well with your strengths.
Who Can Benefit from the HAB?
I believe the Highlands Ability Battery can be especially valuable for:
High School Students
Students who are beginning to think about college majors, careers, and future possibilities may have limited exposure to the wide variety of options out there. The HAB can help them center natural abilities in the decision-making process alongside interests and logistical factors like estimated salaries and education requirements.
College Students
If you're questioning your major, exploring alternatives, or preparing for life after graduation, understanding your natural abilities can help guide your next steps. Honestly, even if you’re all set with your major and what you want to do next, the HAB can help affirm that choice and help you consider things to evaluate in future work environments within that field. (I was one of those “all set” students as an undergrad, and I learned some things from my HAB that definitely would have helped with my post-graduate career decisions on more than one occasion!)
Recent Graduates
Many new graduates discover that their first career choice isn't quite what they expected (that was me a few years into career #1, so I can relate!) The HAB can help identify strengths that may point toward other opportunities or career directions.
Professionals Considering a Career Change
If you're feeling stuck, burned out, or uncertain about your current path (and I’ve been there too, more than once), the assessment can provide a fresh perspective on work that may be a better fit.
Why the Debrief Matters
The real value of the assessment comes from understanding what the results mean for your life and career.
As a Certified Highlands Ability Battery Consultant, I'll guide you through a personalized debrief of your results. Together, we'll explore:
Your strongest natural abilities
How those abilities show up in school, work, and everyday life
Resources to learn about potential career paths aligned with your strengths
Learning and communication preferences
Practical next steps for career exploration and decision-making
The reports are incredibly comprehensive, but also a lot to take in. My goal through the debrief is to help you turn the information into actionable insights that support confident, informed decisions.
Ready to Learn More?
Whether you're a student trying to choose a major, a recent graduate exploring career options, or a professional considering a change, the Highlands Ability Battery can provide valuable insight into your natural strengths and potential career fit.
If you're interested in scheduling a Highlands Ability Battery assessment and personalized debrief session, I'd love to talk with you.
Contact me through Stark Career Coaching to learn more or schedule your assessment today.
I believe understanding yourself gives you a solid foundation for whatever path(s) you choose throughout your life. The Highlands Ability Battery is designed to help you do exactly that.