u/DurianDear6644

Finely beat this one detonator race after half a decade of trying.

For a while, my MBTI test results kept bouncing around between types like ESTP, ENTP, ESFP, and ENFP. At first I kept trying to figure out which test result was “right,” but eventually I realized that relying on tests alone was probably the wrong method.

Tests are useful as a starting point, but they depend heavily on how you interpret the questions. If you answer based on “I can do this sometimes” instead of “I naturally default to this,” the results can get inflated. Mood, current interests, and over-endorsing traits can also change the result.

So instead, I started looking at the cognitive functions directly and comparing them to real examples from my life. Basically, I compared each function pair and asked which one I default to more.

For Se vs Si, Se made more sense. I’m usually more aware of the external environment than my internal body state or routine. I notice where people are, what is happening around me, physical details, movement, sounds, layout, and what I can react to in the moment. Si seems weaker because I can ignore internal needs like hunger, thirst, or sleep until they become obvious.

For Ti vs Te, Ti made more sense. I usually understand the logic internally before I explain it. In school, I didn’t like “show your work” situations because the answer and reasoning already made sense in my head. I often jump straight to the conclusion because the internal model is already complete. I can use Te when I need measurements, checklists, benchmarks, or practical comparisons, but Ti feels more natural.

For Fe vs Fi, Fe made more sense. In social situations, I often prioritize external harmony first. I might go along with something, agree to avoid friction, or adjust to the group even if internally I’m not fully aligned. Fi is definitely there, because afterward I can feel uncomfortable if I ignored what I actually wanted. But in the moment, I usually notice and respond to the social field first.

For Ne vs Ni, Ne is stronger than Ni. I do a lot of what-if scenarios, branch into possibilities, and like keeping options open. But I don’t think Ne is my dominant function, because in actual real-life situations I seem to start with the external situation first: what’s happening, where people are, what I can observe, and what I can react to. The branching often comes after that.

After looking at all of that, Se–Ti–Fe–Ni makes the most sense to me, so ESTP seems like the best fit.

I think this is why self-typing can be more useful than just taking tests. Actual self-typing forces you to pull up real examples, compare behavior across situations, and ask what you naturally default to. Tests can point you somewhere, but they can’t replace actually understanding the functions and checking them against your own life.