Gallup Test – Finding Your Strengths with the CliftonStrengths® Assessment (Guide)

"Gallup Test" is the common umbrella term for the CliftonStrengths® assessment from the US research institute Gallup. This guide answers all the questions that come up most often in our intake calls: *What is the Gallup Test? What does it cost? Is it available in English? Is the result worth it for my career? Where is the best place to take it?*

What is the Gallup Test?

Strictly speaking, "[Gallup Test](/gallup-test?lang=en)" is a simplification. Gallup is not a single test, but a research institute that offers several assessments. When people say "Gallup Test", they almost always mean the CliftonStrengths® test (formerly StrengthsFinder 2.0). It is by far the best-known Gallup assessment for individuals.

The test goes back to Donald O. Clifton, the founder of strengths psychology. His core question in the 1950s was revolutionary: *what happens if we focus on strengths instead of weaknesses?* From decades of research with more than 2 million interviews, the 34-talent catalogue emerged, which is now used worldwide.

Other well-known Gallup assessments include the Q12® employee engagement index (see Gallup assessments: CliftonStrengths® & Q12 at a glance) – but these are primarily used in enterprise contexts.

What does the Gallup CliftonStrengths® test measure?

The test measures 34 talent themes – recurring patterns in thinking, feeling and acting. Examples:

• Strategic: you quickly see patterns and paths to the goal.

• Empathy: you sense what others feel before they say it.

• Achiever: you regularly need visible results.

• Connectedness: you believe in meaning, context and the bigger picture.

• Activator: you bring movement into stuck situations.

The themes are not hierarchically better or worse. They describe your individual mix. Deeper: The 34 CliftonStrengths® talent themes explained.

How does the test work?

You take the test online. It consists of 177 paired items – two short statements each between which you choose. You only have 20 seconds per pair. This is by design: it's about intuitive, not considered answers. Total time is 30–45 minutes, no breaks.

Tips for taking the test:

• Plan an undisturbed block (phone off, door closed).

• Be honest – not "the way you'd like to be", but *the way you actually tick*.

• When wavering between two statements: go with your gut. That's exactly what the test measures.

Is the Gallup Test available in English?

Yes. The test is offered in over 20 languages, including English (and German, French, Spanish). The Gallup Strengths Center platform is in English; the questionnaire and your result report are available in your chosen language. You pick the language before you start.

Important: the localised theme names sometimes differ noticeably from the English original. For comparisons with international literature it's useful to know both versions.

What does the Gallup Test cost?

Two main variants directly at Gallup Strengths Center:

• Top 5 Strengths: approx. USD 24.99. Your five most important themes with short descriptions. A good entry point.

• Top 34 / All 34 Strengths: approx. USD 59.99–89.99. All 34 themes in order plus a personal insights report. Our clear recommendation for serious work.

• Upgrade Top 5 → Top 34: possible, you only pay the difference.

As part of a strengths coaching at PurposeCoach® the Top 34 code is included – plus a personal debrief by a certified Gallup Strengths Coach®. Details: /coaching.

Where do you take the test? – the trustworthy source

Order exclusively directly from Gallup: https://www.gallupstrengthscenter.com. Payment by credit card. You receive an access code by email and can start immediately.

Watch out – common traps:

• Third-party providers with "discount codes" are often unauthorised. In the worst case, your result isn't valid.

• Free "Gallup tests" on the internet are not official tests. They only use the name.

• Used codes don't work – every code is personalised and single-use.

When is the Gallup Test especially worthwhile?

The test unfolds its greatest impact in phases of reorientation:

• Career change or promotion: you need to know *how you have impact* to choose the right role. More in the Find Your Purpose guide.

• Stepping into leadership: new leaders benefit enormously from understanding their own way of having impact precisely. Deeper: Strengths-based leadership with CliftonStrengths®.

• Team development: when a team takes the test together, differences become explainable rather than annoying. Practice: CliftonStrengths® in team coaching.

• Stuck in your job: if you've felt for months that you're "living below your potential", the test gives precise language to that gut feeling.

• Burnout prevention: identify energy drains before they become chronic.

What does the result concretely bring?

Three typical aha moments we see in coaching again and again:

1. "I finally understand why that one task exhausts me so much." When your top talents sit in *Strategic Thinking* but your job is primarily *operational*, the constant tiredness isn't a discipline problem. It's a fit signal.

2. "So that isn't a weakness – it's just not my lever." Ignoring themes at #30–34 is usually wiser than desperately trying to "improve" them. Greater impact comes from leveraging strengths, not repairing weaknesses.

3. "Now I finally understand my colleague." Someone with "Harmony" at #1 thinks about conflict differently than someone with "Activator" at #1. Both are right – they're just *different*.

The Gallup Test alone is often not enough – the values layer

The Gallup Test tells you how you tick. It doesn't tell you what for you burn. For full clarity you need a second layer: your values and motives. In our practice we therefore often combine CliftonStrengths® with Profilingvalues – a values-based assessment built on Hartman's axiology.

This combination answers the two questions real purpose work needs:

• *Where does my natural way of having impact lie?* (Gallup / CliftonStrengths®)

• *What do I want to use this impact for?* (Profilingvalues)

Deeper: Find your purpose with CliftonStrengths® and Profilingvalues and The Leadership Bundle.

Checklist: how to get the most out of your Gallup Test

1. Order Top 34 (not Top 5) – only then will you see your energy drains too.

2. Take the test in one sitting and without distraction.

3. Read the report twice, second time with a pen.

4. Keep a strengths diary for 4 weeks – note 3 flow moments daily.

5. Debrief with a certified coach – reading the result alone leaves 60–70% of the value on the table.

6. Derive 3 concrete decisions (e.g. tasks you hand off; tasks you pull towards you).

The Gallup Test in Switzerland – what you need to know

• There are currently around 60 certified Gallup Strengths Coaches® in Switzerland – still a very exclusive group.

• Official certification runs directly through Gallup (USA) and is multi-step.

• At PurposeCoach®, Philipp Fuchs works as a certified Gallup Strengths Coach® (SBC) and specialises in translating results into German-speaking professional life.

• Coaching hourly rate in CH: typically CHF 180–280. Packages including the Top 34 code are usually cheaper than individual bookings.

FAQ – Gallup Test

How long is the result valid? For life. Talents are very stable; the order only changes marginally over years.

Can I debrief the test on my own without a coach? Yes – Gallup delivers detailed written reports. But: translating into decisions is what makes the difference. On your own, you typically capture about 30–40% of the potential.

Are there studies on effectiveness? Yes, extensive. Gallup has studied more than 1.8 million employees in meta-analyses. Core result: strengths-focused teams have significantly higher engagement, less turnover and better performance.

What if my result surprises me? Often the case. Some top talents are so "normalised" by your environment that you no longer notice them as special. This is exactly where good coaching starts.

Conclusion – is the Gallup Test worth it?

If you're ready to seriously use the result and not just consume it, the Gallup CliftonStrengths® test is one of the best investments in self-knowledge you can make – in terms of effort (45 min + CHF 80) versus insight (usable for decades).

Want to take the test with a professional debrief? At PurposeCoach® the Top 34 code is included in the strengths coaching. Book your free 30-min consultation with Philipp Fuchs (cert. Gallup Strengths Coach® / SBC): book free consultation.