Values in Action (VIA) Character Strengths Survey — Discover Your Top Character Strengths
Identifies 24 core character strengths such as kindness, curiosity, and leadership through scenario-based multiple-choice questions.
The Values in Action (VIA) Character Strengths Survey is a practical, scenario-based quiz designed to identify your core character strengths such as kindness, curiosity, leadership, perseverance, and self-regulation. This professionally crafted VIA-style assessment helps you understand which of the 24 character strengths shape your behavior, motivations, and interpersonal style. By answering concrete, situational multiple-choice questions, you get a clear, actionable snapshot of your strengths profile.
Using the test_name and category_name approach, this VIA survey emphasizes real-world scenarios and clear response options to produce reliable insights. Whether you're exploring personal development, improving relationships, or aligning career choices with your values, this Values in Action Character Strengths Survey gives SEO-optimized, research-informed feedback and practical next steps to apply your strengths in daily life and work.
When a friend is upset, you naturally step in to help without expecting anything in return.
Assess your tendency toward kindness and compassion in interpersonal situations.
You actively seek new ideas, ask questions, and enjoy learning about unfamiliar topics.
Measures curiosity and love of learning.
When faced with a difficult task you don’t give up until you finish or improve it substantially.
Evaluates persistence and grit.
You prefer to make decisions that align with your values even when it would be easier not to.
Assesses integrity and honesty.
In groups you often take on an organizing or leadership role to help achieve shared goals.
Measures leadership and responsibility.
You notice small signs of beauty or excellence in everyday life and feel moved by them.
Assesses appreciation of beauty and excellence.
When something goes wrong because of someone else, you tend to forgive and move forward rather than holding a grudge.
Evaluates forgiveness and mercy.
You can manage impulses and stay disciplined even when distractions or temptations arise.
Measures self-regulation and prudence.
You find humor in everyday situations and use it to lift mood and build connection.
Assesses humor and lightheartedness.
You show fairness and impartiality when resolving disputes or making decisions that affect others.
Measures fairness, justice, and impartiality.
When working on a project, you regularly step back to consider different perspectives and long-term implications.
Assesses perspective and wisdom.
You express gratitude often, letting people know when you appreciate their help or presence.
Evaluates gratitude and appreciation.
In unfamiliar or risky situations you act with courage rather than avoiding the challenge.
Measures bravery and courage.
You often build deep, meaningful relationships and prioritize emotional closeness with loved ones.
Assesses love and social connectedness.
You adapt plans prudently and avoid unnecessary risks, thinking through consequences before acting.
Evaluates prudence and careful planning.
You volunteer time or resources to support causes and people you believe in.
Measures civic responsibility and generosity.
When you make a mistake you admit it openly and try to make amends.
Assesses humility and honesty about personal faults.
You look for the good in the future and set optimistic goals even when facing setbacks.
Measures hope and optimism.
You routinely reflect on moral and spiritual questions that give your life meaning.
Assesses spirituality or sense of purpose.
You are creative in finding new solutions to problems and enjoy experimenting with novel approaches.
Evaluates creativity and originality.
You are emotionally aware of others and can read social cues to respond appropriately.
Measures social intelligence and empathy.
You maintain physical energy and enthusiasm, approaching tasks with vitality and zest.
Assesses zest and vitality in daily activities.
You prioritize lifelong learning and often pursue new skills or knowledge for personal growth.
Evaluates love of learning beyond formal settings.
You are comfortable admitting you don’t know something and actively seek other viewpoints to learn.
Assesses open-mindedness and intellectual humility.
Frequently asked questions
The VIA Character Strengths Survey is a scientifically informed assessment that identifies 24 positive character strengths—such as kindness, curiosity, leadership, and perseverance—through self-report items. This quiz uses scenario-based multiple-choice questions to highlight which strengths are most prominent in your behavior.
This short VIA-style survey with 24 scenario-based items typically takes 5–10 minutes to complete, depending on how much time you spend reflecting on each question.
Results are calculated by summing the values assigned to your selected options across all questions. The total score indicates the overall presence of character strengths (range 0–48). We provide interpretive ranges (emerging, balanced, high) plus practical recommendations to develop or apply strengths.
Yes—retaking the survey after 4–8 weeks is encouraged to track development. Use the feedback and suggested exercises to practice targeted strengths between attempts and observe changes over time.
This survey is inspired by the VIA framework and designed to provide accessible, scenario-based insight into the 24 character strengths. For the full validated VIA Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS) and detailed ranked profiles, consider taking the official VIA assessment through the VIA Institute.
Use your top strengths to select roles, projects, and relationships that align with what energizes you. For lower-scoring strengths, set small, measurable practices (e.g., gratitude journal, deliberate acts of kindness, curiosity-driven weekly learning) and track progress in a journal. Apply strengths in daily routines for sustained change.
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