Amstrad Action


The Real You?
By Collins
Amstrad CPC464

 
Published in Amstrad Action #6

The Real You?

Are you the sort of person that just can't resist filling in silly questionnaires in the Sunday colour supplements? Have you got a burning desire to know more about the inner you? Are you worried about any problems you've been having lately? Do people who keep asking rhetorical questions in print really get on your nerves? If so, then take a look at this program because it may bring to life any of those interests and a few others too.

The program consists of a series of tests which analyse different areas of your life and interests and attempt to draw conclusions about the sort of person you are. It isn't a home course in psychology but it may give insights into yourself or even the occasional laugh with some of the more lighthearted tests. There are six main sections which are subdivided into 16 sub-groups, each one dealing with a different aspect of your life.

The tests load in two parts, three tests in each, any of which can then be selected or re-selected. Each test is made up of a series of questions which have to be answered in a multiple choice fashion with the computer doing all the scoring. The answers are picked using the joystick or keys to indicate a box on the screen or very occasionally to type in a word or number. The answers take different formats though - sometimes they will be simple yes or no choices, ratings out of ten, indications of how strongly you feel or a choice between several different things.

The tests can be performed in any order and can be retaken if you decide to change some of your answers. Remember, though, that you aren't trying to get a high score at everything, just find out "who" you are. At the end of the test, you're given a score and by comparing this with the ratings and information in the instruction booklet you can find out what sort of person the computer thinks you are.

All the tests are well put together and very informative and, if taken honestly, can be very interesting: not just in their conclusions but by making you think about issues and problems you might otherwise unconsciously avoid. The first three sections are work, intellect and personality.

"Work" is sub-grouped into satisfaction and potential with the conclusions showing whether you are basically satisfied with your job (presuming you've got one!) and what prospects there are for you in the future. These are very much aimed at the office worker and executive though: it isn't a general career guide of what will be a good job for you, more an assessment of management potential.

"Intellect" is split into three sections: IQ, thinker and brain. The first of these tries to discover your IQ with a series of tests and puzzles. Thinker tries to find out whether you are a pragmatist, realist, idealist and all the other-ists: in other words, your thinking style. Brain tries to discover whether you are left or right brain dominated and hence whether you are artistic or scientific.

"Personality" examines your self consciousness and acceptance. The former tries to discover your private and public self-consciousness, your social anxiety and general self-consciousness. Acceptance looks at your need for social acceptance or whether you're happier as a loner. "Lovelife" gives your relationships and sex the once over to see whether a relationship is likely to survive or how satisfied you are sexually.

"Anxiety" has three sections: stress, your body and fear. This gets to the bottom of all that worrying we do, whether you're satisfied with your body and what you're afraid of, taking tests for example. The last section is "Views", which has four sub groups: morals, politics, hi-tech and snob. These attempt to tell you how strong your moral values are, what your politics are, whether you're in touch with technology and whether you're a snob. The last of these is a very entertaining section with plenty of funny questions and answers.

As with most tests of this nature, it shouldn't be taken too seriously, but it is very entertaining and does give valuable insights. You may find it doesn't tell you anything about yourself that you didn't already know but it should make you think about many things and have a good time doing it.

Second Opinion

Well, I'm not someone who ever does Sunday supplement quizzes. Not, I hasten to add, because I'm a snob - I just can't be bothered. But taking the trouble with this program proved worth the effort. It's always amusing, if not to be taken too seriously.

Good News

P. Six tests split into sixteen sections. P. Both serious insight and entertainment can be achieved. P. Each test is very thorough. P. The questions cover many subjects and will make you think hard.

Bad News

N. Loads in two sections. N. May not tell you anything you don't already know.