Each scale has nine (9) different possible values ranging from one (1) to nine (9), with whole number increments in between. A value of "1" represents the strongest, or most extreme description of the Trait on the left side of the scale; a value of "9" represents the strongest, or most extreme description of the Trait on the right side of the scale. For example, on the Introverted-Extroverted Scale, the value of "1" is "Extremely Introverted", the value of "9" is "Extremely Extroverted".
Halfway between the two extremes is the value of "5", which indicates "Not Extroverted" and "Not Introverted", or another interpretation: "Half way between an Extreme Introvert and an Extreme Extrovert". One could conclude that the person may draw some from each trait, but will probably not exhibit extreme examples of either.
The 9 point scale provides three distinct groups of three values. Values of 1-3 indicate the person could be generally described as the Trait on the left side of the scale, Values of 7-9 indicate the person could be generally described as the Trait on the right side of the scale. For example, an Applicant with a value of "7" on the Introverted-Extroverted Scale, would be generally described as an Extrovert. If the position for which they are applying requires an extroverted personality, this would indicate the Applicant would be considered an Extrovert. If however, the applicant had a Value of "2" or "3", then they may not have enough of that trait to fulfill the job requirement of an Extroverted person.
The center Trait group is the 4-6 range which indicates the Applicant is somewhere in between the 2 primary Trait extremes. A "4" or "6" value just indicates a subtle tendency that the Applicant may lean slightly toward one Trait or the other, but is still not strongly that way.
There are many cases where the position may require some degree of an Extroverted, or an "outgoing" personality, but too much might become a problem. An extreme personality may appear too "pushy", for example, and while that is an outstanding trait for some jobs, it becomes a liability for others. This is why the Hire Success System allows each employer to test the traits of the most and least successful employees in a particular position and develop a "Baseline" trait range for each of the scales. Consult the section on Using Baseline Files for more information.