#1 I don't know what tests you've done, but if you're not working with a professional and validating off the official MBTI, I'd say you're getting your money's worth. Although in actual fact, a process of self-discovery is the very best method of determining one's own type, because then you OWN every single aspect of it. What you're lacking is Type Confidence, and a self-discovery process is the only way to get that. (And yes, you may consider this a shameless self-promotion, since I offer structured self-discovery programs over the phone.)

#2 To take the folly a step further, what I can't tell is what *part* of math you suck at. If you suck at the Sensing aspects of Math, then of course that's appropriate to INTJ, since Sensing is the furthest from consciousness, or most inferior process for them. Meaning if they have to record it all on paper and do't miss the decimal point -- that's an invitation to suffering. On the other hand, my INTJ husband is doing math nearly all the time -- automatically calculating how soon we have to walk out the door, or what flight reservation can be juggled for the optimum efficiency, and the number of angels that can dance on the head of a pin (well, it seems like that to me sometimes). So beware of what you define as "math."

Bottomline: INTJs are constantly doing "math" of some sort, albeit in a practical way; if you don't tend to do that, chances are good you are mis-typed.

Hope this helps,
-Vicky Jo ;-)

Hi John,


First of all, I'm sorry to hear about the nasty experiences that you had at school with your teacher. There are some real creeps around with some despicable attitudes and habits. I think that it is very brave of you to continue on with your education after such an experience, that must have taken a lot of strength. I am also an INTJ, and I am also terrible at most types of maths (actually, all that I can think of). You see, the problem with maths skills also is that they need to be built upon like building blocks. If you miss one part of the learning process, you won't be able to progress any further. This is quite different to the arts or at least linguistic subjects in the sense that it is quite easy to simply catch up even if you don't have the foundation. I also didn't study maths for very long, actually I pulled out of maths class after Year 10 because I hated it so much and I found it so boring. I also encountered the same problem as you when I did psychology for one year at university and it became apparent very quickly that I simply didn't have a sufficient mathematical background to continue with the degree (there are a lot of statistics units in a psych. degree). So anyway, I decided to do Criminology instead because it was a related field (still in the social sciences) so maybe you could find a field that is still related to what you like doing and are interested in that doesn't involve so much maths? Maybe try asking a careers councellor at a university for help and explain that you don't have much of a background in maths; these people are trained to help you find a suitable career and have far more knowledge about what is around than most people. Don't be afraid to ask for help :)

Good luck!


- Peta