Reviewed October 27, 2026
The Highlands Ability Battery and Johnson O’Connor Research Foundation testing both explore aptitudes through performance-based tasks. The practical choice comes down to the abilities you want to explore, how you prefer to complete the assessment, and the interpretation and support you want afterward.
Highlands offers online testing through a consultant. Johnson O’Connor provides testing at its centers, using both digital and individually administered tasks. Neither assessment can make your career decision for you. The useful question is: Which approach will help you make the decision you face?
Our relationship: The Career Profiler owns TestEts, which sells Highlands assessments and profile packages. Clients coming through The Career Profiler work with career profiling expert Marjorie Wall Hofer. This comparison explains service differences; it is not an independent ranking of test accuracy.
Compare the two approaches
Provider details were checked on October 27, 2026. On a narrow screen, scroll across the chart.
| What to compare | Highlands Ability Battery | Johnson O’Connor |
|---|---|---|
| Taking the assessment | Online, timed work samples. You can complete separate work samples in different sittings. | At a testing center, with digital tasks and individual administration using specialized equipment. |
| Time to allow | About three hours for the battery; interpretation is additional. | About five to six hours of testing, followed by a separate results appointment. |
| Scope | Work samples explore patterns in abilities such as reasoning, memory and spatial visualization. | Includes reasoning, spatial, musical and dexterity aptitudes, with personality and interest assessments also included. |
| Reports and interpretation | Ability reports with consultant interpretation. Career, student or leadership reports depend on the package purchased. | An interactive digital report, a results consultation and an optional follow-up consultation within the first year. |
| What to confirm | Included reports, video or consultation format, consultation time and any additional assessments. | Center availability, appointment arrangements and the abilities relevant to your question. |
Sources: Highlands’ assessment overview and Johnson O’Connor’s testing FAQ. Check the provider’s current information before booking; arrangements can change.
When Highlands may suit you
Consider Highlands if completing an assessment online is important to you, or if you want to explore abilities as one part of a broader profile. A package can bring ability findings together with other information, such as interests or personality preferences, depending on what you select.
With The Career Profiler, Marjorie interprets the findings with you and relates them to your goal. Some packages use step-by-step video interpretation followed by a comprehensive consultation; others debrief the results through consultations alone. Those are package choices, not different promises about the accuracy of the battery.
When Johnson O’Connor may suit you
Consider Johnson O’Connor if you prefer testing at a center or want to discuss its hands-on dexterity measures alongside its other assessments. If a particular ability matters to you, ask the center what is measured and how the findings may inform exploration. A career-guidance assessment is not a professional licensing or job-qualification test.
Choose the support, not just the test
Ask what you will leave the interpretation session understanding. A report may suggest work activities or environments to explore; you still need to weigh your interests, values, experience, training requirements and circumstances.
Illustrative example: If you enjoy design, “design” is still too broad a career choice. A useful discussion would examine whether you are drawn to visual communication, physical structures, research or client work, then explore the different tasks and training involved. An aptitude result contributes to that discussion; it does not settle it.
Ask each provider:
- Which reports and interpretation sessions are included?
- How will we connect the findings to my actual decision?
- What happens if a result surprises me or I need more clarification?
- What support is included, and what would be a separate purchase?
Compare packages and current prices
For Highlands options, Find My Profile Package. The comparison page shows assessment coverage and debrief formats; current prices appear on the linked TestEts product pages. For Johnson O’Connor’s fee and scheduling arrangements, use its current testing information.
Once you buy and complete your chosen profile package with The Career Profiler, decide your next step at the final profile consultation. If Targeting or Landing is appropriate, those next phases involve coaching sessions with Marjorie. The plan and any further coaching are discussed with you, rather than assumed to be included in every package.
Questions before choosing? Request a free 30-minute consultation to clarify the process. For a closer look at interpretation, read what happens in a career test consultation.