Digital Scan Vs Full Scan – Accuracy, Scoring, And Use Cases

This article clarifies common questions about the DNA Digital Scan and DNA Full Scan, including accuracy levels, scoring methods, interpretation of traits, and appropriate use cases. It is intended to support advisors, clients, and internal teams when explaining results and setting expectations.

1. How accurate is the DNA Digital Scan compared to the Full Scan?

Short answer: The Digital Scan is directionally accurate, while the Full Scan is diagnostically accurate.

The DNA Digital Scan is, on average, 70–75% accurate, and in some cases may be higher.
The DNA Full Scan has a validated accuracy of 97.1%.

The difference is expected. The Full Scan requires personal completion by the individual, allowing deeper psychometric validation. The Digital Scan uses indirect data inputs and machine learning to infer behavioral patterns, which makes it faster and easier to deploy, but inherently less precise.

Assessment	Accuracy	Method
Digital Scan	70–75% (sometimes higher)	AI-powered analysis without personal completion
Full Scan	97.1%	Requires personal completion by the individual

Over time, as machine learning models are trained on more data, the accuracy of the Digital Scan will continue to improve. However, it is not expected to ever fully match the accuracy of the Full Scan.

2. Why did one report show 80% accuracy while another showed different scores?

This difference comes down to how scores are represented, not a contradiction in results.

Some comparison reports show results using psychometric T-scores, which are population-weighted and displayed on a 20–80 scale.
The Work Talents report converts these same T-scores into Population Percentages (%) for easier interpretation.

An “80% accurate” reference is derived from these T-score comparisons, not from a separate accuracy model. Both formats are mathematically consistent—they are simply two ways of expressing the same underlying data.

3. What is the difference between T-scores and Population %?

T-scores (20–80 range) are a standard psychometric scoring method that shows how far an individual deviates from the population mean.
Population % translates that same score into a percentile ranking (e.g., higher than X% of the population).

DNA Behavior uses both formats:

T-scores for technical validation and report comparisons.
Population % for client-facing reports where clarity and ease of understanding are critical.

4. How should I interpret Results traits vs Relationship traits?

This is a common point of confusion.

The Digital Scan may identify someone as an Influencer style, meaning they are naturally strong at connecting with people to achieve outcomes.
Influencers often excel in outside sales roles, where building rapport is a means to drive results.

However, in DNA Behavior:

Relationships are specifically measured through Patience and Empathy.
Roles such as inside sales and customer support tend to score higher on formal Relationship traits.
Outside sales professionals often score higher on Results-oriented traits, even though they are highly personable.

Trait	What It Measures	Typical High Scorers
Results	Drive to achieve outcomes, influence, promotion	Outside sales professionals, entrepreneurs, leaders
Relationships	Patience, empathy, interpersonal connection	Customer support, inside sales, care-focused roles

So, someone can be very effective at connecting with people for sales outcomes without scoring highly on Relationship traits as formally defined in the model.

5. Why might an Influencer score lower on Relationship traits?

Because the intent of the interaction matters.

Influencers connect with people to move things forward, create momentum, and achieve outcomes.
Relationship traits (Patience and Empathy) reflect comfort with ongoing support, listening, and long-term relationship maintenance.

This distinction helps explain why:

Outside sales professionals are often predicted accurately as strong connectors for sales.
Support-oriented roles score higher on Relationship traits.

Both styles are valuable. they simply serve different purposes.

6. When should the Digital Scan be used vs the Full Scan?

Use the DNA Digital Scan when:

Engaging clients early in the relationship
Starting meaningful behavioral conversations
Supporting marketing, discovery, and engagement
Speed and scale are more important than precision

Use the DNA Full Scan when:

Making high-stakes decisions (hiring, promotion, role fit, succession planning)
Designing long-term development or coaching programs
Accuracy and validation are critical

Use Case	Recommended Tool	Rationale
Client engagement, initial insights, team discussions	Digital Scan	Fast, accessible, provides valuable directional data
High-stakes decisions (hiring, promotion, critical development)	Full Scan	Maximum accuracy required for important outcomes
Validation of Digital Scan results	Full Scan	Confirm or refine initial Digital Scan findings

DNA Behavior is explicit with clients: Digital Scan for engagement, Full Scan for decisions.

7. How does identity validation affect accuracy?

The Full Scan requires personal completion and identity validation, which significantly enhances accuracy and reliability.
The Digital Scan relies on inferred data and does not have the same level of identity confirmation.

This is another reason the Full Scan achieves materially higher accuracy and is the recommended option for decision-making contexts.

8. Key takeaway

The Digital Scan is a powerful engagement and insight tool.
The Full Scan is the gold standard for validated behavioral assessment.
Differences in scoring formats and trait interpretation are intentional and grounded in psychometric science.

When used in the right context, both scans play an important and complementary role in delivering meaningful behavioral insights.

For further questions or client-specific guidance, please contact the DNA Behavior team.