It sounds like you may have taken an MMPI-2 or similar test. I don't think you cheated or manipulated the test by stopping to think about your answers or even by trying to paint yourself in a better light.

They expect people to think about the answers. But some people over-think, getting all tied up in knots and upset trying to answer just right. That's what they want people to avoid. Maybe you took the directions about not thinking a little bit too literally the last time and your answers were so random you sounded like your mood was wildly swinging during the test.

If all you did this time was take time to consider the questions in a way that's most effective for your learning style, then you did not manipulate or cheat. And if you tried to sway the test a certain way to make yourself look better, it's no big deal. The test takes that into consideration.