Imposter Syndrome Test: Am I a Fraud? (Free Assessment)
Personality
Take this free Imposter Syndrome Test (based on the Clance Scale) to measure the severity of your self-doubt. Understand your feelings of fraudulence and find strategies to thrive.
You just gave a flawless presentation, but instead of pride, you feel relief—you fooled them one more time. You hold a degree or a senior title, yet you live with a low-level hum of anxiety that today might be the day everyone realizes you don’t actually know what you’re doing.
If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. This phenomenon affects high achievers across every industry, from graduate students to CEOs.
The Imposter Syndrome Test is designed to help you stop guessing and start understanding. By measuring the intensity of these feelings, you can separate "healthy humility" from debilitating self-doubt and take the first step toward owning your success.
Living with unchecked imposter feelings is like driving with the handbrake on—you can still move forward, but it takes twice the effort and causes unnecessary wear and tear.
This assessment digs beneath the surface of "confidence" to explore the specific thought patterns that define the Impostor Phenomenon (IP). It is not about whether you are actually competent (you likely are); it is about your inability to internalize that competence.
You might be asking yourself:
This test provides a mirror to answer those questions.
This test is grounded in the pioneering work of Dr. Pauline Rose Clance, who identified the phenomenon in high-achieving women in the 1970s. While not a clinical diagnosis, the framework used here is widely respected in organizational psychology for identifying the severity of impostorism.
We analyze your responses across three scientifically validated dimensions:
The test consists of 20 questions and takes approximately 5 minutes to complete.
Tip: Answer based on how you feel internally, not how you act externally. If you feel terrified but look calm, answer based on the terror.
We use a weighted scoring engine that sums your responses (1–7 scale) to place you into a specific severity band. We do not just give you a number; we give you a profile.
This test is especially helpful if you:
Please consider seeking professional help instead if:
We believe that data without context is useless. Your result page will provide a compassionate, detailed narrative of where you stand on the spectrum.
Your result will fall into one of these four authoritative categories:
Your report will also include:
A high score does not mean you are "broken." In fact, high impostor scores often correlate with high intelligence and high achievement. The result is simply a snapshot of your current relationship with yourself.
We will guide you on how to start small—like learning to say a simple "Thank you" without explanation—and how to move toward long-term professional confidence.
Educational Use Only: This test is designed for self-exploration and educational purposes. It describes patterns of thinking and behavior commonly associated with Imposter Syndrome.
Not a Diagnosis: This tool is not a clinical diagnostic instrument and does not replace professional mental health evaluation. Imposter Syndrome is not a disorder listed in the DSM-5.
Seek Help: If you are experiencing severe anxiety, depression, or distress that interferes with your daily life, please contact a licensed mental health professional or a crisis support service in your area.
You view your achievements as a natural reflection of your effort and ability, allowing you to work with a clear and grounded mind.
You have a generally solid professional identity, but new challenges or high-stakes moments often trigger a 'who am I to be here?' response.
You likely spend a significant amount of energy 'managing' the fear of being found out, often working harder than necessary to prove your worth.