Imposter Syndrome Test: Do You Feel Like a Fraud? (Free)

What This Test Measures

Imposter syndrome is the persistent feeling that you are not as competent as others think, and that you will one day be “found out”, despite evidence of your success. This test measures how strongly you experience it and breaks it into four patterns:

Pattern	What it sounds like in your head
Fear of being found out	“Any day now, they will realise I do not belong here.”
Discounting success	“I only got that because I was lucky.”
Perfectionism	“If it is not flawless, it is a failure.”
Comparing yourself	“Everyone else here is so much better than me.”

How The Test Works And How It Is Scored

You rate 20 statements, five for each pattern, from “Strongly disagree” to “Strongly agree”. Four are reversed, such as “I feel confident that I deserve my successes”.

Each answer scores 0 to 4. Your overall score and each pattern are shown as percentages.

Overall score	Result
0% to 30%	Few imposter feelings
31% to 50%	Moderate imposter feelings
51% to 70%	Frequent imposter feelings
71% to 100%	Intense imposter feelings

Sample statement (Discounting success): “When I get a good result, I think the task must have been easy.” Strong agreement adds 4 points.

All statements were written by PrismaTest. They follow published research but are not taken from the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale.

The Research Behind It

Psychologists Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes described the “impostor phenomenon” in 1978, based on their work with high-achieving women. Later research found it affects people of every gender, background and profession. A 2020 review by Dena Bravata and colleagues estimated that between 9% and 82% of people in various studies reported imposter feelings, with high rates among students, doctors and people starting new roles.

Clance and Imes described it as an experience, not a disorder. The popular term “imposter syndrome” can make it sound like a diagnosis, but it is not one. Research does link strong imposter feelings with anxiety, burnout and reluctance to apply for promotions.

Some researchers also point out that imposter feelings are sometimes a reasonable response to environments where people are excluded or underestimated, so the solution is not only individual mindset but also more inclusive workplaces.

All Possible Results

Few Imposter Feelings

You generally own your successes and can accept praise.

Moderate Imposter Feelings

Occasional doubts, especially in new situations. A record of your wins helps.

Frequent Imposter Feelings

Regular self-doubt that may drive overwork. Target your highest pattern.

Intense Imposter Feelings

Strong and persistent feelings that may hold you back. Support from a mentor or therapist can help.

Practical Ways To Quiet Imposter Feelings

Collect evidence. Keep a folder of positive feedback and achievements.
Talk about it. Most people you admire have felt the same; saying so out loud reduces its power.
Reframe mistakes as part of learning rather than proof you do not belong.
Separate feelings from facts. Feeling like a fraud does not make you one.
Aim for “good enough” on low-stakes tasks to loosen perfectionism.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is imposter syndrome a mental illness?

No. It is a common pattern of thinking, not a diagnosis. It can, however, contribute to stress and anxiety.

Who gets imposter syndrome?

Anyone, but it is especially common among high achievers, students, people new to a role and people from groups under-represented in their field.

Does imposter syndrome go away?

It often fades with experience and support, though it can return with each new challenge.

Related Tests

Perfectionism and self-doubt often link to self-esteem; try the self-esteem test.

For self-reflection only. Not a psychological assessment. See how we build our tests.