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Career
Impostor Syndrome Test
The impostor phenomenon affects up to 70% of professionals regardless of education or experience: an inner critic devalues real accomplishments and creates a persistent fear of being exposed. This assessment is based on the CIPS scale and measures perfectionism, self-criticism, and the tendency to attribute success to luck. Results are presented as a visual diagram with personalized recommendations.
questions
20
Time
7 min
Method
CIPS (Clance)
Rating
4.7
What you'll learn
Your overall impostor syndrome severity level
How much you tend to discount your own accomplishments
Whether you attribute your success to luck or external factors
The degree of fear of being 'found out' at work or school
Personalized recommendations for overcoming the syndrome
Key facts
1985
Created
20
Questions
5–7 min
Time
up to 70%
Prevalence
α = 0.92
Reliability
50+ countries
Used in
History & development
1978
Clance and Imes first described the impostor phenomenon in a scientific publication
1985
Pauline Clance developed the 20-item CIPS scale
1993
Langford and Clance study confirmed validity across a broad sample
2011
Meta-analysis confirmed psychometric reliability of the scale
2020
Systematic review confirmed prevalence of the phenomenon in 9–82% of respondents
About the methodology
The impostor phenomenon was first described by Clance and Imes in 1978 as a pattern of internal experience of intellectual phoniness: despite objective evidence of competence, a person believes their success is undeserved.
The CIPS contains 20 statements assessing fear of exposure, discounting praise, attributing success to luck, and perfectionism.
The total score (20–100) is distributed across four severity levels. The methodology is used in clinical, organizational, and academic psychology worldwide.
Scientific references
P. R. Clance, S. A. Imes (1978)
P. R. Clance (1985)
D. Bravata et al. (2020)
Frequently asked questions
What does this test measure?
The test assesses the severity of the impostor phenomenon using Pauline Clance's CIPS scale: the tendency to discount your own achievements, attribute success to luck, and fear being exposed as a fraud.
How long does it take to complete?
The test takes 5–7 minutes. It consists of 20 statements rated on a five-point scale.
How accurate are the results?
The CIPS has undergone extensive psychometric research and demonstrates high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.92) and test-retest reliability.
Who created this methodology?
The scale was developed by Pauline Rose Clance, a clinical psychologist at Georgia State University, in 1985, based on her earlier research with Suzanne Imes (1978).
Do successful people experience impostor syndrome?
Yes, research shows that up to 70% of people experience this phenomenon at least once. It is especially prevalent among highly qualified professionals, academics, and executives.
Can impostor syndrome be overcome?
Yes, cognitive-behavioral techniques, keeping an 'achievement journal,' and working with a professional can significantly reduce the manifestations of this phenomenon.
Instructions
Rate each statement on a scale from 1 (not at all true) to 5 (very true). Answer honestly based on your typical experience.
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