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Core Self-Evaluations Scale (CSES)3

Core Self-Evaluations Scale (CSES) Test

Understand what drives your self-worth in key areas in about 7 minutes. Use results to guide coaching or support with a validated tool that builds resilience beyond grades or approval.

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Questions: 357 minutes

08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

20,755 views

2,659 completions

1,333 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

Scale Explorer

How the Scales are Structured

example score

4/7

Relationship With a Romantic Partner (RWaRP)

Measures how strongly a person’s self-esteem depends on the quality and stability of a close or romantic relationship.

Low reliance

Moderate reliance

High reliance

1 – 2: Low reliance | 3 – 5: Moderate reliance | 6 – 7: High reliance

A score of 4 suggests a moderate reliance on a loved relationship as a source of self-esteem, with other areas likely contributing as well.

example score

4/7

Moral Standards (MS)

Measures how strongly a person bases their self-esteem on following moral and ethical principles.

Low reliance

Moderate reliance

High reliance

1 – 2: Low reliance | 3 – 5: Moderate reliance | 6 – 7: High reliance

A score of 4 indicates a moderate reliance on moral norms, suggesting they contribute to self-esteem but are not the sole basis for self-worth.

example score

6/7

Appearance (A)

Measures how strongly a person’s self-esteem is tied to their appearance and perceived attractiveness.

Low reliance

Moderate reliance

High reliance

1 – 3: Low reliance | 4 – 5: Moderate reliance | 6 – 7: High reliance

A score of 6 indicates a high reliance on appearance, meaning external looks play a significant role in their sense of self-worth.

example score

4/7

Family Support (FS)

Measures how strongly a person bases their self-esteem on support and approval from their family.

Low reliance

Moderate reliance

High reliance

1 – 3: Low reliance | 4 – 5: Moderate reliance | 6 – 7: High reliance

A score of 4 suggests a moderate reliance on family support in feeling self-worth, with family approval being one of several important influences.

example score

4/7

Success in Competitive Situations (SiCS)

Measures how strongly a person’s self-esteem depends on winning and outperforming others in competitive situations.

Low reliance on competition

Balanced reliance

High reliance on competition

1 – 2: Low reliance on competition | 3 – 5: Balanced reliance | 6 – 7: High reliance on competition

A score of 4 indicates a balanced level, where competitive success matters to self-esteem at times but is not the dominant source of self-worth.

example score

5/7

Others' Approval (OA)

Measures how strongly a person’s self-esteem depends on others’ opinions and approval.

Low reliance

Moderate reliance

High reliance

1 – 2: Low reliance | 3 – 5: Moderate reliance | 6 – 7: High reliance

A score of 5 indicates a moderate reliance on others’ approval, meaning external feedback can noticeably influence self-worth in some situations.

example score

4/7

Academic Achievement (AA)

Measures how strongly a person bases their self-esteem on academic performance and study success.

Low reliance

Moderate reliance

High reliance

1 – 2: Low reliance | 3 – 5: Moderate reliance | 6 – 7: High reliance

A score of 4 indicates a moderate tendency to link self-worth to academic achievement, with grades and study outcomes being important but not the sole basis of self-esteem.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Students under pressure

41%OF USERS

High school and college students who feel their worth depends on grades, approval, or fitting in take it to see what’s driving their self-esteem.

Young adults in transition

34%OF USERS

People starting careers, moving out, or navigating new relationships use it to understand which life areas most shape their sense of value.

Counseling and coaching clients

25%OF USERS

People already working with a psychologist, counselor, or coach take it to pinpoint which domains to focus on to build steadier self-esteem.

BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.

Benchmarking

See How You Compare

Once you complete the test, your results are compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.

Relationship with a loved one (Rwalo)

Average

2.9

Normal range

1.8 — 3.9

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Moral Norms (MN)

Average

3.2

Normal range

2.2 — 4.2

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Appearance (A)

Average

4.2

Normal range

3.3 — 5.1

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Family Support (FS)

Average

5.2

Normal range

4.5 — 6

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Success in a Competitive Environment (SiaCE)

Average

4.7

Normal range

3.8 — 5.7

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Approval of Others (AoO)

Average

4.1

Normal range

3 — 5.2

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Academic Achievement (AA)

Average

3.2

Normal range

2.4 — 4

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

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SAMPLE QUESTIONS

Example Questions From the Test

Please respond to each of the following statements using the response scale provided. If you have never experienced any of the situations described in the statements, please indicate how you think you would feel in a similar situation.

- Strongly disagree
- Disagree
- Somewhat disagree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Somewhat agree
- Agree
- Strongly agree
- Strongly disagree
- Disagree
- Somewhat disagree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Somewhat agree
- Agree
- Strongly agree
- Strongly disagree
- Disagree
- Somewhat disagree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Somewhat agree
- Agree
- Strongly agree

These are 3 of the 35 real questions — the rest appear in the test. No sign-up needed to start.

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WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Basic Foundations of Self-Esteem, CSW Test

Core Self-Evaluations Scale (CSES) Test - Symptoms and Signs

morality

self-esteem

Self-evaluation reflects multiple personal standards and life domains that can influence perceived self-worth. The Core Self-Evaluations Scale (CSES) is a self-report measure intended to assess broad, trait-like self-evaluative beliefs.

It consists of 35 items and typically takes about 7 minutes to complete. Responses provide a concise profile of the respondent’s overall self-appraisal that may help inform case formulation and guide discussion of self-perception in clinical or counseling contexts.

The Core Self-Evaluations Scale (CSES) is generally used as an adjunct to clinical interview and other assessment data rather than as a stand-alone diagnostic instrument, and results should be interpreted in light of the individual’s presenting concerns and cultural context.

Author: M. Rosenberg, S. Coopersmith

Literature: Crocker, J., Luhtanen, R. K., Cooper, M. L., & Bouvrette, A. Contingencies of self-worth in college students: theory and measurement. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 2003.