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Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (BFNE)3

Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (BFNE) Test

Understand how strongly you fear negative judgment from others in about 3 minutes. A fast 12 question check that delivers clear results for screening, research, or tracking change over time.

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Questions: 123 minutes

08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

29,034 views

3,292 completions

2,722 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

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How the Scales are Structured

example score

45/60

Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (FoNES)

Measures how strongly a person fears being negatively evaluated or judged by others in social situations.

Low

Moderate

High

12 – 23: Low | 24 – 46: Moderate | 47 – 60: High

A score of 45 falls in the Moderate range, suggesting a noticeably elevated concern about negative judgment that may contribute to discomfort in evaluative social situations.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Socially anxious adults

44%OF USERS

People who frequently worry about being judged, criticized, or rejected in everyday social situations take it to understand the intensity of that fear.

Students and young professionals

33%OF USERS

Those facing presentations, interviews, dating, or new peer groups use it to gauge how fear of evaluation may be affecting confidence and performance.

Clients in counseling

23%OF USERS

People already working with a psychologist or therapist take it to track changes in fear of negative judgment over time and guide next steps.

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

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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.

Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (FoNES)

Average

Normal range

22.3 — 37.7

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.

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SAMPLE QUESTIONS

Example Questions From the Test

- Not at all characteristic of me
- Slightly characteristic of me
- Moderately characteristic of me
- Very characteristic of me
- Extremely characteristic of me
- Not at all characteristic of me
- Slightly characteristic of me
- Moderately characteristic of me
- Very characteristic of me
- Extremely characteristic of me
- Does not describe me at all
- Describes me slightly
- Describes me moderately well
- Describes me very well
- Describes me extremely well

These are 3 of the 12 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

Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (BFNE) Test - Symptoms and Signs

social anxiety

fear of negative evaluation

This measure assesses fear of negative evaluation, a core cognitive-affective component often associated with social anxiety. The Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (BFNE) is a brief self-report questionnaire intended to quantify concerns about being judged unfavorably by others. It includes 12 items and typically requires about 3 minutes to complete.

Items ask respondents to rate the degree to which they endorse worries about criticism, disapproval, or rejection, supporting efficient screening and symptom monitoring in clinical and research settings. The Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (BFNE) was originally developed by Ronald Friend.

Author: David Watson, Ronald Friend

Literature: Leary, M. R. A brief version of the Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. 1983.