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Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI)3

Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI) Test

See how easily you shift perspectives and rethink unhelpful thoughts in about 4 minutes. In 20 quick items, get clear insight to support better decisions under stress and build more balanced views.

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Questions: 204 minutes

08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

29,570 views

3,889 completions

2,792 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

Scale Explorer

How the Scales are Structured

example score

36/56

Control (C)

Measures how strongly a person tends to experience difficult situations as manageable and within their control.

Low control

Moderate control

High control

8 – 30: Low control | 31 – 46: Moderate control | 47 – 56: High control

A score of 36 falls in the Moderate control range, suggesting you often see challenges as manageable but may feel less in control in more demanding situations.

example score

27/84

Alternatives (A)

Measures how readily a person can generate multiple explanations and potential solutions in difficult situations.

Low alternatives

Moderate alternatives

High alternatives

12 – 57: Low alternatives | 58 – 73: Moderate alternatives | 74 – 84: High alternatives

A score of 27 falls in the Low alternatives range, suggesting the person may have difficulty identifying multiple interpretations and solution options when facing problems.

example score

77/140

Cognitive Flexibility (CF)

Measures the ability to shift perspectives and adapt thinking and behavior to changing or stressful situations.

Low

Moderate

High

20 – 91: Low | 92 – 115: Moderate | 116 – 140: High

A score of 77 falls in the Low range, suggesting a tendency toward more rigid thinking and fewer perceived alternatives when facing difficulties.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Anxious and stressed adults

41%OF USERS

People dealing with worry or burnout take it to see how easily they can shift perspective and challenge unhelpful thoughts.

Therapy and coaching clients

34%OF USERS

Clients use it with a therapist or coach to pinpoint rigid thinking patterns and track progress in reframing.

Students and young professionals

25%OF USERS

Learners and early-career specialists take it to understand how well they adapt their thinking when facing new tasks and uncertainty.

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.

Control (C)

Average

24.9

Normal range

17.5 — 32.3

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.

Alternatives (A)

Average

51.1

Normal range

38.7 — 63.4

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.

Cognitive Flexibility Scale (CFS)

Average

52.5

Normal range

30 — 75.1

min.

max.

140

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

- Strongly disagree
- Disagree
- Somewhat disagree
- Not sure
- Somewhat agree
- Agree
- Strongly agree
- Strongly disagree
- Disagree
- Somewhat disagree
- Not sure
- Somewhat agree
- Agree
- Strongly agree
- Strongly disagree
- Disagree
- Somewhat disagree
- Not sure
- Somewhat agree
- Agree
- Strongly agree

These are 3 of the 20 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

Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI) Test - Symptoms and Signs

flexibility

cbt

psychological flexibility

This self-report measure assesses perceived cognitive flexibility, including the ability to generate alternative interpretations and to view difficult situations as manageable. The Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI) is commonly used to support clinical formulation and to monitor cognitive change over time.

It contains 20 items and typically takes about 4 minutes to complete. Respondents rate statements about their typical thinking patterns; scores are interpreted as indicators of flexible versus rigid cognitive responding and are considered in conjunction with clinical interview data and other measures.

The Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI) was developed by Dennis D. Dajani and Timon C. K. Klinger. Results may inform case conceptualization and treatment planning in contexts where cognitive rigidity, stress reactivity, or maladaptive beliefs are clinical concerns.

Author: Dennis D. Dajani, Timon C. K. Klinger

Literature: Kashdan, T. B., & Rottenberg, J. Psychological flexibility as a fundamental aspect of health. Clinical Psychology Review. 2010.; Dennis, J. P., & Vander Wal, J. S. The Cognitive Flexibility Inventory: Instrument development and estimates of reliability and validity. Cognitive Therapy and Research. 2010.