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Failure Avoidance Motivation Questionnaire

Failure Avoidance Motivation Questionnaire Test

Understand how fear of failure shapes motivation at work or school in 4 minutes. Get fast, actionable insight to support people who need confidence and place others in higher-challenge roles.

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Questions: 304 minutes

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08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

26020 views

3211 completions

2718 likes

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How the Scales are Structured

example score

18/30

Failure Avoidance Motivation (FAM)

Measures how strongly a person is motivated to avoid failure and the risks that could lead to mistakes or negative outcomes.

Low avoidance

Moderate avoidance

High avoidance

0 – 16: Low avoidance | 17 – 20: Moderate avoidance | 21 – 30: High avoidance

A score of 18 falls in the Moderate avoidance range, suggesting a noticeable tendency to steer away from situations where failure feels likely, while still being able to engage when the perceived risk is manageable.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Stressed high achievers

41%OF USERS

People who set high standards and worry about mistakes use it to see how fear of failure affects their drive and performance.

Managers and HR leads

33%OF USERS

Team leaders take it to spot who avoids risk, who needs extra support, and how to assign tasks without demotivating people.

Students under pressure

26%OF USERS

Learners preparing for exams or competitive programs use it to understand how fear of bad results shapes their study motivation.

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

RESULTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE

What You’ll See After You Finish the Test

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Statistical
Comparison

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Recommendations

Actionable guidance tailored to your profile. Receive clear, realistic suggestions you can apply immediately — focused on coping, self-regulation, and realistic next steps.

AI-Detected
Insights

Key patterns you might not notice on your own. Surfacing subtle connections in your responses that help you better understand what may be driving your current results.

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Used in 52+ countries

Benchmarking

See How You Compare

Once you finish the test, your results will be compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of the benchmarks we use to place your score in context.

Motivation Scale for Avoiding Failure (MSfAF)

Average

13.1

Normal range

8.1 — 18.1

min.

max.

majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.

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CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

Any questions left?

What does this questionnaire measure?

It measures the degree to which fear of mistakes or failure influences motivation and task behavior. It also reflects preference for risk avoidance versus challenge seeking in performance settings.

How long does it take to complete and how many items are included?

Completion typically takes about 4 minutes. The questionnaire contains 30 items.

How should responses be selected?

Select the option that best matches typical reactions in work or study situations. Respond based on usual behavior rather than a single recent event.

How are results interpreted?

Higher scores indicate stronger avoidance motivation and greater sensitivity to potential failure. Lower scores indicate less concern about failure and greater willingness to attempt difficult tasks.

In what settings are results commonly used?

Results can support motivational profiling in education, employee development, and team preparation. They may also inform counseling and safety-related roles where risk avoidance affects performance.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Failure Avoidance Motivation Questionnaire Test

risk-taking

This self-report measure assesses the extent to which fear of failure influences motivation and behavioral choices in achievement-related contexts. The Failure Avoidance Motivation Questionnaire is intended to clarify tendencies toward avoiding mistakes, risk, or evaluative situations that could result in perceived failure.

The instrument consists of 30 items and typically takes about 4 minutes to complete. Items query attitudes and reactions related to potential errors or negative outcomes, supporting a brief screening of avoidance-oriented motivational patterns.

In clinical, counseling, educational, or occupational settings, results from the Failure Avoidance Motivation Questionnaire may help inform case conceptualization and intervention planning when performance concerns, risk aversion, or demotivation in the face of challenge are prominent.

Author: david-c-mcclelland, john-w-atkinson

Literature: Elliot, A. J., & Church, M. A. A hierarchical model of approach and avoidance achievement motivation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 1997.

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