Home1
Psychological tests2
Failure Avoidance Motivation Questionnaire3

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.

Start Online Test

Questions: 304 minutes

08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

29,162 views

3,494 completions

2,947 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

Scale Explorer

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.

Start Online Test

just completed the test

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.

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.

Motivation Scale for Avoiding Failure (MSfAF)

Average

13.1

Normal range

8.1 — 18.1

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.

Start Online Test

Featured On

SAMPLE QUESTIONS

Example Questions From the Test

- Impulsive
- Carefree
- Fearful
- Cowardly
- Careless
- Anxious
- Rash
- Quiet
- Timid

These are 3 of the 30 real questions — the rest appear in the test. No sign-up needed to start.

Start Online Test

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Failure Avoidance Motivation Questionnaire Test - Symptoms and Signs

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.