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achieving success

Achievement Motivation and Fear of Failure Scale Test

Take the online Achievement Motivation and Fear of Failure Scale Test - AI psychologist FreudlyYou can take Achievement Motivation and Fear of Failure Scale Testhere. Online version of a simple and accurate psychological test with interpretation.en
In 3 minutes, see whether learning is driven more by striving for success or avoiding failure. Get fast, actionable insight to tailor support, boost confidence, and reduce avoidance in students.
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Questions: 203 minutes
08:30
October 2, 2025
October 2, 2025
Material has been updated
October 2, 2025
Material has been published
16,383 views
1,504 completions
1,189 likes
Verified by Daniel Hall
Psychologist with 25 years of experience
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Scale Explorer

How the Scales are Structured

example score
7/20
Motivational Scale (MS)
This scale measures the balance between motivation to achieve success and motivation to avoid failure in an educational context.
Failure-avoidant
Balanced
Success-oriented
0 – 8: Failure-avoidant | 9 – 13: Balanced | 14 – 20: Success-oriented
A score of 7 falls in the Failure-avoidant range, suggesting that concerns about making mistakes may more often guide task choice than striving for achievement.
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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Teachers and school psychologists
41%OF USERS
Use it to quickly see whether a student is driven more by striving to achieve or by avoiding mistakes, so they can choose the right support approach.
Students facing exams
34%OF USERS
Take it to understand what is fueling their study efforts and what fears may be reducing confidence and performance under pressure.
Parents of schoolchildren
25%OF USERS
Use it to better understand a child’s reactions to grades and challenges and adjust encouragement, expectations, and daily routines.
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.
Motivational scale (Ms)
Motivational scale (Ms)
Average
9
Normal range
5.5 — 12.4
min.
0
max.
20
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

For each of the questions below, select either “Yes” or “No.” If you are unsure, note that “Yes” includes both a definite “Yes” and “More yes than no.” The same applies to “No”: it includes both a definite “No” and “More no than yes.” Respond quickly, without prolonged deliberation. The first answer that comes to mind is generally the most accurate.
    • Yes
    • No
    • Yes
    • No
    • Yes
    • No
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
Motivation for success and fear of failure, MSF Test

Achievement Motivation and Fear of Failure Scale Test - Symptoms and Signs

achieving success
motivation

This brief self-report measure assesses individual differences in achievement-oriented motivation, with attention to approach tendencies toward success and avoidance tendencies related to anticipated failure. The Achievement Motivation and Fear of Failure Scale is commonly used as a screening tool to inform hypotheses about motivational style in performance contexts.

The instrument consists of 20 items and typically requires about 3 minutes to complete. It yields indicators that can support clinical or educational case formulation, such as identifying whether effort and task engagement are more strongly driven by striving for success versus concerns about negative outcomes. Authors are John W. Atkinson and David C. McClelland.

Interpretation should be integrated with collateral information (e.g., history of performance situations, observed behavior, and current stressors) and should not be used as a stand-alone diagnostic method. When used as part of a broader assessment, the Achievement Motivation and Fear of Failure Scale can help guide targeted interventions (e.g., goal-setting strategies, feedback practices, and anxiety-related supports) consistent with the individual’s motivational profile.

Author: David C. McClelland, John W. Atkinson
Literature: Atkinson, J. W. An introduction to motivation. Van Nostrand. 1964.
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