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Multidimensional Locus of Control Scale (MLCS)3

Multidimensional Locus of Control Scale (MLCS) Test

See in 5 minutes whether you feel in control of your outcomes or shaped by luck, fate, or other people. Get a clear snapshot of motivation and support needs with 24 quick items.

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Questions: 245 minutes

08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

16,744 views

1,221 completion

975 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

Scale Explorer

How the Scales are Structured

example score

23/34

Chance (C)

Measures the extent to which a person attributes life outcomes to chance or luck rather than personal control.

Low chance orientation

Moderate chance orientation

High chance orientation

0 – 15: Low chance orientation | 16 – 23: Moderate chance orientation | 24 – 34: High chance orientation

A score of 23 falls in the moderate range, suggesting the person sometimes explains outcomes by luck or randomness, especially when situations feel unpredictable.

example score

29/34

Powerful Others (PO)

Measures the extent to which a person believes that powerful others or external authorities determine what happens in their life.

Low influence of others

Mixed influence

High influence of others

0 – 13: Low influence of others | 14 – 25: Mixed influence | 26 – 34: High influence of others

A score of 29 falls in the High influence of others range, suggesting a strong tendency to attribute outcomes to the decisions and actions of influential people or external authorities.

example score

27/40

Internal Control (IC)

Measures how strongly a person believes life outcomes depend on their own effort and actions (internal locus of control).

Lower internal control

Moderate internal control

Higher internal control

18 – 28: Lower internal control | 29 – 35: Moderate internal control | 36 – 40: Higher internal control

A score of 27 falls in the Lower internal control range, suggesting a relatively weaker tendency to attribute outcomes to one’s own actions compared with external influences.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

People in life transition

41%OF USERS

Those facing a new job, breakup, relocation, or other big change use it to see whether they feel in control or at the mercy of circumstances.

Clients in counseling

34%OF USERS

People working on anxiety, self-esteem, motivation, or burnout take it to understand how they explain successes and setbacks.

HR and coaching groups

25%OF USERS

Managers, coaches, and teams use it in group settings to tailor support and development approaches based on responsibility and control beliefs.

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.

Case (C)

Average

17.7

Normal range

13 — 22.3

min.

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Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

The Powers That Be (TPTB)

Average

17.4

Normal range

12.5 — 22.2

min.

max.

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Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Inner Essence (IE)

Average

32.2

Normal range

29.2 — 35.3

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.

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SAMPLE QUESTIONS

Example Questions From the Test

Please read each statement carefully. Each statement reflects a general point of view. You may agree with some statements and disagree with others. Indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with each statement using the rating scale provided. First impressions typically best reflect your opinion. There are no right or wrong answers.

- Strongly disagree
- Partly disagree
- Slightly disagree
- Slightly agree
- Partly agree
- Completely agree
- Strongly disagree
- Somewhat disagree
- Slightly disagree
- Slightly agree
- Somewhat agree
- Strongly agree
- Strongly disagree
- Somewhat disagree
- Slightly disagree
- Slightly agree
- Somewhat agree
- Strongly agree

These are 3 of the 24 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

Multidimensional Locus of Control Scale (MLCS) Test - Symptoms and Signs

locus of control

This measure evaluates perceived sources of control over life events. The Multidimensional Locus of Control Scale (MLCS) is a brief self-report instrument designed to assess whether individuals attribute outcomes to personal agency versus external influences.

It consists of 24 items and typically requires about 5 minutes to complete. Items ask respondents to rate statements reflecting different beliefs about the causes of successes and failures, supporting interpretation of patterns of internal and external control-related attributions.

In clinical and counseling contexts, the Multidimensional Locus of Control Scale (MLCS) may be used to inform case conceptualization and to guide discussions about responsibility, coping, and perceived efficacy, while recognizing that results should be integrated with interview data and other assessment findings.

Author: H. M. Lefcourt

Literature: Anastasi, A., & Urbina, S. Psychological testing. Prentice Hall. 1997.; Levenson, H. Distinctions within the concept of internal-external control: Development of a new scale. Proceedings of the American Psychological Association. 1972.