Pre-Start States Questionnaire Test

In about 6 minutes, it clarifies your pre-start readiness by measuring emotional arousal and autonomic balance. Use the 30 items to spot over-tension or low drive and fine-tune prep fast.

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Questions: 306 minutes

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08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

12,576 views

889 completions

787 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

Scale Explorer

How the Scales are Structured

example score

27/40

Emotional Stability (ES)

Measures the athlete’s pre-start emotional activation level from calm detachment to anxiety and excitement.

Calm / under-activated

Balanced activation

High tension / arousal

8 – 18: Calm / under-activated | 19 – 29: Balanced activation | 30 – 40: High tension / arousal

A score of 27 falls in the Balanced activation range, suggesting a moderately engaged emotional state without pronounced pre-start tension.

example score

21/35

Physical Readiness (PR)

Measures the athlete’s perceived physical energy and bodily preparedness immediately before training or competition.

Low readiness

Moderate readiness

High readiness

7 – 17: Low readiness | 18 – 26: Moderate readiness | 27 – 35: High readiness

A score of 21 indicates moderate body readiness, suggesting an adequate energy level with some room to optimize pre-start activation and control.

example score

20/40

Emotional Stability Scale (ESS)

Measures the athlete’s pre-start emotional steadiness, from calm under-arousal to heightened anxiety and excitement.

Low activation

Balanced

High anxiety

8 – 18: Low activation | 19 – 29: Balanced | 30 – 40: High anxiety

A score of 20 falls in the Balanced range, suggesting a generally steady pre-start state with manageable arousal.

example score

26/35

Physiological Readiness (PR)

Measures the athlete’s pre-start physiological and motivational activation (combat readiness) level.

Low readiness

Moderate readiness

High readiness

7 – 16: Low readiness | 17 – 25: Moderate readiness | 26 – 35: High readiness

A score of 26 indicates high readiness, suggesting confident activation, optimal tone, and strong achievement motivation before the start.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Competitive athletes pre-event

46%OF USERS

Athletes take it shortly before a race or match to check whether they are over‑tense or under‑activated and ready to perform.

Coaches planning warm-ups

34%OF USERS

Coaches use it to quickly gauge an athlete’s emotional and autonomic state and adjust warm‑up, activation, or calming routines.

Sport psychologists monitoring readiness

20%OF USERS

Psychologists administer it to track pre‑start patterns over time and choose the most effective mental skills techniques for each athlete.

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

RESULTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE

Scale Results
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You’ll receive a structured, clinically-grounded explanation. Our AI analyzes patterns and relationships between scales to provide a coherent interpretation, without exaggerated language.

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Comparison

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Get insights on behavioral and thought patterns you might not notice on your own. By uncovering subtle connections between your responses, you’ll better understand what may be driving your current results.

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Used in 52+ countries

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.

Emotional Stability Scale (ESS)

Average

Normal range

11.1 — 22.9

min.

max.

Majority

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.

Body Readiness Scale (BRS)

Average

24.6

Normal range

20.3 — 28.9

min.

max.

Majority

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.

Emotional Stability Scale (ESS)

Average

31.2

Normal range

25.9 — 36.5

min.

max.

Majority

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.

Organism Readiness Scale (ORS)

Average

17.6

Normal range

13.5 — 21.7

min.

max.

Majority

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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CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this questionnaire measure?

It measures emotional arousal and autonomic tone before a start. The results indicate whether the current state supports effective performance.

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

Completion time is approximately 6 minutes. The questionnaire includes 30 questions.

When should it be administered?

It is intended for use shortly before a competition or performance attempt. Administration should occur in a stable setting without interruptions.

How should responses be selected?

Responses should reflect the current state at the moment of completion. Each item should be answered without overthinking or revisiting earlier answers.

How are results typically used?

Results can identify excessive tension, low activation, or imbalance in autonomic functioning. The findings may guide selection of relaxation or activation techniques before performance.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Pre-Start States Questionnaire Test - Symptoms and Signs

sport uneasiness

Athletes’ precompetition responses can be usefully characterized in terms of affective arousal and physiological activation. The Pre-Start States Questionnaire is a brief self-report measure designed to support this appraisal immediately prior to performance. It was developed by Rainer Martens, Robin S. Vealey, and Damon Burton.

The instrument consists of 30 items and typically takes about 6 minutes to complete. Results are intended to inform discussion of readiness and to help identify patterns such as elevated tension, under-activation, or autonomic symptoms that may warrant targeted regulation strategies in the moments leading up to competition.

In applied sport psychology contexts, the Pre-Start States Questionnaire may be used to monitor changes over time, guide preperformance routines, and complement observational or interview-based impressions with standardized self-report data.

Author: Damon Burton, Rainer Martens, Robin S. Vealey

Literature: Martens, R., Vealey, R. S., & Burton, D. Competitive anxiety in sport. Human Kinetics. 1990.

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