Optimism/Pessimism Test (QPOP)

See whether you lean toward optimism or defensive pessimism in sport challenges in just 3 minutes. Get quick, actionable insight to tailor motivation support and competition prep.

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Questions: 133 minutes

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08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

20,833 views

2,125 completions

1,717 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

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How the Scales are Structured

example score

-14/30

Pessimism to Optimism (PtO)

Measures the person’s overall tendency toward a pessimistic versus optimistic outlook on future sport-related situations.

Pessimistic

Optimistic

-30 – 0: Pessimistic | 1 – 30: Optimistic

A score of -14 falls in the pessimistic range, suggesting a generally cautious, negative-leaning expectation about upcoming challenges.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Competitive athletes

44%OF USERS

Athletes take it to see whether they approach training and competition with optimistic drive or defensive pessimism under pressure.

Sports psychologists

31%OF USERS

Practitioners use it as a quick snapshot of an athlete’s mindset to tailor motivation, anxiety management, and mental skills work.

Coaches and trainers

25%OF USERS

Coaches use it to understand how each athlete interprets challenges so they can adjust feedback, goal-setting, and pre-competition routines.

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

RESULTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE

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Used in 52+ countries

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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.

pessimism → optimism (p→o)

Average

-0.5

Normal range

-8 — 7.1

min.

-30

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 assesses the tendency to use optimistic strategies versus defensive pessimism when facing sport-related tasks and challenges.

Who is this questionnaire intended for?

It is intended for athletes and other sport participants in training or competition settings.

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

Completion typically takes about 3 minutes. It includes 13 items.

How should responses be selected?

Select the option that best reflects typical thoughts and expectations in sport situations. Respond based on usual patterns rather than a single recent event.

How should results be interpreted and used?

Results indicate the relative balance of optimistic and defensive pessimistic approaches. They can guide work on motivation, confidence, and coping strategies.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Optimism/Pessimism Test (QPOP) - Symptoms and Signs

optimism sport

This measure assesses an individual’s tendency to adopt optimistic versus pessimistic explanatory styles in the context of goals and performance. The Optimism/Pessimism Test (QPOP) is a brief self-report instrument intended to support rapid screening of these cognitive-motivational tendencies.

It contains 13 items and typically requires about 3 minutes to complete. Results may be used to inform case conceptualization and to guide discussion of coping strategies, motivation, and responses to pressure in achievement-oriented settings. The Optimism/Pessimism Test (QPOP) is not a standalone diagnostic tool and should be interpreted in conjunction with clinical interview data and other relevant measures.

Author: charles-s-carver, michael-f-scheier

Literature: Carver, C. S., & Scheier, M. F. Optimism. In C. R. Snyder & S. J. Lopez (Eds.), Handbook of positive psychology. Oxford University Press. 2002.; Peres, C., Cury, F., Famose, J.-P., & Sarrazin, P. When anxiety is not always a handicap in physical education and sport: Some implications of the defensive pessimism strategy. European Journal of Sport Science. 2002.

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