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Optimism/Pessimism Test (QPOP)3

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

08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

23,152 views

2,361 completion

1,884 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

Scale Explorer

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.

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.

pessimism → optimism (p→o)

Average

-0.5

Normal range

-8 — 7.1

min.

-30

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

- 1: Does not apply to me at all
- 6: Applies to me completely
- 1: Does not apply at all
- 6: Completely applies
- 1: Does not apply at all
- 6: Applies completely

These are 3 of the 13 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

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.