Impostor Syndrome Test (CIPS)
The Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS) is a validated 20-question assessment that measures the degree to which you experience impostor feelings - the persistent belief that your success is undeserved despite evidence of your competence.
Who Is This Test For?
The CIPS is designed for adults who want to understand their relationship with achievement, success, and self-doubt. It's particularly valuable for those in professional, academic, or creative fields who wonder if their accomplishments are truly deserved.
- Professionals who feel like they're 'faking it' despite evidence of competence
- People who struggle to accept compliments or internalize positive feedback
- Those who attribute their successes to luck, timing, or external factors rather than ability
- Anyone curious about whether their self-doubt falls within normal ranges
For each statement, indicate how true it is of you using the scale below.
I have often succeeded on a test or task even though I was afraid that I would not do well before I undertook the task
I can give the impression that I'm more competent than I really am
I avoid evaluations if possible and have a dread of others evaluating me
When people praise me for something I've accomplished, I'm afraid I won't be able to live up to their expectations of me in the future
I sometimes think I obtained my present position or gained my present success because I happened to be in the right place at the right time or knew the right people
I'm afraid people important to me may find out that I'm not as capable as they think I am
I tend to remember the incidents in which I have not done my best more than those in which I have done my best
I rarely ask for help when I need it because I'm afraid people will discover I'm not as knowledgeable as they think I am
When I've succeeded at something, I usually think it was because I was lucky or because someone helped me
I'm often afraid that I may fail at a new task or responsibility even though I generally do well at what I attempt
When people praise me for something I've accomplished, I feel uncomfortable and don't know how to respond
I'm often afraid I may be discovered or found out as a fraud
I feel like a fake or a phony much of the time
I sometimes feel that my successes are due to luck rather than my ability
I worry that my colleagues or peers will discover that I'm not as capable as they think I am
I have trouble accepting praise or compliments for my accomplishments
I often compare my abilities to those of others and feel that I don't measure up
I feel that I've deceived others into thinking I'm more competent than I really am
I'm concerned that if I succeed at something, people will expect more of me in the future
I often downplay my own abilities or achievements when talking to others
Good To Know
Keep an Evidence File
Create a folder (physical or digital) where you save concrete proof of your competence: positive feedback, completed projects, problems you solved, skills you've learned. When impostor feelings strike, review this evidence. It's hard to argue with documented facts about your abilities.
Reframe Luck as Preparation
When you catch yourself attributing success to luck or timing, pause and list the specific skills, effort, and preparation that contributed. 'Luck' is often preparation meeting opportunity - and you created the conditions for that opportunity through your own actions.
Name It to Tame It
Impostor syndrome thrives in silence. Sharing these feelings with trusted peers often reveals they experience the same thing. Research shows that simply naming the phenomenon and recognizing it as common - not a personal failing - reduces its power over you.
Understanding the CIPS
T he Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS) was developed by Dr. Pauline Rose Clance in 1985, building on her pioneering research with Dr. Suzanne Imes in the late 1970s. They first identified the impostor phenomenon while studying high-achieving women who believed their success was due to luck or external factors rather than their own abilities.
Each question asks about experiences related to self-doubt, attributing success to external factors, fear of being 'found out,' and difficulty accepting recognition. Responses range from 'not at all true' (1 point) to 'very true' (5 points). Your total score ranges from 20 to 100, with higher scores indicating more frequent and intense impostor feelings.
Research has found that impostor feelings are extremely common, affecting an estimated 70% of people at some point in their lives. They're particularly prevalent during transitions - starting a new job, entering a new field, or reaching a higher level of achievement. Importantly, impostor feelings don't correlate with actual competence; many highly successful people experience them intensely.
The CIPS has strong psychometric properties with internal consistency typically above .90. While impostor phenomenon isn't a clinical diagnosis, high scores are associated with anxiety, depression, and reduced career advancement. The good news is that impostor feelings respond well to cognitive-behavioral strategies, mentorship, and sometimes professional support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is impostor syndrome a mental health diagnosis?
No, impostor syndrome (or impostor phenomenon) is not a clinical diagnosis in the DSM-5 or ICD-11. It's a psychological pattern characterized by persistent self-doubt and fear of being exposed as a fraud, despite evidence of competence. However, intense impostor feelings can co-occur with and exacerbate clinical conditions like anxiety and depression.
Who experiences impostor syndrome?
Research suggests about 70% of people experience impostor feelings at some point. While originally studied in high-achieving women, subsequent research shows it affects all genders, though it may be more common among minority groups, first-generation professionals, and people in competitive or evaluative environments. Paradoxically, many highly successful people experience it intensely.
Can impostor feelings go away?
Yes, impostor feelings can significantly decrease with awareness, targeted strategies, and sometimes professional support. Key approaches include: keeping an evidence file of accomplishments, reframing thoughts about luck and ability, talking openly about these feelings with trusted peers, and gradually internalizing positive feedback. For many people, simply learning that impostor syndrome is common and has a name is therapeutic.
Does impostor syndrome mean I'm actually incompetent?
No - in fact, research consistently shows no correlation between impostor feelings and actual competence. People with impostor syndrome often have objective evidence of their abilities (degrees, promotions, successful projects) but struggle to internalize this evidence. The gap isn't between reality and your abilities; it's between reality and your perception of your abilities.
How is impostor syndrome different from low self-esteem?
While related, they're distinct. Low self-esteem is a broad, general negative view of oneself. Impostor syndrome is specifically about achievement and competence - you may feel confident in other areas of life but believe your professional or academic success is undeserved. People with impostor syndrome often have generally healthy self-esteem except in achievement contexts.
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Sources & References
This self-assessment is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. It cannot replace a professional evaluation by a qualified mental health provider. If you're experiencing significant distress or your symptoms are affecting your daily life, please seek help from a healthcare professional. If you're in crisis, contact emergency services or a crisis helpline.