Well-being
Optimism
How positive or negative your general outlook on life is.
About this test
This scale measures dispositional optimism — how much you generally expect good things rather than bad. It is a public-domain IPIP measure of the same idea as the Life Orientation Test. This is a self-report measure of a general tendency, not a clinical diagnosis; higher and lower scores simply describe where you tend to sit.
What your score means
| Score | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| 10–23 | Lower range |
| 24–36 | Middle range |
| 37–50 | Higher range |
Frequently asked questions
How is this scored?
Your 10 answers (each 1 to 5) are added up, with reverse-worded items flipped, for a total from 10 to 50. A higher score means more of the trait.
Is this a diagnosis?
No. It measures a normal psychological tendency, not a mental-health condition.
Can I use it for free?
Yes. The items come from the public-domain International Personality Item Pool, free to use for any purpose, including commercial, with the source credited.
Related screenings
Source: International Personality Item Pool (Goldberg, 1999) — public-domain proxy for Scheier, Carver, & Bridges, 1994. Free to use, copy and adapt for any purpose, including commercial, without permission (ipip.ori.org).