Imposter Syndrome Test

How much do you feel like a fraud?

1 / 150%

I think my success is more due to luck or timing than my actual ability

This test is based on the Clance Imposter Phenomenon Scale concept and does not replace professional diagnosis.

When you succeed and still think "I just got lucky"

The impostor phenomenon was described in 1978 by psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes, who noticed it in people with clear achievements. It means crediting your own work to luck or timing and fearing that one day you will be found out. It is not a diagnosis, just a name for a common experience many people have at some point.

Key ideas

Explaining success away

You put results down to luck, help or chance rather than your own ability.

Fear of being found out

You feel others overrate you and worry that your gaps will show.

Over-preparing or putting off

To avoid failing you either over-prepare or delay starting, and the loop repeats.

Frequently asked questions

Is impostor syndrome a mental illness?

No. It is not a diagnostic category but a name for an experience. If strong anxiety or low mood come with it, talking to a professional can help.

What if my score is high?

Keeping a record of what you achieved, accepting praise without arguing, and sharing the feeling with someone you trust are commonly reported to help.

Is this the Clance scale?

The items were written by OIYO using the ideas behind the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS), so scores are not comparable with the original scale.

This result is a reference for understanding yourself. Do not use it as grounds for diagnosis, hiring or evaluation.

Models This Test References

Referenced scales and theories

Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS) concepts
items rewritten by OIYO — not the CIPS item set

Before you read

Results are reflection signals, not fixed labels. Use them alongside context, experience, and feedback from people who know you.

Source note updated: 2026-09-28 View methodology