Fear of Failure Test: Is Fear Holding You Back from Success?
Here is a 10-question questionnaire to determine if your lack of success is due to a fear of failure. Answer each question with the response that best describes your feelings and behaviors regarding the fear of failure and success.
Daniel
October 17, 2023
1 min read
518 views
What Is Fear of Failure — and Is It Holding You Back?
Fear of failure is one of the most common psychological barriers to success. Research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that nearly 31% of adults identify fear of failure as their biggest obstacle to achieving goals. It shows up as procrastination, perfectionism, self-sabotage, and avoiding challenges — even when the potential reward far outweighs the risk.
The problem is that most people don’t recognize fear of failure when it’s running their decisions. They think they’re being “careful” or “realistic” when they’re actually being controlled by anxiety. This 10-question fear of failure test will help you identify whether fear is quietly undermining your career, relationships, and personal growth.
How This Fear of Failure Quiz Works
Answer each question honestly based on how you typically feel and behave — not how you think you should respond. There are no right or wrong answers. At the end, you’ll receive a personalized analysis of how fear of failure may be affecting your life, along with practical strategies to overcome it.
This assessment covers key areas including risk avoidance, response to criticism, goal-setting patterns, self-talk, and how you handle setbacks. It takes about 3 minutes to complete.
How often do you avoid taking on new challenges or opportunities because you’re afraid you might fail?
Almost always
Sometimes
Rarely
Never
When faced with a potential setback or failure, do you tend to:
Become overwhelmed and give up quickly
Feel discouraged but keep trying
Stay determined and work through challenges
See it as a valuable learning experience
Do you often compare your achievements and progress to those of others, and does this affect your self-esteem?
Frequently, and it negatively impacts my self-esteem
Sometimes, but I try not to let it affect me
Rarely, as I focus on my own progress
Never, I believe in celebrating individual journeys
How do you react when you receive constructive criticism or feedback?
I take it personally and feel deflated
I listen, but it can make me uneasy
I appreciate it and use it to improve
I welcome feedback as an opportunity for growth
Are you often hesitant to share your ideas, opinions, or talents with others, fearing they might not be well-received?
Yes, I frequently keep my thoughts to myself
Sometimes, but I try to push through it
No, I'm comfortable sharing my ideas
I actively seek opportunities to share and contribute
How do you handle past failures or setbacks?
I dwell on them and find it hard to move forward
I acknowledge them and try to learn from them
I use them as motivation to improve
I see them as necessary steps toward success
When you imagine achieving your goals and being successful, what emotions do you experience?
Anxiety and fear of the unknown
A mix of excitement and nervousness
Confidence and determination
Enthusiasm and optimism
Have you ever turned down opportunities for advancement or promotions because you were afraid you wouldn’t live up to expectations?
Yes, I've avoided such opportunities
I've hesitated but sometimes taken them
No, I've embraced opportunities for growth
I actively seek and welcome advancement opportunities
It's something to be feared and avoided at all costs
It's a natural part of life, and I accept it
It's an opportunity for growth and learning
It's a stepping stone to success
Do you often procrastinate or avoid taking action on your goals or dreams because you’re worried about not achieving them?
Yes, I frequently procrastinate due to fear
Sometimes, but I eventually take action
No, I'm proactive and take steps toward my goals
I actively pursue my goals with determination
Take More Quizzes
If you found this fear of failure test helpful, explore these related self-assessment quizzes:
- Self-Confidence Quiz — Test your true confidence level and discover what’s holding you back.
- Am I Being Manipulated? Quiz — Spot the warning signs of emotional manipulation in your relationships.
- Assertiveness Quiz — Find out if you’re standing up for yourself or letting others walk over you.
- Perfectionism Test — Are your high standards helping or hurting your success?
- Self-Belief Quiz — Do you truly believe in yourself? Take this quiz to find out.
- Procrastination Quiz — Understand why you procrastinate and how to stop.
This quiz looks at how fear of failure shows up in your everyday decisions — in the risks you avoid, how you respond to criticism, the goals you set, your self-talk, and how you handle setbacks. Answer based on how you feel and act, not how you think you should. There are no right or wrong answers, only patterns worth noticing. At the end you'll get a personalized breakdown of how fear of failure may be shaping your choices, along with practical strategies for working with it.
