Questionnaires

The Clance Imposter Phenomenon Scale

The original imposter phenomenon scale – 20 questions and self-scoring instructions.

A simple self-assessment tool

Answer the following questions to see whether you feel like an imposter or not.

Feel like an imposter? Your score

 

1. You feel that you have fooled people in some way or have given the impression that you are more capable than you really are.

Very rarely = 1           Sometimes = 2                 Almost always = 3

 
2. You feel that your achievements are mainly down to good luck, other people’s help or that the achievements weren’t that big of a deal anyway.

Very rarely = 1           Sometimes = 2                 Almost always = 3

 
3. You find it hard to understand or accept how someone like you could be in the position you are in or be doing what you are doing.

Very rarely = 1           Sometimes = 2                 Almost always = 3

 
4. When you achieve something, for example, a qualification, a good result on a test, or a job promotion you feel that there must have been some sort of mistake, maybe a clerical error or a computer error.

Very rarely = 1           Sometimes = 2                 Almost always = 3

 
5. When you make a mistake or something goes wrong you feel worried that this could expose you as a fraud or prove that you don’t know what you are doing.

Very rarely = 1          Sometimes = 2                 Almost always = 3

 
6. Despite your achievements you feel that at any moment someone will come along and tap you on the shoulder and say “We need to have a chat. You don’t belong here.”

Very rarely = 1           Sometimes = 2                 Almost always = 3

 
7. You find that each new success or achievement, instead of being a source of satisfaction, just increases the pressure to achieve the next time.

Very rarely = 1           Sometimes = 2                 Almost always = 3

 
Add up the total

 

 

 

So how did you score?

1-7: That’s pretty unusual, but good for you.

This indicates that you rarely doubt your achievements and don’t spend a lot of time wondering whether you are a fraud or not. In fact you’re probably surprised to hear that some people do question their abilities and doubt their achievements.

8-14: Most people will fall in this range.

Most of us will experience some imposter feelings from time to time, perhaps in a new situation or where you are going to be evaluated. The more often you experience them, the more potential they have to impact on your life.

15-21: You quite often question your abilities and achievements, and feelings of being a fraud are common.

Imposter feelings are causing you some worry and probably having an impact on what you think, feel and do. This can have quite a limiting effect on your life.