Burnout Test
A confidential self-assessment informed by the three dimensions of the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the framework researchers use to understand burnout: emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and a sense of accomplishment. You get an instant, plain-language result, a breakdown across all three, and a professional PDF report you can keep or bring to a therapist.
What this test measures
Burnout has three sides, not one
Decades of research by Christina Maslach show burnout is not just being tired. It is a syndrome with three distinct parts that can each be present to different degrees. This screener looks at all three so you see where the strain actually sits.
Emotional exhaustion
The core of burnout: feeling drained, depleted, and used up by your work or caregiving, with nothing left to give at the end of the day.
Cynicism & detachment
Also called depersonalization: growing distant, callous, or detached from the people and work you used to care about, often as a way to cope with overload.
Sense of accomplishment
The flip side: whether you still feel effective and that your work matters. A shrinking sense of accomplishment is the third marker of burnout.
| Feature | Typical free quiz | Psychology.com |
|---|---|---|
| Based on the Maslach three-dimension model | Rarely | Yes, all three measured |
| Separate score per dimension | No | Yes, full breakdown |
| Honest about being an adaptation | No | Yes, clearly labeled |
| Clinician-reviewed interpretation | Rarely | Yes, MD reviewed |
| Concrete next steps | No | Yes, evidence-based |
| Downloadable PDF report | No | Yes, branded & shareable |
| Confidential (no data sent) | Often tracked | Runs in your browser |
How we built this test
Methodology & sources
The Maslach Burnout Inventory (Maslach & Jackson, 1981) defines burnout through three dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization or cynicism, and reduced personal accomplishment. The MBI itself is a proprietary, copyrighted instrument, so this screener does not reproduce its items. Instead it is an honest educational adaptation: original frequency-based statements written to reflect each of the three research dimensions, with five items per dimension answered on a Never to Always scale scored 0 to 4.
Because a strong sense of accomplishment points away from burnout, the accomplishment items are reverse-scored so that a higher total always reflects more burnout signs. The total runs from 0 to 60 and is interpreted in broad bands (low, moderate, and high signs of burnout) rather than as a clinical cutoff. This is a tool for reflection and early awareness, not the validated MBI and not a diagnosis.
- Maslach C, Jackson SE. The measurement of experienced burnout. J Occup Behav. 1981;2(2):99–113.
- Maslach C, Schaufeli WB, Leiter MP. Job burnout. Annu Rev Psychol. 2001;52:397–422.
- World Health Organization. Burn-out an 'occupational phenomenon': International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). Geneva: WHO; 2019.
Common questions
Burnout Test FAQ
What is burnout?
Burnout is a state of chronic exhaustion, growing cynicism or detachment, and a reduced sense of accomplishment, usually driven by prolonged stress at work or in caregiving. The World Health Organization recognizes it as an occupational phenomenon, not a medical condition.
Is this the official Maslach Burnout Inventory?
No. The MBI is a proprietary, copyrighted instrument, so we cannot reproduce it. This is an honest educational adaptation built on the same three research dimensions Maslach identified. It is for reflection, not a validated diagnostic score.
What does a high score mean?
A high score means you are reporting strong signs across one or more of the three burnout dimensions. It is a signal to take rest, support, and possibly workload changes seriously, and to consider talking with a professional. It is not a diagnosis.
Is burnout the same as depression?
They overlap but are not the same. Burnout is tied closely to a specific context, usually work or caregiving, while depression affects life more broadly. Persistent burnout can slide into depression, which is one reason professional support helps when scores are high.
Is the test really confidential?
Yes. It runs entirely in your browser. Your answers are never sent to a server, never stored, and never linked to you. No account is needed, and the optional PDF is generated on your own device.