Emotional Intelligence (EQ) Test
A confidential self-assessment of your emotional intelligence, built on Daniel Goleman's well-known five-part model. Instead of a single number, you get a full profile across self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills, with your strongest area highlighted and a growth area named. Emotional intelligence is learnable, and this is a friendly place to start. Get an instant result and a professional PDF report.
What this test measures
Five parts of emotional intelligence, not one score
Emotional intelligence is not a single trait. Goleman's influential model breaks it into five skills that work together. This test maps all five so you can see where you are strong and where there is room to grow, because every part of EQ can be developed.
Knowing yourself
Self-awareness and self-regulation: recognizing your own emotions as they happen, understanding what drives them, and managing impulses and moods rather than being run by them.
Driving yourself
Motivation: a drive to grow and achieve for reasons beyond money or status, plus optimism and persistence in the face of setbacks.
Connecting with others
Empathy and social skills: reading other people's feelings accurately, and using that to communicate, influence, and build genuine relationships.
| Feature | Typical free quiz | Psychology.com |
|---|---|---|
| Based on Goleman's five-part model | Sometimes | Yes, all five |
| Full profile, not one number | No | Yes, five bars |
| Names your strength and growth area | No | Yes |
| Growth-oriented, learnable framing | Often fixed | Yes |
| Clinician-reviewed interpretation | Rarely | Yes, MD reviewed |
| Downloadable PDF report | No | Yes, branded & shareable |
| Confidential (no data sent) | Often tracked | Runs in your browser |
How we built this test
Methodology & sources
This test is based on the five-component model of emotional intelligence popularized by Daniel Goleman in Emotional Intelligence (1995): self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. The broader concept of emotional intelligence was first defined in the academic literature by Mayer and Salovey (1990) as the ability to perceive, understand, use, and manage emotions. Our items are written for readability and self-reflection across these five dimensions, with several reverse-scored to reduce response bias.
This is an educational self-report tool, not a diagnostic instrument and not a validated ability test of EQ. Self-report measures capture how you see yourself, which is useful for reflection but can differ from how you actually perform. The point is not to score or rank you, but to help you notice your strengths and the areas where a little practice could go a long way. Emotional intelligence is widely considered learnable, so a lower area is best read as an opportunity, not a limitation.
- Goleman D. Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. New York: Bantam Books; 1995.
- Mayer JD, Salovey P. Emotional intelligence. Imagination, Cognition and Personality. 1990;9(3):185–211.
- Salovey P, Mayer JD, Caruso D. The positive psychology of emotional intelligence. In: Snyder CR, Lopez SJ, eds. Handbook of Positive Psychology. Oxford University Press; 2002:159–171.
- Mattingly V, Kraiger K. Can emotional intelligence be trained? A meta-analytical investigation. Hum Resour Manag Rev. 2019;29(2):140–155.
Common questions
Emotional Intelligence (EQ) Test FAQ
What is emotional intelligence (EQ)?
Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage your own emotions, and to read and respond to the emotions of others. Goleman's popular model describes it as five skills: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. Strong EQ helps with relationships, communication, leadership, and wellbeing.
Can emotional intelligence be improved?
Yes. Unlike IQ, emotional intelligence is widely considered learnable. Practices like naming your emotions, pausing before reacting, listening actively, and seeking feedback all build EQ over time. A meta-analysis found EQ training programs produce real, measurable gains.
Is a high EQ better than a high IQ?
They measure different things and both matter. EQ tends to be especially important for relationships, teamwork, and leadership, where reading people and managing emotions count for a lot. The good news is that EQ, unlike IQ, can be actively developed.
Is this test a diagnosis?
No. EQ is not a clinical condition, so there is nothing here to diagnose. This is an educational self-reflection tool based on Goleman's model. It shows you a profile of your self-reported strengths, not a verdict on your character or abilities.
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.