Burnout Self-Assessment

Original 15-statement self-assessment scoring emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and perceived accomplishment at work.

By Marshkalk

For each statement, choose how often it has applied to you over the last few weeks. This takes about two minutes.

1. I feel drained before my workday even begins.
2. By the end of a working day, I have nothing left to give.
3. Ordinary work tasks feel far more tiring than they used to.
4. I need much more time to recover from work than before.
5. I feel physically and mentally worn out because of my job.
6. I have become more distant from colleagues or clients than I used to be.
7. I care less about the outcome of my work than I once did.
8. I find myself being more cynical about the point of what I do.
9. I treat people or tasks at work as more of a burden than before.
10. I feel emotionally disconnected from work I used to care about.
11. I doubt whether what I do at work really makes a difference.
12. I feel less capable of handling my responsibilities than before.
13. My sense of achievement at work has faded recently.
14. I struggle to recognise my own successes, even small ones.
15. I feel less confident solving problems that used to be easy for me.

The three dimensions studied in occupational psychology

Since the 1980s, occupational psychology research has described burnout through three broad dimensions: emotional exhaustion, cynicism or detachment from work, and a reduced sense of personal accomplishment. These are scientific concepts studied widely in the academic literature, not a single medical test. The fifteen statements in this tool are an original wording built around these three areas, and they do not reproduce any existing commercial questionnaire.

How to read your score

Each dimension is scored from 0 to 20 based on your answers. A score of 0 to 6 corresponds to a low level of self-reported indicators, 7 to 13 to a moderate level, and 14 to 20 to a high level. A high score does not mean you have burnout, it simply signals that you report this kind of experience frequently over the last few weeks.

What this result does not tell you

This test is a snapshot of today's answers, not a clinical assessment. It does not take into account your medical history, your personal situation, or how long your difficulties have actually lasted. A single high score can reflect a particularly demanding period without meaning lasting exhaustion, and conversely a low score does not rule out difficulties.

When to speak to a professional

If your score is high on one or more dimensions, if the situation has lasted several weeks, or if you are experiencing significant distress, speak to your GP, your occupational health service, or a psychologist. In the UK, Samaritans offer free, confidential support at any time on 116 123.

This tool is not a medical or psychological diagnostic device. It does not replace clinical assessment by a qualified professional under any circumstances. Your answers stay in your browser only for the duration of this page, nothing is saved or sent to a server.