Personality Dimensions (EPQ-R)

What the EPQ-R measures

Hans Eysenck's PEN model is unique because it is explicitly rooted in biology and neuroscience, rather than just lexical (language) analysis like the Big Five. Eysenck theorized that Extraversion is linked to cortical arousal (the Reticular Activating System), Neuroticism is linked to the reactivity of the limbic system, and Psychoticism is linked to testosterone and monoamine oxidase (MAO) levels.

The dimensions it assesses

• P - Psychoticism: Measures tough-mindedness, non-conformity, lack of empathy, hostility, and impulsivity. High scorers are often highly creative but socially deviant (Note: This does not mean the clinical definition of psychosis or schizophrenia).
• E - Extraversion / Introversion: Measures sociability, liveliness, and excitability. High E individuals are chronically under-aroused and seek external stimulation; low E individuals are over-aroused and seek quiet.
• N - Neuroticism / Stability: Measures emotional reactivity, anxiety, guilt, and tension.
• L - Lie Scale: A validity scale designed to measure social desirability bias (faking good).

What to do with your result

1. High P (Psychoticism): You possess high creative potential and independence, but your bluntness damages relationships. You must actively engineer "cognitive empathy" into your interactions, as affective empathy may not come naturally.
2. High E (Extraversion) / Low Cortical Arousal: You will become deeply depressed in isolated, monotonous work environments. You need a career with high social interaction, risk, and high-tempo stimulation (e.g., sales, emergency medicine, performing arts).
3. Invalid Profiling (High L Score): If the L score is extremely high, the user is presenting a flawless, saint-like version of themselves. Discard the results and ask the user to retake the test with brutal honesty.

Common questions about the EPQ-R

What does the EPQ-R measure?

The PEN model of personality (Psychoticism, Extraversion, Neuroticism).

Can the EPQ-R diagnose me?

No. Personality Dimensions (EPQ-R) is a screening questionnaire, not a diagnostic tool. It can flag that something may need a closer look. It cannot tell you what is causing it. It describes tendencies rather than diagnosing anything, and no result here is a condition or something to fix.

Is this EPQ-R test really free?

Yes. No account, no email address, no payment. Psychometrics Today is funded by donations rather than advertising, which is also what allows us to publish instruments whose authors permit free but non-commercial use.

Are my answers stored or shared?

No. Your answers are scored inside your browser and never sent to us. There is no database of responses, because we never receive any. Closing the tab erases them, which is why results cannot be recovered afterwards.

How often should I retake the EPQ-R?

Traits and preferences move slowly, so retaking this every few months is more informative than retaking it often. Larger shifts usually follow a genuine change in circumstances.

How accurate is the EPQ-R?

Screening questionnaires are good at flagging that something merits attention and poor at establishing what it is. This one is sensitive to how you feel on the day you take it, and many instruments were validated on narrow populations whose cut-offs may not transfer cleanly to everyone. The references at the foot of this page are the primary sources.

Why can I not take the EPQ-R here?

Commercially published instrument. We will not reproduce a questionnaire we have no right to reproduce, so this page explains what it measures instead. IPIP includes public-domain Eysenckian E/N/P scales.