Future Anxiety Test: How Worried Are You About What Lies Ahead?

A brief psychology-based quiz to explore how you relate to uncertainty and the future.

By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | Last Updated: March 19, 2026

Many people worry about what’s next, but for some, thoughts about the future are consistently colored by fear and dread. The Future Anxiety Assessment explores how strongly concerns about upcoming life events, stability, and long-term outcomes influence your mindset and emotional well-being.

When future-focused fear becomes dominant, it can fuel rumination, avoidance, and difficulty staying present. This pattern often overlaps with heightened sensitivity to internal bodily cues and stress reactions, which is why some people may also find insight from the Anxiety Sensitivity Test.

Understanding your future anxiety can be an important first step toward developing a more balanced outlook. If your results suggest persistent worry or pessimism, you may also benefit from exploring resilience-related strengths using tools like the Brief Resilience Scale.

Take The Dark Future Scale

For each statement, indicate how much you agree. For best results, answer honestly and trust your first instinct.

1. I feel unsettled by the idea that I may not achieve the goals I’ve set for myself.

2. I often feel that the challenges I’m facing now will stretch far into the future.

3. Thinking about unexpected crises or major setbacks in my life makes me feel deeply uneasy.

4. I frequently imagine my life taking a turn for the worse over time.

5. I worry that economic or political instability could seriously affect my future security.

6. I feel uneasy when I think about how little control I may have over what happens in my future.

Now, enter your demographics to see how you stack up against others.

First Name

Age

Gender

Region

References

Inspired by work by Zaleski, Z., Sobol-Kwapinska, M., Przepiorka, A., & Meisner, M. (2017). Development and validation of the Dark Future Scale. Time & Society, 28(1), 107–123.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does this scale take?
It takes a few minutes to complete.

Are my responses private?
Yes, all responses are anonymized and confidential.

Can I take this test more than once?
Yes, you can retake the test any time to see how your results may have changed.

Disclaimer

This scale is designed for entertainment purposes and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment.

Future Anxiety Test: How Worried Are You About What Lies Ahead?

Take The Dark Future Scale

Now, enter your demographics to see how you stack up against others.

References

Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer

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