How long does this quiz take?

It takes about two to three minutes to complete this assessment. Most people finish quickly since the questions are straightforward.

Are my responses private?

Yes, all answers 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.

What does my score on this test mean?

Your score indicates your overall tendency toward unhelpful cognitive rumination. A high score suggests your perfectionism may be linked to distress, while a low score suggests healthier coping mechanisms.

Is this related to Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

While rumination is a feature of many conditions, this test is specifically focused on the cognitive dimension of perfectionism. It is not a diagnostic tool for GAD or any other clinical disorder.

Discover your level of perfectionism with this test measuring how strongly you dwell on mistakes — and how it may be affecting your well-being.

Mistake Rumination Test

Learn how your tendency to replay past errors compares with others.

By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | Last Updated: December 11, 2025

Reviewed by Jourdan Travers, LCSW

The tendency to obsess over mistakes, a behavior known as mistake rumination, is a core feature of psychological distress. While reflecting on errors can be a healthy learning tool, excessive and negative rumination can trap individuals in a cycle of self-criticism, hindering growth and contributing to anxiety or depression.

This scale, adapted from clinical psychology research, measures the frequency and intensity of your self-critical thoughts after experiencing a perceived failure or error. It provides valuable insight into your cognitive patterns and helps you identify specific ways your perfectionistic tendencies may be fueling mental exhaustion.

By understanding your rumination patterns, you can take steps toward developing coping strategies and cultivating self-compassion.

For further self-reflection, we recommend exploring our related scales, such as the Anxiety Sensitivity Test and the Highly Sensitive Person Questionnaire.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does this quiz take?: It takes about two to three minutes to complete this assessment. Most people finish quickly since the questions are straightforward.
Are my responses private?: Yes, all Mistake Rumination Test answers are anonymized and confidential.
Can I take this test more than once?: Yes, you can retake the test any time to see how your Mistake Rumination Test results may have changed.
What does my score on this test mean?: Your score indicates your overall tendency toward unhelpful cognitive rumination after setbacks. A high score suggests your perfectionism may be linked to distress, while a low score suggests healthier coping mechanisms.
Is this related to Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?: While rumination is a feature of many conditions, this test is specifically focused on the cognitive dimension of perfectionism. It is not a diagnostic tool for GAD or any other clinical disorder.

Mistake Rumination Test: Take The Test

Step 1: Rate Your Tendency to Ruminate

For each statement, indicate how often this happens to you, on a scale of 1 (Not At All) to 5 (All The Time). For best results, answer honestly and trust your first instinct.

1. When I make an error, I find myself thinking, "How could I have been so careless or foolish?"

2. After an unexpected failure, I ask myself, "Why can't I perform better or avoid errors like this one?"

3. I mentally replay past mistakes, dwelling on what I should have done differently.

4. I often compare my mistakes to those of others, wondering why my errors seem unique or worse.

5. A single mistake often leads me to recall other failures I've made in the past.

6. After a setback, I obsess over whether I should have anticipated the problem and found a way to prevent it.

7. I actively hide or conceal my errors from others out of fear of judgment or criticism.

8. When I notice a small mistake, it tends to overshadow the things I did well.

9. I replay conversations in my mind, wishing I had handled certain moments differently.

Step 2: Enter Your Demographics

Provide your age, gender, region, and first name for a detailed report comparing your results to others.

What is your age?

What is your gender?

What region of the world do you live in?

What is your first name?

Step 3: Submit Your Mistake Rumination Test Answers

After completing all questions, click below to send your responses to Mark Travers, Ph.D. All answers are anonymized and confidential.

References

Flett, G. L., Nepon, T., Hewitt, P. L., Zaki-Azat, J., Rose, A. L., & Swiderski, K. (2020). The Mistake Rumination Scale: Development, Validation, and Utility of a Measure of Cognitive Perfectionism. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 38(1), 84-98.

Disclaimer

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