How long does this quiz take?

This quiz takes about 3-4 minutes to complete.

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.

Will this test tell me if I am too optimistic or not optimistic enough?

This test highlights whether your optimism is balanced with realism, helping you understand potential strengths and blind spots.

Can my results help me improve my mindset?

Yes, your results can guide personal reflection and help identify areas where more realism or optimism may be beneficial.

Discover how hopeful, resilient, and realistically optimistic your mindset truly is with this science-inspired psychology test.

Realistic Optimism Scale

Where positivity meets practical thinking.

By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | Last Updated: December 27, 2025

Reviewed by Jourdan Travers, LCSW

Optimism can be a powerful psychological asset—but only when it’s grounded in reality. The Balanced Optimism Test explores how you maintain hope, recover from setbacks, and pursue goals without ignoring real-world challenges.

Rather than focusing on blind positivity, this assessment looks at how emotional resilience, future orientation, and stress tolerance work together to shape your outlook. People with balanced optimism tend to stay motivated while still adapting when things don’t go as planned.

If you’re interested in how mindset interacts with emotional processing, you may also find our Brief Resilience Scale and Anxiety Sensitivity Test helpful companion assessments.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does this quiz take?: This quiz takes about 3-4 minutes to complete.
Are my responses private?: Yes, all Realistic Optimism Scale 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 Realistic Optimism Scale results may have changed.
Will this test tell me if I am too optimistic or not optimistic enough?: This test highlights whether your optimism is balanced with realism, helping you understand potential strengths and blind spots.
Can my results help me improve my mindset?: Yes, your results can guide personal reflection and help identify areas where more realism or optimism may be beneficial.

Balanced Optimism Test: Take The Quiz

Step 1: Rate Your Optimism Mindset

For each statement, indicate how much you agree on a scale of 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree). For best results, answer honestly and trust your first instinct.

1. I willingly take on challenges, even when success isn’t guaranteed.

2. I have meaningful ambitions that motivate my daily life.

3. One setback doesn’t make me assume everything else will fail.

4. Difficult experiences often help me grow in some way.

5. I actively plan for and think about my future goals.

6. I bounce back quickly after emotionally difficult experiences.

7. Small worries rarely consume my thoughts.

8. I generally expect positive outcomes in my life.

9. When something doesn’t work out, I regain confidence fairly fast.

10. I feel hopeful about where my life is headed.

11. I don’t spend much time dwelling on past mistakes.

12. Minor problems don’t usually upset me for long.

13. I adjust my expectations when new information suggests a different outcome.

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 Realistic Optimism Scale Answers

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

References

Nishaat, A. (2021). Development of a Realistic Optimism Scale. Contemporary Social Sciences, 30(4).

Disclaimer

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