If you are trying to figure out whether you are a highly sensitive person (HSP), there are a couple of potential ways to go about it. One way is to simply read descriptions of highly sensitive people and see if they resonate. Another is to take self-tests. If you are wanting to try this second route, I have listed a bunch of different HSP tests and assessments below.
HSP tests and assessments
self-tests for highly sensitive adults
high sensitivity self test by dr. elaine aron
The High Sensitivity Self Test by Dr. Elaine Aron, the originator of the term highly sensitive person, is the best known and most widely used self-test for assessing sensitivity. The test has 27 items. If you answer more than fourteen of the questions as true of yourself, you are probably highly sensitive. The items on the test will also give you a good overview of the typical characteristics associated with high sensitivity.
high sensitivity self test by sensitivityresearch.com
The High Sensitivity Self Test by SensitivityResearch.com has been developed by a group of sensitivity researchers, including Elaine Aron. This is a 12-item test, with each item being rated on a 7-point scale. You score will indicate whether your sensitivity level is high, medium, or low.
are you an empath? self assessment test by Dr. judith orloff
The Are You An Empath? Self Assessment Test, developed by author and psychiatrist Judith Orloff, is a 20-item checkbox test. Your number of "yes" responses will indicate whether you are not an empath, you are partially an empath, you have moderate empathic tendencies, you have strong empathic tendencies, or you are a full blown empath. (The terms empath and highly sensitive person are often used interchangeably. Click here to read more about HSPs vs empaths.)
high sensation seeking test by dr. elaine aron
High sensation seeking is a personality trait - just like high sensitivity - but it's sort of its opposite. High sensation seeking is characterized by thrill and adventure seeking, experience or novelty seeking, disinhibition, and boredom susceptibility. It's possible for a person to be both highly sensitive as well as high sensation seeking, and the High Sensation Seeking Test by Dr. Elaine Aron can help you figure out if this is you. This 20-item test will categorize you as probably a sensation seeker, probably not a sensation seeker, or somewhere in between on sensation seeking. (Click here to read more about HSP-HSS.)
tests for highly sensitive children
highly sensitive child test by dr. elaine aron
The Highly Sensitive Child Test by Dr. Elaine Aron is a 23-item checklist that parents can go through on behalf of their child. According to the test's criteria, checking 13 or more of the items means that your child is probably highly sensitive.
test for highly sensitive children by sensitivityresearch.com
The Test for Children by SensitivityResearch.com is one that children between the ages of 8 and 18 can take on their own. Similar to the adult version, this is a 12-item test, with each item being rated on a 7-point scale. The score indicates whether the child's sensitivity level is high, medium, or low.
different components of sensitivity
carver and white's biS/BAS scales
The Behavioral Approach System or BAS motivates people to move toward a stimulus, while the Behavioral Inhibition System or BIS motivates people to move away from stimuli. High sensitivity is thought to be associated with high behavioral inhibition. Carver and White's BIS/BAS Scales assess individual differences in the sensitivity of these two systems. The test consists of 24 true or false statements. You get scores for BAS Reward Responsiveness, BAS Drive, BAS Fun Seeking, and BIS.
hsp types quiz by HSP Coach
Many HSPs struggle with a core set of similar challenges. The HSP Types Quiz developed by yours truly helps you identify which challenge patterns are most prevalent in your life at the moment. The quiz consists of 35 true-false statements. You will receive a percentage score that measures the degree to which you fit the profile of each of seven potential HSP Types. You will also receive a free PDF with detailed descriptions and potential avenues of personal growth for each type.
