What Is the Eysenck Personality Model?
The Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) is based on psychologist Hans Eysenck's PEN model, which describes personality along three super-factors: Extraversion (E), Neuroticism (N), and Psychoticism (P). Each dimension is a spectrum rather than a category — you receive a normalized score from 0 to 100 and a band (low, medium, or high) for each.
Extraversion captures how outgoing, energetic, and sensation-seeking you are. Neuroticism reflects emotional reactivity — how strongly you experience anxiety, tension, and mood swings. Psychoticism (often called tough-mindedness) measures impulsivity, assertiveness, and nonconformity. Combining Extraversion and Neuroticism yields Eysenck's classic four temperaments: Sanguine, Choleric, Phlegmatic, and Melancholic.
Important: the labels "Neuroticism" and "Psychoticism" are Eysenck's temperament trait names — they describe personality styles (emotional reactivity and tough-mindedness), not clinical diagnoses of any mental disorder. This 48-question assessment uses original items inspired by the public-domain PEN constructs to give you a personalized dimension profile. It's an educational tool, not a clinical instrument.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Eysenck personality test (EPQ)?
An assessment based on Eysenck's PEN model, measuring Extraversion, Neuroticism, and Psychoticism. Each dimension yields a 0–100 score and a band, plus a combined temperament summary.
How long does the test take?
The test includes 48 questions and typically takes about 10 minutes to complete.
Is the Eysenck model scientific?
The PEN model is a well-known personality framework with decades of research. "Neuroticism" and "Psychoticism" are temperament trait labels, not clinical diagnoses. This test is educational, not a diagnostic instrument.
Are my results private?
Yes. Your answers are processed in your browser and never sent to a server. We only store what is necessary to deliver your paid report.
Scientific Basis & References
Your score is based on the constructs defined by the published works below. We cite the original theory, key supporting or critical research, and the evidence limits you should know about.
- Eysenck, H. J. (1967). The Biological Basis of Personality. Charles C. Thomas.
- Eysenck, H. J., & Eysenck, S. B. G. (1975). Manual of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire. Hodder & Stoughton.
- Eysenck, S. B. G., Eysenck, H. J., & Barrett, P. (1985). A revised version of the psychoticism scale. Personality and Individual Differences, 6(1), 21–29.
- Eysenck, H. J. (1991). Dimensions of personality: 16, 5 or 3? Criteria for a taxonomic paradigm. Personality and Individual Differences, 12(8), 773–790.
PulseTrait items are original wording inspired by these public frameworks. Self-report scores vary with mood, context, and self-perception, and this questionnaire is not a clinical diagnostic instrument.