TEST-YO!· Exhaustion StageExhaustion Stage — Where are YOU on the curve?
Free burnout test: 16 quick questions on exhaustion and cynicism place you on a 4-stage curve, from thriving to burned out. Not a diagnosis.
- 3 min
- 16 questions
- No signup
- Free
Full result at the end — no email needed
Possible results · which one are you?
- Thriving
- Strained
- Depleted
- Burned Out
Quick answer
Your answers lead to one of 4 results: Thriving, Strained, Depleted, or Burned Out.
- 16 questions · ~3 min
- Cost: free · no signup
About this test
Thriving, strained, depleted or burned out — there are four real stages on the curve, and you're on one of them right now. 16 honest questions about exhaustion, cynicism and what you still feel proud of. Not a diagnosis — a starting point honest enough to do something about.
Methodology
16 self-report items (4 per stage) on a 5-point Likert scale, grouped around themes similar to the three burnout dimensions described in WHO ICD-11 (QD85) and the Maslach & Jackson (1981) work-exhaustion research: emotional exhaustion, cynicism/depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. This is an independent, non-clinical reformulation — not the official Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and not a diagnostic instrument. Reference: World Health Organization, ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics, entry QD85 "Burn-out".
Possible archetypes
- Thriving · Pure thriving mode
- You're suspiciously well-rested in a world that isn't. We both know it.
About: Thriving
Your stage is Thriving. You end most weeks with energy left for life outside work, you see meaning in what you do most days, weekends actually reset you, and you sleep well. The good part is rare — most adults aren't here. Watch out: don't assume your rhythm is everyone's rhythm. Many of your colleagues are running on much less.
- Strained · Held-by-coffee mode
- By Friday you snap at strangers in supermarkets. Lo sabemos.
About: Strained
Your stage is Strained. You run on fumes by Friday some weeks, you need a vacation to feel like yourself, your patience is shorter than it used to be, and unplugging takes more effort. This is recoverable — but only if you actually do it. What helps is one structural change (workload, hours, sleep, boundary), not just a long weekend.
- Depleted · Cynicism unlocked
- Even your weekend doesn't feel like a weekend anymore. We both know it.
About: Depleted
Your stage is Depleted. You're emotionally drained almost every day, you've become more cynical about your work and the people around it, you're not getting as much done as you used to, and rest doesn't feel like rest. This is the stage where Strained becomes structural. What helps is rarely "try harder" — it's usually a workload conversation, a job change, or a season of much less.
- Burned Out · Body-screaming mode
- Your body is screaming and you keep ignoring it. We both know this isn't fine.
About: Burned Out
Your stage is Burned Out. Your body is sending you signals you're ignoring (sleep, headaches, gut), Monday brings real dread, you feel detached from work that used to matter, and the pressure has reached crying, snapping or shutting down. This is real exhaustion, not a bad week. The honesty of taking this matters — but the next step is usually professional support and a structural change, not just better self-care.
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FAQ + disclaimer
Is this the official MBI?
No. It's an independent self-report quiz inspired by the Maslach work-exhaustion dimensions: emotional exhaustion, cynicism and reduced accomplishment. Not affiliated with or a reproduction of the copyrighted Maslach Burnout Inventory.
How is the burnout test scored?
Four items per stage on a 5-point Likert scale. The highest-scoring of the four stages (thriving, strained, depleted, burned out) is reported as your result.
Is burnout a clinical diagnosis?
The World Health Organization's ICD-11 classifies burn-out (code QD85) as an occupational phenomenon resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed — not as a medical or mental-health condition. This quiz is for self-reflection, not diagnosis. If your result concerns you, talk to a doctor or therapist.
How long does the burnout test take?
About 3 minutes — 16 short statements.
What are the three dimensions of burnout?
The WHO ICD-11 describes burnout through three feelings: energy depletion or exhaustion, increased mental distance from or cynicism about one's job, and reduced professional efficacy. This quiz's items are grouped around similar themes.
Can burnout happen outside of work?
The WHO explicitly limits the term "burnout" to the occupational context and says it should not be used to describe experiences in other areas of life, even though exhaustion and cynicism can show up there too.
What is the difference between stress and burnout?
Stress is usually episodic and tied to a specific pressure; burnout is a longer-running state of depletion, cynicism and reduced sense of accomplishment that builds when stress goes unmanaged over time.
What should I do if I score "burned out"?
Treat it as a signal to act, not a verdict: talk to your manager or HR about workload, consider time off, and speak with a doctor or therapist, especially if exhaustion is affecting your sleep, health or relationships.
Can I retake this test later?
Yes — because burnout tends to build and ease gradually, retaking the quiz every few weeks can show whether your stage is improving or worsening.