Fear of Judgment Test: the FNE, a 12-question social anxiety measure
The Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (FNE) is a 12 question test designed to measure social anxiety, specifically the fear of being judged or evaluated negatively by others.
It assesses how strongly you worry about criticism, disapproval, or rejection in social situations, with higher scores reflecting greater fear of negative evaluation.
Free to try · Responses are private & encrypted
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What does the Fear of Judgment Test Assessment cover?
The Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale covers 12 statements about worrying what others think, fearing disapproval and being afraid of people noticing your shortcomings, rated by how characteristic each is of you, producing a score that reflects how strongly you fear being judged.
Who is this Fear of Judgment Test Assessment for?
Helpful if you:
😳 Worry about what people think of you even when it does not matter
🚪 Hold back in social situations to avoid criticism
📝 Have been asked by your therapist to complete this
For therapists:
Assign the Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale to assess the cognitive side of social anxiety and track change over CBT, alongside the LSAS-SR. Results are stored securely for review before your next session. Fully HIPAA and GDPR compliant.
Dr Harriet Mellotte
Clinical Psychologist & CBT Therapist, BABCP
“Offload is a fantastic resource for both clients and therapists. The world of CBT has been lacking an app which enables the sharing of CBT worksheets and homework tasks between clients and therapists, but Offload completely does this, making the service we offer more professional and the benefits to clients greater.”
Frequently asked questions
What is the Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale?
This is the 12-question Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale, a widely used measure of how much you worry about being judged, criticised or rejected by others. Fear of negative evaluation is considered a core feature of social anxiety, which is why the scale is so often used in social anxiety research and therapy.
Does this test diagnose social anxiety disorder?
No. It measures one aspect of social anxiety, the fear of being judged, and is not a diagnosis. A high score suggests this fear is playing a large role in your life and that support could help. For a broader picture, Offload's Social Anxiety Test looks at fear and avoidance across specific situations.
Why does fear of judgement matter?
When you expect to be judged badly, you tend to avoid situations, over-prepare, or replay conversations afterwards looking for mistakes. Those responses keep the fear alive. Recognising how strong the fear is helps you and your therapist target it directly with CBT techniques such as testing predictions and reducing safety behaviours.
Can professionals assign this test to their clients?
Yes. Therapists on Offload can assign the scale to assess the cognitive side of social anxiety and track change through treatment, alongside the LSAS-SR. Results are stored securely and available to review before the next session. Fully HIPAA and GDPR compliant.
Are you a therapist?
Assign this therapy tool and 200+ other interactive tools directly to your clients. Build personalised care plans, customise tools, and review client responses before sessions. HIPAA and GDPR compliant.
Explore Offload for therapistsReferences
Leary, M. R. (1983). A brief version of the Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 9, 371-376.
