Social Anxiety Test
A confidential self-assessment built on the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN), the validated 17-item measure of social anxiety used in research and clinics. You get an instant, plain-language result with a clear severity band, plus a professional PDF report you can keep or bring to a therapist.
Three sides of social anxiety, measured together
Social anxiety is not just shyness. The SPIN measures how much fear, avoidance, and physical symptoms have affected you over the past week, because real social anxiety shows up across all three.
Total SPIN score
The full Social Phobia Inventory score from 0 to 68, reflecting how much social anxiety symptoms have bothered you in the past week. The number the research validates against.
Fear, avoidance, physical
The SPIN spans the three core features of social anxiety: fear of social situations, avoidance of them, and the physical signs like blushing, sweating, or a racing heart.
Five severity bands
From none or minimal through very severe, using the cutoffs from the validation research, so your result is calibrated rather than a vague label.
| Feature | Typical free quiz | Psychology.com |
|---|---|---|
| Validated SPIN questions | Sometimes | Yes, all 17 items |
| Fear, avoidance & physical symptoms | Partial | Yes, all three covered |
| Research-based severity bands | Rarely | Yes, five calibrated bands |
| Clinician-reviewed interpretation | Rarely | Yes, MD reviewed |
| Downloadable PDF report | No | Yes, branded & shareable |
| Confidential (no data sent) | Often tracked | Runs in your browser |
Methodology & sources
The 17 questions reproduce the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) developed by Connor and colleagues (2000), worded to stay faithful to the validated instrument while reading clearly. Each item asks how much a symptom has bothered you over the past week, rated from 0 (not at all) to 4 (extremely), for a maximum total of 68. The items span the three domains the SPIN was built to capture: fear, avoidance, and physiological arousal.
This test is provided for education and self-reflection, not diagnosis. The severity bands follow the cutoffs reported in the validation research, where a total of around 19 to 20 best separated people with social anxiety disorder from those without. We present higher bands as increasingly strong signals to consider professional support, while being clear that a questionnaire cannot diagnose anything and that scores can rise with ordinary stress or other conditions.
- Connor KM, Davidson JR, Churchill LE, et al. Psychometric properties of the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN): new self-rating scale. Br J Psychiatry. 2000;176:379–386.
- Antony MM, Coons MJ, McCabe RE, et al. Psychometric properties of the Social Phobia Inventory: further evaluation. Behav Res Ther. 2006;44(8):1177–1185.
- Ranta K, Kaltiala-Heino R, Rantanen P, et al. Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) in clinical and general population samples of adolescents. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2007;16(8):528–536.
Social Anxiety Test FAQ
What is a social anxiety test based on the SPIN?
It is a short, research-based screening that measures how much fear, avoidance, and physical symptoms of social anxiety have bothered you over the past week. The Social Phobia Inventory is a widely validated self-report measure, but a questionnaire is a screening tool, not a diagnosis.
What SPIN score suggests social anxiety disorder?
In the validation research, a total of about 19 to 20 or higher best identified people with social anxiety disorder. Higher bands suggest more severe symptoms, and crossing the threshold is a reason to consider a professional assessment.
Is social anxiety just shyness?
No. Shyness is a personality trait, while social anxiety disorder involves intense fear of judgment that leads to avoidance and distress strong enough to interfere with daily life. The SPIN measures that level of impact, not ordinary shyness.
Is this test a diagnosis?
No. It is for education and self-reflection only. Only a licensed clinician can diagnose social anxiety disorder. If your results concern you, consider talking with a therapist who treats anxiety.
Is the test really confidential?
Yes. It runs entirely in your browser. Your answers are never sent to a server, never stored, and never linked to you. No account is needed, and the optional PDF is generated on your own device.
Can social anxiety be treated?
Yes. Cognitive behavioral therapy, especially with gradual exposure to feared situations, has strong evidence, and medication can help too. Many people see a substantial reduction in symptoms with treatment.