Public Speaking Anxiety Test: Free 2-Minute Quiz

Curious how much your fear of public speaking affects you? Take this free 2-minute self-check and get a suggested next step based on your answers.

How strong is your fear of public speaking?

A free 2-minute self-check. Pick the answer that fits you best. There are no wrong answers.

You don't need to sign up to see your result, and we don't save your answers. Privacy policy

This quiz is an informal self-check for educational purposes only. It is not a clinical or validated assessment and does not provide a diagnosis. If anxiety about speaking, or anxiety in general, severely affects your work, relationships or daily life, please talk to a doctor, therapist or other qualified mental-health professional.

1 / 10

When you find out you'll have to speak in front of a group, how do you feel?

Fine, maybe a little alert

A bit nervous, but it passes

Worried, and it stays on my mind

Dread. I start thinking about how to get out of it

2 / 10

How far ahead do you start worrying about a talk or presentation?

I don't really worry

Shortly before, on the day

A few days before

A week or more. It's hard to think about anything else

3 / 10

Right before you speak, what does your body do?

Nothing much

Some butterflies

A racing heart, shaky hands or a dry mouth

Strong symptoms like nausea, trembling or feeling faint

4 / 10

Have you ever avoided a chance to speak (a meeting, a toast, a class, a job role)?

Never

Once or twice

Fairly often

Almost always, when I can

5 / 10

How do you feel about speaking up in a small meeting or group discussion?

Comfortable

Mostly fine

I often stay quiet even when I have something to say

I almost never speak up

6 / 10

While you're speaking, what happens to your thoughts?

I stay focused on my message

I lose my place now and then, but I recover

I often go blank or rush to get it over with

My mind goes blank and I struggle to keep going

7 / 10

How much do you worry about what the audience thinks of you?

Hardly at all

A little

Quite a lot. I picture them judging me

It's my biggest fear when I speak

8 / 10

After a talk, how do you usually feel?

Relieved or even pleased

I think about one or two things I'd change

I replay my mistakes for a while

I feel embarrassed for days

9 / 10

Has this fear held you back at work, at school or in your personal life?

A little

Yes, in noticeable ways

Yes, a lot. It has shaped big choices

10 / 10

If you were asked right now to give a 2-minute talk tomorrow, what would you do?

Say yes

Say yes, a little nervously

Say yes only if I really had to

Find a way to say no

What your score means

Each of the 10 questions is worth 0 to 3 points, so your score runs from 0 to 30. A higher score means the fear shows up more often, starts earlier or gets in the way more. Here’s how we read the three levels.

0–10 points

Mild nerves

Some butterflies, mostly right before you speak, and they settle once you get going. That’s normal, and it often means you care. A little regular practice can turn that nervous energy into presence.

Your result links to a free plan for this level.

11–20 points

Moderate fear

Speaking really gets to you. You might worry for days beforehand, feel your heart race, or stay quiet in meetings when you have something to say. This level responds well to small, steady practice and a few calming skills.

Your result links to a free plan for this level.

21–30 points

Strong fear

The fear is intense, and it may already shape choices, like skipping a class, a role or a toast. You can still make progress at your own pace, starting with very low-pressure steps. If anxiety is getting in the way of daily life, a doctor or therapist can help too.

Your result links to a free plan for this level.

Your score isn’t fixed. Nerves often ease with practice, so try the quiz again after a few weeks of small steps and see what’s changed.

Take the 2-minute quiz ↑

Frequently asked questions

Is this quiz a diagnosis?

No. It’s an informal self-check for educational purposes, not a clinical or validated assessment, and it can’t diagnose anxiety or any other condition. Think of it as a quick way to put words to how speaking makes you feel and to pick a sensible next step. Only a qualified professional can make a diagnosis.

How accurate is the quiz?

It’s a rough guide. Your score reflects how you answered today, and something like a big talk next week can push it up or down. Researchers and clinicians use longer, validated questionnaires, such as the 34-item Personal Report of Public Speaking Anxiety (PRPSA). Our quiz is shorter and simpler, so read your level as a starting point, not a verdict.

What is glossophobia?

Glossophobia is the fear of public speaking. It can show up as dread days before a talk, a racing heart or shaky hands, or a mind that goes blank mid-sentence. Mild nerves are very common and often mean you care. Our guide What is glossophobia? explains what it feels like and why it happens.

Can the fear of public speaking be overcome?

For most people, it can get a lot smaller. Gradual practice, simple calming skills and, when needed, therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy help many people speak with far less fear. Some nerves may stick around, but they stop being in charge. A good place to start is how to overcome the fear of public speaking, or the free plan your quiz result points you to.

When should I talk to a professional?

Whatever your score, if anxiety about speaking (or anxiety in general) is getting in the way of your work, studies, relationships or daily life, it’s worth talking to a doctor, therapist or other qualified mental-health professional. Our guide on when to see a professional about speaking anxiety covers the signs and the kinds of help that exist.

Is the quiz free, and are my answers saved?

Yes, it’s free, and you don’t need to sign up to see your result. We use your answers only to work out your result and don’t save them. If you’d like the free plan for your level, you can choose to get it by email and unsubscribe anytime. Our privacy policy has the details.