Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test

A 33-item self-report reflection on noticing, using, and managing emotions in yourself and with other people.

What SSEIT measures

SSEIT is a self-report measure developed from an early ability-oriented model of emotional intelligence. It asks about recognizing emotions, regulating your own and others’ emotions, and using mood to support thinking and action.

How scoring works

Each statement is rated from 1 to 5. The scoring key balances directly and oppositely worded statements without marking them in the interface. All 33 scores form the total. Four later research groupings are shown as item averages so they can be compared on the same 1–5 scale.

Method and sources

The original 1998 paper describes development and validation of the 33-item total. Later structural studies inform the optional descriptive facets and the caution against treating them as universal diagnostic scales.

Original publication
Development and validation of a measure of emotional intelligence
Nicola S. Schutte, John M. Malouff, Lena E. Hall, Donald J. Haggerty, Joan T. Cooper, Charles J. Golden, Liane Dornheim
1998
Validation study
On the dimensional structure of emotional intelligence
K. V. Petrides, Adrian Furnham
2000
Validation study
Measurement of trait emotional intelligence: testing and cross-validating a modified version of Schutte et al.'s (1998) measure
Elizabeth J. Austin, Donald H. Saklofske, Sandra H. S. Egan
2004

Related tests and articles can add context about emotions, personality, attachment, and support.

Useful reading

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How to notice anger earlier, take a safe pause, discuss boundaries and seek help when there are threats or a risk of violence.

Discussing conflict in a relationship: requests, pauses and agreements

How to move from accusations to one practical issue, take a break without punitive silence, and check whether anything changes after the conversation.

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Questions about SSEIT

Is this an IQ test?

No. It is a self-report questionnaire about perceived emotion-related skills, not a timed performance test and not an intelligence quotient.

What is a good score?

There is no universal good-score boundary. Use the result as a reflection prompt and compare only with norms validated for the same language and population.

Are the four facets separate diagnoses?

No. They are descriptive groupings proposed in later factor research. The original scale’s primary result is the 33-item total.