Hall’s Emotional Intelligence Test: How Well Do You Understand Yourself and Others

Emotional intelligence (EQ) is a critical skill that goes far beyond simply staying calm at work or knowing when to give a compliment. It is the fundamental ability to recognize your own emotions and those of others, manage them effectively, and use that understanding to build better relationships and make smarter decisions. American psychologist Nicholas Hall is credited with creating a popular self-assessment test in the 1990s to measure an individual's strength in this area. Hall, like many modern psychologists, believed that emotional intelligence often matters more than a person's intelligence quotient (IQ) for achieving life success. This idea is supported by studies showing that people with high EQ tend to experience fewer conflicts, build stronger teams, and achieve their goals more efficiently. In psychology, this concept builds upon the foundational work of figures like Daniel Goleman, who argued that emotions should be seen as fuel for action, not as obstacles to overcome.

The Hall's Emotional Intelligence Test

The test is designed to be straightforward and insightful. It consists of 30 statements that you will rate based on how well they describe you. The scoring system is balanced to help minimize self-deception and provide a more honest look at your emotional landscape. It covers five key areas: emotional awareness, managing emotions, self-motivation, empathy, and recognizing others’ emotions.

The test should take about 10 minutes to complete. For the most accurate results, answer honestly based on your typical behavior, without trying to polish your self-image. For each statement below, write down its number and assign yourself a score from -3 to +3.

• +3: Completely agree
• +2: Strongly agree
• +1: Slightly agree
• 0: Neutral / Not sure
• -1: Slightly disagree
• -2: Strongly disagree
• -3: Completely disagree

Test Statements

1. I know when I’m being praised or criticized.
2. I can clearly express what I feel.
3. When I’m upset, I know why.
4. I can name my feelings.
5. I understand how others want to be treated.
6. When someone is angry, I can easily calm them down.
7. I know what to say to make someone happy.
8. I can tell what someone else feels, even if they don’t say it.
9. I understand what someone means, even without words.
10. When I’m angry, I can calm myself down.
11. I can distract myself from a bad mood.
12. I can easily shift from a bad mood.
13. I can easily let go of anxiety.
14. I can switch from sadness to joy.
15. I can overcome a bad mood.
16. I know how to motivate myself.
17. I can make myself work, even when I don’t want to.
18. I can focus when I need to.
19. I can finish boring tasks.
20. I can feel better when I’m down.
21. I can tell if someone likes what I do.
22. I can tell if someone likes my opinion.
23. I can tell if someone likes what I say.
24. I can tell if someone likes what I wear.
25. I can tell if someone likes what I give them.
26. I can tell if someone likes what I do for them.
27. I can tell if someone likes what I suggest.
28. I can tell if someone likes what I plan.
29. I can tell if someone likes what I organize.
30. I can tell if someone likes what I create.

Calculating and Understanding Your Score

To find your score, you first need to calculate the total for each of the five scales. Each scale's score is the sum of your answers for its six corresponding questions. The minimum possible score for a scale is -18, and the maximum is +18.

Corrected Scoring Keys

Note: The original question distribution had some overlaps and logical inconsistencies. The keys below have been corrected for clarity and accuracy, ensuring each question is assigned to the most appropriate scale.

• Scale 1 (Emotional Awareness): Sum of scores for questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 11, 20.
• Scale 2 (Managing Emotions): Sum of scores for questions 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18.
• Scale 3 (Self-Motivation): Sum of scores for questions 16, 17, 19, 5, 6, 22.
• Scale 4 (Empathy): Sum of scores for questions 7, 8, 9, 21, 23, 28.
• Scale 5 (Recognizing Others’ Emotions): Sum of scores for questions 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30.

Convert to a Percentage

To make your score easier to interpret, convert each scale's total into a percentage using the following formula. This formula adjusts the [-18 to +18] range to a more intuitive [0% to 100%] scale.

Percentage Score = (Your total sum for the scale + 18) / 36 * 100

Interpreting Your Levels

Once you have a percentage for each of the five scales, you can determine your level of proficiency. Your overall EQ score is the average of your five percentage scores.

• Low (Below 50%): This score suggests you may not always recognize or understand emotions in yourself or others, which can sometimes complicate relationships and decision-making. This is a great opportunity to start practicing emotional awareness, perhaps by talking about feelings more openly with people you trust.
• Average (50% – 70%): This is a solid level of emotional intelligence. You likely handle most emotionally charged situations well but have some room for growth. Focusing on specific areas where you scored lower can help you become even more effective.
• High (Above 70%): You are an expert in understanding and navigating emotions. This high level of EQ is a powerful asset that you can use for leadership, building deep personal connections, and mentoring others.

Hall believed that, unlike IQ, EQ can be trained and developed throughout life. If your score is lower than you hoped, don’t worry—view it as a starting point for growth. Practices like keeping an emotion journal, actively listening in conversations, and seeking to understand others' perspectives are powerful ways to improve. Psychology confirms that developing emotional intelligence is a key contributor to a happier, more successful life, and it grows with conscious effort. Hopefully, this test has helped you see yourself and others a bit more clearly.

References

• Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. A landmark book that popularized the concept of emotional intelligence for the general public. Goleman synthesized academic research to argue that skills like self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social skills are stronger predictors of success in life than traditional measures of intelligence.
• Hall, N. (Approx. 1990s). While Nicholas Hall is frequently cited online as the creator of this 30-question emotional intelligence test, formal academic publications or a definitive, peer-reviewed version of the "Hall's Emotional Intelligence Test" are not prominent in scholarly databases. The test is primarily circulated as a popular psychology tool for self-assessment rather than a clinical diagnostic instrument.