Embrace Autism

Written by:

Dr. Natalie Engelbrecht ND RP

Categories: Autism tests

The Empathy Quotient

Published: April 11, 2020
Last updated on August 19, 2022

Contents
471 1 – Who the test is designed for
2 – Versions & translations
3 – Taking the test
4 – Scoring
 5 – Validity
6 – Discussion
7 – Filler statements
8 – The EQ
9 – Recommended next steps

10 – References
11 – Tags
12 – Disclaimer

8 min read

The Empathy Quotient (EQ) is a self-administered questionnaire designed to measure

empathy in adults. It tests the ability to tune into how someone else is feeling, or
what they might be thinking.

Basic information
Statements: 60

Duration: 5–10 minutes

Type: screening tool

Authors: Simon Baron-Cohen & Sally Wheelwright

Publishing year: 2004

Seminal paper: The Empathy Quotient: An Investigation of Adults with

Asperger Syndrome or High Functioning Autism, and Normal
Sex Differences (Baron-Cohen & Wheelwright, 2004)

Take the test here:

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Empathy Quotient
Who the test is designed for
Autistic adults (age 16+) judged to have an IQ in the normal range (IQ
>=80).
Versions for adolescents and children are also available.

Versions & translations

The EQ has been translated into many different languages
Non-adult versions are also available:

Adolescents (ages 12–15): Empathy Quotient (EQ) for Adolescents

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Children (ages 4–11): Children’s Empathy Quotient (EQ-C)
Taking the test
The EQ consists of 60 statements, giving you 4 choices for each statement:

1. Definitely Agree = 2 points

2. Slightly Agree = 1 point
3. Slightly Disagree = 1 point
4. Definitely Disagree = 2 points

The EQ comprises 60 statements, broken down into two types:

40 statements on empathy, and;

20 filler items.

Much of the confusion of the EQ comes from the 20 filler questions that were
designed to distract the participant from a relentless focus on empathy. So the filler
questions serve as a palate cleanser, which allegedly improves the accuracy of the
given answers on non-filler questions.

Scoring
Scoring range: 0–80
Threshold score: ↓30
81% of people previously designated Asperger syndrome score 30 or lower.
[1]

Most non-autistic males score 42 on average.[2]

Most non-autistic females score 47 on average.[3]

Validity
How
471reliable, accurate, valid, and up to date is the test?

The Empathy Quotient (EQ) is a widely misunderstood measurement. In

actuality, it has good reliability and validity and falls into a normal bell
 curve. Everyone can be placed on this empathy spectrum (from high to
low).
The EQ is a valid, reliable scale.[4]
The EQ has a test-retest reliability of 0.835 over a period of 12 months,
which indicates good reliability (a reliability of 1 is perfect).[5]

Discussion
Natalie:
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I have an ambivalent relationship with Simon Baron-Cohen and his tests, and the
Empathy Quotient is no exception. I score 32—much lower than the typical female
score of 47. Martin scores a whopping 3, which is just outrageous. He is one of the
kindest, most sensitive people I know.

Baron-Cohen created this test to measure empathy but is not explicit in what he
means by that term. I know he considers all autistic people ‘zero positives’. A zero
positive is a person who lacks both cognitive and emotional empathy but may
contribute to society.

In terms of empathy, I have too much. I am what Baron-Cohen calls a level

6 (individuals with remarkable empathy). Level zero has no empathy at all. Hurting
someone means nothing to them.

According to research and tests like the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire, I have much
higher empathy (54 out of 80) than most people. Research shows that our theory of
mind or cognitive empathy improves significantly with age. Though we have cognitive
empathy, we don’t always choose to use it.

One danger of the EQ is it perpetuates both the belief that autistics having no
empathy, and the differences as a disability myth. Furthermore, it is upsetting for
many autistics to learn how low they score on this test. Irrespective of your score,
you are considered a zero-positive. So no matter what, Simon stretches or chops our
limbs to fit into his Procrustean bed.

Despite all of this, the Empathy Quotient does have a reasonable correlation with
autism. I concluded that it measures our social and communication differences
rather than our empathy, and indeed research supports this.

Kendall:
After receiving a score of 13 on the EQ, I could not understand why my
score was so low. When I did the Toronto Empathy Score, I scored higher
than normal empathy (48).
Learning about the filler questions was annoying. For example, the
practical joke question. Practical jokes are mean and I dislike witnessing
them. Why does that not display empathy?
The idea that empathy is a two-part process—identify what someone is
thinking and respond with an appropriate emotion—seems accurate. I’m
glad young Simon’s sister had a disability.
Part two is where the misunderstandings occur. The desired response is
the neurotypical response. My ability to attribute mental states to another
person is present but, the response is spoken in a different language.
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Does that make my response invalid or incorrect?
Filler statements
The 20 filler statements have NOTHING to do with a person’s EQ score; they are
simply disregarded, but serve to improve the accuracy of your answers. Still, I think
it’s nice to know which statements are not counted on this test. They are:

2. I prefer animals to humans.

3. I try to keep up with the current trends and fashions.
5. I dream most nights.
7. I try to solve my own problems rather than discussing them with others.
9. I am at my best first thing in the morning.
13. I would never break a law, no matter how minor.
16. I prefer practical jokes to verbal humor.
17. I live life for today rather than the future.
20. I tend to have very strong opinions about morality.
23. I think that good manners are the most important thing a parent can
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teach their child.
24. I like to do things on the spur of the moment.
30. People often tell me that I am very unpredictable.
 31. I enjoy being the center of attention at any social gathering.
33. I enjoy having discussions about politics.
40. I can’t relax until I have done everything I had planned to do that day.
45. I often start new hobbies but quickly become bored with them and
move on to something else.
47. I would be too nervous to go on a big rollercoaster.
51. I like to be very organized in day-to-day life and often make lists of the
chores I have to do.
53. I don’t like to take risks.
56. Before making a decision I always weigh up the pros and cons.

The EQ
Please read each statement carefully and rate how strongly you agree or disagree
with it by selecting the circle under your answer. There are no right or wrong
answers, or trick questions.

1. I can easily tell if someone else wants to enter a conversation.

a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

2. I prefer animals to humans.

a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

3. I try to keep up with the current trends and fashions.

a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
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c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree
4. I find it difficult to explain to others things that I understand
easily, when they don’t understand it the first time.
a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

5. I dream most nights.

a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

6. I really enjoy caring for other people.

a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

7. I try to solve my own problems rather than discussing them with

others.
a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

8. I find it hard to know what to do in a social situation.

a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

9. I am at my best first thing in the morning.

a. Definitely Agree
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b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree
10. People often tell me that I went too far in driving my point
home in a discussion.
a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

11. It doesn’t bother me too much if I am late meeting a friend.

a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

12. Friendships and relationships are just too difficult, so I tend not
to bother with them.
a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

13. I would never break a law, no matter how minor.

a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

14. I often find it difficult to judge if something is rude or polite.

a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

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15. In a conversation, I tend to focus on my own thoughts rather
than on what my listener might be thinking.
a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

16. I prefer practical jokes to verbal humor.

a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

17. I live life for today rather than the future.

a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

18. When I was a child, I enjoyed cutting up worms to see what

would happen.
a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

19. I can pick up quickly if someone says one thing but means
another.
a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

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20. I tend to have very strong opinions about morality.
a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

21. It is hard for me to see why some things upset people so much.
a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

22. I find it easy to put myself in somebody else’s shoes.

a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

23. I think that good manners are the most important thing a
parent can teach their child.
a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

24. I like to do things on the spur of the moment.

a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

25. I am good at predicting how someone will feel.

a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
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c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree
26. I am quick to spot when someone in a group is feeling
awkward or uncomfortable.
a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

27. If I say something that someone else is offended by, I think that
that’s their problem, not mine.
a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

28. If anyone asked me if I liked their haircut, I would reply

truthfully, even if I didn’t like it.
a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

29. I can’t always see why someone should have felt offended by a
remark.
a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

30. People often tell me that I am very unpredictable.

a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

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31. I enjoy being the center of attention at any social gathering.
a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

32. Seeing people cry doesn’t really upset me.

a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

33. I enjoy having discussions about politics.

a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

34. I am very blunt, which some people take to be rudeness, even

though this is unintentional.
a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

35. I don’t find social situations confusing.

a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

36. Other people tell me I am good at understanding how they are

feeling and what they are thinking.
a. Definitely Agree
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b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree
37. When I talk to people, I tend to talk about their experiences
rather than my own.
a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

38. It upsets me to see an animal in pain.

a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

39. I am able to make decisions without being influenced by

people’s feelings.
a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

40. I can’t relax until I have done everything I had planned to do

that day.
a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

41. I can easily tell if someone else is interested or bored with

what I am saying.
a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

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42. I get upset if I see people suffering on news programs.
a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

43. Friends usually talk to me about their problems as they say

that I am very understanding.
a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

44. I can sense if I am intruding, even if the other person doesn’t

tell me.
a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

45. I often start new hobbies, but quickly become bored with them
and move on to something else.
a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

46. People sometimes tell me that I have gone too far with teasing.
a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

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47. I would be too nervous to go on a big rollercoaster.
a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

48. Other people often say that I am insensitive, though I don’t

always see why.
a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

49. If I see a stranger in a group, I think that it is up to them to

make an effort to join in.
a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

50. I usually stay emotionally detached when watching a film.

a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

51. I like to be very organized in day-to-day life and often make

lists of the chores I have to do.
a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

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52. I can tune into how someone else feels rapidly and intuitively.
a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

53. I don’t like to take risks.

a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

54. I can easily work out what another person might want to talk
about.
a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

55. I can tell if someone is masking their true emotion.

a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

56. Before making a decision, I always weigh up the pros and cons.
a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

57. I don’t consciously work out the rules of social situations.

a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
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c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree
58. I am good at predicting what someone will do.
a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

59. I tend to get emotionally involved with a friend’s problems.

a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

60. I can usually appreciate the other person’s viewpoint, even if I

don’t agree with it.
a. Definitely Agree
b. Slightly Agree
c. Slightly Disagree
d. Definitely Disagree

Score

Recommended next steps

After the EQ, consider taking one of the tests below.
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Systemizing Quotient
 Measures your systemizing and pattern
finding proclivities and abilities

Toronto Empathy Questionnaire

Measures your emotional ability to
understand and respond to others

Toronto Alexithymia Scale

Measures difficulty in identifying and
describing emotions and feelings

Online autism tests can play an essential role in the process of self-
discovery, and may inform your decision to pursue a formal diagnosis. For a
formal assessment, please see a knowledgeable medical professional
trained in assessing autism.

If you are looking for an autism assessment,

Dr. Natalie Engelbrecht can offer help!
You can find more information here:

Online autism assessments

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 References

1, 2, The Empathy Quotient: An Investigation of Adults with Asperger Syndrome or

3 High Functioning Autism, and Normal Sex Differences (Baron-Cohen &
Wheelwright, 2004)

4, 5 Measuring empathy: reliability and validity of the Empathy Quotient (Lawrence

et al., 2004)

Tags

Cognitive empathy (13) Empathy (24) Empathy Quotient (2)

Psychometric test (28) Sally Wheelwright (4) Simon Baron-Cohen (35)

Social skills (9) Test–retest reliability (statistics) (7) Theory of mind (16)

Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (1) Validity (statistics) (19)

Click on one of the tags above to find related content

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 Related posts

Autism & empathy The different types of empathy

A summary of the autism tests &

scores

Previous Next

This article
was written by:

Dr.
471
Natalie Engelbrecht ND RP
Dr. Natalie Engelbrecht ND RP is a dually licensed naturopathic doctor and registered
psychotherapist, and a Canadian leader in trauma, PTSD, and integrative medicine
strictly informed by scientific research.
She was diagnosed at 46, and her autism plays a significant role in who she is as a
doctor, and how she interacts with and cares for her patients and clients.

Want to know more about her? Read her About me page.

Disclaimer
Although our content is generally well-researched
and substantiated, or based on personal experience,
note that it does not constitute medical advice.

Comments
Let us know what you think!

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471 comments
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 FRANCOIS  20 days ago

Scored 20!

1 Reply

Matteopro2  1 month ago

I got a score of 29 even though I still feel normal and took other
tests before this but I just don’t have emotions anymore due to
personal stuff regarding the behaviour of induvidals online or in
social media.

Welp looks like I’m 2 points away from being non-autistic 😀😀

🗣🗣

 Last edited 1 month ago by matteopro2

1 Reply

Kerry S  30 days ago

 Reply to matteopro2

Inability to identify and/or describe your feelings is

actually a separate condition called alexithymia. While
Editor
it very commonly co-occurs with autism, you can have
it without being autistic. Here’s an introduction to
alexithymia. We also have a couple psychometric tests
for alexithymia here and here.

If you’d like to explore the possibility of autism further,

taking additional psychometric tests could be a good
next step – while tests can’t confirm autism, they can
give you a good sense of how likely the possibility is,
and results from several tests will be more informative
than a single test.
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1 Reply
 Serena  1 month ago

14 lol. This ironic thing I guess is that in my social group and

family, while I’m not always cognizant of others emotions/social
situations sometimes I’m more cognizant than others. 41F, Also I
didn’t like the captcha, but maybe I misunderstood it.

2 Reply

Kerry S  1 month ago

 Reply to Serena

Yes, I’ve had similar experiences and it’s a very odd

feeling! One thing to bear in mind with this test is that
Editor
it doesn’t fully assess empathy, despite the name: it
assesses a combination of social intelligence and some
types of empathy but completely ignores affective
empathy, which is generally intact or even elevated in
autistic people. Empathy and autism is a complicated
and often misunderstood topic: this article could be a
good place to start, and you might also find the double
empathy problem interesting.

2 Reply

Luca  1 month ago

Question 57 is baffling to me. Simon Baron-Cohen is building a

false dichotomy between conscious and unconscious
understanding of social rules.

While a lack of intuitive understanding often makes the

conscious one necessary, these are by no means mutually
exclusive. Learning a skill is not always a result of
471 compensation, and it is damaging to think that it is.

I think this overfits these tests to a certain preconceived notion

of Autistic people, and marks all behaviours correlating to that
as naturally less empathetic even without causal link.
 Ultimately, he is just docking points for having a strong
conceptual understanding of social rules regardless of reason.

 Last edited 1 month ago by Luca

3 Reply

Kerry S  1 month ago

 Reply to Luca

Yes, this is a very reasonable critique! The discussion

section on this page also goes over some of the
Editor
problems with this test.

1 Reply

Davi  1 month ago

Eu pontuei 19 sou autista?

 Last edited 1 month ago by Davi

1 Reply

Kerry S  1 month ago

 Reply to Davi

The threshold for this test is 30 or below, so your score

is in the range that indicates possible autism. Taking
Editor
additional psychometric tests could be a good next
step – while tests can’t confirm autism, they can give
you a good sense of how likely the possibility is, and
results from several tests will be more informative than
a single test.

2 Reply
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 Kassady  1 month ago

I scored a 20 for this test (29F)

1 Reply

Dauni  2 months ago

What does getting a 4 mean? Is that bad 😉?

1 Reply

Kerry S  1 month ago

 Reply to Dauni

None of these tests have “good” or “bad” results. The

EQ assesses a combination of social intelligence and
Editor
some types of empathy, but completely ignores
affective empathy, which is generally intact or even
elevated in autistic people. Despite the test’s name, it’s
very possible to get a low score and still be a very
empathetic person!

Most autistic people score 30 or less on this test

(though there are outliers), so your score indicates that
you could be autistic. Taking additional psychometric
tests could be a good next step – while tests can’t
confirm autism, they can give you a good sense of how
likely the possibility is, and results from several tests
will be more informative than a single test.

1 Reply

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Shruti  2 months ago

is it concerning if I scored 80?

 1 Reply

Kerry S  1 month ago

 Reply to Shruti

This test assesses a combination of social intelligence

and some types of empathy: high scores indicate high
Editor
social intelligence and/or empathy. Most autistic people
score 30 or below but there are outliers and this can’t
can’t be used to rule out autism.

1 Reply

Agnes Balla  2 months ago

I am definitely on the spectrum. I scored 35. I do think that

autistic people can have empathy, we just express it differently
than neurotypicals, so they assume we don’t have empathy.

3 Reply

Kerry S  2 months ago

 Reply to Agnes Balla

Agreed! Despite the name of this test, it doesn’t test all

types of empathy, just [neurotypical] cognitive empathy
Editor
and social intelligence. It’s very possible to get a low
score on this test and still be a very empathetic
person! You may also find the double empathy problem
interesting.

3 Reply

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Jackie  2 months ago

 I definitely am autistic and I scored a 60. just for those who
may be like “wait does this mean I’m not?” I have extremely
empathetic diagnosed autistic friends as well. it’s just.. not
always very visible.

3 Reply

Kerry S  2 months ago

 Reply to Jackie

Yes, our understanding of autism and empathy has

been changing a lot recently and the research is finally
Editor
starting to catch up with what autistic people have
known for ages: that we can be extremely empathetic
but express it differently! The double empathy problem
is a good place to start learning more about this.

4 Reply

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