Emotional Intelligence Assessment

Emotional Intelligence Test: Measure Your EQ

Discover your emotional intelligence quotient (EQ). Learn why EQ often matters more than IQ for success in relationships, leadership, and life.

10 min read
Updated Jan 2026
By EQ Experts

Why EQ Matters More Than Ever

Research shows that emotional intelligence (EQ) accounts for 58% of job performance across all types of jobs. People with high EQ earn an average of $29,000 more annually than those with low EQ. In leadership roles, 90% of top performers have high emotional intelligence.

This comprehensive guide covers what emotional intelligence is, how to measure it, why it matters, and practical strategies to improve your EQ.

Discover Your Emotional Intelligence

Take our comprehensive EQ assessment to understand your emotional strengths and areas for growth. Get personalized insights and development recommendations.

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1What is Emotional Intelligence?

Emotional Intelligence (EQ or EI) is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage your own emotions while also recognizing, understanding, and influencing the emotions of others. First popularized by psychologist Daniel Goleman in 1995, EQ has become recognized as a critical factor in personal and professional success.

Unlike IQ, which measures cognitive intelligence and remains relatively stable throughout life, EQ can be developed and improved at any age through practice and self-awareness.

The 4 Components of EQ

1

Self-Awareness

Recognizing your own emotions and their impact

2

Self-Management

Controlling your emotions and adapting to change

3

Social Awareness

Understanding others' emotions and perspectives

4

Relationship Management

Building and maintaining healthy relationships

EQ vs IQ: Key Differences

IQ (Cognitive Intelligence)

• Fixed by early adulthood

• Measures logical reasoning

• Predicts academic success

EQ (Emotional Intelligence)

• Can be developed at any age

• Measures emotional skills

• Predicts life & career success

Why EQ Matters: The Research

58%
Of job performance is determined by EQ
90%
Of top performers have high EQ
$29K
More annual income with high EQ

2How to Measure Emotional Intelligence

Unlike IQ tests which have standardized scoring, EQ assessments measure different aspects of emotional intelligence through self-report questionnaires and behavioral scenarios.

Self-Report Assessments

Most common type. You rate yourself on various emotional competencies. Quick and accessible, but subject to self-perception bias.

Popular Tests:

  • • EQ-i 2.0 (Emotional Quotient Inventory)
  • • MSCEIT (Mayer-Salovey-Caruso EI Test)
  • • Genos EI Assessment
  • • Online EQ tests (like ours)

360-Degree Feedback

Others (colleagues, friends, family) rate your emotional intelligence. Provides more objective view but requires multiple participants.

Best For:

  • • Leadership development
  • • Professional coaching
  • • Team building
  • • Overcoming blind spots

Ability-Based Tests

Test your actual emotional skills through scenarios and tasks. Most objective but requires professional administration.

Example Tasks:

  • • Identify emotions in facial expressions
  • • Choose best emotional response to scenarios
  • • Predict emotional outcomes
  • • Manage emotions in complex situations

Pro Tip: Combine Multiple Methods

For the most accurate assessment of your EQ, combine self-report tests with feedback from others. This helps overcome blind spots and provides a more complete picture of your emotional intelligence.

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Take our comprehensive emotional intelligence assessment. Get detailed insights into your emotional strengths and personalized development recommendations.

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3Why Emotional Intelligence Matters

Career Success

  • Leadership: 90% of top leaders have high EQ
  • Performance: EQ accounts for 58% of job success
  • Earnings: High EQ = $29K more annually
  • Teamwork: Better collaboration and conflict resolution

Personal Relationships

  • Communication: Express feelings clearly and effectively
  • Empathy: Understand and respond to others' emotions
  • Conflict: Resolve disagreements constructively
  • Intimacy: Build deeper, more meaningful connections

Mental Health

  • Stress Management: Better coping with pressure
  • Resilience: Bounce back from setbacks faster
  • Anxiety: Reduced anxiety and depression
  • Well-being: Greater life satisfaction

Parenting & Family

  • Modeling: Teach children emotional skills
  • Patience: Respond calmly to challenges
  • Connection: Build stronger family bonds
  • Discipline: Set boundaries with empathy

The ROI of Emotional Intelligence

Studies show that for every 1-point increase in EQ, there's a $1,300 increase in annual salary. Organizations with high-EQ leaders see:

20%
Higher sales
34%
Better customer satisfaction
63%
Lower turnover

4How to Improve Your Emotional Intelligence

Unlike IQ, emotional intelligence can be developed and improved at any age. Here are evidence-based strategies to boost your EQ:

1Develop Self-Awareness

  • • Keep an emotion journal: Track your feelings and triggers daily
  • • Practice mindfulness: 10 minutes daily meditation
  • • Ask for feedback: Learn how others perceive you
  • • Identify patterns: Notice recurring emotional reactions

2Improve Self-Management

  • • Pause before reacting: Count to 10 when emotional
  • • Reframe negative thoughts: Challenge automatic reactions
  • • Develop coping strategies: Exercise, breathing, talking
  • • Set emotional goals: Work on specific triggers

3Build Social Awareness

  • • Practice active listening: Focus fully on the speaker
  • • Read body language: Notice non-verbal cues
  • • Ask questions: Understand others' perspectives
  • • Observe group dynamics: Notice emotional undercurrents

4Strengthen Relationship Management

  • • Communicate clearly: Express feelings without blame
  • • Resolve conflicts: Focus on solutions, not winning
  • • Build rapport: Find common ground with others
  • • Give feedback: Be honest and constructive

30-Day EQ Improvement Plan

Week 1: Self-awareness - Journal emotions daily, identify 3 main triggers

Week 2: Self-management - Practice pause-and-breathe technique 5x daily

Week 3: Social awareness - Active listening in every conversation

Week 4: Relationship management - Have 3 difficult conversations with empathy

Frequently Asked Questions

Can emotional intelligence be learned?
Yes! Unlike IQ which is relatively fixed, EQ can be developed and improved at any age. Research shows that with practice and self-awareness, people can significantly increase their emotional intelligence. The key is consistent practice of EQ skills like self-awareness, empathy, and emotional regulation.
Is EQ more important than IQ?
It depends on the context. IQ is important for academic success and technical problem-solving. However, research shows that EQ is a better predictor of success in leadership, relationships, and overall life satisfaction. In most careers, EQ accounts for 58% of job performance, while IQ accounts for only 20%. The ideal is to have both high IQ and high EQ.
How long does it take to improve emotional intelligence?
You can see improvements in 30-90 days with consistent practice. However, developing high emotional intelligence is a lifelong journey. Most people notice significant changes in 3-6 months of focused effort on EQ skills like self-awareness, empathy, and emotional regulation.
What's a good EQ score?
EQ scores typically range from 0-200, with 100 being average. Scores of 110+ are considered above average, 120+ is high, and 130+ is very high. However, unlike IQ, there's no single standardized EQ test, so scores vary by assessment. Focus more on understanding your specific strengths and weaknesses than on the overall number.
Can you have high IQ but low EQ?
Yes, IQ and EQ are independent. Many highly intelligent people struggle with emotional intelligence, and vice versa. This is why some brilliant academics struggle in leadership roles, while some people with average IQ excel in management and relationships. The good news is that you can develop EQ regardless of your IQ.
How do I know if I have low emotional intelligence?
Signs of low EQ include: difficulty understanding your own emotions, frequent emotional outbursts, trouble maintaining relationships, inability to read social cues, taking criticism personally, blaming others for problems, and difficulty empathizing with others. If you recognize these patterns, the good news is that EQ can be improved with practice.

Discover Your Emotional Intelligence

Take our comprehensive EQ assessment to understand your emotional strengths and areas for growth. Get personalized insights and actionable development strategies.

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