What this test measures
The World Health Organization describes burn-out as a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed, marked by exhaustion, mental distance or cynicism about your job, and reduced effectiveness at work. The CBI focuses on the core of that experience: long-lasting physical and psychological fatigue and exhaustion, and what you attribute it to.
| Scale | Questions | What it asks about |
|---|---|---|
| Personal burnout | 6 | How tired and exhausted you feel in general, whatever the cause |
| Work-related burnout | 7 | Exhaustion you link to your work |
| Client-related burnout | 6 | Exhaustion you link to working with people you serve — patients, customers, students |
Because the three scales are separate, the CBI can show whether your exhaustion seems to come mainly from work, from the people side of work, or from life more broadly — useful when deciding what to change. Read the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory explained.
How your score is calculated
Every answer is converted to points: 100 (always / to a very high degree), 75, 50, 25 or 0 (never or almost never / to a very low degree). One question — about having enough energy for family and friends — is scored in reverse. Each scale score is the average of your answers on that scale, from 0 to 100. In the PUMA study of Danish human service workers, which developed the CBI, a score of 50 or more was used to define a high degree of burnout.
What to do with your result
- Below 50 on all scales: burnout is less likely to be the main issue. If you still feel low, anxious or unwell, the cause deserves attention — see burnout vs stress vs depression.
- 50 or more on any scale: treat it as a warning light. Look at what is driving it, talk to your manager about workload, protect your sleep and recovery time, and see a doctor if it has lasted more than a few weeks.
- Any score, if you feel hopeless or think about harming yourself: reach out now. Free, confidential help is available 24 hours a day.
Need to talk to someone now? If you are thinking about suicide or harming yourself, or someone is in immediate danger, call 995 or go to the nearest A&E.
- Samaritans of Singapore (SOS): call 1767 or WhatsApp CareText 9151 1767 — 24 hours
- National mindline 1771: call 1771, WhatsApp 6669 1771 or webchat at mindline.sg — 24 hours
- Institute of Mental Health (IMH) helpline: 6389 2222 — 24 hours
- Outside Singapore: find a free, confidential helpline in your country at findahelpline.com
More options: get help now.
Please note: This is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis. Burnout shares symptoms with depression, anxiety and physical conditions such as thyroid problems or anaemia, so persistent symptoms deserve a check with a doctor. Full disclaimer.
Guides
Frequently asked questions
Is this burnout test a diagnosis?
No. It is a self-check using the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, a questionnaire developed for research. It shows how much exhaustion you report, but it cannot diagnose burnout, depression or any other condition. Only a qualified professional can assess your health.
What does a score of 50 mean?
Each scale runs from 0 to 100. In the Danish PUMA study, where the CBI was developed, researchers defined a high degree of burnout as a score of 50 or more. It is a research threshold, not a clinical cut-off, but a score at or above 50 is a good reason to take action.
Why are there three scores?
The CBI measures exhaustion in three areas: your life in general (personal burnout), your work (work-related burnout) and, if you work with people, your work with clients, patients, customers or students (client-related burnout). Each is scored separately so you can see where the strain is coming from.
Who are “clients”?
In the CBI, clients means the people you serve in your work — for example patients, customers, students, residents or service users. If your job does not involve working with people like this, skip that section.
Are my answers stored?
No. Your answers are scored in your browser and are not sent to us or saved. Closing the page clears them.
How often should I retake it?
The CBI asks about how you have been feeling in general, so it is most useful repeated every few weeks — for example after changes at work or after a break — to see whether things are getting better or worse.
Source and credit
The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory was developed at the National Research Centre for the Working Environment (NFA), Denmark, which states that it may be used freely for non-commercial and commercial purposes with this source cited: Borritz M et al. “Burnout among employees in human service work: design and baseline findings of the PUMA study.” Scandinavian Journal of Public Health 2006;34:49–58. See also Kristensen TS, Borritz M, Villadsen E, Christensen KB. “The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory: a new tool for the assessment of burnout.” Work & Stress 2005;19(3):192–207. This site is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NFA.