The concept of emotional intelligence, developed by psychologists Peter Salovey and John D. Mayer in the 1990s and later popularized by Daniel Goleman, has become a crucial area of study. It focuses on understanding how people manage their emotions, interact with others, and navigate social complexities.
Since then, a number of emotional intelligence assessments have been created to measure how well an individual can perceive, interpret, evaluate, demonstrate, and control their emotions and how effectively they can relate and respond to other people's emotions.
Emotional intelligence assessments are generally categorized into two types: ability tests, which measure emotional skills through task-based evaluations, and self-report tests, which rely on individuals’ perceptions of their own emotional awareness. Each type offers unique insights into how emotional intelligence manifests in everyday life.
Let’s explore both types to better understand how they measure emotional intelligence.
Ability Tests Measuring EQ
Ability tests involve having applicants respond to different life situations and gauging their skills based on their responses. These assessments are more accurate than self-report measures but require a trained professional to administer them and interpret their results. In an ability test, applicants are given a set of questions, and the correctness of their answers is measured according to either expert or consensus scoring.
For instance, applicants will answer questions about emotional scenarios such as: "What is the possible reaction of an anxious employee to an increased workload?" Or they may be presented with a face picture and asked what emotion the face is expressing. Or they may need to solve emotional problems such as, "What is the appropriate response when a friend calls you crying over losing their job?"
There are three major EQ ability tests, including the Multifactor Emotional Intelligence Scale (MEIS), the Mayer–Salovey–Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) V.2, and the Emotional and Social Competence Inventory (ESCI). These tests are predominantly used in academic research and organizational settings, and each measures unique aspects associated with emotional intelligence.
Let’s take a look at how they are different from each other.
1. The Multifactor Emotional Intelligence Scale (MEIS)
This is the first test ever developed that measured EI as an ability. It was created by Mayer, Caruso, and Salovey in 1999. While this test is not used nowadays, because other more accurate assessments were developed, it paved the way for modern emotional intelligence assessments by establishing a foundation for understanding and measuring EI as a distinct cognitive ability. Despite its limitations, such as the length of 402 test items and poor internal consistency, the MEIS was instrumental in highlighting the importance of emotional intelligence and inspired the development of more refined tools used today.
WEIS measures four dimensions of emotional intelligence, including Perception, Assimilation, Understanding, and Managing Emotions. There are 12 subtests used to assess all four dimensions. During the assessment, the individual was asked to identify emotions depicted in a test item, describe their own emotions, and perform a variety of other tasks
2. The Mayer–Salovey–Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) V.2
MSCEIT V.2 is an improved version of WAIS. One of the main advantages is that it has 141 test items, so it takes significantly less time to complete. In addition, there are only 8 subtests—2 for each dimension in MSCEIT V.2. This is the most widely used ability test because of its high reliability and validity in measuring emotional intelligence across diverse populations.
This test is based on the same model and assesses the same dimensions; however, there are some naming differences. Namely, the test measures perception of emotion, integration and assimilation of emotion, knowledge about emotions, and management of emotions.
3. Emotional and Social Competence Inventory (ESCI)
ESCI was designed to measure both emotional and social competency among leaders and professionals, so it’s frequently used in organizations. It consists of 11 scales, measuring the effectiveness of various social and emotional skills useful in organizational environments across three core competencies groups: Emotional intelligence competencies, Social intelligence competencies, and Cognitive intelligence competencies.
While this test doesn’t specifically focus on EQ, it provides a comprehensive assessment of a leader's overall effectiveness by evaluating a blend of emotional, social, and cognitive skills, making it a valuable tool for leadership development and talent management in various organizational contexts.
Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Assessments
Other emotional intelligence tests use the self-report method. Respondents are given questions or statements and expected to answer by rating their self-management and emotional expression habits. For example, on a declaration such as "I have my emotions under control," a respondent can answer as follows: agree, strongly agree, disagree, or strongly disagree.
Self-report tests are the most used EQ tests. They typically measure personality attributes such as conscientiousness, agreeableness, and extroversion, which are also part of the Big Five personality model.
Assessments based on self-report measures are more popular among the general public, as they don’t require much time to take, and you don’t need a licensed professional to administer them, although they may not be as reliable as ability tests. The most widely used self-report measures include Wong’s Emotional Intelligence Scale (WEIS), the Emotional Quotient Inventory 2.0 (EQ-i-2.0), and The Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQue).
1. Wong’s Emotional Intelligence Scale (WEIS)
WEIS was initially developed for Chinese respondents in 2002 by Chi-Sum Wong and Kenneth S. Law, however, it became one of the most popular EQ measurement instruments worldwide. Similar to other tools, it is designed to evaluate how well an individual assesses how an individual expresses emotions, recognizes the emotions of others, and regulates their own emotions.
The test consists of a structured set of questions and scenarios aimed at evaluating emotional intelligence, with a focus on practical application in everyday situations. The first part of WEIS consists of 20 scenarios where an individual is required to choose the answer that is likely to represent their real-life reaction to a specific scenario. The second part features 20 pairs of abilities, and respondents choose the one that best represents their strengths.
2. Emotional Quotient Inventory 2.0 (EQ-i-2.0)
EQ-i-2.0 is another effective self-report EQ assessment. It takes only 20 minutes to complete and consists of 133 test items. The subscales used in this test include:
- Self-Perception
- Interpersonal
- Decision Making
- Self-Expression
- Stress-Management
One of the main limitations of this test is that it’s quite pricey, as it’s designed specifically for organizations. However, after finishing the test, the respondent will receive a detailed report on the strengths and weaknesses, as well as recommendations on how to maximize the effectiveness of EQ competencies.
3. The Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQue)
TEIQue was developed by K. V. Petrides, PhD, and rapidly became popular for scientific research. It is based on one of the most popular EQ theories — the trait emotional intelligence model (Trait IE). Currently, there are 4 scales available for this test: TEIQue-Full Form, TEIQue-Short Form, TEIQue 360° and 360°-Short Form, and TEIQue-Child Form.
- TEIQue-Full Form—This test consists of 153 test items and uses 15 subscales.
- TEIQue-Short Form—This is the short version of the test listed above. It has only 30 test items and takes around 10 minutes to complete.
- TEIQue 360° and 360°-Short Form—These scales are used to collect other ratings for both TEIQue-Full Form and TEIQue-Short Form.
- TEIQue-Child Form—This test was designed for children aged 8-12.
Currently, TEIQue is translated into more than 20 languages and is freely available for scientific and research purposes.
Why Is Important To Know Your EQ Score?
Understanding your EQ score is like getting a personal roadmap for navigating life’s emotional landscape.
You might wonder why this matters. Knowing your emotional intelligence can have a huge impact on various aspects of your life. In fact, some psychologists and researchers believe that EQ has a greater influence on success than IQ. While IQ measures your cognitive abilities, EQ reflects your ability to manage emotions, build relationships, and adapt to social challenges—skills that are often critical in both personal and professional settings.
Think of your EQ score as a mirror reflecting your emotional strengths and areas that may need work. By understanding where you stand, you can take targeted steps to enhance your emotional intelligence, which can lead to better communication, stronger connections with others, and even greater success in your career.
EQ tests can be an effective instrument for improving your motivation to become better and maximize your potential. But remember, your EQ score is just the starting point. It's what you do with that information that truly counts.
The real growth comes from applying the insights you gain to your everyday life.
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