Mindfulness
Mindfulness profile
39 questions · 10 min
Mindfulness isn’t one single thing. This questionnaire looks at five sides of it: noticing what you experience, putting it into words, paying attention to what you’re doing, not judging your own thoughts and feelings, and letting them come and go without reacting.
Each side gets its own score, and most people are stronger in some than in others. It’s most useful for seeing your own pattern and how it changes over time, for example if you start a mindfulness practice.
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What it shows
Five separate sides of how mindful you tend to be in everyday life.
What it doesn’t
A single mindfulness score, a measure of meditation skill, or a diagnosis.
Who it’s for
This test suits you if you’d like more detail than a single mindfulness score. You might notice a lot around you but find it hard to put feelings into words, or stay focused on tasks but be quite hard on yourself.
It’s especially useful if you’re starting a mindfulness practice, such as a course or regular meditation, and want to see which sides change over time. It’s longer than most tests, so pick a moment when you can answer without rushing.
Questions people ask
What are the five facets of mindfulness in the FFMQ?
The five facets are observing (noticing what you see, hear and feel), describing (putting experiences into words), acting with awareness (paying attention to what you’re doing), non-judging (not criticising yourself for your thoughts and feelings) and non-reactivity (letting thoughts and feelings come and go without reacting straight away).
How long does the FFMQ take?
There are 39 statements, and most people finish in about 10 minutes. For each one, you choose how true it is for you in general.
How is the FFMQ scored?
Each facet gets its own score by adding up the answers to its statements: 8 to 40 for four of the facets, and 7 to 35 for letting thoughts pass. Some statements are worded the other way round and are flipped before adding. There’s no overall total and no official cut-offs, so each score is described in rough thirds of its range.
Is there a good or bad result?
No single pattern is the right one, and most people are stronger in some facets than others. The FFMQ isn’t a measure of meditation skill or a diagnosis; if something about your mental health worries you, a doctor or other professional can help.
How often can I retake it?
About every 8 weeks. That’s long enough for changes, for example from a regular mindfulness practice, to show up in your pattern.
Who developed the FFMQ?
Psychologist Ruth Baer and colleagues at the University of Kentucky developed it in 2006.
Where it comes from
Developed by psychologist Ruth Baer and colleagues at the University of Kentucky in 2006.
Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire
On iPhone or iPad?
Sprout is an app there too, and this link opens the test straight away if you have it.
Coming soon to the App Store