PhD Source

PhD Quizzes & Self-Assessments

Research-backed diagnostic tools to help you evaluate your PhD situation and make better decisions with confidence.

Available Quizzes

🩺Is Your PhD Situation Healthy?

Evaluate your project, advisor, and environment to understand whether you are in a strong, moderate, poor, or difficult PhD situation.

Based on the PhD Diagnostics Test from Thomas R. Coughlin's book, this self-assessment helps you objectively diagnose your PhD across three key areas: your project, your advisor, and your lab environment. Answer 18 questions and get personalized feedback grounded in real PhD research and interviews with dozens of doctoral graduates.

5 minutes18 questions3 scored sections
Take the Quiz

🎓Should You Do a PhD?

A structured decision diagnostic to determine whether pursuing a PhD is the right strategic move for your career.

This isn't a personality quiz. It's a structured decision diagnostic built on real PhD career research. In 18 questions across three critical dimensions — Motivation, Career Alignment, and Reality Awareness — you'll get an honest, data-informed assessment of whether a PhD makes sense for you right now. Includes uncertainty detection to flag if you need more information before deciding.

5 minutes18 questions3 scored sections
Take the Quiz

🚪Is It Time to Leave Your PhD?

A structured diagnostic to assess whether continuing your PhD is the right decision — or whether it's time to change direction.

This is not a quiz that tells you to quit. It's a structured assessment that helps you evaluate your PhD situation honestly across four critical dimensions: your progress, your advisor, your environment, and the personal cost. Built on real PhD research and interviews, it gives you a clear-eyed view of where you stand — and whether the signs point to continuing, recalibrating, or making a change.

5 minutes24 questions4 scored sections
Take the Quiz

🌠PhD Career Orbit

Map your PhD skills, motivations, and preferences onto a 2D Career Map across 16 career archetypes.

This advanced diagnostic plots you on two dimensions — Technical Depth vs. Strategic Breadth and Market-Driven vs. Mission-Driven — to reveal which of 16 PhD career paths fits you best. Rate 40 statements and see your position on an interactive Career Map.

10 minutes40 questions16 career archetypes
Map Your Career Orbit

Coming Soon

Is Your Advisor a Good Fit?

A deep-dive assessment of your advisor relationship and mentorship quality.

Coming Soon