Ahvaz Perfectionism Scale (APS)

A self-report questionnaire for assessing perfectionistic tendencies, rigid standards, and sensitivity to mistakes in everyday life

Understanding the line between healthy striving and exhausting perfectionism
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Brief introduction to the Ahvaz Perfectionism Scale (APS) Overview

The Ahvaz Perfectionism Scale (APS) is a tool designed to measure a person’s overall perfectionistic tendencies; that is, how much they set extremely high standards for themselves, fear making mistakes, and are sensitive to flaws.

This questionnaire helps clarify whether someone’s perfectionism is more about “striving for growth and better quality” or shows up as “excessive strictness, self-blame, and anxiety about not reaching ideals”.

What is the Ahvaz Perfectionism Scale? What is APS?

APS is a set of statements about perfectionistic beliefs and feelings—for example, sensitivity to mistakes, focusing on flaws, worrying about others’ judgments, and the need to do things “perfectly”.

You indicate how much each statement applies to you. The final score shows the intensity of your perfectionistic tendencies and to what extent they may be related to stress, performance anxiety, procrastination, and emotional fatigue.

  • Instrument type: self-report questionnaire
  • Main focus: perfectionism, high standards, fear of mistakes
  • Uses: counseling, research, personal self-understanding

What does this test measure and who is it for? Domains & Target Group

The Ahvaz Perfectionism Scale examines several dimensions of the perfectionism experience, such as:

  • A tendency to do things “perfectly” and dissatisfaction with “good enough” results.
  • Focusing on flaws, mistakes, and the negative aspects of performance.
  • Fear of criticism, others’ judgment, and shame about mistakes.
  • Harsh self-blame and feeling inadequate when you do not reach your own standards.
  • Rigidity in planning, orderliness, and controlling details.

This test can be useful for university students, school students, working adults, counseling clients, and anyone who feels they are “never good enough”.

Age group: older adolescents and adults Domain: perfectionism and self-evaluation Use: counseling, therapy, self-awareness

Applications of the Ahvaz Perfectionism Scale Applications

APS results can be used in different areas:

  • Helping clients and therapists identify the role of perfectionism in anxiety, depression, or procrastination.
  • Examining the relationship between perfectionism and academic or occupational performance in research.
  • Use in life skills workshops, stress management, and mental health literacy programs.
  • Increasing self-awareness about “I must always be the best” patterns and their consequences.
Screening for unhealthy perfectionism Cognitive-behavioral therapy tool Research use

How is this test administered? Administration

In the Ahvaz Perfectionism Scale, you respond to a set of statements and indicate how much each one applies to you.

  • Question type: statements about personal standards, sensitivity to flaws, and being strict with yourself.
  • Response format: multi-level rating scale (for example, from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree”).
  • Administration: self-report; suitable for paper-and-pencil or online formats.
  • Estimated time: about 10–15 minutes.
Overall perfectionism score
Intensity of the person’s perfectionistic tendencies
Use of the score
Identifying the need for intervention and belief review
Source of information
One’s own perception and experience of oneself

Before answering the APS, keep these points in mind Before You Start

  • Think about your general pattern of thoughts and behavior in recent months, not just one specific day.
  • Do not try to present yourself as “better” or “worse”; the goal is to understand your inner reality.
  • If you hesitate between two options, choose the one that describes you most of the time.
  • Remember: perfectionism is a spectrum; having perfectionistic tendencies by itself does not mean you have a disorder.
  • If your result worries you, you can review it with a mental health professional.

Interpreting the results of the Ahvaz Perfectionism Scale Interpretation

A higher APS score indicates that perfectionistic characteristics are more prominent and intense in you. This can have positive aspects (such as striving for high quality) and negative ones (such as extreme self-criticism and anxiety).

In professional interpretation, scores are usually compared with group norms to see how your level of perfectionism compares with others. However, even high scores alone do not mean you have a disorder and should be evaluated alongside other information (mood, daily functioning, relationships).

  • Perfectionism can be hidden behind procrastination, job burnout, academic exhaustion, or depression.
  • Awareness of perfectionistic patterns is the first step toward learning “more realistic standards”.
  • In cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), therapists often work on “must” thoughts and “I must always be perfect”.

Map of the experience of perfectionism Perfectionism Map

The experience of perfectionism can be imagined along several main axes:

High standards – “I must always be the best”
Fear of mistakes – worry about failure and others’ judgment
Self-criticism – harshly blaming yourself for the smallest flaws

Frequently asked questions about the Ahvaz Perfectionism Scale FAQ

No. A high score only shows that you have strong perfectionistic tendencies. This can put you at risk for anxiety, depression, or burnout, but a diagnosis of a disorder is only possible after a full assessment by a professional.

No. Striving for quality and growth can be very healthy and helpful. Problems begin when standards become unattainable, inflexible, and tied to harsh self-blame, and when they interfere with everyday life.

Yes. By working on “all-or-nothing” beliefs, practicing acceptance of mistakes, learning more realistic standards, and cultivating self-compassion, unhealthy perfectionism can be reduced. Counseling and cognitive-behavioral therapy can be very helpful here.

APS is not designed specifically for choosing a field of study or career, but it can show how much perfectionism might affect you in competitive, high-pressure environments. For career decisions, it is better to use dedicated career tests and counseling.

You can discuss your result with a psychologist or counselor and explore with them in which areas of your life perfectionism is causing problems and what strategies are available to manage it.

Start the Ahvaz Perfectionism Scale (APS) Take the Test

If you want to know what level of perfectionism you have in your life and whether it helps you or sometimes wears you out, you can complete the Ahvaz Perfectionism Scale (APS) and gain a clearer picture of your thinking and behavior patterns.

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