The research is more mixed than popular articles suggest. A 2018 pair of meta-analyses in Psychological Science found that the link between mindset and academic achievement was weak overall, across more than 365,000 students. A second analysis of about 57,000 students found mindset programs also had weak effects on average, though students from lower-income backgrounds or who were struggling academically appeared more likely to benefit. [3]
A large 2019 experiment published in Nature tested a short online growth mindset lesson, under an hour long, with a nationally representative sample of US high school students. It improved grades among lower-achieving students, and it worked best in schools where classmates' attitudes supported the same message. [4]
Put together, beliefs about whether you can improve seem to matter for some people, in the right setting.
Can you change your mindset?
Beliefs aren't set in stone, and the studies above tested short lessons designed to shift them. If your result leans fixed, a few small habits can help you test those beliefs:
Add "yet". Turn "I can't do this" into "I can't do this yet".
Look at the process. After a setback, ask what you'd try differently next time.
Use feedback as information. Ask one specific question about how to improve.
For a deeper look at the research and more ways to build a growth mindset, read our guide to growth vs fixed mindset.
If negative thoughts about yourself are affecting your mood, sleep or daily life, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.
Frequently asked questions
Can you have a growth and fixed mindset at the same time?
Yes. Many people hold growth beliefs about some areas, like work skills, and fixed beliefs about others, like math or creativity. Dweck's work describes these as beliefs about particular qualities, which can differ from one area to another. [2]
Is the mindset quiz free?
Yes. You'll need to enter an email address to receive your results.
The bottom line
The mindset quiz is a quick way to see whether your beliefs about ability lean growth or fixed. Use your result to spot the beliefs worth questioning, and read the research with realistic expectations.
References
Dweck CS, Leggett EL. A social-cognitive approach to motivation and personality. Psychol Rev. 1988;95(2):256–273. DOI link.
Dweck CS, Chiu C, Hong Y. Implicit theories and their role in judgments and reactions: a word from two perspectives. Psychol Inq. 1995;6(4):267–285. DOI link.
Sisk VF, Burgoyne AP, Sun J, Butler JL, Macnamara BN. To what extent and under which circumstances are growth mind-sets important to academic achievement? Two meta-analyses. Psychol Sci. 2018;29(4):549–571. DOI link.
Yeager DS, Hanselman P, Walton GM, et al. A national experiment reveals where a growth mindset improves achievement. Nature. 2019;573(7774):364–369. DOI link.
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