Meaning in Life Questionnaire — Life Purpose and Values Quiz

The Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ) is a validated survey that assesses two central constructs: the presence of meaning (how much meaning someone currently experiences) and the search for meaning (the extent to which someone is actively seeking meaning). It is widely used in psychology, coaching, and personal development to evaluate life purpose and values.

This MLQ-based quiz typically takes 2–5 minutes to complete since it contains 10 brief Likert-scale items. It's designed to be quick while giving a useful snapshot of your life purpose and values.

Each item uses a 1–7 scale; the quiz sums selected option values to produce an overall score (range 10–70). Higher scores indicate a stronger combined sense of meaning and active search. For more nuanced insight, calculate the first five items (Presence) and last five items (Search) separately to view subscores.

Yes. Retake the quiz every 3–6 months or after significant life changes to monitor shifts in meaning and purpose. Keeping a log of scores and written reflections can help you notice trends and evaluate the impact of interventions or life events.

If your score indicates low meaning, try targeted steps: clarify your values through exercises or journaling, set small value-driven goals, engage in community or purposeful activities, and consider professional support such as coaching or therapy. Small, consistent actions often build a stronger sense of purpose over time.

No. This quiz is a self-assessment tool for reflection and personal insight. It is not a clinical diagnosis of mental health conditions. If you have concerns about wellbeing, consult a qualified mental health professional.

Presence (items 1–5) reflects how much meaning you currently experience; Search (items 6–10) reflects your active pursuit of meaning. Comparing these can help you understand whether you already have a stable sense of meaning or are in an exploratory phase searching for purpose.