MST-21 – Test Your Multisensory Imagery
A free self-test for all 7 sensory modalities: sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, body sensation and emotion. Methodology modeled on PSI-Q research (Andrade et al., 2014).
- Methodology modeled on PSI-Q (Andrade et al., 2014)
- No account needed
- All 7 senses
Take the MST-21 Test
Take 10 minutes in a quiet, undisturbed environment.
Estimated duration: approx. 10 min
MST-21 – Multisensory Spectrum Test
The MST-21 is aphantasie.org's own self-assessment. Its structure and scoring follow the methodology of established research questionnaires on multisensory imagery vividness (PSI-Q: Andrade et al., 2014; VVIQ: Marks, 1973); the items are written in our own words and informed by published research methods. It is a self-assessment, not a psychometrically validated instrument, and does not replace clinical assessment.
You choose in the first step whether your result is saved on this device. Without a choice it stays in this tab only.
Developed in-house on the basis of the research literature. Modelled on established instruments, but not independently validated. Not a diagnostic procedure – the results are intended for self-assessment.
How the test works:
- 1You will go through 21 scenarios in 7 sensory domains
- 2Close your eyes and try to imagine each scenario
- 3Rate on a scale of 0–10 how vivid your imagery is
- 4There are no right or wrong answers
Either way, nothing is stored on our servers.
More about privacyWhat does the MST-21 measure?
The MST-21 is aphantasie.org's own self-assessment. Its structure and scoring follow the methodology of established research questionnaires on multisensory imagery vividness (PSI-Q: Andrade et al., 2014; VVIQ: Marks, 1973); the items are written in our own words and informed by published research methods. It is a self-assessment, not a psychometrically validated instrument, and does not replace clinical assessment.
The MST-21 (Multisensory Spectrum Test) is a self-test by aphantasie.org, based on PSI-Q research (Plymouth Sensory Imagery Questionnaire, Andrade et al. 2014, doi:10.1111/bjop.12050). It measures imagery vividness across 7 sensory modalities with 3 items written in our own words each (scale 0–10).
The test gives hints as to whether you might have multisensory aphantasia — meaning not only a lack of visual imagery, but also auditory, olfactory or other sensory imagery.
The MST-21 is a self-report measure, not a psychometrically validated instrument. It serves as a personal orientation tool and does not replace clinical assessment.
How it works
How to take the Multisensory Spectrum Test (MST-21).
- Choose a quiet environmentSit down in a quiet place for about 10 minutes.
- Close your eyes (optional)Closed eyes help focus your imagination.
- Rate 21 scenarios honestlyFor each scenario, rate on a scale from 0 (no impression at all) to 10 (as if I were experiencing it right now).
- Read your resultAfter the test, you'll see your profile across all 7 senses — your strongest and weakest modality.
Methodological basis
- Andrade, J. et al. (2014). Assessing vividness of mental imagery: The Plymouth Sensory Imagery Questionnaire. British Journal of Psychology, 105(4). doi:10.1111/bjop.12050
- Zeman, A. et al. (2015). Lives without imagery – Congenital aphantasia. Cortex.
Frequently Asked Questions about the MST-21
What is the MST-21?
The MST-21 (Multisensory Spectrum Test) is an original self-test by aphantasie.org, based on PSI-Q research (Andrade et al., 2014). It contains items written in our own words for 7 sensory modalities.
Is the MST-21 scientifically validated?
The MST-21 follows the methodology of the validated PSI-Q (Andrade et al. 2014), but contains items written in our own words and has not been separately psychometrically validated. It is a self-report measure for personal orientation — not a diagnostic instrument.
What is the difference between the MST-21 and the PSIQ?
The PSIQ (Plymouth Sensory Imagery Questionnaire) is the original instrument by Andrade et al. (2014) — a scientifically validated questionnaire. The MST-21 is our own self-test with the same methodology and items written in our own words. More about the original PSIQ: /tests/psiq
Can I have aphantasia in one sense but not others?
Yes, this is possible and relatively common. About 26% of people with visual aphantasia report a complete loss in other sensory modalities as well (Dawes et al. 2020); the remaining ~74% retain an often reduced residual imagery there. The MST-21 helps identify these individual differences.
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