The Edwards Personal Preference Schedule (EPPS) was designed primarily to provide quick and convenient measures of a number of relatively independent normal personality variables. The statements in the EPPS and the variables that these statements purport to measure have their origin in a list of manifest needs presented by H. A. Murray and others . The names that have been assigned to the variables are those used by Murray. The EPPS can be used for personal counselling, recruitment, research and many other purposes. It is a well known test with a solid basis developed in 1957 and has proved to be a stable and good instrument in many fields. The test is used intensively throughout the world for these purposes.
The EPPS provides measures of the following 15 personality variables.
- Achievement (ach)
- Deference (def)
- Order (ord)
- Exhibition (exh)
- Autonomy (aut)
- Affiliation (aff)
- Intraception (int)
- Succorance (suc)
- Dominance (dom)
- Abasement (aba)
- Nurturance (nur)
- Change (chg)
- Endurance (end)
- Sexuality (sex) (*)
- Aggression (agg)
In addition to the above 15 personality variables, the EPPS provides a measure of test consistency and a measure of profile stability.
(*) Note that there is a version of the EPPS available without the sexuality scale and related items, the EPPS-S. These items may be experienced as offensive by candidates and are therefore removed from this special version.
An example of an EPPS item:
Which of these statements is more characteristic of you?
A I like to solve puzzles and problems that other people have difficulty with.
B I like to follow instructions and to do what is expected of me.
For the EPPS there are 2 reports available. A score overview report and a report with an interpretation of the scores. Please take your own experience into account when interpretating the reports. Automated reports are not meant to be used without a proper check by a psychologist.
EPPS characteristics
| Costs per candidate | 8,50 €/us$/£. |
| Available license programs | PC license, PnP license, custom license programs. |
| Available in the following countries | Worldwide. Test Dimensions has acquired an exclusive worldwide license in all European languages. We publish and distribute under license from the Allen L. Edwards Living trust. |
| Available languages | English, Dutch, French (experimental), German (experimental), Mexican Spanish. |
| Available norms | Original 1957 norms. The norms from the Dutch language version of the test are included for informational purposes. For the EPPS-S there are no norms (highest scoring scales are most dominant). The norms from the Dutch language version of the test are included for informational purposes. |
| Last revision | In April 2006 the test has been extensively reviewed and adapted to the current standards in close cooperation with David Edwards. No new norms have been calculated. The test has been modernised for ITR usage in 2020. |
| Available paper materials | Paper materials are being provided to existing customers only. If you are currently using paper materials please contact us for actual pricing. EPPS Test Manual for the psychologist, EPPS test booklet for the candidate with the questions, EPPS candidate form. In normal circumstances you will use one form per candidate. Using the test on paper requires you to purchase one original Test Dimensions EPPS form per candidate per test taking. Copying of forms or using your own forms is not allowed unless you have acquired a special paper (PnP) license from us. |
| More information on the EPPS | If you have specific questions on the EPPS please contact us by e-mail or get more information on the Internet by clicking here. |
| Wikipedia links | EPPS H.A. Murray |