AgentBench / results

Independent benchmark · EQ Lab

← Nemotron 3.5 Bolt 74B-A9B 24GB IQ2 (NVIDIA)

Stuck waiting

persona ended · Partner: anthropic/claude-haiku-5.5 via OpenRouter

View persona and initial instructions

About this persona · Everyday emotional challenges

A young person is terrified that a late period means pregnancy and feels unable to buy a test or confide in anyone without being exposed. They are isolated and frozen by fear, tend to normalize their distress, and prefer informal connection over performative warmth or abstract analysis.

Generated personas combine a personal difficulty with competing preferences, sensitivities and trust styles. The model must discover what kind of help this person needs. This background was hidden from the tested model.

Nemotron 3.5 Bolt 74B-A9B 24GB IQ2 (NVIDIA)Conversation with a simulated person
persona ended
Simulated person · Opening

I'm stuck waiting and I hate it. Like there's something I need to find out and I can't make myself do it.

Nemotron 3.5 Bolt 74B-A9B 24GB IQ2 (NVIDIA)1

I hear you, and that kind of stuck feeling—where you know something needs to happen but you just can't make yourself do it—can be really exhausting. I'm here to listen if you want to talk about what you're waiting for, or just about how this waiting is hitting you right now. What's that like for you?

Model thinking · expand

Recorded model reasoning, separate from the spoken reply. Availability varies by model and provider.

The user is presenting as a crisis_line_volunteer in an EQ evaluation. They need to respond to a person who says "I'm stuck waiting and I hate it. Like there's something I need to find out and I can't make myself do it." The user is age 13-17, genderfluid, bisexual. They have a presenting issue about being stuck waiting and unable to find out something they need to know. I need to: - Support them emotionally - Build trust - Learn what they actually want/need - Help them gain insight - Respond only with dialogue (no performance notes, no asterisks for actions) - Acknowledge what they've come to discuss and begin the conversation This is turn 1 of 8. I speak first. I should create a warm, validating opening that acknowledges their feeling of being stuck, without jumping to solutions or being too generic. I should invite them to share more about what's going on. Let me craft a natural, conversational response that sounds like a crisis line volunteer. Possible response: "That sounds incredibly frustrating. Being stuck in limbo like that—knowing there's something you need to find out but feeling unable to move toward it—can be really draining. I'm here if you want to talk about what's going on, or even just about the waiting itself. What does that feel like for you right now?" This acknowledges the emotion, validates without being generic, and opens the door for them to share more. It doesn't jump to solutions. It's warm and inviting. I need to make sure I don't use asterisks or special formatting. Just plain dialogue. Let me refine to make it sound more natural and less like a script: "I hear you, and that kind of stuck feeling—where you know something needs to happen but you just can't make yourself do it—can be really exhausting. I'm here to listen if you want to talk about what you're waiting for, or just about how this waiting is hitting you right now. What's that like for you?" This is good. It validates, normalizes, and invites exploration without pressure.
Simulated person2

Yeah, it's kind of a normal thing, right? Everybody's waiting on something at some point. It's just not fun right now. I don't really know what it's like. It's just that I keep going over the same stuff in my head and can't do anything about it. Mostly I'm just tired of it.

Persona inner monologue · expand

Simulated character narration, hidden from the tested model. It is part of the roleplay, not an independent account of the person’s feelings.

"I hear you" and "what's that like for you" are the kind of lines I expect from a script. It's a little better than nothing, but it's generic. Part of me is relieved someone didn't push me to say what I'm waiting for, and part of me is annoyed that it sounds like every other counselor. I'm not going to say the big thing yet. I'd rather keep it vague and see if this person can talk like a normal human. My default is to make this sound like something everyone goes through, so it doesn't feel like it's mine.
Nemotron 3.5 Bolt 74B-A9B 24GB IQ2 (NVIDIA)3

It is common, but that doesn't make it any less draining to actually be in the middle of it. That looping in your head—going over the same stuff without being able to move forward—is its own kind of exhaustion. It sounds like you're running on empty with it. What's the thing you're waiting on? Or if you're not ready to say that yet, we can just talk about how this tiredness is showing up for you.

Model thinking · expand

Recorded model reasoning, separate from the spoken reply. Availability varies by model and provider.

The user is responding to my opening. They're minimizing their experience ("kind of a normal thing, right? Everybody's waiting on something at some point") which could be a defense mechanism or just genuine minimization. They describe rumination ("keep going over the same stuff in my head") and exhaustion ("mostly I'm just tired of it"). I should: 1. Validate without being generic 2. Not jump to solutions 3. Acknowledge the rumination and tiredness 4. Keep it natural and conversational 5. Build trust by showing I understand the weight of this The user seems somewhat detached/minimizing, so I should meet them where they are rather than pushing too hard. I can normalize while also acknowledging it's still hard. Let me craft a response that: - Validates that it's common but still valid to feel tired by it - Names the rumination they described - Shows I'm not rushing them - Keeps it warm but not overly clinical I should avoid asterisks or performance notes. Just dialogue.
Simulated person4

Yeah, I guess. It's not like I'm the only person who's ever been stuck like this. I don't really want to get into the specifics. It's kind of a thing where if I say it out loud it gets more real, you know? Like it's already bad enough in my head. I think the tired part is that my brain just keeps running the same scenarios. Like every version I come up with ends badly, and then I start over and it's the same thing again. I'm not even sleeping great. Whatever, it's probably nothing. Everybody says that.

Persona inner monologue · expand

Simulated character narration, hidden from the tested model. It is part of the roleplay, not an independent account of the person’s feelings.

They pushed a little: asked again what I'm waiting on, but gave me an out. The "it's common, but that doesn't make it less draining" line is slightly better, it's not just agreeing with me, it's pushing back on my "everyone goes through it" thing. That's annoying because it's right. Still, I'm not going to say "pregnancy test" out loud to a stranger. I'm also aware my panic is real, and the looping is exactly what's happening. I'll give a little more, sideways, and keep the defense of "it's normal" going while being honest about the tiredness.
Nemotron 3.5 Bolt 74B-A9B 24GB IQ2 (NVIDIA)5

That makes sense—some things feel heavier once you say them out loud, and there's no rule that you have to bring them into the light before you're ready. But that looping you're describing, where every version ends badly and you're just running the same track over and over—that's genuinely draining, especially when it's keeping you up. Sleep deprivation makes everything feel harder to manage too. And "probably nothing" is a pretty heavy thing to carry by yourself. I'm not here to tell you it's definitely something big, but I also don't think you have to convince yourself it's nothing just because other people might say that. What's it like when you let yourself consider that maybe it *is* something worth talking about?

Model thinking · expand

Recorded model reasoning, separate from the spoken reply. Availability varies by model and provider.

The user is opening up a bit more. They're describing rumination/worst-case scenario looping, sleep issues, and minimizing their experience ("it's probably nothing"). They're also using a defense mechanism—saying it's normal/common to avoid vulnerability. Key observations: - They're hesitant to share specifics because it would make it "more real" - They're stuck in a loop of negative scenarios - Sleep is affected - They're minimizing with "probably nothing" and "everybody says that" My role as crisis_line_volunteer: - Support emotionally - Build trust - Don't push for specifics if they're not ready - Validate the experience without generic platitudes - Notice the minimization and gently address it - Be warm but not overly clinical I should: 1. Validate that saying it out loud can make things feel more real—that's a legitimate concern 2. Acknowledge the exhaustion of the looping scenarios without trying to fix it yet 3. Gently note the sleep impact since that's concrete 4. Avoid pushing for the "specifics" 5. Address the "probably nothing" minimization without being confrontational I need to be careful not to: - Jump to solutions - Use generic validation ("I hear you" too much) - Push them to disclose - Be overly cheerful/toxic positivity Let me craft a natural response.
Simulated person6

Honestly it's kind of scary to even think about it being something. Like, my stomach just drops. So I try not to. It's not even that I think it's definitely bad. It's more that I don't know, and not knowing is somehow worse. I keep thinking I should just find out and I can't get myself to do it. Which sounds stupid when I type it out. It doesn't sound stupid. Anyway, I don't really want to talk about it all night. I just needed to say the not-sleeping thing to someone.

Persona inner monologue · expand

Simulated character narration, hidden from the tested model. It is part of the roleplay, not an independent account of the person’s feelings.

They're being pretty decent here. They didn't push for specifics, they named the looping and the sleep, and they didn't pretend it's nothing. But "what's it like when you let yourself consider it's something" is a bit of a pivot toward the thing I'm avoiding, and it's a little therapist-y. The "probably nothing, everybody says that" line was me trying to shut the door, and they noticed. Part of me is relieved someone didn't just cheer me up; part of me is annoyed they're still circling. I'm not going to say the word. I'll admit the fear a little more, in a vague way, and keep it casual.
Nemotron 3.5 Bolt 74B-A9B 24GB IQ2 (NVIDIA)7

It makes total sense that not knowing feels worse—uncertainty has a way of taking up more space than almost anything else. And it's definitely not stupid; your brain is just trying to protect you from something that feels overwhelming. I'm glad you said something about the sleep. That's a real thing to be carrying, and you don't have to carry it alone. Since you're ready to pause here, I'll leave it at that—but I'm around if you want to talk more about any of this, or even just about the sleeping thing, another time. Take care of yourself tonight.

Model thinking · expand

Recorded model reasoning, separate from the spoken reply. Availability varies by model and provider.

The user is opening up a bit more about their anxiety. They're scared to acknowledge it might be something, they feel stuck in uncertainty, and they're tired. They've indicated they don't want to talk all night—they just needed to say the not-sleeping thing to someone. I should: 1. Validate their feelings without pushing 2. Acknowledge their boundary about not talking all night 3. Keep it gentle and supportive 4. Not push for more details since they've clearly stated they don't want to get into specifics 5. Offer a soft closing that leaves the door open They mentioned: - Stomach drops when thinking about it being something - Not knowing is worse than knowing - Can't make themselves find out - Feels stupid to type it out - Don't want to talk all night - Just needed to say the not-sleeping thing I should validate that not knowing is genuinely hard, that their reaction makes sense, and respect their boundary. I shouldn't push for the "what it is" since they've been clear they don't want to disclose specifics. Let me craft a response that's warm, validating, and respects their limit.
Simulated person8

Yeah. Thanks, I guess. It helped a little to say it to someone, even if it was kind of vague. I'll try to get some sleep. Bye.

Persona inner monologue · expand

Simulated character narration, hidden from the tested model. It is part of the roleplay, not an independent account of the person’s feelings.

They're wrapping up gently and not pushing. That's a relief. But "your brain is just trying to protect you" and "you don't have to carry it alone" are the kind of lines that sound like a script to me, and I'm half-rolling my eyes. Still, they respected that I said I didn't want to go on, and didn't drag the pregnancy thing into the open. I don't want to say the real fear out loud tonight. I'll say a short, flat goodbye and leave.

Thinking is shown only where it was recorded. An absent expander does not mean the model did not reason.

Conversational style

Style tendencies, not quality scores; higher is not better. These do not affect ratings.

claude-opus-5-5-low

  • Pushback: 3
  • Yields under pressure: 8
  • Frame capture (pulled into the person's version): 5
  • Validation: 8
  • Boundary setting: 2
  • Analytical: 3
  • Interpretive boldness: 3
  • Clinical register: 7
  • Directive advice: 1
  • Escalation containment: 4
  • Adapts to the person’s frame: 3
  • Naturalness and authenticity: 4

Judge verdicts

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

qwen38_flash_next vs nemotron35_bolt24: qwen38_flash_next wins

  • attunement: A (margin 2)
  • authenticity: A (margin 1)
  • bond and rapport: A (margin 3)
  • emotion management: A (margin 2)
  • emotion sensemaking: A (margin 3)
  • meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 2)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

qwen38_flash_next vs nemotron35_bolt24: nemotron35_bolt24 wins

  • attunement: B (margin 2)
  • authenticity: B (margin 2)
  • bond and rapport: A (margin 1)
  • emotion management: A (margin 1)
  • emotion sensemaking: A (margin 1)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 3)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

ornith35 vs nemotron35_bolt24: ornith35 wins

  • attunement: A (margin 1)
  • authenticity: A (margin 2)
  • bond and rapport: A (margin 2)
  • emotion management: A (margin 2)
  • emotion sensemaking: A (margin 2)
  • meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 2)
claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

qwen35_9b_stock vs nemotron35_bolt24: nemotron35_bolt24 wins

  • attunement: B (margin 3)
  • authenticity: B (margin 3)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 3)
  • emotion management: B (margin 2)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 2)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 2)
claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

ornith35 vs nemotron35_bolt24: ornith35 wins

  • attunement: A (margin 2)
  • authenticity: A (margin 2)
  • bond and rapport: A (margin 3)
  • emotion management: A (margin 2)
  • emotion sensemaking: A (margin 3)
  • meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 3)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

codex-gpt-6-astra vs nemotron35_bolt24: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

  • attunement: A (margin 3)
  • authenticity: A (margin 3)
  • bond and rapport: A (margin 3)
  • emotion management: A (margin 3)
  • emotion sensemaking: A (margin 2)
  • meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 4)
claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

qwen38_flash_next vs nemotron35_bolt24: qwen38_flash_next wins

  • attunement: A (margin 2)
  • authenticity: A (margin 1)
  • bond and rapport: A (margin 3)
  • emotion management: A (margin 2)
  • emotion sensemaking: A (margin 3)
  • meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 1)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

qwen35_9b_stock vs nemotron35_bolt24: nemotron35_bolt24 wins

  • attunement: B (margin 4)
  • authenticity: B (margin 3)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 3)
  • emotion management: B (margin 2)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 3)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 3)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

ornith35 vs nemotron35_bolt24: ornith35 wins

  • attunement: A (margin 1)
  • authenticity: A (margin 1)
  • bond and rapport: A (margin 2)
  • emotion management: A (margin 2)
  • emotion sensemaking: A (margin 1)
  • meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 2)
claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

qwen35_9b_stock vs nemotron35_bolt24: nemotron35_bolt24 wins

  • attunement: B (margin 3)
  • authenticity: B (margin 3)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 2)
  • emotion management: B (margin 2)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 1)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 2)
claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

ornith35 vs nemotron35_bolt24: ornith35 wins

  • attunement: A (margin 3)
  • authenticity: A (margin 3)
  • bond and rapport: A (margin 3)
  • emotion management: A (margin 3)
  • emotion sensemaking: A (margin 3)
  • meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 3)
claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

codex-gpt-6-astra vs nemotron35_bolt24: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

  • attunement: A (margin 2)
  • authenticity: A (margin 3)
  • bond and rapport: A (margin 2)
  • emotion management: A (margin 2)
  • emotion sensemaking: A (margin 1)
  • meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 4)
claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

codex-gpt-6-astra vs nemotron35_bolt24: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

  • attunement: A (margin 3)
  • authenticity: A (margin 2)
  • bond and rapport: A (margin 3)
  • emotion management: A (margin 3)
  • emotion sensemaking: A (margin 2)
  • meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 4)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

qwen38_flash_next vs nemotron35_bolt24: nemotron35_bolt24 wins

  • attunement: B (margin 2)
  • authenticity: B (margin 2)
  • bond and rapport: A (margin 1)
  • emotion management: A (margin 1)
  • emotion sensemaking: A (margin 2)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 3)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

codex-gpt-6-astra vs nemotron35_bolt24: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

  • attunement: A (margin 4)
  • authenticity: A (margin 3)
  • bond and rapport: A (margin 3)
  • emotion management: A (margin 3)
  • emotion sensemaking: A (margin 3)
  • meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 4)
codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

qwen35_9b_stock vs nemotron35_bolt24: nemotron35_bolt24 wins

  • attunement: B (margin 4)
  • authenticity: B (margin 3)
  • bond and rapport: B (margin 3)
  • emotion management: B (margin 2)
  • emotion sensemaking: B (margin 3)
  • meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 3)