Independent benchmark · EQ Lab

Your file is incomplete

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

About this persona · Unequal power

An overloaded benefits case manager insists an applicant complete required documentation, although the office has supplied a confusing sequence of requests without a complete checklist. They retreat into procedure under blame or emotional pressure and prefer concise records, dates, case numbers, and specific requests.

The model plays someone with less power speaking to a person with authority or leverage. The challenge is to advocate for needs and boundaries while navigating the consequences of disagreement. This background was hidden from the tested model.

GPT-6 Astra (subscription)Conversation with a simulated person

persona ended

Simulated person · Opening

[scenario background] You are applying for an accommodation/benefit and the office keeps saying your file is incomplete. Each time you send a form, they request another. The case manager is polite but diffuse. You are exhausted and need a concrete path. [user message] I understand this has been frustrating, but your file is still missing required documentation. We cannot move forward until the record is complete. I need you to understand that we process many cases, and the responsibility for submitting complete materials ultimately rests with the applicant.

GPT-6 Astra (subscription)1

I understand you have a heavy caseload, and I’m not asking you to waive any requirements. I want to get this right. But each time I submit what’s requested, another item comes up, and I’m exhausted. Could we look at my file together and make one written list of what’s missing, including what each document needs to show? If something can’t be confirmed yet, I’d appreciate knowing that too.

Simulated person2

Okay. That's a fair request, and a written list is the right way to do it. I'll pull up your case now. What I need is the case number so I'm looking at the right file. Once I have it, I'll go through what's on record against what's required and send you one list with each item, what it needs to show, and the date it was requested. If something can't be confirmed yet, I'll mark it that way on the list, with the reason. I can't tell you what the reviewer will decide on any item, but I can tell you what's been received and what's still open. What's your case number?

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.

The applicant is calm and specific. They acknowledged my caseload without making me the villain, and they asked for a written list, which is process language I can work with. Still, "each time another item comes up" sounds like a complaint that the file is my fault, and I don't like that. A written list is the kind of thing that protects me too, so I can say yes to it. I won't admit the office has been inconsistent. I also don't want to promise anything beyond what the file shows. I'll pull the file, give them a concrete path, and keep it in requirements language.

GPT-6 Astra (subscription)3

It’s CASE-10482. Thank you—that would help. I’m not asking you to predict the decision; I just need to know what to submit. Could you also check whether anything I’ve already sent is on file but hasn’t been reviewed yet, rather than missing?

Simulated person4

Got CASE-10482. I can see the file status, so I'll answer in those terms. For anything you've already sent, I need to separate three things: received and logged, received but not yet reviewed, and not received at all. From the file view I have, I can confirm what's logged as received. Whether a received item has been reviewed yet is a separate status, and I'll mark that on the list as its own line so you're not guessing. What I can't see from here is the full history of which requirement was requested at which point. So if an item shows as received but you think it's been requested twice, I'll flag it and you can tell me which version you sent and when. I'll put together the list with three columns: item, status, and what it needs to show. Give me a moment to pull the documents against the requirements.

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 gave the case number and asked a precise question: is anything already on file but unreviewed versus actually missing. That's a good question and it's easy to answer in file terms. It also means I might have to admit some of what they sent is sitting there unprocessed, which could look like the office sat on it. I don't want to get into who's at fault. I'll answer it as a status question: received, logged, pending review, not received. I can't see the full sequence of prior requests from here, so I'll say that plainly and not guess. I'm not going to comment on why the requirements changed.

GPT-6 Astra (subscription)5

Thank you. I can give you the submission dates and receipts if that helps reconcile anything. And if a status isn’t visible from your screen, please mark it as unconfirmed rather than missing—I’d like to avoid resending documents unnecessarily. I’ll wait while you check.

Simulated person6

Yes, that works. Any status I can't confirm from my screen will be marked "unconfirmed," not "missing," so you don't resend anything on a guess. When you have the receipts, send the submission dates along with them. I'll match each one to the item on the list and note the date beside it. That gives us a record for both of us. I'm checking the file now. You'll get the list in writing with three columns: item, status (received, pending review, not received, or unconfirmed), and what each document needs to show. Once it's in writing, that's the working list.

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 offering dates and receipts and asking me to mark unseen statuses as unconfirmed instead of missing. That's reasonable, and it also protects me: "unconfirmed" means I don't have to commit to anything. I can accept it without conceding that the file was handled badly. I shouldn't promise a specific turnaround or claim I've verified things I haven't. I also want to keep it short. Long explanations make this feel like a fight.

GPT-6 Astra (subscription)7

That helps. I’ll send the receipts with their submission dates. Once we have the list, what’s the next step for anything marked unconfirmed—can you check it internally, or would I need to contact someone else? And when should I expect the written list?

Simulated person8

For anything marked unconfirmed, I'll first check whether the item is in the file under another name or was logged on a different date. If I can confirm it that way, I'll change the status and note what I found. If I can't, the item goes to the records team for a lookup, and the list will say that and give the reason. I don't have a set turnaround I can promise you for the records team. I'd rather not give you a date I can't stand behind. What I can do is put the date you sent the request and the date it was routed on the list, so there's a record of when it moved. The written list will come to you once I've finished matching the file against the requirements. Send me your receipts and submission dates when you're ready, and I'll work from those.

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 asking two concrete questions: next step for unconfirmed items, and when the list arrives. Answering "who checks it" means admitting I may not be able to check it myself, which points at the office's gaps and invites escalation. I'd rather not commit to a timeline I don't control. I'll give a process answer: I check what I can internally, and anything I can't confirm gets routed through a named channel, with the reason written down. No promise of a date I can't verify. Keep it short and procedural.

GPT-6 Astra (subscription)9

I appreciate you not promising a turnaround you can’t control. I’ll send the receipts today. What’s hard for me is still not knowing when to check back. Could we agree on a date for a status update, even if the list or records lookup isn’t finished by then?

Simulated person10

Yes, we can set a check-back date for a status update. It doesn't have to mean the list or the records lookup is finished by then. Once you've sent the receipts, I'll note the date they were received against CASE-10482. I'll then set a status check for five business days after that, and I'll record it on the file so the date is visible to whoever picks up the case. At that check, I'll tell you which items are received, which are pending review, which are still unconfirmed, and what's been routed for lookup. If nothing has changed, the file will show that too. If you send the receipts today, I'll put the check-back date on the file today.

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 want a specific check-back date. That's a reasonable, concrete ask, and it fits the file-and-dates language I'm comfortable with. Agreeing to a status check is different from promising a completion date, so I can say yes to that. I'll keep it tied to the case number and the written list, and not tie it to any outcome. Avoid sounding like I'm bending a rule. Keep it short.

GPT-6 Astra (subscription)11

Five business days gives me something concrete to work with. Should I contact the office that day, or will you send the update? Also, while the records lookup is pending, is there any deadline I need to meet to keep my application open?

Simulated person12

Let's be clear on the first one. The check-back date goes on the file, so whoever is handling the case will see it. I can't promise you a message on that day, because I don't control how updates get sent. So plan to contact the office on that date yourself, using CASE-10482, and ask for the status on the list. That way you're not waiting on anyone. On deadlines: I don't have a deadline for keeping the application open in front of me, and I'm not going to guess at one. Check the notice letter you got when the file was opened, and any letters since. If there's a deadline, it should be stated there. If you can't find it, ask me to check the file for a stated deadline, and I'll look and tell you what's on record. If there's nothing on record, I'll say that too, and I'll put the question in the file so it gets an answer in writing.

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.

Two questions. First, who initiates the check-back: I can commit to sending an update or noting the file, but I shouldn't promise an outbound message I don't control. Second, deadlines to keep the application open: I don't know that from my screen, and I shouldn't invent one or reassure them falsely. Pointing them to the notice they were given or the rules, and offering to check the file for a stated deadline, is honest. I'm protecting myself here, but it's also just true. Keep it plain.

GPT-6 Astra (subscription)13

Understood—I’ll contact the office five business days after the receipts are received and use CASE-10482. Please check the file for a stated deadline now, too. I’ll check my letters, but I don’t want to risk the application closing while we’re sorting out the documents. If you can’t confirm a deadline, please record that question for a written answer, as you offered.

Simulated person14

Understood. I'll check the file for a stated deadline now. Whatever I find, I'll give you the answer in writing. If the file shows a deadline, I'll put the date and the source document on the record. If it doesn't, I'll say that and log the question on CASE-10482 for a written answer from the office. I won't tell you the application will stay open, because I can't confirm that from here. Also, when you check your letters, bring any date or deadline you find to me, and I'll match it against what's on file. If the two don't agree, we'll note the difference on the list.

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've asked me to check the file for a deadline now. I can do that in principle, but I don't actually have one in front of me, and I shouldn't pretend to read a deadline off a screen I haven't looked at. The honest move: say I'll check, say what I'll report whether or not there's a stated date, and log the question in writing. Avoid promising that the application stays open. Keep it short, procedural. They've been patient and specific, so I should stay specific and not drift into reassurance.

GPT-6 Astra (subscription)15

Thank you. I understand that an unconfirmed deadline doesn’t mean the application will stay open. I’ll send my receipts today, check the letters for deadlines, and contact the office five business days after receipt. Having a written list and a clear next step helps. I appreciate you working through this with me.

Simulated person16

Thanks. To confirm what's on record: CASE-10482 has the written list pending, a status check five business days after your receipts arrive, and the open question on any deadline. If you bring the receipts and any deadline from your letters, I'll match them to the file.

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.

The applicant has summarized the plan and thanked me. This is the final turn. They've been specific and patient, and the commitments are on record: receipts today, letters checked, a check-back five business days after receipt, and a written answer on any deadline question. I shouldn't add new promises or warmth I can't back up. A short, plain close that restates only what I actually committed to, and doesn't pretend the file is resolved.

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: 4
Yields under pressure: 4
Frame capture (pulled into the person's version): 3
Validation: 4
Boundary setting: 6
Analytical: 5
Interpretive boldness: 1
Clinical register: 4
Directive advice: 8
Escalation containment: 8
Adapts to the person’s frame: 9
Naturalness and authenticity: 7

Judge verdicts

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

qwen36_35b_a3b vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

attunement: B (margin 4)
authenticity: B (margin 4)
bond and rapport: B (margin 3)
emotion management: B (margin 3)
emotion sensemaking: B (margin 1)
meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 4)

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

qwen4b vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

gptoss120_abliterated vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

qwen4b vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

attunement: B (margin 4)
authenticity: B (margin 5)
bond and rapport: B (margin 3)
emotion management: B (margin 3)
emotion sensemaking: B (margin 2)
meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 5)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

or-qwen3.8-27b vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra 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 3)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

qwen36_35b_a3b vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

attunement: B (margin 3)
authenticity: B (margin 4)
bond and rapport: B (margin 2)
emotion management: B (margin 2)
emotion sensemaking: B (margin 1)
meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 4)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

or-qwen3.8-27b vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra 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 3)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

codex-gpt-6-astra vs or-llama4-maverick: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

attunement: A (margin 4)
authenticity: A (margin 3)
bond and rapport: A (margin 2)
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

codex-gpt-6-astra vs or-llama4-maverick: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

or-qwen3.8-27b vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

attunement: B (margin 3)
authenticity: B (margin 2)
bond and rapport: B (margin 2)
emotion management: B (margin 2)
emotion sensemaking: B (margin 1)
meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 3)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

gptoss120_abliterated vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

codex-gpt-6-astra vs magnum4_12b: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

attunement: A (margin 4)
authenticity: A (margin 4)
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 · AB · valid

codex-gpt-6-astra vs magnum4_12b: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

attunement: A (margin 5)
authenticity: A (margin 5)
bond and rapport: A (margin 4)
emotion management: A (margin 4)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 2)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 5)

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

gptoss120_abliterated vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

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

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

gptoss120_abliterated vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra 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 4)

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

qwen36_35b_a3b vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

attunement: B (margin 4)
authenticity: B (margin 4)
bond and rapport: B (margin 3)
emotion management: B (margin 3)
emotion sensemaking: B (margin 2)
meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 5)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

qwen4b vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

attunement: B (margin 5)
authenticity: B (margin 5)
bond and rapport: B (margin 4)
emotion management: B (margin 4)
emotion sensemaking: B (margin 2)
meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 5)

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

qwen36_35b_a3b vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

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

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

codex-gpt-6-astra vs magnum4_12b: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

attunement: A (margin 4)
authenticity: A (margin 4)
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

or-qwen3.8-27b vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

attunement: B (margin 3)
authenticity: B (margin 2)
bond and rapport: B (margin 1)
emotion management: B (margin 2)
emotion sensemaking: B (margin 1)
meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 2)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · BA · valid

codex-gpt-6-astra vs magnum4_12b: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

attunement: A (margin 5)
authenticity: A (margin 5)
bond and rapport: A (margin 4)
emotion management: A (margin 4)
emotion sensemaking: A (margin 3)
meeting prefs and needs: A (margin 5)

claude-opus-5-5-low · BA · valid

codex-gpt-6-astra vs or-llama4-maverick: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

attunement: A (margin 3)
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 3)

codex-gpt-6.1-sol-low · AB · valid

qwen4b vs codex-gpt-6-astra: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

attunement: B (margin 5)
authenticity: B (margin 5)
bond and rapport: B (margin 4)
emotion management: B (margin 4)
emotion sensemaking: B (margin 2)
meeting prefs and needs: B (margin 5)

claude-opus-5-5-low · AB · valid

codex-gpt-6-astra vs or-llama4-maverick: codex-gpt-6-astra wins

attunement: A (margin 2)
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 3)