ACE Test
The 10 original Adverse Childhood Experiences questions from the landmark CDC–Kaiser study, scored the way the research intended: one number from 0 to 10. Get your ACE score instantly with plain-language context on what it means, plus an optional in-depth report to keep or bring to a therapist.
ACE Test is a free, confidential 10-question self-assessment, the 10 original ACE study questions. It takes about 4 minutes, runs entirely in your browser, and gives you a plain-language score across 4 interpretation bands plus an optional in-depth report. It is an educational screening, not a diagnosis.
One number, honestly explained
The ACE score is a simple count of how many types of adverse experiences you had before age 18. This test focuses on that score: what the 10 questions ask, what the number means, and why the research treats 4 as a turning point.
The 10 ACE questions
The exact adverse experiences the CDC–Kaiser study measured: abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction before age 18. You answer each one yes or no, and each yes adds a point.
Your ACE score
The total is your ACE score, a whole number from 0 to 10. It counts the types of adversity you experienced, not how often or how severe. That is exactly how the original study defined it.
The dose-response pattern
The study found risk rising as the score rises, with 4 or more marking a sharper increase across the population. We show you where your number lands and what the evidence does and does not say.
| Feature | Typical free quiz | Psychology.com |
|---|---|---|
| The 10 original ACE questions | Sometimes reworded loosely | Yes, faithful to the study |
| Clear 0 to 10 score | Vague labels | Your exact number |
| What 4+ actually means | Rarely explained | Explained in context |
| Category breakdown | No | Abuse / neglect / household |
| Clinician-reviewed interpretation | Rarely | Yes, clinician reviewed |
| Confidential (no data sent) | Often tracked | Runs in your browser |
How scoring works
Answers are scored 0–10 in total. Your result falls into one of 4 bands:
| Score | Band | What it suggests |
|---|---|---|
| 0–0 | ACE score of 0 | You didn't report any of the 10 adverse childhood experiences. That is genuinely good news for this measure. The context below still offers useful perspective. |
| 1–3 | ACE score of 1 to 3 | You reported one to three adverse childhood experiences. Many people fall in this range. It is worth understanding, and very workable with support. |
| 4–6 | ACE score of 4 to 6 | You reported four to six adverse childhood experiences. In the research, 4 or more is the point where risk rises more noticeably, so this is worth taking seriously and gently. |
| 7–10 | ACE score of 7 to 10 | You reported seven or more adverse childhood experiences. That reflects a heavy load to have carried, often before you had any say in it. Support can make a real difference. |
Methodology & sources
The 10 questions reproduce the Adverse Childhood Experiences items from the original CDC–Kaiser Permanente ACE Study (Felitti et al., 1998), worded to stay faithful to the validated instrument while being trauma-informed and readable. Each yes adds one point, giving a score from 0 to 10, the same way the study counted it. We deliberately keep this test focused on that single, well-studied number rather than expanding it.
This is the same validated ACE study instrument used in our broader <a href="/tests/childhood-trauma">Childhood Trauma Test</a>, but centered tightly on the ACE score itself. If you want the wider picture, including community adversity and a resilience score that buffers the effects of a high number, that companion test is the place to go. Either way, this is provided for education and self-reflection, presents risk at the population level rather than as a personal forecast, and is not a diagnosis.
References
- Felitti VJ, Anda RF, Nordenberg D, et al. Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults: The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study. Am J Prev Med. 1998;14(4):245–258.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Adverse Childhood Experiences. CDC Violence Prevention.
- Hughes K, Bellis MA, Hardcastle KA, et al. The effect of multiple adverse childhood experiences on health: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Public Health. 2017;2(8):e356–e366.
Cite this source
Psychology.com. (2026, August 28). ACE Test. Psychology.com. https://psychology.com/tests/ace
ACE Test FAQ
What is an ACE score?
Your ACE score is a count of how many of the 10 adverse childhood experiences you had before age 18, across abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction. Each type you experienced adds one point, so the score ranges from 0 to 10. A higher number is linked to greater health risk across large populations, but it is a screening tool, not a diagnosis.
Is this an ACE quiz or adverse childhood experiences quiz?
Yes. This adverse childhood experiences quiz is built on the 10 original ACE questions, scored 0 to 10 the way the CDC-Kaiser study intended. People search for it as an ACE quiz, an ACE test, or an adverse childhood experiences quiz, and they all point to the same 10-item screening you can take here for free.
What is a high ACE score?
In the original ACE study, a score of 4 or more was the point where the statistical risk for several health and mental-health conditions rose more sharply across the population studied. A high score does not mean any particular outcome will happen to you, and supportive relationships and resilience meaningfully shift the picture.
How is the ACE score calculated?
You answer each of the 10 questions with yes or no. Every yes counts as one point, and the points are added up. The score reflects how many types of adversity you experienced, not how often or how severe each one was. That is exactly how Felitti and Anda defined it in 1998.
Is this the same as your Childhood Trauma Test?
They share the same validated 10 ACE questions, but the focus differs. This page is built tightly around the ACE score itself. Our companion Childhood Trauma Test adds a community-adversity scale and a resilience score, giving a wider view. Pick this one if you mainly want your number and what it means.
Is my ACE score fixed for life?
The score reflects what happened in the past, so the number itself does not change. Its influence on your life can. Therapy, supportive relationships, and building resilience are all associated with better outcomes, even for people with high scores.
Is this test confidential?
Yes. It runs entirely in your browser. Your answers are never sent to a server, never stored, and never linked to you. No account is needed.
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