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ADHD Test (Adult)

A confidential self-assessment built on the complete ASRS v1.1, the 18-question adult ADHD scale developed with the World Health Organization. You answer both the validated 6-item screener and the 12 additional symptom questions, then get an instant result and an optional in-depth personalized report to bring to a clinician.

MC Reviewed by Michael Callans, MSW ···~5 min
Answers never leave your device Based on the full WHO ASRS v1.1 Optional in-depth report

ADHD Test (Adult) is a free, confidential 18-question self-assessment, based on the full WHO ASRS v1.1. It takes about 5 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.

What the full ASRS v1.1 actually captures

Most online ADHD tests stop at the six screener questions. This assessment includes all 18 items of the ASRS v1.1, so you see both the validated screen and the fuller picture of inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.

18

The complete scale, in two parts

All 18 ASRS v1.1 questions: Part A, the six items most predictive of adult ADHD, plus Part B, twelve additional questions covering the rest of the adult symptom picture.

4+

The validated screening rule

Part A is the validated screener. In formal scoring, four or more of its six answers falling in the clinical (shaded-box) range is a positive screen that warrants further evaluation.

2

Both symptom domains

The items span inattention, like losing focus, misplacing things, and careless mistakes, and hyperactivity-impulsivity, like restlessness, interrupting, and difficulty waiting your turn.

FeatureTypical free quizPsychology.com
Full 18-question ASRS v1.1Usually only 6Yes, all 18 items
WHO-developed screenerRarely notedYes, explained
Part A screen and Part B breakdownNoYes, both reported
Clinician-reviewedRarelyYes, clinician reviewed
Optional in-depth personalized reportNoYes, written to your exact scores
Confidential (no data sent)Often trackedRuns in your browser

How scoring works

Answers are scored 0–72 in total. Your result falls into one of 4 bands:

ScoreBandWhat it suggests
0–16Unlikely rangeYour answers across all 18 questions point to relatively few ADHD-consistent symptoms over the past six months. That is reassuring on this measure.
17–30Some symptomsYour answers point to some ADHD-consistent symptoms. Many people live here, and it is worth understanding rather than worrying about.
31–45Notable symptomsYour answers point to a notable level of ADHD-consistent symptoms. A conversation with a professional is genuinely worth considering.
46–72Strong symptom loadYour answers point to a strong load of ADHD-consistent symptoms. Please be kind to yourself, and consider pursuing a professional evaluation.

Methodology & sources

This test reproduces all 18 items of the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) v1.1, developed by Kessler and colleagues with the World Health Organization (2005). The scale has two parts. Part A contains the six questions found to be the most predictive of adult ADHD, and it is the validated screener: in the official shaded-box scoring, certain answers (Sometimes or more often on the first three questions, Often or more often on the last three) fall inside a darkly shaded box, and four or more shaded responses across the six questions is a positive screen suggesting symptoms consistent with adult ADHD that warrant further evaluation. Part B contains the remaining twelve questions and is used to give a fuller picture of inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms; it provides additional context for a clinician rather than a separate screen. Item wording has been lightly adapted for readability while preserving the meaning of the validated instrument.

Alongside the Part A screen, we sum all 18 answers, each rated from 0 (never) to 4 (very often), into a total score from 0 to 72, and we band that total as 0 to 16 unlikely range, 17 to 30 some symptoms, 31 to 45 notable, and 46 to 72 strong symptom load. To be clear about what is and is not validated: the ASRS's validated use is the Part A screener with its 4-or-more rule. The summed severity total is an orientation aid we provide for self-reflection, not a validated clinical cutoff. This test is provided for education and self-reflection. It is not a diagnosis. Only a qualified clinician can assess ADHD, typically through a structured interview, developmental history, and review of how symptoms affect daily life.

References

  1. Kessler RC, Adler L, Ames M, et al. The World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS): a short screening scale for use in the general population. Psychol Med. 2005;35(2):245–256.
  2. Ustun B, Adler LA, Rudin C, et al. The World Health Organization Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Report Screening Scale for DSM-5. JAMA Psychiatry. 2017;74(5):520–526.

ADHD Test (Adult) FAQ

What is the ASRS adult ADHD test?

The ASRS v1.1 is a validated 18-question scale developed with the World Health Organization to identify adults who may have ADHD. Part A is the six-question screener that best predicts adult ADHD; Part B adds twelve questions for a fuller symptom picture. This test includes all 18. It indicates likelihood, not a diagnosis.

What does a positive screen mean?

On the official Part A scoring, four or more of the six screener answers falling in the clinical (shaded-box) range is a positive screen, meaning your symptoms are consistent with adult ADHD and a fuller evaluation is worthwhile. It does not confirm ADHD on its own, and Part B answers add context rather than a separate screen.

How is the 0 to 72 total scored?

Each of the 18 answers is rated from 0 (never) to 4 (very often), giving a total from 0 to 72. This summed total is an orientation aid for self-reflection, not a validated clinical cutoff. The validated result is the Part A screen, which uses a qualifying-answer rule: questions 1 to 3 count at Sometimes or more, questions 4 to 6 count at Often or more, and four or more qualifying answers is a positive screen. Your Part A metric shows your summed score on those six questions so you can revisit your answers with that rule in mind.

Is this test a diagnosis?

No. It is for education and self-reflection only. Only a qualified clinician can diagnose ADHD, usually through a detailed interview, your developmental history, and a look at how symptoms affect your daily life. A positive screen is a reason to seek that assessment.

Can adults really have ADHD?

Yes. ADHD is a lifelong neurodevelopmental difference, and many adults are identified later in life, especially those whose symptoms were missed in childhood. Adult ADHD is real, common, and supportable.

Is the test really 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.

Important: This adult ADHD test is an educational screening tool, not a medical or psychological diagnosis. It cannot tell you whether you have ADHD or any other condition. A positive screen simply means a fuller assessment may be worthwhile. For a diagnosis, please consult a qualified clinician who can review your full history.