Anxiety Test
A confidential self-assessment built on the GAD-7, the most widely validated anxiety screening in clinical use. In two minutes you get an instant severity result and a plain-language PDF report you can keep or bring to a therapist.
What the GAD-7 actually captures
The GAD-7 looks at the core features of generalized anxiety over the past two weeks. It was designed to be brief, but it measures more than just worry.
Frequency of symptoms
Seven items ask how often, over the last two weeks, you have felt nervous, unable to stop worrying, restless, or on edge. Each is rated from not at all to nearly every day.
A severity score
Your answers sum to a single 0 to 21 score that maps onto minimal, mild, moderate, or severe ranges, using the same cutoffs clinicians rely on.
A recent time window
The GAD-7 asks specifically about the past two weeks, so your result reflects how you have been feeling lately rather than your whole life.
| Feature | Typical free quiz | Psychology.com |
|---|---|---|
| Validated GAD-7 questions | Sometimes | Yes, faithful wording |
| Research-based severity bands | Vague labels | Real clinical cutoffs |
| Plain-language interpretation | Rarely | Yes, for every band |
| Clinician-reviewed | Rarely | Yes, MD reviewed |
| Downloadable PDF report | No | Yes, branded & shareable |
| Confidential (no data sent) | Often tracked | Runs in your browser |
Methodology & sources
This test reproduces the seven items of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7), developed and validated by Spitzer and colleagues (2006). Each item is rated from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day) for symptoms over the past two weeks, giving a total score from 0 to 21. We use the original validated severity cutoffs: 0 to 4 minimal, 5 to 9 mild, 10 to 14 moderate, and 15 to 21 severe. A score of 10 or higher is the commonly cited threshold at which further clinical evaluation is recommended. Item wording has been lightly adapted for readability while preserving the meaning of the validated instrument.
This test is provided for education and self-reflection. It is not a diagnosis. The GAD-7 was built as a screening and severity tool, not a diagnostic test, and a high score does not by itself confirm an anxiety disorder. Only a licensed clinician can make that assessment, ideally by talking with you about your history and context. If your result concerns you, treat it as a prompt to reach out, not as a label.
- Spitzer RL, Kroenke K, Williams JBW, Löwe B. A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder: the GAD-7. Arch Intern Med. 2006;166(10):1092–1097.
- Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JBW, Monahan PO, Löwe B. Anxiety disorders in primary care: prevalence, impairment, comorbidity, and detection. Ann Intern Med. 2007;146(5):317–325.
Anxiety Test FAQ
What is a GAD-7 anxiety test?
The GAD-7 is a short, validated questionnaire that measures how often you have experienced common anxiety symptoms over the past two weeks. It is one of the most widely used anxiety screenings in primary care and research. It produces a severity score, not a diagnosis.
What is considered a high anxiety score?
On the GAD-7, scores of 0 to 4 suggest minimal anxiety, 5 to 9 mild, 10 to 14 moderate, and 15 to 21 severe. A score of 10 or higher is the usual point at which clinicians recommend a fuller evaluation. A high score signals it is worth talking to a professional.
Is this test a diagnosis?
No. It is for education and self-reflection only. Only a licensed clinician can diagnose an anxiety disorder, usually by talking with you about your symptoms, history, and life context. If your results concern you, consider reaching out to a therapist or doctor.
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, and the optional PDF is generated on your own device.
Can anxiety get better?
Yes. Generalized anxiety is one of the most treatable mental-health conditions. Cognitive behavioral therapy, certain medications, and lifestyle changes all have strong evidence. Most people who get appropriate care see meaningful improvement.