OCD Test
A confidential self-assessment built on the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R), the validated 18-item measure clinicians and researchers actually use. You get an instant, plain-language result with a breakdown across the six symptom areas, plus a professional PDF report you can keep or bring to a therapist.
Distress across the six faces of OCD, not just one number
OCD shows up in very different ways from person to person. This assessment uses the OCI-R to measure how much distress your symptoms cause and where they cluster, because the pattern matters as much as the total.
Total distress score
The full OCI-R score from 0 to 72, reflecting how much distress obsessions and compulsions have caused you in the past month. The number the research validates against.
Symptom subscales
Washing, checking, ordering, obsessing, hoarding, and neutralizing. Each is scored on its own so you can see which patterns are loudest for you, not just an overall figure.
The clinical cutoff
Research places the screening threshold for likely OCD around a total of 21. We show you exactly where you land relative to that line, with honest interpretation.
| Feature | Typical free quiz | Psychology.com |
|---|---|---|
| Validated OCI-R questions | Sometimes | Yes, all 18 items |
| Six-area symptom breakdown | No | Yes (washing, checking, ordering, obsessing, hoarding, neutralizing) |
| Real research cutoff (21) | Rarely | Yes, clearly explained |
| Clinician-reviewed interpretation | Rarely | Yes, MD reviewed |
| Downloadable PDF report | No | Yes, branded & shareable |
| Confidential (no data sent) | Often tracked | Runs in your browser |
Methodology & sources
The 18 questions reproduce the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R) developed by Foa and colleagues (2002), worded to stay faithful to the validated instrument while reading clearly. Each item asks how much distress an experience has caused you in the past month, rated from 0 (not at all) to 4 (extremely), for a maximum total of 72. The six subscales of three items each, washing, checking, ordering, obsessing, hoarding, and neutralizing, follow the original structure so your breakdown reflects the published scoring.
This test is provided for education and self-reflection, not diagnosis. The screening cutoff of roughly 21 comes from the original validation work, where it best separated people with OCD from those without while accepting that no cutoff is perfect. Many people with real OCD score below it, and some without OCD score above it, so we present your result as a prompt for reflection and, where useful, a conversation with a professional.
- Foa EB, Huppert JD, Leiberg S, et al. The Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory: development and validation of a short version. Psychol Assess. 2002;14(4):485–496.
- Abramowitz JS, Deacon BJ. Psychometric properties and construct validity of the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised: replication and extension with a clinical sample. J Anxiety Disord. 2006;20(8):1016–1035.
- Huppert JD, Walther MR, Hajcak G, et al. The OCI-R: validation of the subscales in a clinical sample. J Anxiety Disord. 2007;21(3):394–406.
OCD Test FAQ
What is an OCD test based on the OCI-R?
It is a short, research-based screening that measures how much distress obsessions and compulsions have caused you over the past month, across six common symptom areas. The OCI-R is one of the most widely validated self-report measures of OCD symptoms, but a questionnaire is a screening tool, not a diagnosis.
What OCI-R score suggests OCD?
In the original validation, a total score of about 21 or higher best identified people likely to have OCD. A score above that line suggests it is worth a professional assessment, while a score below it does not rule OCD out, especially if symptoms still disrupt your life.
Is this test a diagnosis?
No. It is for education and self-reflection only. Only a licensed clinician can diagnose OCD, usually through a structured interview. If your results concern you, consider talking with a therapist who treats OCD.
What do the six subscales mean?
The OCI-R groups symptoms into washing, checking, ordering, obsessing, hoarding, and neutralizing (mental rituals or undoing). Seeing which areas score highest can help you describe your experience and find the right kind of treatment.
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 OCD be treated?
Yes. OCD responds well to evidence-based treatment, especially exposure and response prevention (ERP), a form of cognitive behavioral therapy, sometimes combined with medication. Many people see a real reduction in symptoms.