PTSD Test
A confidential self-assessment built on the PC-PTSD-5, the brief screener the VA developed and validated for primary care. In a few minutes you get an instant result and a plain-language PDF report you can keep or bring to a therapist.
What the PC-PTSD-5 actually captures
The PC-PTSD-5 first checks whether you have experienced a traumatic event, then asks about the five symptom clusters that define post-traumatic stress.
A trauma-exposure gate
It starts by asking whether you have ever experienced a frightening, horrible, or upsetting event. The symptom questions only apply if such an event happened.
Five core symptom areas
Five yes-or-no items cover the hallmarks of PTSD: nightmares and intrusive memories, avoidance, being constantly on guard, numbness or detachment, and guilt or self-blame.
A validated cutoff
A total of three or more yes answers is the cutoff that signals probable PTSD and the value of a fuller assessment, based on the screener's validation research.
| Feature | Typical free quiz | Psychology.com |
|---|---|---|
| Validated PC-PTSD-5 questions | Sometimes | Yes, faithful wording |
| Trauma-exposure gate first | Often skipped | Yes, included |
| Research-based cutoff | Vague labels | Yes, 3+ positive |
| 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 Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5), developed by Prins and colleagues at the US Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD (2016). The screen begins with a trauma-exposure gate item: if you have not experienced a traumatic event, the symptom questions do not apply. If you have, five yes-or-no items ask whether, in the past month, that experience led to nightmares or intrusive memories, avoidance, hypervigilance, numbness or detachment, and guilt or self-blame. Item wording has been lightly adapted for readability while preserving the meaning of the validated instrument.
Scoring counts the number of yes answers from 0 to 5. A score of 3 or more is the validated cutoff that indicates probable PTSD and a recommendation for further evaluation, balancing sensitivity and specificity in the original research. This test is provided for education and self-reflection. It is not a diagnosis. Only a licensed clinician can assess PTSD, typically through a structured interview such as the CAPS-5. If your result concerns you, treat it as a prompt to reach out, not as a label.
- Prins A, Bovin MJ, Smolenski DJ, et al. The Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5): development and evaluation within a veteran primary care sample. J Gen Intern Med. 2016;31(10):1206–1211.
- Bovin MJ, Kimerling R, Weathers FW, et al. Diagnostic accuracy and acceptability of the Primary Care Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Screen for the DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5) among US veterans. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(2):e2036733.
PTSD Test FAQ
What is the PC-PTSD-5 test?
The PC-PTSD-5 is a brief, validated screener developed by the US Department of Veterans Affairs to flag people who may have post-traumatic stress disorder. It begins with a trauma-exposure question, then asks five yes-or-no symptom questions. It indicates likelihood, not a diagnosis.
What score suggests probable PTSD?
A total of three or more yes answers on the five symptom items is the validated cutoff that suggests probable PTSD and the value of a fuller evaluation. A lower score does not rule out trauma-related distress, especially if symptoms are affecting your life.
Is this test a diagnosis?
No. It is for education and self-reflection only. Only a licensed clinician can diagnose PTSD, usually through a structured clinical interview. If your results concern you, consider reaching out to a trauma-informed therapist or your doctor.
What if I have not experienced a trauma?
PTSD develops in response to a frightening, horrible, or upsetting event. If you have not experienced such an event, the symptom questions do not apply to you. Distress can still be real and worth support, even when it is not PTSD.
Can PTSD get better?
Yes. PTSD is highly treatable. Evidence-based therapies such as trauma-focused CBT, prolonged exposure, cognitive processing therapy, and EMDR help many people recover meaningfully, often substantially reducing or resolving symptoms.