Free Screening
ADHD test for adults
Answer 18 questions and get an indication of whether you may have ADHD. The test is completely anonymous.
Do I have ADHD?
ADHD in adults often looks different from the image most people know. It is not just about hyperactivity. Many adults experience it more as a constant inner restlessness, difficulty maintaining attention, a tendency to procrastinate, or a feeling that everyday life requires more energy than it should.
Many people only discover ADHD later in life because the symptoms were attributed to personality, stress, or anxiety. Women in particular are underdiagnosed because the inattentive type (formerly called ADD) is less visible from the outside.
There are three types of ADHD: predominantly inattentive (ADHD-PI, formerly ADD), predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, and combined type. The ASRS covers all three.
ADHD is not about intelligence or willpower. It is a neurological difference in how the brain regulates attention and executive function. Many people who discover it as adults describe a feeling of finally having an explanation.
Who is this test for?
Adults aged 18 and over who have a sense that they may have ADHD or ADD. The test can help you put words to your experiences before you decide on a next step.
The test is not designed for children or adolescents (other instruments exist for that) or for people who already have a diagnosis.
What is the ASRS?
The ASRS v1.1 (Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale) was developed by WHO in collaboration with Harvard Medical School and New York University. It is the most widely used screening tool for adult ADHD worldwide and is recommended by the Danish Health Authority in the national clinical guidelines.
The test has 18 questions divided into two parts. Part A (questions 1–6) is the brief screening. Part B (questions 7–18) provides supplementary clinical information. Each question has five response options from "Never" to "Very Often", and your answer is compared to a clinically determined threshold.
How accurate is this test?
Part A has a specificity of 99.5% and a sensitivity of 68.7% (Kessler et al., 2005). This means a positive screening is rarely coincidental, but some people with ADHD do score below the threshold. A low score does not rule out ADHD.
No screening test can diagnose ADHD. The ASRS can be a helpful first step in articulating your experiences, but it is not a prerequisite for seeking an assessment. A full assessment uses different tools: structured diagnostic interviews, developmental history, clinical observation, and in some cases collateral information.
Take the test
Your answers are not saved and are not sent to any server. Everything is processed locally in your browser.
How to take the test
- —Choose the answer that best describes how you generally feel, looking at the bigger picture.
- —There are no right or wrong answers. Respond honestly and intuitively.
- —Part A (questions 1–6) is a brief screening. Part B (questions 7–18) provides additional clinical information.
1.How often do you have trouble wrapping up the final details of a project, once the challenging parts have been done?
2.How often do you have difficulty getting things in order when you have to do a task that requires organization?
3.How often do you have problems remembering appointments or obligations?
4.When you have a task that requires a lot of thought, how often do you avoid or delay getting started?
5.How often do you fidget or squirm with your hands or feet when you have to sit down for a long time?
6.How often do you feel overly active and compelled to do things, like you were driven by a motor?
— Part B: Supplementary questions —
7.How often do you make careless mistakes when you have to work on a boring or difficult project?
8.How often do you have difficulty keeping your attention when you are doing boring or repetitive work?
9.How often do you have difficulty concentrating on what people say to you, even when they are speaking to you directly?
10.How often do you misplace or have difficulty finding things at home or at work?
11.How often are you distracted by activity or noise around you?
12.How often do you leave your seat in meetings or other situations in which you are expected to remain seated?
13.How often do you feel restless or fidgety?
14.How often do you have difficulty unwinding and relaxing when you have time to yourself?
15.How often do you find yourself talking too much when you are in social situations?
16.How often do you find yourself finishing the sentences of the people you are talking to, before they can finish them themselves?
17.How often do you have difficulty waiting your turn in situations when turn taking is required?
18.How often do you interrupt others when they are busy?
0 of 18 answered
Understanding your score
Part A (the screening score)
0–3 of 6
Your answers fall below the screening threshold. This does not necessarily mean you do not have ADHD. Some people score low on self-report, particularly if they have developed coping strategies over many years. If you still recognize yourself in the descriptions, a clinical assessment can provide clarity.
4–6 of 6
Your answers are consistent with ADHD. This is not a diagnosis, but it may confirm what you have already been feeling. Many choose to take the next step with a clinical assessment.
Part B (supplementary)
Part B provides additional clinical context but is not a standalone screening. A high Part B score alongside a Part A score of 4+ strengthens the picture. But even a high Part B score with a low Part A score can be worth discussing with a professional. Part B covers three symptom domains: inattention (questions 7–11), hyperactivity (12–14), and impulsivity (15–18).
Research averages
| Group | Part A avg. | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Adults with ADHD diagnosis | 4,4 / 6 | 2\u20136 |
| General population | 1,4 / 6 | 0\u20134 |
Kessler et al. (2005), Psychological Medicine, 35(2), 245\u2013256.
Note: Some adults with confirmed ADHD score as low as 2 on Part A. Screening tests identify patterns, not individuals.
Frequently asked questions about the ADHD test
Can an online test diagnose ADHD?+
No. The ASRS is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. An ADHD diagnosis requires a thorough clinical assessment with a structured interview, developmental history, and professional evaluation. A screening can be a helpful first step, but many people also book an assessment without having taken a test first.
What is the difference between ADHD and ADD?+
ADD is the older term for ADHD without hyperactivity. Today it is called ADHD, predominantly inattentive type (ADHD-PI). The ASRS covers both types. Part A questions 1–4 primarily target inattention, while questions 5–6 target hyperactivity and impulsivity.
What should I do if I score high?+
A high score (4+ on Part A) may confirm what you have already been feeling. You can book an assessment directly at Alethia — no referral is needed. The first step is a clinical interview where a psychologist reviews your symptoms, your development, and your daily life.
What if I score low but still think I have ADHD?+
Screening tests are not perfect. Some people with ADHD score low because they have developed coping strategies, or because their symptoms are predominantly inattentive and harder to capture in self-report. If you are experiencing persistent difficulties with attention, planning, or impulse control, a clinical assessment is always an option.
Is the test anonymous?+
Yes. Your answers are processed entirely in your browser. Nothing is sent to a server, and nothing is stored. We cannot see your result.
Can ADHD first appear in adulthood?+
ADHD is a developmental condition that by definition has been present since childhood. But many adults are only diagnosed later in life because their symptoms were masked by intelligence, coping strategies, or hidden behind other diagnoses such as anxiety or depression.
What is the difference between screening and assessment?+
A screening (like this test) is a brief questionnaire that can help you put words to your experiences. An assessment is a thorough clinical process over several sessions involving a structured diagnostic interview, developmental history, clinical evaluation, and a written report with diagnosis and treatment plan. You do not need a screening to book an assessment.
Who created this test?+
The ASRS v1.1 was developed by WHO in collaboration with researchers from Harvard Medical School and New York University. It has been validated in large international studies and is recommended by the Danish Health Authority in the national clinical guidelines for ADHD.
Sources
- Kessler RC, Adler L, Ames M, et al. (2005). The World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS): a short screening scale for use in the general population. Psychological Medicine, 35(2), 245\u2013256.
- Kessler RC, Adler LA, Gruber MJ, et al. (2007). Validity of the World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) Screener in a representative community sample. Assessment, 14(2), 204\u2013214.
- Danish Health Authority (2022). National clinical guideline for assessment and treatment of ADHD in adults.
Ready for the next step?
Regardless of your score, you are welcome to book an assessment. No referral is needed, and the wait time is short.
By Markus Lien, clinical psychologist · Updated March 2026