If you've been wondering whether you might have ADHD, an online test is the right place to start. This guide explains what an ADHD test actually measures, how to interpret your results, and what to do next — and you can take the free test right here.
Based on the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1), developed with the World Health Organisation. Used by clinicians worldwide as the starting point for adult ADHD assessment.
No account needed · Not a diagnosis · Results explained clearly
An ADHD test - also called an ADHD screener or ADHD self-assessment - is a structured questionnaire designed to identify whether your symptoms are consistent with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is not a diagnosis. It is a way of measuring how many ADHD-related symptoms you experience, how often you experience them, and whether that pattern is clinically significant.
The most widely used and validated ADHD test for adults is the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1), developed in partnership with the World Health Organisation. It consists of 18 questions covering the two main symptom domains of ADHD: inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity.
This is the test used on ADHD Self Check - and it's the same tool clinicians use as a first step before conducting a full diagnostic assessment.
An ADHD test is useful for any adult who recognises patterns in their life that might be explained by ADHD - and wants to understand whether those patterns are clinically significant. You don't need to be certain you have ADHD. In fact, most people who take this test are asking the question rather than already knowing the answer.
Common reasons people take an ADHD test include:
ADHD is significantly underdiagnosed in adults - particularly in women, who often present with predominantly inattentive symptoms that are less visible and more easily mistaken for anxiety or low confidence. If you've been told you're "smart but not reaching your potential" throughout your life, an ADHD test is worth taking.
The ASRS-v1.1 measures symptoms across two dimensions, producing three scores that together give a detailed picture of your symptom profile:
The 6 most clinically predictive questions. A score of 4 or more out of 6 meets the validated threshold for likely ADHD. This is the most important number.
Questions about focus, organisation, follow-through, and working memory. Scores out of 36.
Questions about restlessness, impulsivity, and difficulty sitting with quiet tasks. Scores out of 36.
Your overall symptom count across all 18 questions. Provides context for the Part A result. Out of 72.
The ASRS-v1.1 has strong clinical validation. Part A has a sensitivity of 68.7% and a specificity of 99.5% for identifying ADHD in clinical populations. In plain language: it's very unlikely to flag ADHD when it isn't there, and it correctly identifies most people who do have it.
That said, no self-report questionnaire is a substitute for a full clinical assessment. Several factors can affect your score:
This is why a screener is the beginning of a process, not the end of one. A high score gives you something meaningful to bring to a professional. A low score doesn't necessarily rule ADHD out if symptoms are significantly affecting your daily life.
"I scored just below the threshold but my psychiatrist still diagnosed me. The test got me in the door — the conversation got me the answer."
After completing the 18 questions, you'll get an instant breakdown of your scores across all four categories. The results page explains what each score means, whether your Part A result meets the clinical threshold, and what your next step should be.
If your results suggest your symptoms are consistent with ADHD, the most important next step is booking an appointment with a GP or mental health professional and asking for a full ADHD assessment. You can bring your screener results with you - they give your clinician a useful starting point.
If your results are below the threshold but you're still concerned, that's also worth discussing with a professional. ADHD exists on a spectrum, and the clinical threshold is one data point, not the whole picture.
Yes. The ADHD Self Check screener is completely free to take. The 18-question ASRS-v1.1 screener, the results breakdown, and the explanation of your scores are all provided at no cost. There is no registration required and no payment needed to see your results.
We offer an optional paid workbook for people who want structured guidance to prepare for a professional assessment - but the test itself is always free.
Ready to find out where you sit? The ADHD Self Check screener takes 2 minutes, is based on the same tool used by clinicians worldwide, and gives you an instant, structured breakdown of your results.
18 questions. Based on the WHO-validated ASRS-v1.1. No account needed. Results explained clearly with a breakdown of your inattention, hyperactivity, and overall scores.
Start the ADHD test →