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ADHD test for adults: the ASRS screener and how diagnosis works
Key takeaways
- The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v1.1), developed with the World Health Organization, is the most widely used adult ADHD screener.
- Its 6-question Part A takes about two minutes; 4 or more answers in the shaded range means symptoms are highly consistent with adult ADHD.
- A screener is not a diagnosis — it tells you whether a full assessment is worth it.
- For children, clinicians often use the Vanderbilt rating scales completed by parents and teachers.
Is there a test for ADHD?
There is no blood test or brain scan for ADHD. Diagnosis is made by a qualified clinician using interviews, history from childhood, rating scales and information from people who know you. Online "ADHD tests" and quizzes are screeners: quick questionnaires that show whether your symptoms are worth a closer look.
The ASRS: the adult ADHD screener
The ASRS v1.1 was developed by the World Health Organization and researchers at Harvard and NYU. It has 18 questions based on DSM criteria; the first six (Part A) are the screener because they best predict ADHD.
What it asks about
Part A asks how often over the past six months you have had difficulty finishing the final details of projects, getting organized, remembering appointments, getting started on tasks that need a lot of thought, sitting still without fidgeting, and feeling driven "like a motor".
How it's scored
Each question is answered Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Often or Very often. The first three questions count as positive at "Sometimes" or more; the last three at "Often" or more. Four or more positive answers suggests symptoms highly consistent with adult ADHD and that a full assessment is warranted.
Other ADHD tests and scales
| Tool | Who it's for | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| ASRS v1.1 | Adults | Screening (self-report) |
| Vanderbilt Assessment Scales | Children 6–12 | Parent and teacher ratings |
| Conners rating scales | Children and adults | Symptom ratings |
| DIVA-5 | Adults | Structured diagnostic interview |
| ADHD Rating Scale-5 | Children and teens | Symptom ratings |
What a full ADHD assessment involves
- A detailed interview about current symptoms and how they affect work, study and relationships.
- History from childhood — school reports or a parent's input help.
- Rating scales from you and someone who knows you well.
- Screening for conditions that look like ADHD or often come with it: anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, thyroid problems, substance use.
How to get assessed
- US: start with your primary care doctor, or see a psychiatrist or psychologist directly. Many insurers cover evaluation.
- UK: ask your GP for a referral. In England, NHS Right to Choose lets adults referred for an ADHD assessment choose an NHS-contracted provider, which can shorten waiting times.
- Bring your screener results and examples of how symptoms affect daily life.
Take the ASRS screener in Cardivo
Cardivo includes the ASRS Part A adult ADHD check-in, scored instantly, alongside PHQ-9 (depression) and GAD-7 (anxiety) screeners — because ADHD often comes with low mood or anxiety. You can repeat check-ins over time, see your heart rate and stress readings next to them, and export a PDF to bring to your assessment. Read about ADHD symptoms in adults and children and how mood and stress show up in your pulse.
This guide is general wellness education based on the public sources below. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Cardivo is not a medical device. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free ADHD test for adults?
Yes. The WHO Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v1.1) is free; its 6-question Part A screener takes about two minutes. It is a screening tool, not a diagnosis.
How is the ASRS scored?
Questions 1–3 count as positive at 'Sometimes' or more and questions 4–6 at 'Often' or more. Four or more positive answers suggests symptoms highly consistent with adult ADHD and that a full assessment is warranted.
Can an online quiz diagnose ADHD?
No. Online tests are screeners. A diagnosis requires an assessment by a qualified clinician.
What is ADHD Right to Choose?
In England, adults referred by their GP for an ADHD assessment can choose an NHS-contracted provider under the NHS Right to Choose, which can reduce waiting times.
Sources
- Harvard Medical School — Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS)
- CDC — Diagnosing ADHD
- NHS — ADHD diagnosis
- CDC MMWR — ADHD in adults, United States, 2023