AuDHD Test

Adult ADHD Screening Test

A quick, validated screening for ADHD traits in adults.

This screening uses the ASRS-5 (Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale for DSM-5), developed by the WHO with Harvard Medical School. It has 91.4% sensitivity and 96.0% specificity — one of the most accurate brief ADHD screening instruments available.

6 questions — takes about 1 minute

About the ASRS-5 ADHD Screening

The ASRS-5 is the latest version of the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, developed by the World Health Organization in collaboration with Harvard Medical School and New York University.

Originally published as the 18-item ASRS-v1.1 (Kessler et al., 2005), the scale was refined using machine learning (SLIM algorithm) to identify the 6 most discriminating items for DSM-5 ADHD criteria. The result is the ASRS-5, which achieves an AUC of 0.94 — making it one of the most accurate brief ADHD screening instruments available. Each question uses optimized scoring weights rather than simple binary scoring, reflecting the varying diagnostic importance of different symptoms.

How ASRS-5 Scoring Works

Unlike many screening tools that use simple yes/no scoring, the ASRS-5 uses machine-learning-optimized weighted scoring for maximum accuracy.

Each of the 6 questions is scored on a 5-point scale (Never to Very Often), but different questions carry different weights — ranging from 0 to 6 points per response. This weighted approach captures the clinical reality that some ADHD symptoms are more diagnostically informative than others. The total score ranges from 0 to 24, with a clinical screening threshold of ≥14.

Scores below 14 fall within the typical range, though this doesn't rule out ADHD. Scores at or above 14 suggest elevated ADHD traits warranting further clinical evaluation. The ASRS-5 has 91.4% sensitivity (catches 91.4% of true ADHD cases) and 96.0% specificity (correctly identifies 96.0% of non-ADHD individuals).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between ASRS-5 and ASRS-v1.1?
The original ASRS-v1.1 contained 18 questions covering all DSM-IV ADHD criteria. The ASRS-5 is a streamlined version developed using the SLIM machine-learning algorithm, which identified the 6 most diagnostically discriminating items and realigned them with DSM-5 criteria. Despite having far fewer questions, the ASRS-5 actually achieves higher accuracy (AUC 0.94 vs. 0.90) thanks to optimized weighted scoring that captures each symptom's true diagnostic importance.
How can 6 questions accurately screen for ADHD?
The ASRS-5's accuracy comes from its machine-learning-optimized design. The SLIM algorithm analyzed thousands of clinical interviews to identify which symptoms best distinguish ADHD from non-ADHD individuals. Rather than asking about every possible symptom, it focuses on the most informative ones and assigns different scoring weights to each response. This achieves an AUC of 0.94 — meaning it correctly ranks a random ADHD individual above a random non-ADHD individual 94% of the time.
What are the three subtypes of adult ADHD?
Adult ADHD presents in three subtypes. The Inattentive presentation involves difficulty sustaining focus, frequent careless mistakes, and trouble with organization. The Hyperactive-Impulsive presentation features restlessness, excessive talking, and difficulty waiting. The Combined presentation — the most common in adults — includes symptoms from both categories. Many adults shift between subtypes over their lifetime, and hyperactivity often becomes internalized restlessness in adulthood.
Why is ADHD often missed in women?
Women with ADHD frequently present with the inattentive subtype rather than the more visible hyperactive-impulsive type. They often develop sophisticated masking strategies — using extra effort to meet expectations, internalizing struggles as personal failings, and compensating through anxiety-driven hypervigilance. Social conditioning also plays a role: girls are expected to be organized and attentive, so their ADHD symptoms are more likely to be attributed to laziness, anxiety, or depression rather than a neurodevelopmental condition.
Can ADHD coexist with anxiety or depression?
Yes, comorbidity is extremely common with ADHD. Studies show that approximately 50% of adults with ADHD also have an anxiety disorder, and about 30% experience major depression. These conditions can develop independently or as secondary consequences of living with undiagnosed ADHD — years of underperformance, social difficulties, and self-blame often take a toll on mental health. Importantly, anxiety and depression symptoms can mimic ADHD, making professional differential diagnosis essential.
How does ASRS-5 compare to longer ADHD assessments?
The ASRS-5 is a brief screening tool, while longer instruments like the CAARS (Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scale, 66 items) and WURS (Wender Utah Rating Scale, 25 items) provide more detailed clinical profiles. The ASRS-5 excels as a first-line screening due to its brevity, high accuracy, and free availability. However, comprehensive clinical evaluation typically includes longer assessments, developmental history, collateral reports, and neuropsychological testing to confirm diagnosis and guide treatment.
Is adult ADHD different from childhood ADHD?
Adult ADHD is the same condition, but its expression often evolves with age. Childhood hyperactivity typically transforms into internal restlessness, racing thoughts, and difficulty relaxing. Impulsivity may shift from physical behaviors to impulsive decisions, interrupting conversations, or emotional reactivity. Inattention often becomes the most impairing symptom in adulthood, manifesting as difficulty with time management, organization, and sustaining effort on non-preferred tasks. About 60% of children with ADHD continue to meet criteria as adults.
What should I do if I score above the threshold?
A score of 14 or above suggests elevated ADHD traits that warrant professional evaluation. Start by scheduling an appointment with your primary care physician or a psychiatrist experienced in adult ADHD. Bring your screening results and prepare to discuss your symptom history, including childhood experiences. A comprehensive evaluation typically includes clinical interview, rating scales, and ruling out other conditions. Many adults find that diagnosis — even later in life — provides validation and opens doors to effective treatment and support strategies.

References

Ustun, B., Adler, L.A., Rudin, C., et al. (2017). The World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report Screening Scale for DSM-5. JAMA Psychiatry, 74(5), 520-527.

Adler, L.A., Spencer, T., Faraone, S.V., et al. (2006). Validity of Pilot Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale. Annals of Clinical Psychiatry, 18(3), 145-148.

Kessler, R.C., Adler, L., Ames, M., et al. (2005). The WHO Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS). Psychological Medicine, 35(2), 245-256.

National Institute of Mental Health. (2024). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2019). ADHD: diagnosis and management (NICE NG87).