ASRS v1.1 · Adult ADHD (screener)
Do I have adult ADHD? Free ASRS self-test
Adult ADHD Self-Test
The WHO's 6-question adult ADHD self-report scale, free online.
Reviewed by Komel Kaur, Psychotherapist
Last reviewed 9 July 2026
6
Questions
~2
Minutes
Free
Always
What the ASRS v1.1 measures
The ASRS v1.1 (Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale) measures how often, over the past six months, you have experienced the six core adult symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder that best predict a full diagnosis: difficulty wrapping up final details, trouble organising tasks, forgetting appointments, avoiding tasks that require sustained thought, fidgeting when seated, and feeling driven by an internal motor.
Unlike most self-report tools that sum scores, the ASRS v1.1 Part A uses item-specific thresholds. Four or more of the six items answered above the shaded threshold constitutes a positive screen - not a total score.
The ASRS Part A was designed as the shortest possible instrument that still performed nearly as well as the full 18-item version in identifying adults likely to meet DSM criteria for ADHD.
Where the ASRS v1.1 came from
The ASRS v1.1 was developed in 2003-2005 by the World Health Organization in collaboration with the Workgroup on Adult ADHD (led by Ronald Kessler at Harvard Medical School) as part of the WHO World Mental Health Survey Initiative. The six-item Part A was derived from stepwise logistic regression on the 18-item full scale, keeping only the items that best predicted a clinician-confirmed diagnosis. Kessler and colleagues published the validation in Psychological Medicine in 2005, reporting concordance of 96% with clinical diagnoses in the general population. It is free to use and endorsed by the WHO for population-level screening.
How the ASRS v1.1 is scored
The ASRS is scored differently from other screeners: what matters is the count of positive items (each item has its own darkly-shaded threshold), not the sum.
| Score | Severity | What it usually means |
|---|---|---|
| 0-3 positive items | ADHD unlikely on screen | Adult ADHD is less likely on this measure. Not a rule-out - some adults with ADHD score below the screening threshold. |
| 4-6 positive items | Positive screen | Symptoms consistent with adult ADHD. A full evaluation by a clinician experienced in adult ADHD is worth pursuing. |
How the ASRS v1.1 is used in clinical practice
The ASRS Part A is the standard first-line screener used in primary care and psychiatric intake worldwide when adult ADHD is suspected. A positive screen typically leads to a full evaluation using structured interviews and, where appropriate, collateral information from family or partners.
It is also used in workplace mental-health programs and university health services to identify adults who may benefit from formal assessment.
The full 18-item ASRS (Parts A + B together) can be used when a fuller symptom picture is helpful, though for pure screening the 6-item Part A performs nearly as well.
Limitations to keep in mind
- ·The ASRS is a screen, not a diagnosis. Adult ADHD diagnosis requires evidence that symptoms began in childhood, cause impairment in more than one area of life, and are not better explained by another condition.
- ·Symptoms overlap with anxiety, depression, sleep deprivation, thyroid dysfunction, and substance use - a clinician differentiates these.
- ·Self-report can be affected by insight. Some adults with ADHD under-report because they have adapted heavily; others over-report during a period of high stress.
- ·The ASRS was validated in adults; the Part A items are less suitable for adolescents, for whom separate ADHD measures exist.
Before you start
- · Find a quiet few minutes - answer honestly, not how you wish you felt.
- · There are no right or wrong answers. Pick what feels closest.
- · This is a screening tool, not a diagnosis.
- · If anything brings up something heavy, support is at the end.
Common questions about the ASRS v1.1
What does ASRS stand for?
ASRS stands for Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale. It is the World Health Organization's screening tool for adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
How is the ASRS scored?
The ASRS uses item-specific thresholds. For items 1-3 an answer of 'sometimes' or higher is positive; for items 4-6 an answer of 'often' or higher is positive. Four or more positive items out of six is a positive screen.
Does the ASRS diagnose ADHD?
No. The ASRS is a screening tool. A positive screen suggests a full evaluation for adult ADHD is worthwhile - it does not confirm the diagnosis, which requires a clinical interview and evidence of childhood onset and functional impairment.
How accurate is the ASRS v1.1 Part A?
In the original WHO validation study the six-item Part A showed 96% concordance with clinician-diagnosed ADHD, with sensitivity around 68% and specificity around 99% in the general population.
Can I use the ASRS if I am under 18?
The ASRS was designed and validated for adults. Adolescents with suspected ADHD are usually screened with instruments like the Vanderbilt Assessment Scale or SNAP-IV instead.
Is the ASRS free?
Yes. The ASRS was developed with the World Health Organization and is free to use for screening, research, and clinical purposes.
Reviewed by Komel Kaur, Psychotherapist
Last reviewed 9 July 2026
Kessler RC, Adler L, et al. The World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS). Psychol Med. 2005;35(2):245-256.