Adult ADHD test: 18 questions to self-assess (scientifically validated)
Key takeaway: A self-test doesn't replace medical diagnosis, but it can guide you in 5 minutes. If 4+ Part A questions match you, see a specialist.
You read an ADHD article and recognized yourself. A lot. Too much? Before booking a 6-month-wait psych appointment, here's the ASRS-v1.1, the official WHO and Harvard self-test. 5 minutes. Valuable indication.
What is ASRS-v1.1?
The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale is a validated questionnaire developed by WHO and Prof. Ronald Kessler (Harvard). Used in 80+ countries as initial screening tool.
It has 18 questions split in two parts: part A (6 most predictive questions) and part B (12 complementary questions).
For each question, you answer: Never / Rarely / Sometimes / Often / Very often. For part A, from 4 « Often » or « Very often » answers, ADHD risk is statistically high.
Part A — The 6 key questions
Answer thinking about the last 6 months:
- 1. How often do you have trouble wrapping up the final details of a project, once the challenging parts are done?
- 2. How often do you have difficulty organizing tasks that require planning?
- 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 with hands or feet when you have to sit still for a long time?
- 6. How often do you feel overly active, like driven by a motor?
Part B — The 12 complementary questions
- 7. How often do you make careless mistakes on boring tasks?
- 8. How often do you have difficulty keeping attention on boring tasks?
- 9. How often do you have difficulty concentrating on what someone says, even face to face?
- 10. How often do you misplace things at home or work?
- 11. How often are you distracted by activity or noise around you?
- 12. How often do you leave your seat in meetings where you should remain seated?
- 13. How often do you feel restless or fidgety?
- 14. How often do you have difficulty unwinding when you have free time?
- 15. How often do you talk too much in social situations?
- 16. How often do you finish others' sentences before they finish?
- 17. How often do you have trouble waiting your turn?
- 18. How often do you interrupt others when they're busy?
How to interpret your results
Part A: if you have 4+ answers in the shaded zones (Often/Very Often for questions 1-3 and 4-6, Sometimes/Often/Very Often for others), there's a strong presumption of ADHD.
Part B: doesn't diagnose but enriches medical evaluation.
Important: a positive score doesn't make a diagnosis. It indicates a thorough professional evaluation is warranted.
What's next after the self-test?
If you scored high:
- Note concrete examples per question (helps the doctor)
- List real-life consequences (work, relationships, finances)
- Ask a loved one if they observe these behaviors
- Book with a psychiatrist trained in adult ADHD (not all are)
If your score is low but you still recognize yourself: keep digging. Standardized questionnaires mostly capture classic male ADHD. If you're a woman, an inattentive profile or a heavy masker, the score can mislead.
The limits of self-tests
ASRS, like all self-tests, has limits:
- It under-diagnoses women and inattentive profiles
- It doesn't distinguish ADHD from anxiety, depression, sleep disorders
- It's sensitive to the moment you take it (mood, fatigue)
It's a starting point, not a conclusion. But a scientifically validated starting point.
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Take the free ADHD quiz →Frequently asked questions
Where to take the official ASRS online? The test is freely available on the Harvard Medical School site and several ADHD associations (CHADD in the US, ADHD Foundation UK). Avoid paid apps charging for the same content.
If I don't score positive, does it mean I don't have ADHD? Not necessarily. ASRS has about 70% sensitivity. This means 3 in 10 ADHD people score below threshold. If you recognize yourself despite a low score, consult anyway.
How much does an official diagnosis cost? Varies by country. France: €60-150 per session, 2-4 sessions, partially reimbursed. US/Canada: $800-3000.
Can ADHD be mild? Yes. Presentations range from subtle to disabling. Mild ADHD that doesn't significantly impair life doesn't necessarily require treatment, but understanding your wiring is still useful.
Does using BrainSnack count as a test? No, BrainSnack isn't a diagnostic tool. It's a daily action tool for brains that love micro-actions — ADHD or not. If in doubt, take ASRS and consult.