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Free ADHD Test

Free ADHD quiz

Wondering whether you might have ADHD? You are not alone. Millions of people search for "do I have ADHD" every year, and for good reason: ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions, affecting roughly 4.4% of adults and 9.4% of children in the United States. Yet it remains widely underdiagnosed, with an estimated 80% of adults with ADHD never receiving a diagnosis.

This free ADHD quiz is based on the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria — the same framework used by psychologists and psychiatrists worldwide. It consists of 18 questions covering both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms, takes about 5 minutes to complete, and provides instant results with a clear breakdown of your symptom profile.

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18 questions based on DSM-5 criteria. Free, instant results, no account required.

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What this quiz measures

The DSM-5 defines ADHD through two clusters of symptoms: inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity. Our quiz asks about both, using questions that map directly to the clinical criteria.

Inattention symptoms (questions 1-9)

The first 9 questions assess patterns related to attention and focus. These include:

  • Difficulty sustaining attention on tasks or activities
  • Frequently making careless mistakes or missing details
  • Difficulty listening when spoken to directly
  • Trouble following through on instructions or finishing tasks
  • Difficulty organizing tasks, activities, and belongings
  • Avoidance of tasks requiring sustained mental effort
  • Frequently losing things necessary for daily activities
  • Being easily distracted by unrelated thoughts or stimuli
  • Forgetfulness in daily activities and routines

Hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms (questions 10-18)

The remaining 9 questions assess patterns related to hyperactivity and impulse control. These include:

  • Fidgeting, tapping, or squirming when seated
  • Difficulty remaining seated when expected to
  • Feelings of restlessness or being driven by an internal motor
  • Difficulty engaging in activities quietly
  • Excessive talking
  • Blurting out answers before questions are completed
  • Difficulty waiting for one's turn
  • Interrupting or intruding on others
  • Acting without thinking about consequences

How the scoring works

Transparency matters. Here is exactly how this quiz is scored:

Each of the 18 questions is rated on a 5-point scale: Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Often, and Very Often. Each response is assigned a numerical value from 0 (Never) to 4 (Very Often). This produces three scores:

  • Inattention score (0-36): The sum of your responses to questions 1 through 9
  • Hyperactivity-impulsivity score (0-36): The sum of your responses to questions 10 through 18
  • Combined score (0-72): The total of both categories

In addition to the raw scores, the quiz counts how many symptoms you rated as "Often" or "Very Often" in each category. This count is compared against the DSM-5 thresholds:

  • For adults (age 17+): 5 or more symptoms rated "Often" or "Very Often" in either category meets the DSM-5 symptom count threshold
  • For children and teens (under 17): 6 or more symptoms in either category meets the threshold

Your results page will show whether you meet the threshold for inattention, hyperactivity-impulsivity, both (combined presentation), or neither. It will also indicate your ADHD presentation type based on which symptom clusters are elevated.

What your results mean (and do not mean)

This is important, so let us be direct:

Your results DO mean: Your self-reported symptoms either do or do not align with the DSM-5 symptom count thresholds for ADHD. This is useful information for deciding whether to pursue a professional evaluation.

Your results DO NOT mean: You have been diagnosed with ADHD. A self-report quiz, no matter how well designed, cannot account for the full clinical picture. Diagnosis requires a trained clinician to assess symptom duration (present for at least 6 months), age of onset (symptoms present before age 12), pervasiveness (symptoms appear in two or more settings), impairment (symptoms cause meaningful difficulties in daily functioning), and differential diagnosis (symptoms are not better explained by another condition).

Think of this quiz as a structured way to organize your observations. It can help you notice patterns, put language to experiences, and prepare for a conversation with a healthcare provider. It is a starting point, not a destination.

The difference between a quiz and a diagnosis

The internet is full of ADHD quizzes, and the quality varies enormously. Some are clinical screeners validated through research, while others are entertainment content dressed up as assessments. Understanding the difference matters:

  • Entertainment quizzes: Often feature vague or non-clinical questions ("Do you feel distracted sometimes?"), lack clear scoring methodology, and may be designed to generate engagement rather than accurate results. They can be misleading in both directions — falsely alarming people who do not have ADHD and falsely reassuring people who do.
  • Self-report screening tools: Based on established clinical criteria (like the DSM-5), use validated question formats, have transparent scoring, and are clear about their limitations. Our quiz falls into this category.
  • Clinical diagnostic assessments: Administered by a qualified professional, include clinical interviews, developmental history, collateral information (from family, teachers, or partners), and may include neuropsychological testing. This is the gold standard for diagnosis.

Our quiz occupies the middle ground: more rigorous than entertainment content, but less comprehensive than a clinical assessment. It is designed to be a bridge between "I wonder if I have ADHD" and "I should talk to a professional about this."

Who should take this quiz

This quiz is appropriate for:

  • Adults who have noticed persistent patterns of inattention, restlessness, or impulsivity that affect their work, relationships, or daily functioning
  • Teens who are struggling with school performance, organization, or emotional regulation in ways that feel different from their peers
  • Parents who want to screen their child's behavior patterns before deciding whether to pursue a professional evaluation
  • Anyone who has wondered "do I have ADHD?" and wants a structured, evidence-based way to explore that question

This quiz is not intended to replace medical advice, and it is not designed for individuals who are currently in crisis or need immediate mental health support.

What happens after you complete the quiz

After answering all 18 questions, you will receive an immediate results page that includes:

  • Your inattention score and symptom count
  • Your hyperactivity-impulsivity score and symptom count
  • Your combined score
  • Whether your symptom counts meet DSM-5 thresholds
  • Your likely ADHD presentation type (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, or combined)
  • Guidance on next steps based on your results

If your results suggest elevated symptoms, the recommended next step is to schedule an evaluation with a qualified clinician. Bring your quiz results and any notes about how symptoms affect your daily life. If your results do not suggest elevated symptoms but you are still concerned, that is also worth discussing with a professional — screening tools have limitations, and a clinician can explore your concerns more deeply.

How this compares to other ADHD tests

If you have researched ADHD testing, you may have encountered several other assessment tools. Here is how they compare:

  • ASRS (Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale): Developed by the World Health Organization, the ASRS is a 6-question screener (Part A) with an 18-question extended version (Part B). Our quiz covers the same symptom domains as the ASRS Part B with comparable granularity. The ASRS is the most widely used adult ADHD self-report tool in clinical practice.
  • Vanderbilt Assessment Scales: Primarily designed for children ages 6-12, the Vanderbilt includes parent and teacher rating forms. It covers ADHD symptoms plus common co-occurring conditions like oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, and anxiety/depression. Our quiz focuses specifically on ADHD symptom identification.
  • Conners Rating Scales (CRS): A comprehensive, commercially licensed assessment used by clinicians for both children and adults. The Conners includes multiple informant forms and subscales. It is considered a gold-standard research and clinical tool but requires purchase and professional administration.
  • WURS (Wender Utah Rating Scale): A retrospective self-report that asks adults to recall childhood ADHD symptoms. Useful for establishing developmental history but relies on memory, which can be unreliable.

Our quiz is most comparable to the ASRS in scope and approach: it is a DSM-5-based self-report screener designed to identify symptom patterns that warrant professional follow-up.

Frequently asked questions

Is this ADHD quiz accurate?

This quiz is based on the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for ADHD, which is the same framework used by clinicians worldwide. The 18 questions map directly to the two symptom clusters (inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity) that define ADHD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. However, accuracy in the clinical sense requires more than symptom identification — it requires assessing duration, onset, impairment across settings, and ruling out other conditions. This quiz is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. Research on self-report ADHD screeners shows good sensitivity (they catch most people who do have ADHD) but lower specificity (some people who score high may not ultimately meet full diagnostic criteria). Think of it as a well-calibrated first filter, not a final answer.

How is this different from a clinical assessment?

A clinical ADHD assessment is a comprehensive process conducted by a qualified professional (psychologist, psychiatrist, or specially trained clinician) that typically includes a structured clinical interview covering your full symptom history, standardized rating scales completed by you and sometimes by someone who knows you well, an assessment of functional impairment across multiple life domains, screening for co-occurring conditions (anxiety, depression, learning disabilities, sleep disorders), a developmental history to confirm symptoms were present before age 12, and potentially neuropsychological testing. This quiz covers only one piece: symptom identification. It cannot assess your developmental history, rule out other conditions, or evaluate the full pattern of impairment that a clinician would examine. That is why elevated scores should be followed up with a professional evaluation, not treated as a diagnosis.

Can I trust online ADHD tests?

It depends on what you mean by 'trust.' You can trust a well-designed online ADHD test to help you identify symptom patterns that may warrant further investigation. Our quiz uses the same DSM-5 criteria that clinicians use, and the questions are direct reflections of established diagnostic criteria. What you should not trust any online test to do is provide a diagnosis. ADHD diagnosis requires clinical judgment, context, and history that no self-report questionnaire can capture. Be cautious of online tests that claim to definitively diagnose ADHD, use non-standard questions, require payment for results, or are designed primarily to sell a product or service. A trustworthy screening tool is transparent about its methodology, clear about its limitations, and directs you toward professional evaluation as the appropriate next step.

What score means I should see a doctor?

Our scoring system flags when your responses meet the DSM-5 symptom count thresholds. For adults, the clinical threshold is 5 or more symptoms rated 'Often' or 'Very Often' in either the inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity category. For children and teens, the threshold is 6 symptoms. If your results indicate that you meet or exceed these thresholds, a professional evaluation is recommended. However, even if you fall slightly below the threshold, consider seeking evaluation if your symptoms are causing meaningful impairment in your daily life — at work, in relationships, with finances, or in your emotional well-being. The symptom count is a guideline, not a rigid cutoff. Some people have significant impairment with fewer than 5 symptoms, and a clinician can assess whether ADHD or another condition explains your difficulties.

Is my data private?

Yes. Your quiz responses and results are processed entirely in your browser. We do not store your answers on any server, we do not require an account or login, and we do not share your data with third parties. Your results remain on your device unless you choose to share them (for example, by printing or screenshot). We do not use tracking cookies to associate your quiz responses with your identity. If you choose to provide your email for a results summary, that interaction is handled separately and your email is not linked to your quiz data. We believe that mental health screening tools should be accessible without surveillance, and we have designed this tool accordingly.

Related resources

ADHD tests for specific groups

References

  1. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596
  2. Kessler, R. C., et al. (2005). The World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS): a short screening scale for use in the general population. Psychological Medicine, 35(2), 245-256.
  3. Ustun, B., et al. (2017). The World Health Organization Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Report Screening Scale for DSM-5. JAMA Psychiatry, 74(5), 520-527.
  4. Faraone, S. V., et al. (2021). The World Federation of ADHD International Consensus Statement: 208 evidence-based conclusions about the disorder. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 128, 789-818.

Take the free ADHD quiz now

18 questions based on DSM-5 criteria. Instant results with a clear symptom breakdown. Free, private, and no account required.

Start the Free ADHD Quiz

Disclaimer: This quiz is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not diagnose ADHD. Only a qualified healthcare professional can diagnose ADHD after a comprehensive evaluation. Your responses are processed entirely in your browser and are not stored on our servers.