Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS)

One in twenty Australians have ADHD, however it often goes undiagnosed. To facilitate early detection, the World Health Organization (WHO), NYU, and Harvard developed the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS). ASRS is a quick and effective screening test for ADHD. The most up to date variant is the DSM-5 Adult ADHD Self-Report Screener (ASRS-5).

Last Updated: 4 February, 2025

  • Length: 2 minutes
  • Questions: 6 questions
  • Sensitivity: 91.4%
  • Specificity: 96.0%

The ASRS test is a tool to help you screen for ADHD symptoms, but it isn't a diagnosis. If your results point towards ADHD, it's essential to speak with your GP or a psychiatrist for an official diagnosis. They are your best resource for understanding and managing ADHD.

There are two common versions of the ASRS Test: ASRS v1.1 and ASRS-5. ASRS v1.1 was originally released in 2005 calibrated to DSM-IV criteria. ASRS-5 is an updated version calibrated to the improved DSM-V criteria. ASRS-5 is preferred as it is more accurate than ASRS v1.1.

Validity

Although the ASRS-5 screener can effectively diagnose ADHD in adults, it cannot rule out other medical conditions that may impact the diagnosis of ADHD. The sensitivity and specificity of the ASRS-5 is as follows (source):

  • Sensitivity (true positive rate) = 91.4%
  • Specificity (true negative rate) = 96.0%

To simplify, this means that 91.4% of people who have a positively screened for ADHD are confirmed to have ADHD and 96% of people who are negatively screened for ADHD are confirmed to not have ADHD.

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ASRS-5 Online Assessment

Question 1: How often do you have difficulty concentrating on what people say to you, even when they are speaking to you directly?

Question 2: How often do you leave your seat in meetings or other situations in which you are expected to remain seated?

Question 3: How often do you have difficulty unwinding and relaxing when you have time to yourself?

Question 4: When you're in a conversation, how often do you find yourself finishing the sentences of the people you are talking to before they can finish them themselves?

Question 5: How often do you put things off until the last minute?

Question 6: How often do you depend on others to keep your life in order and attend to details?

Frequently Asked Questions

How Scoring Works

The ASRS-5 uses a simple point system for each question, where your frequency of experiencing each symptom determines the score:

  • Never = 0 points
  • Rarely = 1 point
  • Sometimes = 2 points
  • Often = 3 points
  • Very Often = 4 points

Your total score is calculated by adding up the points from all six questions, with a maximum possible score of 24 points. Research has established that:

  • A score of 14 or higher suggests you may have ADHD symptoms that warrant further evaluation
  • A score of less than 14 suggests ADHD is less likely, but doesn't rule it out completely

Remember that this screening tool is just one step in the assessment process. Your healthcare provider will consider these results alongside other factors when making a diagnosis.

References

Kessler, R.C., Adler, L., Ames, M., Demler, O., Faraone, S., Hiripi, E., Howes, M.J., Jin, R., Secnik, K., Spencer, T., Ustun, T.B., Walters, E.E. (2005). The World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS). Psychological Medicine, 35(2), 245-256.

Copyright © New York University and Ronald C. Kessler, PhD. All rights reserved.