ASRS v1.1
Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale
Validated by Kessler et al. (World Health Organization) (2005) · View paper
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Jaye Turrietta, PsyD, BCBA-D, AEP
An 18-item self-report screener for ADHD symptoms in adults.
For each statement, select how often the described experience applies to you. Each item has its own threshold for scoring a point.
18 questions · ~4 min · Auto-saved
About the ASRS v1.1
The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale was developed by Ronald Kessler and colleagues in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO). It is the most widely used ADHD screening instrument for adults and assesses two core dimensions: inattention (questions 1–4, 7–11) and hyperactivity-impulsivity (questions 5–6, 12–18).
18 items split into Part A (6 items, primary screen) and Part B (12 items, supplemental). Takes 2–5 minutes for Part A, 5–15 minutes for the full test.
Scoring
Despite five response options, each item converts to a binary 0 or 1. The threshold varies per question: some score a point at “Sometimes” or higher, while others require “Often” or higher. A Part A score of 4 or more (out of 6) is “highly consistent with ADHD in adults.”
Validity
The 6-question Part A screener has:
- Sensitivity: 68.7%
- Specificity: 99.5%
- Classification accuracy: 97.9%
Important: The ASRS is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. It cannot rule out other conditions that mimic ADHD symptoms. Many ADHD symptoms overlap with autism, anxiety, and depression. A qualified clinician is needed for formal diagnosis.
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): a short screening scale for use in the general population. Psychological Medicine, 35(2), 245–256.
