ASRS v1.1: Adult ADHD Self‑Report Scale v1.1
Brief 18‑item questionnaire with a six‑item screener to identify ADHD symptoms in adults. Provides Part A, Part B and total scores with evidence‑based cut‑offs for follow‑up.
Understanding the ASRS v1.1: Screening for Adult ADHD
The Adult ADHD Self‑Report Scale (ASRS) v1.1 is an 18‑item questionnaire developed by the World Health Organization and Harvard researchers to assess symptoms of attention‑deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults. Each item corresponds to DSM‑IV‑TR criteria and uses a five‑point frequency scale ranging from "Never" to "Very Often".
Part A vs Part B: What's the difference?
- Part A (6 items): Short screener most predictive of ADHD diagnosis. Focuses on core symptoms with highest diagnostic accuracy.
- Part B (12 items): Additional symptom severity and functional impact. Provides broader clinical context.
- Both parts use identical 0–4 scoring ("Never" to "Very Often") over past 6 months.
Understanding ASRS Shaded Boxes Scoring
The original paper ASRS form uses shaded boxes to highlight clinically significant responses. If your answer falls in a shaded box, it counts toward a positive screen. Here's how the shaded thresholds work for Part A:
| Question | Shaded Box Threshold |
|---|---|
| Q1 (wrapping up details) | Sometimes, Often, or Very Often |
| Q2 (difficulty organizing) | Sometimes, Often, or Very Often |
| Q3 (remembering appointments) | Sometimes, Often, or Very Often |
| Q4 (avoiding tasks) | Often or Very Often |
| Q5 (fidgeting) | Often or Very Often |
| Q6 (feeling driven) | Often or Very Often |
Traditional interpretation: If 4 or more of your Part A responses fall in shaded boxes, the screen is positive for ADHD. Our online tool converts this to a numeric 0–24 score for more precise measurement—a score of 14 or higher corresponds to the traditional 4+ shaded boxes threshold.
Why it matters: ADHD persists into adulthood for many people and can significantly affect relationships, career and quality of life. Yet adult ADHD is frequently under‑diagnosed. The ASRS offers a quick, self‑administered way to identify individuals whose symptom pattern warrants further evaluation. Studies report high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha ≈ 0.88) and strong concurrent validity (r ≈ 0.84). More recent factor analytic work confirms a two‑factor structure (inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity) with excellent reliability (α ≈ 0.95 for the full scale and ≈ 0.92 for each subscale).
Evidence & scoring: Traditionally, clinicians counted how many responses in Part A fell within the darkly shaded boxes; four or more was considered a positive screen. In 2024, researchers proposed a 0–24 scoring system that assigns 0–4 points to each Part A response ("Never"=0, "Rarely"=1, "Sometimes"=2, "Often"=3, "Very Often"=4). A score of 14 or more on Part A indicates symptoms consistent with adult ADHD. Part B is scored similarly (range 0–48) and provides context about broader symptom severity; scores of 27 or higher are clinically significant. The combined 18‑item total (0–72) is compared with population norms: a total of 40 or more places someone above the 79th percentile of community adults.
Validation findings: Large normative studies (n≈22,000) show that adults diagnosed with ADHD score on average 16.7 ± 5.1 on Part A and 32.7 ± 9.2 on Part B, whereas community controls score 10.9 ± 3.8 and 21.6 ± 6.7, respectively. In a case–control study of 646 adults with ADHD and 908 controls, the ASRS achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.904 for the full scale and 0.903 for the 6‑item screener. This demonstrates excellent diagnostic accuracy. Using a Part A cut‑off of 14 points produces around 90 % sensitivity and 88 % specificity. Comparable sensitivity (≈91 %) and moderate specificity (≈63 %) were reported when the Thai version was validated, supporting cross‑cultural applicability.
Important note: The ASRS is a screening tool—it does not confirm or rule out ADHD. A positive screen should lead to a comprehensive clinical interview assessing childhood history, functional impairment and potential comorbidities. Clinicians may combine the ASRS with the Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS) to evaluate retrospective childhood symptoms. If you or your patient scores in the high or very high range, consult a qualified healthcare professional for a full evaluation.
Crisis support: If you experience thoughts of self-harm or severe distress, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline immediately.
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This assessment takes about 5 min to complete. Your responses are private, never stored, and you can instantly download your results as a PDF.
How to Use the ASRS v1.1
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Answer 18 questions about how often you have experienced specific ADHD‑related behaviours over the past 6 months. Each response is scored from 0 (Never) to 4 (Very Often). The first six questions (Part A) form the short screener. Add up the scores from those items to obtain a Part A score (range 0–24). Repeat the process for the remaining twelve questions to calculate a Part B score (range 0–48). Summing all 18 responses yields the total score (range 0–72).
After completing the questionnaire, compare your scores with the interpretive ranges below. Higher scores indicate greater frequency of ADHD symptoms. Remember that the ASRS is not diagnostic—use it to guide conversations with healthcare providers.
ASRS Scoring Interpretation
Part A (0–24 points):
- Low (0–9): Symptoms are below screening threshold. ADHD is unlikely, but monitor if functional impairments persist.
- Mild to Moderate (10–13): Some ADHD traits are present. Consider re‑testing or discussing with a clinician if impairments are significant.
- High (14–17): Positive screen. Your symptom profile aligns with DSM‑5‑TR ADHD criteria. A full assessment is recommended.
- Very High (18–24): Strongly positive screen. Symptoms are frequent and likely cause significant impairment. Prompt clinical evaluation is warranted.
Part B (0–48 points):
- Low (0–19): Minimal additional symptoms.
- Mild to Moderate (20–26): Some broader ADHD symptoms. Monitor functioning and discuss concerns with a professional if needed.
- High (27–32): Clinically significant symptom burden. Seek a comprehensive evaluation.
- Very High (33–48): Symptoms are pervasive across settings. A diagnostic assessment is strongly advised.
Total Score (0–72 points):
- Low (0–30): Scores fall within the typical range of community adults.
- Mild to Moderate (31–39): Some trait elevations. Consider further screening or monitoring.
- High (40–49): Above the 79th percentile in normative samples. Combined with a high Part A score, this supports an ADHD diagnosis.
- Very High (50–72): Extremely elevated symptoms. A detailed clinical evaluation is needed.
Using your results: A Part A score ≥14 or Part B score ≥27 indicates a high likelihood of adult ADHD. Use the scores to facilitate discussions with a mental health provider. Always interpret results in the context of your personal history and current functioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the ASRS v1.1 assessment.
- The Adult ADHD Self‑Report Scale (ASRS) v1.1 is a self‑administered questionnaire created by the World Health Organization and Harvard researchers to screen for ADHD symptoms in adults. It contains 18 items reflecting DSM‑IV‑TR criteria, with a six‑item short screener (Part A) that is highly predictive of an ADHD diagnosis. The tool was designed to provide a quick, standardized method for identifying adults who may benefit from a full clinical evaluation. Adult ADHD often goes undiagnosed despite causing significant impairment in work, relationships and daily functioning. The ASRS fills a critical gap by offering a validated, accessible screening tool that can be completed in about 5 minutes. Research shows that up to 4.4% of adults have ADHD, yet many remain unidentified until later in life.
- Each item uses a five‑point frequency scale: Never = 0, Rarely = 1, Sometimes = 2, Often = 3, Very Often = 4. Add the first six items to obtain your Part A score (0–24). A score of 14 or more is considered a positive screen. Sum the remaining twelve items to get a Part B score (0–48); scores of 27 or higher are clinically significant. Combining all 18 items yields a total score (0–72) that can be compared to normative data—scores 40 or more fall above the 79th percentile in the general population.
- Validation studies show that the ASRS has excellent psychometric properties across multiple populations. The original U.S. validation reported high internal consistency (Cronbach's α ≈ 0.88) and strong concurrent validity (r ≈ 0.84). A 2020 case–control study found Cronbach's α = 0.952 for the full scale and replicated the two‑factor structure (inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity). The ASRS achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.904 for the full scale and 0.903 for the 6‑item screener, indicating excellent diagnostic accuracy. Using a Part A cut‑off of 14 points yields around 90% sensitivity and 88% specificity, meaning it correctly identifies 90% of adults with ADHD while correctly ruling out 88% of those without the condition. These psychometric properties rival or exceed many diagnostic instruments used in psychiatry.
- Yes. The ASRS has been translated and validated in multiple languages including Spanish, Arabic, Korean, Japanese, Thai and many others. For example, a Thai adaptation showed Cronbach's α ≈ 0.86 for the full scale and reported that using four or more responses in the darkly shaded boxes of Part A (the original dichotomous scoring) produced 90.91% sensitivity and 62.5% specificity. Cross-cultural studies consistently demonstrate that the ASRS maintains its factor structure and reliability across diverse populations. These findings support the tool's cross‑cultural applicability, although optimal cut‑off points may vary slightly across populations based on cultural differences in symptom expression and reporting. When using translated versions, ensure they have been formally validated in the target population.
- A high Part A score (≥14) or a high total score (≥40) suggests that your symptoms are consistent with ADHD. However, the ASRS cannot diagnose the disorder. If you screen positive, consult a licensed mental health professional or physician for a comprehensive assessment. A thorough evaluation will consider your childhood history (ADHD symptoms must be present before age 12), functional impairments across multiple settings, and other conditions that may mimic or coexist with ADHD such as anxiety, depression or sleep disorders. Tools like the Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS) can help assess childhood symptoms retrospectively. Many adults with ADHD also experience comorbid conditions—consider screening for anxiety with the [GAD-7](/assessments/gad-7) or depression with the [PHQ-9](/assessments/phq-9) to provide your clinician with a complete picture.
- Your responses are processed entirely within your browser. No data is transmitted or stored on our servers. This client‑side processing ensures full privacy and HIPAA compliance for clinical use.
- If you are monitoring ADHD symptoms during treatment, administering the ASRS every few months can track changes over time. Because the questionnaire asks about behaviours over the past six months, avoid taking it more frequently than that. Always interpret your scores in consultation with a healthcare provider.
- Part A consists of 6 items that were selected through extensive psychometric analysis as the most predictive of an ADHD diagnosis. These items capture core symptoms with the highest diagnostic accuracy and are weighted toward inattention. Part A can be used as a standalone screener in time-limited settings. Part B contains 12 additional items that assess a broader range of ADHD symptoms including hyperactivity, impulsivity and functional impairment across various life domains. While Part B doesn't contribute to the initial screening decision, it provides valuable clinical information about symptom severity and helps clinicians understand which domains are most affected. Using both parts together gives the most comprehensive assessment of adult ADHD symptoms.
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