ASRS scoring: how the 6 ADHD questions count

CareOps editorial team · November 11, 2026 · 5 min read

Mental wellness information and service guidance published by CareOps.

The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale screener asks six questions about the past six months. Many people expect to add up the answers, but that is not how it works: the screener counts how many answers cross a line. This guide explains the rule, what the result means, and what to do with it.

What is the ASRS? #

The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) was developed with the World Health Organization and published in 2005. The full version has 18 questions about how often common adult ADHD symptoms show up. The screener, often called Part A, is six of those 18, chosen because together they best matched clinical judgment.

In the 2005 study of 154 people from a US national survey, the six-question screener actually did better than the full 18 questions: its specificity was 99.5% and its sensitivity 68.7%. In plain terms, people who screened positive were very likely to be confirmed on interview, while some people with ADHD still screened negative.

The six questions cover finishing the last details of a task, getting organized, forgetting appointments and obligations, putting off tasks that need a lot of thought, fidgeting when you have to sit still, and feeling driven to keep moving.

How is the ASRS screener scored? #

Each question has five answers: never, rarely, sometimes, often and very often. Instead of adding these up, the screener asks one question per item: does this answer cross the line?

1. Questions 1–3 count if you answered sometimes, often or very often.
2. Questions 4–6 count if you answered often or very often. The bar is set higher for these three.
3. Count the questions that crossed the line. The result is a number from 0 to 6.

On the paper form, the answers that count are shaded, which is why people talk about the “shaded box” rule. The check on this site applies the same rule for you.

ASRS score interpretation #

A count of 4 means at least four of the six patterns have been frequent over the past six months. That is a reason to look more closely, not a conclusion. Stress, low mood, anxiety, poor sleep and heavy workloads can all make focus and organization harder, and a full assessment also looks at childhood history and how much these patterns affect daily life.

A count below 4 does not mean the struggles are imaginary. If one or two areas, such as starting tasks or keeping track of commitments, keep getting in the way, they are worth addressing whatever the screen says. For what adult ADHD can look like day to day, see adult ADHD symptoms.

Is there a newer version? #

In 2017 the same research group published a separate six-question screener updated for DSM-5, which weights each answer and adds the points. It is a different scale with its own scoring. The check on this site uses the original Part A described above.

Take the ASRS screener now #

You can take the ASRS screener here for free, without signing up. Your result appears right away, along with what it means.

What to do with a positive screen #

A positive screen is information, not a verdict. It helps to write down examples: which tasks stall, when you lose track, and what you have already tried. If putting things off is the hardest part, this guide to procrastination breaks down why tasks stall and what helps.

CareOps Maeumi is an AI counseling app that starts with short self-checks like this one and remembers earlier sessions, so each conversation builds on the last. You can talk by voice or text. Sign-up and initial self-checks are free; check your account’s session offer and pricing before payment. You can use it alongside care from a licensed professional.

This guide shares mental wellness information. If you are in immediate danger, contact emergency services where you are. Support and contact information.