On this page
  1. Quick answer
  2. What the ASRS asks
  3. How Part A and Part B differ
  4. What research found
  5. Who may find it useful?
  6. What the result cannot do
  7. Sources and review
  8. Take the next step
  9. The takeaway

Articles

What Is the ASRS v1.1?

Learn how the ASRS v1.1 six-question screener and 18-question symptom checklist differ, what they cover, and why neither one can diagnose adult ADHD.

Published · Updated · Reviewed by the ASRS ADHD Test Editorial Desk

Quick answer

The ASRS v1.1 is the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale. Part A is a validated six-question screener; the full form adds twelve Part B items. A positive screen suggests clinical follow-up may help — it is not an ADHD diagnosis.

Key takeaways

  • Part A uses item-specific cutoffs; four or more marked items is a positive screen.
  • The 0–72 total describes symptom frequency and has no official WHO diagnostic cutoff.
  • Anxiety, sleep problems, mood issues, and autism can look similar on a short form.

Quick answer

Is the ASRS v1.1 an ADHD test? It is a set of adult ADHD tools.

Its full name is the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale. It asks about signs over the past six months.

The set has two key forms. Part A is a six-question screener. The full 18-question symptom checklist adds Part B. A result can show that a full health check may help. It cannot tell you that you have ADHD.

What the ASRS asks

The ASRS looks at two broad areas:

  • Focus and follow-through. Signs include losing things, missing details, or finding it hard to finish tasks.
  • Restlessness and impulse control. Signs include feeling on the go, cutting in, or finding it hard to wait.

Each question asks how often a sign shows up. Answers run from Never to Very Often. These signs can affect work, study, close ties, and daily plans.

The signs can also have other causes. Poor sleep, stress, low mood, and anxiety may look much the same.

How Part A and Part B differ

Part A has six questions. The study team chose these six because they worked best as a short screen. Each item has its own cut point. Four or more marked items mean that a full check may help.

Part B has the other 12 questions. It adds more facts about the signs you report. It does not turn the list into a diagnosis.

Doctors do not use one answer on its own. They look at all your answers. They ask when the signs began. They also ask how much the signs affect daily life.

What research found

The World Health Organization worked with adult ADHD experts to make the ASRS. A 2005 study of the six-question screen checked it against doctor interviews. The short screen worked better than a basic total from all 18 items in that study.

Still, a marked result is not proof of ADHD. A 2021 study of two public groups found many false alarms. Its authors said a marked screen should lead to a full health check.

Who may find it useful?

The ASRS may help adults who often have trouble with focus or plans. It may also help with restlessness or impulse control. You can use it before a talk with a doctor.

Answer based on your usual life over the past six months. Do not answer based on one hard week. Save real examples of how each sign affects you.

What the result cannot do

The ASRS cannot diagnose or rule out ADHD. It cannot tell ADHD apart from anxiety or poor sleep. Low mood, autism, and other health issues can also look much the same.

A trained doctor can review your history and daily impact. They can also check for other causes.

Sources and review

This page was checked against these sources on September 27, 2026. It gives general health facts, not medical advice.

Take the next step

The takeaway

In short: Part A is the six-question ASRS v1.1 screener. Part B adds 12 questions about your symptom pattern. Neither one can give a diagnosis.

Frequently asked questions

Is the ASRS v1.1 an ADHD diagnosis tool?

No. It is a screening questionnaire. Only a licensed clinician can diagnose ADHD after a full evaluation.

What is Part A versus Part B?

Part A is the first six items and the validated screener. Part B is the other twelve items and adds symptom detail without creating a diagnosis.

Who developed the ASRS?

The World Health Organization worked with adult ADHD researchers. Harvard’s National Comorbidity Survey hosts official forms and information.

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