Anxiety test: how anxious are you? (GAD-7)
The GAD-7 is the anxiety screening tool clinicians use worldwide. This free 2-minute test gives you a validated anxiety score and what it means. It's a screening tool, not a diagnosis, and your answers stay on your device.
Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by…
This is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. The GAD-7 helps identify signs of anxiety — only a qualified professional can provide a clinical assessment. If you are in crisis, call Tele-MANAS at 14416 or see our crisis-helpline page.
Based on the GAD-7 © Pfizer Inc. Developed by Drs. Spitzer, Williams & Kroenke. Free for clinical use. Source: phqscreeners.com
What this anxiety test measures
This free anxiety test uses the GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale), the screening tool clinicians and researchers use worldwide. It asks how often, over the last two weeks, you have been bothered by seven common signs of anxiety, from feeling nervous or on edge to not being able to stop worrying.
Each of the seven questions is scored 0 to 3, so your total runs from 0 to 21. A higher score means more frequent anxiety symptoms. It takes about two minutes, runs entirely in your browser, and your answers are not saved unless you choose to get in touch.
What your anxiety score means
The GAD-7 sorts your total into four bands. A score of 10 or higher is the usual point at which it is worth talking to a professional.
| Score | Severity | What it usually means |
|---|---|---|
| 0–4 | Minimal anxiety | Little to no anxiety symptoms right now. |
| 5–9 | Mild anxiety | Some anxiety; worth keeping an eye on. |
| 10–14 | Moderate anxiety | Anxiety is likely affecting daily life. A score of 10+ is the usual cut-off to talk to a professional. |
| 15–21 | Severe anxiety | Significant anxiety. Support from a psychologist is recommended. |
What to do with your result
A score is a starting point, not a verdict. Anxiety is very treatable, and most people feel a shift within a few sessions of therapy. If your score is in the moderate or severe range, or if anxiety is getting in the way of work, sleep, or relationships, talking to a psychologist helps you understand what is driving it and what to do next.
ElloMind connects you with licensed, Malayalam and English speaking psychologists, online, in your timezone. A first session is 50 minutes.
Common questions
What is the GAD-7 anxiety test?
The GAD-7 is a validated 7-question screening tool for generalized anxiety, developed by Drs. Spitzer, Williams and Kroenke and released free by Pfizer. It scores anxiety from 0 to 21 across minimal, mild, moderate, and severe bands. It is a screening aid, not a diagnosis.
What is a normal GAD-7 score?
A score of 0 to 4 suggests minimal anxiety, 5 to 9 mild, 10 to 14 moderate, and 15 to 21 severe. A score of 10 or more is the usual threshold for discussing anxiety with a professional.
Is this anxiety test accurate?
The GAD-7 is well validated as a screening tool, with good sensitivity and specificity for generalized anxiety at a cut-off of 10. But a screen is not a diagnosis. Only a qualified professional can diagnose an anxiety disorder after a full assessment.
Is this anxiety test really free and private?
Yes. It is free, needs no login, and runs entirely in your browser. Your answers are not saved unless you choose to share your number for a detailed analysis.
How is anxiety treated?
Anxiety responds well to therapy, especially approaches like CBT, and sometimes medication. Most people notice improvement within a few sessions. A psychologist can tailor an approach to what is driving your anxiety.
Sources
- Spitzer RL, Kroenke K, Williams JBW, Löwe B. A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder: the GAD-7. Archives of Internal Medicine. 2006;166(10):1092-1097.
- The GAD-7 is in the public domain, released free by Pfizer Inc. ElloMind reproduces it without modification.