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AQ-10 · Free · No sign-up to start

The free autism test for adults

The AQ-10 is the ten-question screening tool NICE recommends in UK primary care for adults who may be autistic. It takes a couple of minutes and indicates whether a full autism assessment is likely to be worth pursuing. It is a signal, not a diagnosis.

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  • UKAAN/CAAQAS quality standards
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What this test is

AQ-10, in full

Instrument
AQ-10 (Autism Spectrum Quotient, 10-item)
Developed by
Autism Research Centre, University of Cambridge
Questions
10
Time
Under five minutes
Scoring
Scored 0–10; 6 or above suggests further assessment
Cost
Free, with an instant personalised report

How the AQ-10 is scored, in detail →

Reading your result

What your score does and does not mean

If you score at or above the threshold

A score of 6 or above is the point at which NICE suggests considering referral for a full autism assessment. It means enough traits are present to be worth exploring properly — not that you are autistic.

If you score below it

A score below 6 means fewer of the screened traits were present. It does not rule autism out. The AQ-10 was validated largely on men, and autistic women and people who mask heavily are known to score lower than their experience would suggest.

Why ThinkBetter

Faster does not mean lower quality

Anyone can promise speed. Our difference is honest quality governance — the CQC-registered clinics we match you with also work to recognised UK quality standards, with multidisciplinary support and clinical supervision.

Dr Miriana Vrajitoriu

Content clinically reviewed by Dr Miriana Vrajitoriu

Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, Founder & Medical Director

GMC 7211553

  • Named clinical reviewer. Our clinical content is reviewed by a Consultant Psychiatrist on the GMC Specialist Register — not anonymous.
  • MDT support and supervision. Matched clinics work to recognised UK quality standards (such as UKAAN/CAAQAS), with multidisciplinary input and clinical supervision.
  • NICE-compliant, GP-ready reports. Assessments produce a thorough, NICE-compliant report designed to be GP-ready. Whether a GP offers shared care is at their discretion — we never guarantee acceptance, and we would be wary of anyone who does.
Good questions

The free autism test for adults: common questions

Is the AQ-10 an autism diagnosis?
No. The AQ-10 is a screening tool NICE recommends for deciding whether to refer someone for assessment. A diagnosis requires a full clinical assessment, typically using structured instruments such as ADOS-2 or ADI-R alongside developmental history.
Is the AQ-10 reliable for women?
Less so, and it is worth knowing that. The AQ-10 and most autism screening instruments were validated on predominantly male samples, and autistic women more often mask traits. A low score does not rule autism out, and a clinician assessing an adult woman should be alert to that limitation.
What happens after I take the test?
You get an instant personalised report explaining your score and what it suggests. If a full assessment looks worthwhile you can browse private clinics matched to your postcode, or take the report to your GP. There is no obligation and no cost.
Can I screen for both autism and ADHD?
Yes — the combined screening runs both the AQ-10 and the ASRS v1.1. That is worth doing, because ADHD and autism co-occur frequently, and traits of one are routinely mistaken for the other. Clinics that assess both together are listed on ThinkBetter.
Private ADHD assessment →Assessed for both together →What an assessment costs →Find a clinic near you →How the AQ-10 is scored, in detail →

Take the free AQ-10 test

Five minutes, no sign-up to start, and a personalised report at the end. No referral and no waiting list.

Start the free test →

Free · Instant report · Screening is a signal, not a diagnosis