General Anxiety Disorder Test
GAD-7
Start the test
Age range
13+ years old
Question count
7
Price
Free
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Test guides
GAD-7 scoring and cutoffs
GAD-7 scoring is based on 7 questions rated from 0 to 3. The total score ranges from 0 to 21. Standard severity bands are 0-4 minimal, 5-9 mild, 10-14 moderate, and 15-21 severe anxiety symptoms.
| Score range | Severity label | What it usually means |
|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | Minimal anxiety | Few generalized anxiety symptoms are reported. |
| 5-9 | Mild anxiety | Symptoms may be present but are usually lower in severity. |
| 10-14 | Moderate anxiety | Symptoms are more noticeable and may affect daily functioning. |
| 15-21 | Severe anxiety | Symptoms may be more intense and may justify fuller evaluation. |
How the score is calculated
Each answer receives a value from 0 to 3: 0 for not at all, 1 for several days, 2 for more than half the days, and 3 for nearly every day. Add all 7 item scores to calculate the total GAD-7 score.
| Answer choice | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Not at all | 0 | The symptom was not reported during the past 2 weeks. |
| Several days | 1 | The symptom occurred occasionally. |
| More than half the days | 2 | The symptom occurred frequently. |
| Nearly every day | 3 | The symptom occurred very frequently. |
What score is commonly used as a clinical flag?
A total score of 10 or higher is commonly treated as a point where further evaluation may be useful. This does not mean a diagnosis is confirmed; it means the score is high enough to justify closer clinical context.
What GAD-7 scoring can and cannot tell you
- It can estimate symptom severity. The score helps summarize how often anxiety symptoms have occurred over the past 2 weeks.
- It can support tracking over time. Repeating the same scale can help show whether symptoms are increasing, decreasing, or staying stable.
- It cannot diagnose anxiety by itself. Diagnosis depends on clinical history, impairment, duration, differential diagnosis, and professional judgment.
Sources summarized: Spitzer et al. validation work and later GAD-7 standardization literature.
Important note
GAD-7 is a screening tool. A high score does not confirm a diagnosis by itself.
Take the GAD-7 testFrequently asked questions
What is the maximum GAD-7 score?
The maximum GAD-7 score is 21. It comes from 7 questions, each scored from 0 to 3.
Is 10 a high GAD-7 score?
A score of 10 is usually the start of the moderate range. It is often used as a practical threshold for considering further evaluation.
Can my score change?
Yes. GAD-7 reflects symptoms during the past 2 weeks, so scores can change as symptoms, stressors, treatment, or daily functioning change.
What is generalized anxiety?
Generalized anxiety usually refers to persistent worry, tension, or nervousness that is difficult to control and affects more than one area of life. GAD-7 screens for symptoms often associated with generalized anxiety, but it does not confirm the disorder by itself.
Can stress raise a GAD-7 score?
Yes. Stressful periods can increase worry, restlessness, irritability, sleep problems, and trouble relaxing. A higher score during stress should be read as a current symptom snapshot, not as a permanent label.
Can anxiety cause physical symptoms?
Anxiety can be associated with physical experiences such as muscle tension, fatigue, restlessness, sleep disruption, stomach discomfort, or a racing heart. GAD-7 focuses on anxiety symptoms, but physical symptoms should be discussed with a clinician when they are new, intense, or concerning.
Does GAD-7 measure depression?
No. GAD-7 is focused on generalized anxiety symptoms. Depression symptoms are usually screened with different tools, such as PHQ-style depression questionnaires.