Online Screening Test for Anxiety
An assessment for anxiety severity and its impact on your life
Key takeaways
- Takes 1 to 3 minutes to complete
- Assesses the severity of seven anxiety symptoms over the past 2 weeks
- Uses a scientific tool, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item score
- Scores range from 0 to 21
- Higher scores correlate with increased severity of anxiety
- Results are not a medical diagnosis
- You can retake the test to track changes over time
- Anxiety symptoms may overlap with other mental and physical conditions
About This Test
This anxiety self-assessment is a free online anxiety test that screens for the most common symptoms of the mental health condition that have been present over the past 2 weeks. This anxiety assessment determines the severity of anxiety using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale, a validated anxiety screening tool widely used in clinical settings and research.
Step 1: Answer Questions
Choose the option that describes how often you have experienced symptoms of anxiety, such as irritability, restlessness, or difficulty relaxing, over the past 2 weeks.
Step 2: Get Results
The severity ratings of anxiety are combined into a total numerical score that corresponds to the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item score used in medical settings.
Step 3: Know Next Steps
Use your score to determine what kinds of interventions or treatments can help your individual level of anxiety.
How the test works
An anxiety test is a brief self-complete questionnaire that allows you to rate how often you experience the symptoms of anxiety, such as restlessness, irritability, or excessive worry. It is a test screening for common anxiety symptoms that can help you decide if you need to pursue treatment or another intervention. Importantly, it is not a medical diagnosis; it is only a tool to support your understanding of your own symptoms.
Scientific basis
This anxiety assessment uses the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), which is a 7-item anxiety symptoms questionnaire that screens for anxiety symptoms, developed by Robert L. Spitzer, Kurt Kroenke, Janet B. W. Williams, and Bernd Löwe. The original study showed that self-reporting anxiety symptoms is effective for detecting this mental health condition.
A 2025 Cochrane systematic review of 48 studies with 19,228 participants found that at the recommended cutoff of 10, the GAD-7 was very good at detecting anxiety. The test has been used in 24 languages and across many cultures and patient populations, with similar results. While it is designed to detect anxiety disorders, it can be useful for detecting other types of anxiety, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, or social anxiety disorder. The test categorizes anxiety into minimal, mild, moderate, and severe, which can be helpful to inform decisions for any possible treatment.
Test Author
Robert L. Spitzer (MD), Kurt Kroenke (MD), Janet B. W. Williams (DSW) and Bernd Löwe (MD, PhD). Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders Patient Health Questionnaire (PRIME-MD-PHQ) Copyright © 1999 Pfizer Inc.
Medical Reviewer
Clinical Psychologist, Host of Aspiring Psychologist Podcast
FAQ:
What is an anxiety test?
An anxiety test is a brief self-complete questionnaire that allows you to rate how often you experience the symptoms of anxiety, such as restlessness, irritability, or excessive worry. It is a test screening for common anxiety symptoms that can help you decide if you need to pursue treatment or another intervention. Importantly, it is not a medical diagnosis; it is only a tool to support your understanding of your own symptoms.
How accurate is an online anxiety test?
An online screening test can be helpful for people who are wondering if their feelings are severe enough to be considered a mental health condition and if they warrant treatment. However, some of the symptoms can be related to other conditions, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, or a physical condition. It is a screening tool, but it does not replace medical and psychiatric assessment. The test is generally considered to be about 80 percent accurate for detecting anxiety.
Who should take an anxiety test?
An anxiety disorder test may be helpful if you feel like your symptoms are interfering with your life, relationships, school, or work. People with anxiety often have trouble sleeping, concentrating, and functioning due to physical symptoms. Sometimes, health care clinicians do not ask about or recognize anxiety, so a screening test might help uncover a treatable condition. Screening for anxiety is recommended in all adults younger than age 65.
What does this anxiety test measure?
This anxiety symptoms questionnaire measures how often you feel nervous, irritable, restless, or have trouble relaxing, concentrating, or controlling worry. It also asks about underlying fears that something bad might happen.
How are the results of this test interpreted?
In an anxiety level test, scores range from 0 to 21. A score from 0 to 4 is consistent with minimal anxiety, 5 to 9 mild anxiety, 10 to 14 moderate symptoms, and 15 to 21 severe symptoms. However, these scores can change over time and in different circumstances, so they are not a diagnosis.
What are the most common symptoms of anxiety?
The most common symptoms of anxiety include excessive worry, restlessness, irritability, muscle tension, difficulty concentrating, and trouble sleeping. Physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, shaking, sweating, dizziness, and chest tightness might occur. In severe anxiety, feelings of panic or panic attacks can occur.
When should I seek help for anxiety?
You should get help for anxiety if it is interfering with your life and happiness. Sometimes mental health conditions can affect relationships, work, school, or hobbies, and should be treated by professionals. Intervention and treatment are mandatory if symptoms are worsening, you are avoiding people or things you used to enjoy, you have symptoms of depression, you have thoughts of self-harm, or you are having panic attacks.
What should I do after taking the anxiety test?
If you have a lower score, you may be able to manage your anxiety with lifestyle interventions. However, if your score is greater than 10, or if you feel your symptoms are getting worse, you should see a professional for a full evaluation.
What will happen after I submit this test?
To display your test results, States of Mind ask for your email address and for you to opt into future mailings. Once you have received your results which may also include personalized recommendations for conditions or articles you might find helpful, you can unsubscribe at any time.
Can stress and anxiety feel similar?
Yes. Stress and anxiety can both cause the same symptoms. However, stress is usually caused by something specific, such as work or financial problems. Anxiety tends to be more pervasive, and you might not understand why you feel anxious.
Is this a diagnosis?
No. This is not an anxiety diagnosis test in a medical sense. Only a professional can determine if you have a mental illness, and what kind of treatment is appropriate for you. It is also important to determine if your symptoms are truly anxiety or a manifestation of another mental or physical condition.
How often should you repeat the test?
You can repeat the test as often as you like (a benchmark might be every 2 to 4 weeks whilst experiencing symptoms). This can help you track any changes resulting from lifestyle interventions or treatment. Your score can help you determine if you need to switch treatment plans or seek more support.
This test is not a diagnostic tool. It’s designed as a screening and educational tool, not a substitute for medical advice. If symptoms persist, worsen, or you feel unsafe, contact a qualified professional, your local emergency number, or a mental health helpline.
Last Updated:
26 April 2026
