What the AQ-10 measures
The AQ-10 is a highly validated, ultra-rapid screener developed by the Autism Research Centre at Cambridge University. It was designed specifically for primary care physicians (NICE Guidelines) to determine whether an adult should be referred for a full diagnostic assessment for Autism Spectrum Condition. It is not diagnostic on its own, but it is a highly sensitive metric for autistic cognitive and behavioral profiles.
The dimensions it assesses
- Social Skills: Preference for and understanding of social interactions.
- Attention Switching: Cognitive rigidity vs. flexibility.
- Attention to Detail: Hyper-focus on patterns and micro-elements over the 'big picture'.
- Communication: Reading between the lines and understanding social subtext.
- Imagination: Ability to intuit others' thoughts and engage in abstract social imagination.
Already have a AQ-10 score from somewhere else? Look it up without retaking the questionnaire.
What your score means
The test is scored on a binary basis per item, yielding a maximum score of 10. (Theoretical Range: 0 to 10)
| Score | Interpretation | What it suggests |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 5 | Below Clinical Threshold | Autistic traits are not clinically significant. Referral for ASD assessment is generally not indicated based on this screener alone. |
| 6 – 10 | Clinically Significant ASC Traits | Exceeds the diagnostic threshold (cut-off ≥ 6). Strongly indicates a cognitive profile consistent with Autism Spectrum Condition. A full diagnostic assessment is recommended. |
These ranges describe groups of people, not individuals. A score near a boundary is not meaningfully different from one just across it, and no range on this table is a diagnosis.
What to do with your result
- Clinical Action: If the score is 6 or higher, the primary recommendation is to seek a formal diagnostic assessment from a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist specializing in adult autism.
- Workplace Adaptations: High scorers may benefit from a reduction in sensory overload (e.g., noise-canceling headphones), clear and explicit written instructions rather than implied verbal cues, and protected time free from task-switching.
- Reframing: Remind the user that an ASC profile is a difference in cognitive wiring, not inherently a deficit. Traits like 'Attention to Detail' and 'Deep Focus' are significant professional strengths when placed in the right environment.
Common questions about the AQ-10
- What does the AQ-10 measure?
- Rapid clinical screening for traits associated with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) in adults of average or above-average intelligence.
- Can the AQ-10 diagnose me?
- No. Autism Traits Screening (AQ-10) is a screening questionnaire, not a diagnostic tool. It can flag that something may need a closer look. It cannot tell you what is causing it. It describes tendencies rather than diagnosing anything, and no result here is a condition or something to fix.
- How long does the AQ-10 take?
- 10 questions, which most people finish in 2 – 4 minutes. There is no time limit, and answering honestly matters more than answering quickly. The results page checks for patterns suggesting the questions were rushed.
- Is this AQ-10 test really free?
- Yes. No account, no email address, no payment. Psychometrics Today is funded by donations rather than advertising, which is also what allows us to publish instruments whose authors permit free but non-commercial use.
- Are my answers stored or shared?
- No. Your answers are scored inside your browser and never sent to us. There is no database of responses, because we never receive any. Closing the tab erases them, which is why results cannot be recovered afterwards.
- How often should I retake the AQ-10?
- Traits and preferences move slowly, so retaking this every few months is more informative than retaking it often. Larger shifts usually follow a genuine change in circumstances.
- How accurate is the AQ-10?
- Screening questionnaires are good at flagging that something merits attention and poor at establishing what it is. This one is sensitive to how you feel on the day you take it, and many instruments were validated on narrow populations whose cut-offs may not transfer cleanly to everyone. The references at the foot of this page are the primary sources.
Sources
Rights held by Autism Research Centre, University of Cambridge. Developed and validated by the researchers cited below.
- Allison, C., Auyeung, B., & Baron-Cohen, S. (2012). Toward brief “Red Flags” for autism screening: The Short Autism Spectrum Quotient and the Short Quantitative Checklist for Autism in toddlers in 1,000 cases and 3,000 controls. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 51(2), 202-212.
- Baron-Cohen, S., Wheelwright, S., Skinner, R., Martin, J., & Clubley, E. (2001). The Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ): Evidence from Asperger syndrome/high-functioning autism, males and females, scientists and mathematicians. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 31(1), 5-17.
Licensing
free-permitted. Free for non-commercial research and educational use.