Free Adult Autism Test (AQ-10)
The NICE-recommended autism screen used by the NHS — free, anonymous, instant. Takes 3 minutes.
AQ-10 — Autism Spectrum Quotient (Allison, Auyeung & Baron-Cohen, 2012)
AQ-10 — Autism Spectrum Quotient (Adult, short form)
The AQ-10 is the autism screen recommended by NICE clinical guidance and used by NHS adult autism services. 10 items, 1 point per item answered in the autism-spectrum direction. Free and anonymous on MatchyMatch.
- 10 items, 1 point each — NICE-recommended adult autism screen
- Time: about 3 minutes
- 100% free and anonymous — no email or account required
- NICE threshold: ≥6 suggests considering full autism assessment
- Screening tool — does not diagnose autism
About the adult autism test
Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental difference that shapes how a person perceives the world, communicates, and processes information. Many adults aren’t identified until later in life — the AQ-10 is the screen most commonly used by NHS autism services as a first step in the diagnostic pathway.
This test takes about 3 minutes and gives you a clear score plus UK-specific guidance on the NHS, NHS Right to Choose, and private assessment routes.
Time
About 3 minutes
Format
10 items, 4-point scale
Score
0–10 points
Validation
NICE-recommended, used by NHS
Note: The AQ-10 is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. Only a qualified clinician (clinical psychologist or psychiatrist) can give a formal autism diagnosis.
Why take the autism test?
Get a starting point
The same screen NHS pathways use to triage adult autism assessments
Instant, anonymous result
No email, no waiting, no account
UK-specific next steps
NHS, Right to Choose, and private routes explained
Self-knowledge
Names something many adults quietly carry for years
What does the AQ-10 measure?
Sensory perception
Noticing small sounds and details others miss
Attention to detail
Focusing on specific elements rather than the whole
Task switching
Multitasking and recovering from interruptions
Social understanding
Reading intentions, emotions, and unspoken meaning
Sample statements from the test
Sensory perception
I often notice small sounds when others do not.
Social communication
I find it easy to ‘read between the lines’ when someone is talking to me.
Detail focus
I like to collect information about categories of things (e.g. types of car, types of bird).
Reading emotions
I find it easy to work out what someone is thinking or feeling just by looking at their face.
Score bands (0–10)
Frequently asked questions
What is the AQ-10 autism test?
The AQ-10 is a brief 10-item autism screening questionnaire developed by Allison, Auyeung & Baron-Cohen (2012) at the Cambridge Autism Research Centre as a short form of the original Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). It is the screening tool recommended by NICE clinical guidance and used widely by NHS adult autism services.
How is the AQ-10 used by the NHS?
NHS adult autism diagnostic pathways typically use the AQ-10 (or similar brief screen) as a first step. A score of 6 or more is the NICE-recommended threshold for considering a full autism diagnostic assessment. The AQ-10 is a screen, not a diagnosis.
How long does it take?
About 3 minutes. The 10 items cover sensory perception, attention to detail, task switching, social communication, and reading other people’s emotions and intentions.
Is the test free and anonymous?
Yes — 100% free and anonymous. No name, email, or account is required. Optional email saving is offered after the test if you want to track your results.
How are scores interpreted?
Each item answered in the autism-spectrum direction scores 1 point, for a total of 0–10. NICE guidance: a score of 6 or more suggests further assessment may be helpful. Higher scores point to stronger autism-spectrum traits, but the test is a screen, not a diagnosis.
How do I get a UK autism assessment?
Three main routes: (1) Ask your GP for an NHS autism assessment referral. (2) Use NHS Right to Choose (in England) — you can choose any contracted provider, often with shorter waits. Providers like Psychiatry-UK and Problem Shared offer NHS-funded assessments via Right to Choose. (3) A private clinical psychologist or psychiatrist can do a comprehensive diagnostic assessment more quickly, typically £1,200–£2,500.
How long are NHS autism assessment waits?
NHS waits vary widely by area — currently between 6 months and several years in some regions. Right to Choose providers often have shorter waits (commonly 6–12 months). Private assessments can typically be arranged within weeks.
Can adults get an autism diagnosis?
Absolutely. Many autistic adults are identified late in life, often after years of masking, burnout, or co-occurring mental-health difficulties. A diagnosis can bring clarity, access to workplace adjustments under the Equality Act 2010, and connection to autistic community and peer support. NAS (National Autistic Society) is a useful UK starting point.
Ready to take the AQ-10?
Start the AQ-10 now and get an instant score with UK-specific next steps for NHS or private assessment.
Start the autism testRelated tests
Adult ADHD Test (ASRS)
Many autistic adults also have ADHD — screen for it with the ASRS-v1.1.
Emotional Intelligence Test
Map your skills across self- and other-emotion appraisal, use, and regulation.
Find a UK therapist
Speak to BACP/UKCP/HCPC/BPS-registered therapists with experience supporting autistic adults.