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The GAD-7 Anxiety Test is a clinically validated self-assessment designed to measure generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) symptoms. Also known as the GAD 7 questionnaire, this test evaluates key indicators of anxiety severity, including excessive worry, restlessness, and difficulty relaxing. The GAD-7 scoring system helps determine whether symptoms fall within mild, moderate, or severe anxiety ranges.
Your results provide insight into your anxiety levels, but they do not replace a professional diagnosis.
👉 Take the GAD-7 Anxiety Test below to assess your symptoms.
The GAD-7 questionnaire consists of seven questions, each scored between 0 (Not at all) and 3 (Nearly every day). Your total GAD-7 anxiety score ranges from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating greater anxiety severity. The GAD-7 scoring system is widely used in generalized anxiety disorder screening to classify symptoms as mild, moderate, or severe. A GAD-7 score of 10 or higher is considered a key clinical cutoff for identifying moderate to severe anxiety. The GAD-7 score ranges are structured as follows:
Scoring & Cutoff Points:
✔ 0–4: Minimal or no anxiety. Your GAD-7 results suggest minimal or no anxiety symptoms. If occasional worry arises, maintaining healthy stress management strategies may be beneficial
✔ 5–9: Mild anxiety. A GAD-7 score of 5-9 falls into the mild anxiety range. While symptoms may not be overwhelming, early intervention and self-help strategies could improve overall well-being.
✔ 10–14: Moderate anxiety (Clinical cutoff: further evaluation recommended). A GAD-7 anxiety score of 10 or higher is a widely used clinical threshold, suggesting moderate anxiety that may begin to interfere with daily life. Professional therapy could provide strategies for better management.
✔ 15–21: Severe anxiety (Highly recommended to seek professional support). A GAD-7 score of 15 or more indicates severe anxiety symptoms that may significantly impact daily functioning. Seeking guidance from a mental health professional is highly recommended.
What Does Your Score Mean?
A score of 10 or above suggests that professional therapy may help improve your well-being. The GAD-7 is often used in clinical settings as a screening tool, with studies showing it correctly identifies around 89% of people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
If your score suggests moderate to severe anxiety, professional support may help. Learn about our Anxiety Treatment Sydney.
The GAD-7 Anxiety Test is a well-researched tool widely used in generalized anxiety disorder screening. Studies show that it is highly reliable and clinically validated, meaning it consistently measures anxiety symptoms accurately. The GAD-7 questionnaire has strong research backing, making it one of the most trusted tools in mental health assessments.
💡 Think of it like a thermometer: If you take your temperature multiple times and get the same reading, you know the thermometer is reliable. The GAD-7 works the same way—it consistently reflects a person’s anxiety level.
💡 Think of it like an alarm system: A good alarm detects real threats while avoiding false alarms. The GAD-7 is like a well-calibrated alarm—it catches most people with significant anxiety while avoiding too many false positives.
If your score indicates moderate to severe anxiety, professional therapy may help reduce its impact on your life.
Your Options Moving Forward:
✔ If your score is below 5, occasional anxiety is normal, but maintaining healthy coping strategies can be beneficial.
✔ If your score is 5–9 (mild anxiety), monitoring symptoms and developing practical stress-reduction techniques may help.
✔ If your score is 10 or higher, working with an anxiety psychologist in Sydney could provide effective, evidence-based strategies for managing anxiety long-term.
🔹 Understanding your anxiety is the first step—working with a professional is the next. Book a consultation with Angus Munro anxiety psychologist in Sydney today.
Answer: Yes, the GAD-7 questionnaire is a public domain screening tool, meaning it is freely available for individuals, clinicians, and researchers to use without cost or licensing requirements.
Answer: The GAD-7 test is often used to track changes in GAD-7 anxiety score over time. If self-monitoring, taking the test every 2–4 weeks can help assess symptom changes.
Answer: No, the GAD-7 questionnaire is a screening tool, not a diagnostic test. While a GAD-7 score of 10 or higher may suggest clinically significant anxiety, only a licensed mental health professional can provide a formal diagnosis.
Answer: The GAD-7 anxiety test is designed for generalized anxiety disorder 7 , whereas other anxiety-focused tests include:
Answer: While the GAD-7 scoring system primarily assesses generalized anxiety disorder 7, research shows it can flag symptoms of panic disorder and social anxiety disorder. However, specialized tools like SPIN or PDSS provide more targeted assessments.
Answer: Yes! The GAD-7 test is frequently used to assess GAD-7 anxiety score at different time points. Many clinicians and researchers use it at regular intervals to track symptom progression.
Answer: If your GAD-7 anxiety score is 10 or higher, it may indicate moderate to severe anxiety. Seeking professional therapy from an anxiety psychologist can provide evidence-based strategies for symptom management. Learn more about available treatment options on out Anxiety Treatment Sydney page.
Answer: The GAD-7 questionnaire is designed for self-assessment and should be completed by the individual experiencing symptoms. If you’re concerned about someone else, encourage them to take the test themselves or consult a mental health professional.
Answer: The GAD-7 scoring system is designed to assess generalized anxiety disorder 7, but anxiety can present in different ways. If you experience panic attacks, social anxiety, or obsessive thoughts, alternative assessments (such as PDSS, SPIN, or OCI-R) may provide better insights.
If your score indicates moderate to severe anxiety, professional therapy may help reduce its impact on your life.
Your Options Moving Forward:
✔ If your score is below 5, occasional anxiety is normal, but maintaining healthy coping strategies can be beneficial.
✔ If your score is 5–9 (mild anxiety), monitoring symptoms and developing practical stress-reduction techniques may help.
✔ If your score is 10 or higher, working with an anxiety psychologist in Sydney could provide effective, evidence-based strategies for managing anxiety long-term.
🔹 Understanding your anxiety is the first step—working with a professional is the next. Book a consultation with Angus Munro anxiety psychologist in Sydney today.
✔ GAD-7 Anxiety Test – Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screening
✔ PDSS Panic Disorder Test – Panic Disorder Severity Scale
✔ SPIN Social Anxiety Test – Social Phobia Inventory
✔ OCI-R OCD Test – Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory
✔ SMSP-A Phobia Test – Severity Measure for Specific Phobia – Adult
✔ SHAI Health Anxiety Test – Short Health Anxiety Inventory
✔ PSWQ Anxiety Test – Penn State Worry Questionnaire
Spitzer RL, Kroenke K, Williams JB, Löwe B. (2006). A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder: the GAD-7. Archives of Internal Medicine, 166(10), 1092–1097. https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.166.10.1092
Löwe B, Decker O, Müller S, et al. (2008). Validation and standardization of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener (GAD-7) in the general population. Medical Care, 46(3), 266–274. https://doi.org/10.1097/MLR.0b013e318160d093
Plummer F, Manea L, Trepel D, McMillan D. (2016). Screening for anxiety disorders with the GAD-7 and GAD-2: a systematic review and diagnostic metaanalysis. General Hospital Psychiatry, 39, 24–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2015.11.005
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Copyright © 2025 Angus Munro Psychology