GAD-7 scoring Anxiety test
GAD-7 scoring: what your score means
The GAD-7 is scored from 0 to 21: you add up the points from each answer, and the total lands in one of the severity bands below. A higher score means more frequent or intense symptoms over the period the test asks about — it’s a guide to whether a conversation with a professional is worth having, not a diagnosis.
| Score | Severity band | What it suggests |
|---|---|---|
| 0–4 | Minimal anxiety range | Scores of 0–4 suggest minimal anxiety over the last two weeks. If worry still gets in your way at times, simple tools and check-ins usually help. |
| 5–9 | Mild anxiety range | Scores of 5–9 suggest mild anxiety. This is common and often manageable — but if it has been steady for a while, it’s worth a conversation. |
| 10–14 | Moderate anxiety range | Scores of 10–14 suggest moderate anxiety worth discussing with a professional. Effective, well-studied treatments exist for this range. |
| 15–21 | Severe anxiety range | Scores of 15–21 suggest severe anxiety. Please treat this as a clear signal to talk to a professional soon — you don’t have to white-knuckle through it. |
Get your GAD-7 score
How to read your result
Treat the band as a starting point, not a label. Two people with the same score can be in very different places, which is exactly why the GAD-7 is a screen and not a diagnosis. If your score suggests moderate symptoms or higher — or if a lower score still doesn’t match how you feel — bring it to a clinician. Re-taking in two weeks shows the trend, which often matters more than a single snapshot.