Anyone involved with geeks will know that we share many character traits with those suffering Asperger syndrome: obsessive attention to detail, social awkwardness, and some difficulty relating to other people. A few years ago, I ran across a test used to diagnose Asperger syndrome, and was surprised to note that it seems like a thumbnail description of your average geek.

Being a geek, I decided to port the test from dead trees to PHP and Javascript. You can find your AQ by filling in the form below.

Note: This test has been developed using Firefox 2.x and tested on IE7. If you are not using one of those browsers, and hey, even if you are: caveat typor. There has been at least one report of Safari users being unable to see their results.

Questions answered: 0/50

What's your AQ?

Cambridge psychologist Simon Baron-Cohen and others designed this test, published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2001. This test was devised from a Globe and Mail article.

Choose your response to each question: Definitely agree, slightly agree, slightly disagree or definitely disagree.

  1. I prefer to do things with others rather than on my own.
  2. I prefer to do things the same way over and over again.
  3. If I try to imagine something, I find it very easy to create a picture in my mind.
  4. I frequently get so strongly absorbed in one thing that I lose sight of other things.
  5. I often notice small sounds when others do not.
  6. I usually notice car number plates or similar strings of information.
  7. Other people frequently tell me that what I've said is impolite, even though I think it is polite.
  8. When I'm reading a story, I can easily imagine what the characters might look like.
  9. I am fascinated by dates.
  10. In a social group, I can easily keep track of several different people's conversations.
  11. I find social situations easy.
  12. I tend to notice details that others do not.
  13. I would rather go to a library than a party.
  14. I find making up stories easy.
  15. I find myself drawn more strongly to people than to things.
  16. I tend to have very strong interests, which I get upset about if I can't pursue.
  17. I enjoy social chitchat.
  18. When I talk, it isn't always easy for others to get a word in edgeways.
  19. I am fascinated by numbers.
  20. When I'm reading a story, I find it difficult to work out the characters' intentions.
  21. I don't particularly enjoy reading fiction.
  22. I find it hard to make new friends.
  23. I notice patterns in things all the time.
  24. I would rather go to the theatre than a museum.
  25. It does not upset me if my daily routine is disturbed.
  26. I frequently find that I don't know how to keep a conversation going.
  27. I find it easy to "read between the lines" when someone is talking to me.
  28. I usually concentrate more on the whole picture rather than the small details.
  29. I am not very good at remembering phone numbers.
  30. I don't usually notice small changes in a situation, or a person's appearance.
  31. I know how to tell if someone listening to me is getting bored.
  32. I find it easy to do more than one thing at once.
  33. When I talk on the phone, I'm not sure when it's my turn to speak.
  34. I enjoy doing thing spontaneously.
  35. I am often the last to understand the point of a joke.
  36. I find it easy to work out what someone is thinking or feeling just by looking at their face.
  37. If there is an interruption, I can switch back to what I was doing very quickly.
  38. I am good at social chitchat.
  39. People often tell me that I keep going on and on about the same thing.
  40. When I was young, I used to enjoy playing games involving pretending with other children.
  41. I like to collect information about categories of things (types of cars, types of birds, types of trains, types of plants, etc.).
  42. I find it difficult to imagine what it would be like to be someone else.
  43. I like to plan any activities I participate in carefully.
  44. I enjoy social occasions.
  45. I find it difficult to work out people's intentions.
  46. New situations make me anxious.
  47. I enjoy meeting new people.
  48. I am a good diplomat.
  49. I am not very good at remembering other people's date of birth.
  50. I find it very easy to play games with children that involve pretending.

The test assesses five different areas. Autistic-like responses will show poor social skill, attention switching, communication and imagination, and an exaggerated attention to detail. In other words, geekiness. You scored XXX. The ranking below provides some idea of where that AQ fits in.

Score
32 - 50 Scores over 32 are generally taken to indicate Asperger's Syndrome or high-functioning autism, with more than 34 an "extreme" score.
   31  
   30  
   29  
   28  
   27  
   26  
   25  
   24 Average math contest winner
   23  
   22  
   21 Average male or female computer scientist
   20  
   19 Average male scientist, and average male or female physicist
   18 Average man
   17 Average female scientist
   16  
   15 Average woman, and average male or female biologist
   14  
   13  
0 - 12  

Disclaimer

This test is designed for fun. It is not meant to test you for any disorder (real or imagined). You can't glean anything meaningful from this test without consulting with a mental health professional. It is not intended to make light of those who are suffering from autism or Aspergers syndrome. If you are worried about your mental health, see a professional.
Comments (1,141)

1,141 Responses to “Asperger Test (AQ Test)”

« Older Comments
Newer Comments »
  1. Posted by Bertrand
    2008.Jun.05 @ 13:49

    Hi!

    I got the score of 20, but in spite of that.. I still know I have asperger syndrome because of the way I was as a child.. But the strange thing is, I eventually became obsessed with learning social skills, and I actually learned to be sociable..

    I genuinely believe that social skills can be learned no matter how grave your asperger syndrome is.. Given that you have the will and determination to do it.. Hehe

  • Posted by Mon
    2008.Jun.05 @ 14:50

    33

    A friend said he thought I might have mild AS (and he believes I am one of the smartest people he knows). Now I am obsessing over it – that’s why I am here. Now I will be obsessing even more. Oye!

  • Posted by Irene
    2008.Jun.07 @ 12:07

    12……..??

  • Posted by Nathan
    2008.Jun.07 @ 21:57

    I scored 47. I didn’t think the case of Asperger’s syndrome I had was that severe.

  • Posted by Nathan
    2008.Jun.07 @ 22:05

    Is there a problem with having Asperger’s syndrome?

  • Posted by Agnes
    2008.Jun.08 @ 14:05

    I got a 6.. Woah you must all be weirdos.. Just 6 and i’m not suprised.. Haha :)

  • Posted by Kayla
    2008.Jun.08 @ 16:31

    I scored a 42 and I’m seventeen years old

  • Posted by Andrew Stergiou
    2008.Jun.08 @ 18:15

    I scored 41 do I win a prize? Well no you do! After seeing the so called mental health personal of AMERIKKKA on and off for many years in numerous sets of professional settings and circumstances between the age of 8-9 and 54 it is strange that such a condition was never mentioned by these wonderful FASCISTS who are much better at PILLPUSHING ELECTRO-SHOCK TORTURES and the supression of HUMAN RIGHTS.

    CONCLUSION:

    ALL PSYCHIATRIC PERSONAL SHOULD BE PUT ON TRIAL FOR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY!

  • Posted by etretrtre
    2008.Jun.09 @ 16:25

    26. and my stupid coucelor says i have it . phhhsszz hell no i don’t!

  • Posted by Tegan
    2008.Jun.10 @ 00:07

    36… I’m a Female with diagnosed Aspergers :)

  • Posted by Nathalie
    2008.Jun.12 @ 11:33

    Oh shit, I have 35, I was trying to be honest thinking that I didn’t have any asperger problem. I have a son 10 year old who seems like a serious aspie. Not sure how to get help for him. But yes I agree that it is not normal that I remember cars by their plate number and never wanted to attend my prom night when I was young and was graduating. Somebody knows if this syndrome is inherited genetically?

  • Posted by Sandy
    2008.Jun.12 @ 14:04

    17 Average Female Scientist although I’m actually a male scientist. I console myself by noting it is only one point below average male so maybe I’m losing my science interest.

  • Posted by Philip Rake
    2008.Jun.12 @ 22:12

    Thats weird. I scored 44 the first time and 50 the second, 49 the third and 49 the fourth. Why did I take it four times? I’ve no idea. Oh but I know why I took it 4 times instead of 3 because I had to retake it in IE7 instead of Safari in order to be able to post a comment. Why don’t people test things to make sure they work in common web browsers? Poor MAC users left out to dry with Safari. Which in my opinion is the sleekest and best browser of all.

    Well ok its not that weird as I was diagnosed by a psychiatrist only 2 months ago as, in his opinion, definitely having aspergers. I only wish i was diagnosed when I was a young child because my aspergers has so far destroyed my life up until diagnosis. Now I’m diagnosed I can start rebuilding my life. I know I’m not crazy anymore. I have a reason for my inability to fit in to any group in society. I’m strangely comforted by my diagnosis. Not least because everything I read about it seems to refer to me. Plus a previous psychiatrist, who failed to diagnose my aspergers, did rather tellingly diagnose me as having the emotional behavior of a teenager (i’m 34yo).

    So, unfortunately, some people are still slipping through the health care net and not being diagnosed. This is a very bad thing because those people are suffering a great deal and have no idea why. I think psychiatrists should have more training in diagnosis of autism spectrum conditions. However in my case I admit that my drug addiction back ground has previously disguised many of my symptoms. For example my abuse of opiates and benzodiazepenes like valium would have certainly hidden many symptoms such as self stimming and situations causing anxiety.

    My intense Aspergers symptoms were so horrible that they lead me to escape by using soft and then hard drugs. It is a path I don’t recommend and I’m still dealing with the consequences and will be for the rest of my life, no doubt.

    I’m now recovering from my drug addictions and well on the way to 100% recovery. This is essential to being successfully treated by health care professionals. May this be a warning to others. Any drug use can hide your true symptoms. Thus making your suffering even worse. I have a friend who heavily smokes weed and seems to have aspergers, but his mind is so all over the place because he is so stoned, that so far his diagnosis’s have been centered on his heavy marijuana habit. I’ve tried to tell him he won’t get a proper diagnosis if his true condition is masked by a drug that affects your mind. But on the same token i can understand where the doctor is coming from. Who knows what my friend’s symptoms would be if he could stop smoking weed for a month or two. Maybe all his symptoms are caused by weed. But there is only one way to find out and unfortunately that isn’t going to happen. Marijuana is more important to him than his mental health. Sad.

    well thats my contribution from my own angle, sorry if its a bit depressing !!! Its just fact :-|

  • Posted by Philip Rake
    2008.Jun.12 @ 22:20

    Oh and you guys who are self diagnosing and/or self un-diagnosing on the basis of your test results: D’ONT TAKE THIS TEST AS A PROPER INDICATION OF YOUR CONDITION, as was already mentioned at the top of the page after the test::::

    Disclaimer
    This test is designed for fun. It is not meant to test you for any disorder (real or imagined). You can’t glean anything meaningful from this test without consulting with a mental health professional. It is not intended to make light of those who are suffering from autism or Aspergers syndrome. If you are worried about your mental health, see a professional.

  • Posted by Dorothy Winchell
    2008.Jun.13 @ 01:03

    did it take? It seemed that I lost some.

  • Posted by Or Goldreich
    2008.Jun.13 @ 04:14

    41

  • Posted by Clunk
    2008.Jun.13 @ 14:39

    38 – Got directed to this from a Mensa newsletter. Believe it’s a bit like IQ – you have a natural starting point, but can change your score a bit with practice. Scarily, I’m a lot more out-going than I used to be. Still don’t like crowds, and got some stick when I was younger for not wanting to go to night-clubs and things. Got a job where I don’t have to use the telephone much, I hate talking to people I don’t know. Just thought I was fairly shy – didn’t realise there was a name for it.

  • Posted by nathan
    2008.Jun.13 @ 22:03

    35 – does that mean I should take the time to see my mental health professional? If I do have it – what do I do now?

  • Posted by From the Netherlands
    2008.Jun.14 @ 03:57

    28. Just below the mentioned 32. I’m convinced I don’t have Asperger though I clearly have trouble feeling socially comfortable. I call it introverted. I feel heavily criticized, but I due that to not (yet) being able to understand part of the workings of communication. My feeling actually is getting better and I start to be more socially interested. My age actually is 28 as well. Couldn’t it just be a measure of how much you want to get rid of ‘craziness’ and where you want to do it (outside of a normal social context)?

  • Posted by kaylah
    2008.Jun.14 @ 10:29

    32. Not surprised since i am diagnosed with Aspergers.

  • Posted by Niki
    2008.Jun.14 @ 12:36

    I got a 35. I’m 18, and my psychotherapist and I have been discussing that I may have Asperger’s, so this is just another clue. I ramble incessantly about crime dramas or House, M.D. or similar shows. And books. I can’t resist talking about them. And sometimes, I see people getting bored, but it’s almost compulsive that I HAVE to say it. I’ve gotten my father involved in NCIS just so that he can talk to me, and all of my friends have to read, write, draw, or watch tv for me to even be able to talk to them without getting awkward. In fact, I have only twice in my life approached someone else socially. All of my friends asked me to be friends with them. That makes it so strange that I have the number of friends that I do. I was almost like a mascot or a pet for my class for years. All of them like me, but they are all intimidated by me.
    I think I’ll mention this to my psychotherapist and hope for the best.

  • Posted by Lisa
    2008.Jun.14 @ 13:53

    38 :-o

  • Posted by Shreya
    2008.Jun.14 @ 15:52

    wow…a 36. I don’t have a 4.0 though…I’m not that good in school!

  • Posted by Emma
    2008.Jun.15 @ 10:19

    I got 34. Didn’t suprise me that much, although I have never been diagnosed with Asperger’s. A while ago I did a Dutch translation of this test I found somewhere on the www and I think I scored 32 back then… So I guess my AQ is somewhere early in the thirties. =)

  • Posted by Maggie O'Moore
    2008.Jun.15 @ 23:27

    Hi, I’m a 12 year old girl in year 7. I got a 34!! I actually do have Asperger Syndrome. I believe I am superior to my other class mates. I can spell, write stories and do math fractions in my head. I am glued on a particular subject. HORSES!! oh even the word gives me tingles in my stomach. I don’t have one, but I go riding every Wednesday. I absolutely adore horses, do you like horses? I LOVE HORSES!!! I ride horses and won two ribbons and a certificate. I have pictures and photos of horses and I help around the stables. Do you like horses? oh wait, I already asked that….. well DO YOU???

  • Posted by Erik
    2008.Jun.16 @ 03:28

    i got 34

  • Posted by Alaska Hermit
    2008.Jun.17 @ 00:48

    35 – explains a lot about my social ineptitude and geekiness over the past 60 years. Im pretty much a hermit now. Only recently came across the word Aspergers. First time I began to understand myself. TY for the test.

  • Posted by Jackie
    2008.Jun.17 @ 16:13

    I got a 39… I’m tempted to see a psychologist. At least the psychologist would be able to tell me then why I can’t make friends, whether it’s just shyness, or being antisocial.

  • Posted by Ruz
    2008.Jun.19 @ 05:19

    Surpised to get 28. I’m a programmer and systems programmer, but I’m a ‘people person’ too.

  • Posted by combatoo
    2008.Jun.19 @ 11:36

    36 Woohoo explains lack of attention to detail,had to do it a 2nd time as misread some of the questions as got bored,favourite pastimes I like to do again and again -hmmmm-am male and it explains that then!!!
    But for someone who used to be an International DJ and in social situations hell I will mix it up and throw the wildest party’s just dont ask me after when I am knackered to join you at a private party,cause I am so shy and awkward I wont want to go,whenever folk ask me what my favourite thing is I say djing and I used to be an International DJ,now I know why I just had to tell people that but seriously there is another site that is very good for anyone who wants to see there NT score against thier Aspie score and it is the following just copy and paste into your browser, for those of you who are genuinely interested it is
    http://www.rdos.net/eng/Aspie-quiz.php Now the reason being that people are only finding out about this is because it wasnt until the mid 1980’s that psychologists started working on this properly and making formal dianose’s oh there I am off gain—lol wtf and no I am not taking the piss this is just me.
    I have just spent 30 quid on books to read up and educate myself but its where I go from here that matters, it explains a hell of a lot of stuff though so I guess now I will go off in my BMW E36 316i with its M43 engine and go play some G O L F and the reason I spell it out well for the aspies with a sense of humour who do have social skills who have found cheats/or shortcuts to aquire them, you will know what it is like when you look at a word like for eg lavatory and think it should say lava story or for a split second look at a common word and cant understand it but then look at it all together,or mis connect a word or situation with another then we can laugh cause you all know what I am on about.
    Does anyone else like to rant and complain about pedantic injustices like bin men not emptying bins because envoromental health say if the lids are slightly open flies will lay eggs and maggots will hatch,and then write a letter saying “Ridiculous” flies lay eggs at the height of summer anyway and go into scientific detail about flies in houses and in fields and people not canceling country walks because of them???????or similair situations?????
    No well I have you told too much about me then errr time for an appt then is it?
    By the way I work in Finance in cust service just now and have a gazillion interests and prob should work in medicine because of the knowledge I HAVE PICKED UP ON MEDICAL CONDITIONS you see there it is, due to on/off illnesses but even before then I had a penchant for soaking the info up because its easy even the psychology stuff-its so easy i guess I have found my fieldone of my mates used to call me Dr J I even used it as a Dj name for a bit and came up with a graphic based on errhmmm mr blobby.
    Anyway keep spinnin folks. Schi schi schi schi schi wack out.

  • Posted by Kate
    2008.Jun.19 @ 16:58

    I got a 19.

  • Posted by Jane
    2008.Jun.19 @ 18:16

    39 cool.

  • Posted by Amanda
    2008.Jun.20 @ 01:45

    I got a 27. I think I have the social capabilities, just get nervous about using them.

  • Posted by Philip Rake
    2008.Jun.20 @ 22:15

    This is a response for Maggie. Your contribution is very special Maggie. I wanted to further encourage you with two pieces of advice that I would like you to consider. Please note, I said consider, I didn’t say you had to take on board what I have to say. That is entirely up to you.

    Firstly, I think it might be better if you don’t see yourself as ’superior’ to other children at school. Although I can clearly see this might be true. However, it is more healthy to see oneself as gifted in certain areas, rather than superior. And, in certain areas, you might be gifted beyond the skills of most of your peers. But referring to yourself as superior just might cause you to experience feelings of disconnection with people of a similar age rather than seeing yourself as one of them.

    Secondly, I do not think that your love of horses comes as a result of aspergers. It is very popular for someone of your gender and age to have a great love of horses, as long as they can gain access to such animals. However, your aspergers no doubt accentuates that excitement and love you feel of all things to do with horses. They are pretty remarkable creatures and it is surely a good thing that you have this passion for them. Your aspergers might also enable you to have particular gifts with working with horses that other people don’t seem to have, or the ability to have a deeper bond with the animal.

    So, Maggie, I hope you don’t mind me adding my two pennies worth. I wish you well in a life of much joy and discovery! I hope you get the chance to express how much joy the horses bring you to people of your age and your parents and other people. Share this joy with them!

  • Posted by confused
    2008.Jun.20 @ 23:21

    ***44*** does that mean im AS or do i just have AS traits?
    i always thought i may have AS and some doctors thought i was as a kid but i was never diagnosed so what do i do? please help…*

  • Posted by Henrik Sundholm
    2008.Jun.21 @ 03:11

    I got 32 ^^

  • Posted by evie
    2008.Jun.22 @ 05:45

    I got 12, my Dad got 38! I think my score may have something to do with a life of trying to mitigate for his very aspergery traits. My mum hasn’t done this yet but I think she’d get -12 (for those of you with high scores, yes I know in reality it wouldn’t be possible to get a minus score on this program, it was just a joke!).

    Some of the questions on this test really made me laugh when thinking about my Dad. He is a highly intelligent man but I have no doubt he has Aspergers. He has a huge library that he can’t be separated from. Of course, all the books are factual, he can’t cope with fiction. Watching a film with him is hell on earth. He can’t let fictional stories unwind and always asks really stupid questions like who’s she, what’s she doing, where’s she going now? None of us know the answer to these questions but, unlike him, are just able to accept that we don’t know or that it doesn’t matter. He is a very talented gardener and has maintained a life long obsession with gardening. My brother once joked that he never really knew his father but as a child saw the gardener as his male role model (my dad has never understood this statement. He doesn’t do jokes!)When I was a kid his idea of playing with me was taking me page by page through advanced books on the solar system or teaching me the Latin names of plants and their meanings (great fun for a five year old!). Fortunately we have a very involved, loving and demonstrative, if somewhat long suffering mother. He is always rude to people which is something that I’ve learnt to find funny rather than devastating. Having said that I do kind of wish that my neighbours were still able to look me in the eye following one of my dad’s trips to sort my own garden out ! Speaking to him on the phone is quite hilarious as he has a tendency to say goodbye and hang up half way through a conversation. No doubt quite disconcerting to someone who doesn’t know him well!

    I don’t think the diagnosis of Aspergers existed when he was a child and it would seem quite pointless to pursue a diagnosis for him now, at his age. His traits are what make him who he is and many of them are real strengths. He has in fact led a very fortunate a blessed life, albeit a somewhat unusual one. That’s not to say that life with him hasn’t been quite difficult at times but then life with anyone can be difficult at times ( maybe I’m more like him than I think!), but at least we have a great garden to unwind in !

  • Posted by Arrha
    2008.Jun.22 @ 06:05

    Got a 35. Expected more though…

  • Posted by Marie
    2008.Jun.22 @ 08:44

    I’m 14 and I got 48.
    I’ve always thought I had some sort of problem, but that!! My family doesn’t want to listen to me ob that subject, so here i am, talking to strangers…
    Don’t mind responding please

  • Posted by TnoZeus
    2008.Jun.22 @ 19:55

    I’m happy, its 29………..

  • Posted by aileen
    2008.Jun.22 @ 23:58

    First of all, thank you for providing the opportunity to test oneself online in a working format. The first site I visited did not give me my score.

    I got 34 but understand that this is only for fun and not to be taken seriously.

    I am still trying to figure out whether there is any psychological problem with me.

    I hate being in a new situation especially with new people. I preferred playing by myself when I was young though I also enjoyed playing with other childern who are close/known to me. I do not make new friends easily. It is usually them making friends with me. I remembered not liking to look at the speaker’s face and was told that this is not polite. So, I forced myself to look at their faces when they are speaking to me even though I sometimes am unable to concentrate on what they are saying. I am now 36 and still hate being forced into new situations. I like to stay where I am as in situation and location. I dislike changes to things and situations that I am happy in. I once had my manager said to me that I have strange thinking patterns. But I feel I am as normal as the next person.

    I hope I will get answers soon.

  • Posted by Xeryph
    2008.Jun.23 @ 20:30

    Hmm, I scored a 6!
    Wewt!

  • Posted by Morgan
    2008.Jun.23 @ 23:08

    To begin;
    I took this (and a few others) because someone suggested to me that I may have Aspergers.
    Someone who didn’t even know me very well.

    I scored a 41, but I think I don’t have Aspergers.
    Because I don’t think I’m particularly clumsy; which I guess is a major ’symptom’.

  • Posted by feiqi
    2008.Jun.24 @ 12:09

    wah

  • Posted by Carolyn
    2008.Jun.25 @ 05:11

    I’m a 9. A nine! I am almost ashamed, because to me, Aspies are all that. Husband scored 34, son scored 36. They are dreamy and intelligent and the people I love to be with (daughter is like me – luv her too, but the Aspies are mysterious and deep, and if I can get them to laugh, I feel a sense of accomplishment!) I wish they had a easier time of it. I am here to help and to love, no matter what.

  • Posted by Kim
    2008.Jun.25 @ 19:41

    I scored 43.

  • Posted by Eric
    2008.Jun.26 @ 15:28

    Errr, 34.

  • Posted by LOL
    2008.Jun.26 @ 18:41

    34…
    Not surprised, was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome a few years ago. But didn`t know I`d get an “extreme” score…

  • Posted by Robert
    2008.Jun.26 @ 22:29

    Its confirmed. I am a geek. 33 score.

  • Posted by joe
    2008.Jun.27 @ 18:55

    i got a 32. i never heard of this till my sister told me her first born got diagnosed with it..was looking into autism online bored as we have a full blown autistic woman who does some things at my work for us..so i am borderline asepergers huh? maybe it is in my bloodline somewhere.

    • « Older Comments
    Newer Comments »