Screening Test for OCD
This is a quick 3-minute OCD screening test that assesses symptoms of obsessions and compulsions across six domains, providing instant results and personalized recommendations based on symptom severity.
3-minute OCD screening · 18 questions · Instant results
Disclaimer
This test is not a diagnostic tool. It's designed as a screening and educational tool, not a substitute for medical advice. If symptoms persist, worsen, or you feel unsafe, contact a qualified professional, your local emergency number, or a mental health helpline. You can call 988 in the US and Canada, and 111 or 116 123 in the UK.
Key Takeaways
A 3-minute OCD self-screening test with immediate results
Screens for symptoms of obsessions and compulsions
Measures symptom severity over the past month
Assesses symptoms across six OCD subscales
Designed as a self-screening test, and not a diagnostic tool
Provides recommended next steps based on symptom severity
Can track treatment progress if retaken periodically
How the Assessment Works
- 1Answer 18 Questions
First, you will be asked 18 questions to assess symptoms of intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviours in the past month. These questions are spread across six subscales or OCD domains, with three questions per domain: checking, hoarding (now also known as a separate condition from OCD), obsessing/intrusive thoughts, ordering/symmetry, washing, and neutralizing. Each question has a five-point rating scale from 0 to 4: 0 — Not at all, 1 — A little, 2 — Moderately, 3 — A lot, 4 — Extremely. - 2Get Instant Results
After answering the questions, your score is calculated and shown immediately. Your symptom severity score can fall in any of the following categories: 0 — 5: Minimal; 6 — 15: Mild; 16 — 25: Moderate; 26 — 40: Severe; 41 — 72: Extreme. - 3Know Your Next Steps
Based on your score, the recommended next steps are displayed in your personal results. Higher scores, especially above 21 (a commonly used clinical cutoff), may indicate the need for professional evaluation by a licensed mental health professional. People who receive lower scores may still benefit from self-help strategies or professional support, especially if symptoms are distressing despite the score.
FAQ
Reviewed by
Expert Board Member
Reviewer's statement
This screener emphasises obsessions, compulsions, and related functional interference. It can surface clinically meaningful OCD symptoms for discussion with a mental health professional, but cannot distinguish OCD from related disorders (e.g., body-focused repetitive behaviours, tic disorders, health anxiety) without a full assessment.
Written by
Damilola Fasanya
Last updated
References and research
8 sourcesObsessive-Compulsive Disorder: When Unwanted Thoughts or Repetitive Behaviors Take Over
NIMH
View source
Prof. Edna B. Foa (PhD), Prof. Jonathan D. Huppert (PhD), Susanne Leiberg (PhD), Robert Langner (PhD), Rafael Kichic (PhD), Greg Hajcak (PhD), Prof. Paul M. Salkovskis (PhD)
Copyright: Foa, E. B., Huppert, J. D., Leiberg, S., Langner, R., Kichic, R., Hajcak, G., & Salkovskis, P. M. (2002). The Obsessive‑Compulsive Inventory: development and validation of a short, OCD‑related scale. Psychological Assessment, 14(4), 485–496. https://doi.org/10.1037/1040-3590.14.4.485