The Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scale-IV
Short answer
The Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scale-IV (BAARS-IV) is a set of rating forms by Russell A. Barkley, published by Guilford Press in 2011 for adults 18 to 89. It has self-report and other-report forms for current and childhood symptoms, linked to DSM-IV criteria, plus a quick screen. Clinicians buy the manual and interpret the results.
Russell Barkley's name comes up often when adults read about ADHD evaluations, and so does his rating scale. This page describes what the BAARS-IV is, based on the publisher's own description, and where it might appear in your care.
The short version
- Author
- Russell A. Barkley
- Publisher
- The Guilford Press (2011), wire-bound manual with reproducible forms
- Ages
- Adults 18 to 89
- Criteria linked to
- DSM-IV
- Forms
- Self-report and other-report, each for current and childhood symptoms; Quick Screen; interview versions
What it covers
Sluggish cognitive tempo is a research term, and this page does not try to define it beyond the publisher's mention. If a clinician uses that section with you, ask them what it covers and how it will feed into their thinking. It is not a separate test you pass or fail.
Why there are forms for other people
Two views of the same person, now and in childhood, give a clinician four angles instead of one. When those angles disagree, that itself is worth discussing. People are not always the best judges of their own habits, and relatives do not always see what happens at work.
Who uses it, and the license
Guilford sells the BAARS-IV as a professional manual. The publisher says buyers receive a limited license to photocopy the forms and score sheets for their own use. The scale is aimed at clinicians and researchers, who score it using the manual and interpret it alongside an interview and history. It is not designed as a do-it-yourself test.
Where it differs from the screener on this site
- Scope: the ASRS v1.1 screener is six questions about the past six months. The BAARS-IV adds impairment, childhood recall and other-report forms.
- Access: the ASRS v1.1 screener is free to use with attribution under its NYU license. The BAARS-IV is a purchased manual for professionals.
- Purpose: the screener helps you decide whether to seek an evaluation. The BAARS-IV is one tool a clinician might use within that evaluation.
- Criteria: both were built around DSM-IV symptom lists, so neither reflects DSM-5 wording.
None of this means one scale is better. They are built for different moments. You might take the free screener, book an appointment, and then be asked to complete a longer scale such as the BAARS-IV, the CAARS 2 or another your clinician prefers.
Limits of any rating form
A rating scale counts and organizes what you and others report. It does not rule other causes in or out, and it cannot tell sleep loss, stress, anxiety or a learning difference apart from ADHD by itself. That work belongs to the clinician. Scores from a copied form, scored without the manual, are best set aside.
Fair questions to ask if you are handed the BAARS-IV
- Which forms do you want me to complete, and do you also want someone else to fill one out?
- Should I answer about how I am now, how I was as a child, or both?
- How will these answers be combined with the interview and my history?
- Will we go over the results together afterward?
Asking these questions is not a challenge to the clinician. Rating scales work best when you understand what time period they cover and who else is being asked, so your answers describe what the form is actually asking about
- If a relative filled out a form about me, what might they notice that I tend to overlook?
- Which areas of my life do I most want the clinician to understand?
A starting point for your next step.
The free six-question ASRS v1.1 screener takes a few minutes and can help you decide whether a longer evaluation makes sense.Frequently asked questions
Who publishes the Barkley adult scale?
The Guilford Press publishes the BAARS-IV, by Russell A. Barkley, as a manual with reproducible forms. It was released in 2011.
Does the BAARS-IV ask about childhood?
Yes. Guilford says it includes forms for adults' recollections of childhood symptoms, in both self-report and other-report versions.
Can I score the BAARS-IV myself?
It is designed for professionals who score it with the manual and interpret it in context. A self-scored copy cannot tell you whether ADHD fits.
Sources
Source check: 2026-10-28. No medical review has occurred.
- The Guilford Press, "Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scale-IV (BAARS-IV)" by Russell A. Barkley (2011), publisher product page
- NICE guideline NG87, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: diagnosis and management
Published 2026-10-28. Factual source check: ADHDFalcon editorial team, factual source check, 2026-10-28. No medical review has occurred.