Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scales [CAARS]
A multi-dimensional assessment of adult ADHD. Measures the presence and severity of ADHD symptoms in adults ages 18 and older.
For ages: 18 and older
Administration type: Self, Observer
Administration time: 10 to 15 minutes
Reading Level: 4th grade
Format: Online administration and scoring in MHS Assessment Centre+(MAC+), Hand scored
Authors: C. Keith Conners, Ph.D; Drew Erhardt, Ph.D & Elizabeth Sparrow, Ph.D
Manuals
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Paper Forms and Hand Scoring Materials
Test forms, response booklets and scoring reference manuals.
Online Forms, Administrations and Reports
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CAARS Manual
CAARS O:L Forms (25) – Observer: Long Version
CAARS O:S Forms (25) – Observer: Short Version
CAARS O:SV Forms (25) – Observer: Screening Version
CAARS S:L Forms (25) – Self: Long Version
CAARS S:S Forms (25) – Self: Short Version
CAARS S:SV Forms (25) – Self: Screening Version
CAARS Online Interpretive Report (each)
CAARS Online Profile Report (each)
When ADHD stays with a person into adulthood, it usually contributes to larger personal and professional difficulties. The Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS™) scales measure the presence and severity of ADHD symptoms so that you can determine whether or not ADHD is a contributing factor to a client’s difficulties.
Key Features
- Measures the presence and severity of ADHD symptoms
- Can be used in clinical, research, rehabilitation, and correctional settings
- Offers long, short, or screening versions
- Provides self-report and observer rating forms
The Conner’s Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS) quantitatively measures ADHD symptoms across clinically significant domains while examining the manifestations of ADHD in adults based on scientific literature and the authors’ clinical experience. The CAARS results may help you identify contributing factors to a client’s problem in clinical, research, rehabilitation and correctional settings.
The CAARS elicit self-report and observer ratings to give a multiple-informant assessment. The self-report and observer forms address the same behaviours and contain identical scales, subscales, and indexes. Raw scores and T-scores are produced for each scale, subscale and index.
Normative data for the self-report forms consist of 1,026 nonclinical adults, while the observer forms consist of friends of 943 non-clinical adults. Separate norms are available by gender and age-group intervals (18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50+ years).
Key areas measured
Long Versions
Number of items:
- Self-report 66
- Observer 66
Provide the most detailed information upon which to base treatment plans.
The long self-report and observer forms provide scores for nine empirically derived scales that assess a broad range of problem behaviours. They include three DSM-IV Symptom measures (Inattentive, Hyperactive-Impulsive and Total ADHD Symptoms), a 12-item ADHD Index, and an Inconsistency Index for identifying random or careless responding.
Factor-Derived Subscales
- Inattention/Memory Problems
- Hyperactivity/Restlessness
- Impulsivity/Emotional Liability
- Problems with Self-Concept
DSM-IV ADHD Symptoms Subscales
- Inattentive Symptoms
- Total ADHD Symptoms
- Hyperactive-Impulsive Symptoms
- ADHD Index
- Inconsistency Index
Short Versions
Number of items:
- Self-report 26
- Observer 26
The short self-report and observer forms comprise abbreviated versions of the factor-derived subscales that appear in the long versions. The ADHD Index and the Inconsistency Index are also incorporated. Designed to display key dimensions when time with respondents is limited, the short versions are also often used during treatment to track progress over time. They produce scores for the following areas:
Factor-Derived Subscales
- Inattention/Memory Problems
- Hyperactivity/Restlessness
- Impulsivity/Emotional Liability
- Problems with Self-Concept
- ADHD Index
- Inconsistency Index
Screening Versions
Number of items:
- Self-report 30
- Observer 30
The CAARS screening versions include the same 12-item ADHD Index of the long and short versions, as well as the DSM-IV ADHD Symptom Subscales (18 items that relate to DSM-IV criteria for ADHD). Ideal for quick identification, the screening versions address the following areas:
DSM-IV ADHD Symptoms Subscales:
- Inattentive Symptoms
- Total ADHD Symptoms
- Hyperactive-Impulsive Symptoms
- ADHD Index
Sample Reports
CAARS_Self-Report_InterpretiveReport_Sample
Download
CAARS_Self-Report_InterpretiveReportShort_Sample Download
CAARS_Self-Report_ProfileReport_Sample Download
CAARS_Self-Report_ProfileReportShort_Sample Download
CAARS_Observer_InterpretiveReport_Sample Download
CAARS_Observer_InterpretiveReportShort_Sample Download
CAARS_Observer_ProfileReport_Sample Download
CAARS_Observer_ProfileReportShort_Sample Download
two valuable Report options
Profile Reports
Summarize the results of an individual administration, providing scores for all scales. Available for all three versions (long, short and screening) of the Self-report and Observer.
Interpretive Reports
Provide detailed information about scores from a single administration, presented both numerically and graphically. An individual’s scores are compared to those in the normative sample and elevations at the scale and subscale level are indicated. Available only for long and short versions of each assessment.
CAARS may be scored by hand or online.
CAARS is currently offered in online format for use with MHS Assessment Centre+ (MAC+) online platform. MHS Assessment Centre+ (MAC+) online platform is an internet-based client management program and is free with your purchase of MHS online reports. MAC+ helps you manage all your MHS online assessment tools. You may instantly generate reports and customise them to suit your purpose. Reports may then be saved, printed, exported, or the results integrated with your MHS Professional Tool Suite software programs. You may also track your report uses.
Quikscore forms are easy to administer and hand score. Profile forms are included where you may quickly plot raw scores for conversion to T-scores. The resulting profile provides the individual’s assessment scores and comparison with the appropriate age and gender normative group. Profile forms are ideal for result presentation and to monitor treatment progress.
- Profile Reports – are available for all three versions (long, short and screening) of the CAARS-self & CAARS-observer.
- Interpretive Reports – contain detailed descriptions of the scales, a list of evaluated item responses and intervention strategy suggestions are available for only the long and short versions of each.
(See Conners’ Adult ADHD History Forms product page on this website for further information.)
Now Available – Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS): For Use in Correctional Settings
The CAARS: For Use in Correctional Settings Supplement (27 pages) is now available. This is a corrections-focused multi-dimensional assessment of adult ADHD. Studies show that ADHD is found in correctional settings at a relatively high rate and that adults with ADHD are at an especially high risk to recidivate. The CAARS help to detect ADHD promptly so you may develop the best rehabilitation and release plan.
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