Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Dyslexia Test?
It is a free self-reflection tool, not a diagnosis. You rate twenty statements about everyday reading, spelling and writing from Never to Almost Always, across four areas: reading effort, spelling and writing, sounds, words and sequences, and workarounds and strain. Your result is one of Few signs so far, Some signs or Many signs, with a short summary for each area and next steps for the UK and the US.
Can this test tell me whether I have dyslexia?
No. Only a qualified professional can do that, through a full assessment that looks at your history and at how you read, spell and write. What the test can do is put your own everyday experiences into a short summary that helps you decide whether asking about an assessment is worth it.
Does Few signs so far mean I do not have dyslexia?
No. A short self-report check-in can miss things, so a low band does not rule dyslexia out. It also does not mean that a specific difficulty you have noticed, such as with spelling or with reading under pressure, is not real. If one thing troubles you, that is reason enough to ask about it.
Does Many signs mean I am not capable or intelligent?
No. The result says nothing about how capable or intelligent you are. Many signs means your answers describe many of the experiences that people with dyslexia often report. Dyslexia is one possible explanation, and vision, tiredness, attention or other learning differences can also play a part, which is why a proper assessment is the next step rather than a label.
Who can carry out a dyslexia assessment?
In the UK, an educational psychologist or a specialist teacher assessor can carry one out, and your school, college or university learning-support team or your employer's HR or occupational health team can tell you how it works. In the US, your school's special education team or your college's disability services office can point you to one, or you can find a licensed psychologist who carries out evaluations for learning differences.