Dyslexia Screening Test
Take our free dyslexia screening test. This 15-question assessment identifies common signs of dyslexia including reading difficulties, spelling challenges, and processing issues.
What is dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty that primarily affects reading, spelling, and processing written language. It's neurological in origin — not a result of low intelligence, poor teaching, or lack of effort. The brain simply processes written language differently.
Around 10-15% of people are estimated to have dyslexia, making it the most common learning difficulty. It runs in families and has a clear genetic component. Dyslexia exists on a spectrum — from mild difficulties that respond well to appropriate teaching strategies, to more severe presentations that significantly affect literacy.
Dyslexia in adults is often accompanied by developed coping strategies built up over years. Many adults with dyslexia have found ways around their difficulties — using voice-to-text, relying on spellcheckers, avoiding roles requiring heavy writing. This masking can make dyslexia less obvious but doesn't mean it's resolved.
Signs of dyslexia in adults
Common signs in adults include: slow or effortful reading, difficulty with spelling (even common words), problems with written expression (ideas are clear but getting them onto paper is laborious), confusion of similar-looking words (e.g. 'form' and 'from'), difficulty with sequences (dates, phone numbers, instructions), and sometimes phonological awareness difficulties.
Working memory and processing speed are often affected alongside literacy in dyslexia. This can make multitasking, following complex verbal instructions, and remembering a list of items more difficult.
Adults with dyslexia often report that reading is exhausting — requiring significantly more cognitive effort than it appears to for others. This isn't laziness; it's the cognitive cost of processing text through a less efficient route.
About this test and next steps
This dyslexia screening assesses reading fluency, phonological awareness, spelling patterns, and processing speed — the key domains affected in dyslexia. It gives an indication of whether your profile is consistent with dyslexia traits.
Formal dyslexia assessment is conducted by an educational psychologist or specialist assessor and typically takes 2-3 hours. It produces a detailed profile of strengths and difficulties and confirms whether dyslexia is present. This formal assessment is usually needed to access workplace or educational accommodations.
Dyslexia is not a barrier to success. Many highly successful people in business, arts, and professions have dyslexia. With appropriate strategies and accommodations, most dyslexic adults can manage effectively. An assessment is the first step to understanding your specific profile.
How to Interpret Your Results
| Score Range | Category | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 0–15 | Low Likelihood | Your responses suggest a low likelihood of dyslexia. Your reading and language processing skills appear to be within the typical range. |
| 16–30 | Some Indicators | Your responses show some indicators that may be associated with mild reading difficulties. These could be situational or related to other factors. |
| 31–45 | Moderate Indicators | Your responses suggest moderate indicators consistent with dyslexia. A professional assessment could provide clarity and access to helpful strategies and accommodations. |
| 46–60 | Strong Indicators | Your responses indicate strong indicators consistent with dyslexia. We recommend seeking a comprehensive evaluation from an educational psychologist or specialist. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dyslexia be diagnosed in adulthood?
Yes. Many adults are diagnosed for the first time in their 20s, 30s, or later — often after significant frustration with reading or writing at work or study.
Is dyslexia related to intelligence?
Not at all. Dyslexia is about the processing of written language, not general intelligence. Many people with dyslexia have above-average intelligence.
Can adults get workplace accommodations for dyslexia?
Yes. In most countries, dyslexia qualifies as a disability entitling you to reasonable workplace adjustments — more time for written work, assistive technology, or alternatives to written communication.
Does dyslexia go away with age?
Dyslexia is lifelong, but its impact can be significantly reduced with appropriate strategies, assistive technology, and self-knowledge. Most adults find they develop effective workarounds over time.