What Does QbCheck Measure in ADHD Screening?
A child who rarely finishes homework, a student whose mind seems to race during revision, or an adult who has always struggled to stay organised may all ask the same question: could this be ADHD? Understanding what does QbCheck measure can make the next step feel less daunting. It offers objective information about attention, impulsivity and activity, but it is one part of a wider clinical picture - not a diagnosis on its own.
What does QbCheck measure?
QbCheck is a computer-based ADHD screening tool. During a short task, the person taking it responds to certain symbols on a screen and does not respond to others. A webcam records movement while the programme tracks responses.
The assessment produces objective measures in three areas associated with ADHD: inattention, impulsivity and activity. These results are compared with data from people of a similar age and sex. This comparison can help show whether a person’s performance falls outside the expected range.
The value of QbCheck is that it does not rely only on how someone feels on a particular day, or on another person’s observations. Parents, teachers, partners and the individual themselves all offer essential insight, but each may see a different version of the difficulty. QbCheck adds a standardised piece of evidence to that conversation.
The three areas QbCheck assesses
Inattention
The task measures how consistently a person notices and responds to the correct targets. It can identify patterns such as missed targets, slow responses or response times that vary considerably across the test.
These findings may be relevant where a child appears to drift away from classroom instructions, makes avoidable mistakes, or needs repeated prompts to begin and complete work. For teenagers and adults, inattention may show up as difficulty sustaining focus during lectures, meetings, reading or detailed admin.
A high number of missed responses does not automatically mean ADHD. Poor sleep, anxiety, low mood, stress, illness, sensory needs and unfamiliarity with testing can all affect concentration. That is why a skilled professional considers the result in context rather than treating a score as a verdict.
Impulsivity
Impulsivity is measured by responses made when the person should have held back. In practical terms, this can reflect a tendency to act before fully processing the information on screen.
In everyday life, impulsivity can look very different from one person to another. A younger child may call out, interrupt, grab items or rush through work. An adolescent may answer before thinking, make quick decisions they later regret or struggle to pause during disagreements. Adults may recognise patterns in spending, conversations, driving, work decisions or switching between tasks.
A QbCheck result cannot explain the reason behind impulsive behaviour. It does, however, provide a structured indication of whether this pattern appeared during the test and how it compares with expected performance.
Activity
QbCheck also records physical movement during the task. This is sometimes described as hyperactivity, although it is more accurate to say that the test measures movement in that specific assessment setting.
Some people with ADHD are visibly restless. They may fidget, shift position frequently or find sitting still uncomfortable. Others, particularly girls, women and people with predominantly inattentive ADHD, may not appear outwardly hyperactive at all. They may experience an internal sense of restlessness, racing thoughts or a constant urge to move on to the next thing.
For this reason, low movement on QbCheck does not rule out ADHD, and higher movement does not confirm it. The result needs to be understood alongside developmental history and real-life functioning.
What happens during a QbCheck?
The task is designed to be straightforward. The person sits at a computer, follows the on-screen instructions and responds to targets using the keyboard. The webcam tracks movement without requiring sensors to be attached to the body.
Although the task itself is simple, it requires sustained attention. This is intentional: the test looks at performance over time, not simply whether someone can focus for a few seconds. Most people find it manageable, but younger children may need clear reassurance beforehand that it is not an exam and that they cannot pass or fail it.
The exact process, suitability and supervision arrangements depend on the individual’s age and the provider’s protocol. A clinician should explain what will happen before testing and make sure the setting is as calm and distraction-free as reasonably possible.
What QbCheck results can tell you
A QbCheck report can give useful, objective information about behavioural patterns observed during the task. It may support a discussion about whether ADHD should be explored further, particularly when there are consistent concerns at home, school, university or work.
It can also be helpful when views differ. For example, a pupil may seem settled at school but be exhausted and unable to manage homework at home. Equally, an adult may have learned effective coping strategies that mask difficulties in a short appointment. Objective test data can add another perspective, without dismissing anyone’s lived experience.
In some circumstances, clinicians may use QbCheck as part of monitoring changes over time, including response to treatment. It is not a measure of intelligence, academic ability, dyslexia, anxiety or overall potential. A person can perform well academically and still have significant ADHD-related difficulties, particularly if they are working much harder than those around them to keep up.
What QbCheck cannot measure
QbCheck does not diagnose ADHD by itself. ADHD is a clinical diagnosis based on a detailed assessment of symptoms, their history, their impact across more than one setting, and possible alternative explanations.
A thorough ADHD assessment commonly includes a developmental and medical history, questionnaires or rating scales, information from parents or education staff where appropriate, and a discussion of day-to-day functioning. The assessor will consider whether difficulties began in childhood, whether they are persistent, and whether they are better explained by another need or circumstance.
This matters because concentration problems are not specific to ADHD. Dyslexia, dyscalculia, autism, trauma, anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties, hearing or vision issues, and overwhelming school or workplace demands can all affect attention and organisation. Sometimes more than one factor is present.
A result that falls within the expected range should not be used to dismiss someone’s concerns. ADHD traits can vary by setting, interest level, fatigue and coping strategies. Conversely, an elevated score needs careful interpretation rather than assumptions.
When is QbCheck helpful for a learner?
QbCheck can be a useful screening option when attention, impulsivity or restlessness is getting in the way of learning, confidence or daily routines. It may be particularly relevant where a child is described as bright but inconsistent, a student cannot translate revision time into results, or an adult feels they have spent years working twice as hard to stay on top of ordinary tasks.
For families already exploring dyslexia or dyscalculia, ADHD screening may also help clarify the fuller picture. A learner can have a specific learning difficulty and ADHD, or they may show attention difficulties because reading, writing or maths has become effortful and stressful. There is no benefit in forcing a single explanation when a careful assessment can identify the support that is genuinely needed.
At Dittas Dyslexia & Dyscalculia Assessments, the aim is always clarity followed by practical next steps. Whether QbCheck suggests a need for further ADHD assessment or points towards another area for investigation, the most helpful outcome is a plan that makes learning and daily life more manageable. We offer our assessments remotely, and the current cost is £200. Contact Sarah for more details.
