Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale (ACE)
The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) scale is a 10-question measure of the number of adverse experiences — such as abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction — a person was exposed to before age 18. The ACE score has been associated with later mental and physical health risks.
- Questions
- 10
- Est. time
- ~5 min
- Delivery
- Online · remote
- Scoring
- Automatic
What does the Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale (ACE) measure?
- •Childhood physical/emotional/sexual abuse
- •Physical/emotional neglect
- •Household dysfunction (divorce, substance use, violence, etc.)
Who is it for?
Used to screen the burden of adverse childhood experiences in adults.
How is the Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale (ACE) scored and interpreted?
Each adverse experience counts as 1 point; the total ACE score ranges from 0 to 10. Higher scores indicate more adverse experiences and a greater likelihood of associated health risk.
| Score range | Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10 | Cumulative score | Each positive answer adds 1 point; higher totals reflect more adverse experiences (a risk indicator, not a diagnosis). |
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are in the ACE test?
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The standard ACE scale has 10 questions; each positive answer counts as 1 point, with a total from 0 to 10.
What does a high ACE score mean?
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It indicates more adverse childhood experiences and is associated with certain health risks; however, a high score is a risk indicator, not a definitive outcome.
Does this test provide a diagnosis?
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No. This is a screening/assessment tool; it does not provide a clinical diagnosis on its own. Results should be interpreted only by a licensed mental-health professional as part of a clinical evaluation.
Related scales
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) TestA self-report scale screening for PTSD symptoms following a traumatic event.
- Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES)A 28-question screening scale measuring the frequency of dissociative experiences.
- Borderline Personality Traits TestA self-report test screening for borderline personality traits.
Source: Felitti, V. J., et al. (1998).
This page is informational and does not contain the actual questions. The Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale (ACE) is a screening/assessment tool and does not provide a diagnosis on its own. Results should be interpreted only by a licensed mental-health professional as part of a clinical evaluation.
Administer the Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale (ACE) to your clients
With Psikometri, assign this scale remotely via a single link; results are scored automatically and turned into a report. No credit card required.
- ✓Automatic scoring and severity band
- ✓One-click, branded PDF reports
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