ESQ-R
Executive Skills Questionnaire - Revised
Updated: 1/7/2026
1. What the ESQ-R Measures (and What It’s For)
The Executive Skills Questionnaire – Revised (ESQ-R) is a brief self-report screening tool that helps you map where executive skills feel effective vs. where they feel difficult. Executive skills are the brain’s “management system” - the skills that help you start, plan, stay on track, shift gears, manage emotions/impulses, and keep life organized.
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The ESQ-R isn’t a diagnosis. Think of it as a snapshot: it highlights patterns that can guide practical supports, coaching, therapy goals, school/work accommodations, or a deeper evaluation when needed.
2. Who is the ESQ-R for?
The ESQ-R is designed for teens and adults (ages 14+) who want a useful picture of their executive functioning strengths and challenges - especially if you’re noticing difficulties with follow-through, time, organization, or self-regulation.
It can be especially helpful if you:
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feel “capable, but inconsistent”
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can do things when the pressure is high, but struggle with steady routines
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get stuck at starting (task initiation) more than you get stuck at doing
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feel derailed by interruptions, transitions, or emotional intensity
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suspect ADHD, autism, anxiety, burnout, or stress is impacting your day-to-day functioning (or you already know you’re neurodivergent)
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A note for neurodivergence: executive functioning is context-dependent. Sleep, sensory overload, chronic stress, depression/anxiety, trauma, hormones, and unrealistic demands can all lower executive capacity - without meaning you’re “lazy” or “not trying.” This tool helps name what’s happening so you can build support with less shame.
3. What to expect when taking the ESQ-R
Most people complete the ESQ-R in about 5 minutes.
You’ll read 25 statements and rate how often each one is a problem for you:
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Never or rarely
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Sometimes
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Often
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Very often
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It’s meant to be straightforward. If you find yourself thinking, “It depends,” that’s valid - answer based on what’s most true for the last few weeks/months and across typical days, not just your best day (or your worst).
4. Understanding your score
The ESQ-R gives you:
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a total score (0–75), and
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five area scores (averages from 0–3)
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Note: On the ESQ-R, higher scores mean more frequent difficulties (i.e., lower executive functioning in that area).
The five areas the ESQ-R measures
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Plan Management (making a plan, holding the “big picture,” persisting toward goals)
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Time Management (estimating time, getting started, using time realistically)
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Organization (keeping track of materials/info; building systems that stick)
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Emotional Regulation (staying effective when feelings spike; recovering from frustration)
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Behavioral Regulation (impulse control, “pause,” follow-through instead of autopilot)
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A simple way to read area averages (0–3)
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0–1: No/low difficulty (relative strength)
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~1–2: Moderate difficulty
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2–3: High difficulty (often/very often a problem)
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It can be helpful to identify your top 1–2 challenge areas. Those are usually the best place to start because executive skills improve fastest when support is targeted (not when you try to fix everything at once).
5. Next steps
If your scores show low difficulty
That’s useful data too. It may mean:
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your current systems are working, or
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your environment supports you well right now, or
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you’ve built strong compensations (sometimes at a cost—like masking, overworking, or perfectionism)
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If you still feel exhausted despite “okay” scores, that’s worth exploring—capacity and burnout don’t always show up cleanly on a single questionnaire.
If your scores show moderate or high difficulty in one or more areas
Start with support, not self-criticism. Executive skills are skills—skills respond to scaffolding.
A practical next-step menu:
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Pick one domain to focus on first (often time management or plan management).
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Build “external supports” (visual reminders, checklists, timers, body doubling, calendar guardrails).
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Reduce friction: fewer steps, smaller start, clearer cues, kinder deadlines.
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Add accommodations at school/work (written instructions, fewer context switches, flexible pacing when possible).
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If emotional/behavioral regulation scores are high, consider supports that address stress reactivity, overwhelm, and recovery time alongside productivity.
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When it may be time for professional help
Consider working with a professional if executive difficulties are persistently interfering with school, work, relationships, or basic self-care - especially if you’re wondering about ADHD, autism, anxiety, OCD, trauma, or burnout as part of the picture. The ESQ-R can be a helpful starting point, but it’s best interpreted alongside history, context, and (when needed) a comprehensive assessment.
6. Additional Resources
If you are interested in further support, learn more about the expertise available here at ScienceWorks!
Our unique care model spans three essential domains to function as a “one-stop-shop” for mental health.
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Assessments: Understand yourself and your treatment better with assessments for ADHD, autism, and general diagnostics. Our custom packages are efficient and affordable.
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Therapy: Dynamic, evidence-based treatments for a wide range of conditions – get an individualized treatment plan with targeted therapies adapted for your brain and your objectives to support the whole person.
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Coaching: Understand your neurotype and enhance treatment outcomes by turning therapeutic concepts into everyday skills to maximize their benefits.
Note: Screeners cannot be used to diagnose or treat any mental health condition - nor can they be used to replace dedicated care from a qualified professional. They can be a helpful tool when searching for, or working with, a professional. If you have questions about applicability, please contact us!