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Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) Test

Understand negative symptoms like apathy, flat affect, and low speech in about 5 minutes. A 25-item, structured format supports consistent ratings and clear tracking over time.
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Questions: 255 minutes
Hi! My name is Freudly, i am an AI therapist, I will give you an interpretation of the test after you complete it.
08:30
October 2, 2025
October 2, 2025
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How the Scales are Structured
example score
3/5
Anhedonia (Global Score) (A(S)
Assesses the clinician-rated degree of reduced interest and diminished ability to experience pleasure from activities.
Low
Moderate
High
0 – 1: Low | 2 – 3: Moderate | 4 – 5: High
A score of 3 falls in the Moderate range, indicating a noticeable reduction in interest and pleasure relative to typical functioning.
example score
3/5
Avolition (Global Score) (A(S)
This scale rates the clinician-observed severity of reduced motivation, willpower, and initiation of goal-directed activity (abulia).
Low
Moderate
High
0 – 1: Low | 2 – 3: Moderate | 4 – 5: High
A score of 3 falls in the Moderate range, indicating a noticeable reduction in energy and initiative that can interfere with everyday activities.
example score
3/5
Alogia (Global Score) (A(S)
Assesses the clinician-rated severity of reduced speech output and impoverished thought processes (alogia).
Low
Moderate
High
0 – 1: Low | 2 – 3: Moderate | 4 – 5: High
A score of 3 indicates a moderate level of alogia, with noticeable reductions in spontaneity and amount of speech.
example score
7/20
Anhedonia (A)
Assesses reduced capacity to experience pleasure and interest in typical activities, especially social engagement.
Low
Moderate
High
0 – 6: Low | 7 – 13: Moderate | 14 – 20: High
A score of 7 falls in the Moderate range, indicating a noticeable reduction in pleasure or interest across usual activities.
example score
2/5
Affective Flattening (Global Score) (AF(S)
This scale quantifies the clinician-observed reduction in the patient's emotional expressiveness (affective flattening).
Minimal/none
Mild–moderate
Marked–severe
0 – 1: Minimal/none | 2 – 3: Mild–moderate | 4 – 5: Marked–severe
A score of 2 indicates a mild to moderate reduction in observable emotional expression during interaction and observation.
example score
2/5
Attention Impairment (Global Score) (AI(S)
This scale reflects the clinician’s overall impression of the severity of concentration and sustained-attention difficulties based on observation and interview.
None–Minimal
Mild–Moderate
Marked–Severe
0 – 1: None–Minimal | 2 – 3: Mild–Moderate | 4 – 5: Marked–Severe
A score of 2 falls in the Mild–Moderate range, suggesting noticeable but not severe difficulties with maintaining attention.
example score
7/25
Total Summary Score (TSS)
This scale summarizes the clinician’s overall impression of the severity of negative symptoms based on observation and dialogue.
Low severity
Moderate severity
High severity
0 – 8: Low severity | 9 – 16: Moderate severity | 17 – 25: High severity
A total score of 7 falls in the Low severity range, suggesting a relatively mild overall level of observed negative symptoms on this assessment.
example score
43/100
Sum of Subscale Scores (SoSS)
This scale sums intermediate SANS ratings to quantify the overall severity of observed negative symptoms.
Low
Moderate
High
0 – 33: Low | 34 – 66: Moderate | 67 – 100: High
A score of 43 falls in the Moderate range, indicating a moderate overall severity of the negative symptoms captured by the intermediate ratings.
example score
8/10
Attention Impairment (AI)
Measures observable difficulties with focusing, sustaining attention, and resisting distraction during tasks or conversation.
Low
Moderate
High
0 – 3: Low | 4 – 6: Moderate | 7 – 10: High
A score of 8 falls in the High range, indicating marked distractibility and reduced ability to maintain attention in observed interactions.
example score
12/15
Avolition (A)
Assesses the severity of abulia, reflecting reduced drive, initiative, and goal-directed activity without prominent depressive affect.
Low
Moderate
High
0 – 5: Low | 6 – 10: Moderate | 11 – 15: High
A score of 12 falls in the High range, indicating marked and persistent reductions in motivation and initiative with likely impact on everyday functioning.
example score
9/20
Alogia (A)
Assesses the severity of reduced speech output and impoverished verbal thought content (alogia) observed during interaction.
Low
Moderate
High
0 – 6: Low | 7 – 13: Moderate | 14 – 20: High
A score of 9 falls in the Moderate range, indicating noticeable but not extreme reductions in speech amount and/or content during observation.
example score
10/35
Affective Flattening (AF)
Assesses reduced emotional expressiveness and responsiveness as observed in behavior and reactions.
Low
Moderate
High
0 – 11: Low | 12 – 23: Moderate | 24 – 35: High
A score of 10 falls in the Low range, suggesting relatively mild observed reduction in emotional expressiveness and responsiveness.
example score
47/125
Total Score (TS)
This scale quantifies the overall severity of negative symptoms such as reduced emotional expression, poverty of speech, low motivation, diminished pleasure, and attention deficits.
Low
Moderate
High
0 – 29: Low | 30 – 60: Moderate | 61 – 125: High
A score of 47 falls in the Moderate range, indicating a noticeable but not extreme overall level of negative symptom severity on the SANS.
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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS
Who Usually Takes This Test?
Psychiatrists in clinical practice
44%OF USERS
They use the scale to quickly rate negative symptoms in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and track changes during treatment.
Clinical psychologists and therapists
33%OF USERS
They complete it during structured observation and interviews to document emotional flattening, apathy, and reduced speech.
Residents and mental health trainees
23%OF USERS
They take it to learn a standardized, quantitative way to recognize and communicate negative symptoms within a care team.
BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.
RESULTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE
What You’ll See After You Finish the Test
Scale Results
— Explained Clearly
Your scores across each test scale, translated into plain, usable insights. Not just numbers, but what they actually mean for your daily life, emotional state, and overall well-being.
AI-Powered
Interpretation
A structured, clinically grounded explanation. Our AI analyzes patterns and relationships between scales to provide a coherent interpretation — without alarmist language.
Statistical
Comparison
See how you compare to others. Your scores are placed in a statistical context, showing percentiles and trends based on anonymized platform data to help you understand what`s typical.
Practical
Recommendations
Actionable guidance tailored to your profile. Receive clear, realistic suggestions you can apply immediately — focused on coping, self-regulation, and realistic next steps.
AI-Detected
Insights
Key patterns you might not notice on your own. Surfacing subtle connections in your responses that help you better understand what may be driving your current results.
Discuss with
an AI Psychologist
Clarify, reflect, and explore right away. Talk through your outcomes, ask questions, and explore meanings in a calm, non-diagnostic dialogue environment.
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Used in 52+ countries
Benchmarking
See How You Compare
Once you finish the test, your results will be compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of the benchmarks we use to place your score in context.
Anhedonia (composite score) (A(s)
Average
2.3
Normal range
1.4 — 3.1
min.
0
max.
5
majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.
Abulia (overall score) (A(s)
Average
3.2
Normal range
2.3 — 4.1
min.
0
max.
5
majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.
Alogia (General Score) (A(S)
Average
2.9
Normal range
2.1 — 3.6
min.
0
max.
5
majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.
Anhedonia (A)
Average
8.5
Normal range
5 — 12.1
min.
0
max.
20
majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.
Affective flattening (composite score) (Af(s)
Average
2
Normal range
1.4 — 2.7
min.
0
max.
5
majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.
Attention Disorders (Composite Score) (AD(S)
Average
2.2
Normal range
1.4 — 3.1
min.
0
max.
5
majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.
Total of aggregated scores (Toas)
Average
12.1
Normal range
7.9 — 16.2
min.
0
max.
25
majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.
Sum of intermediate scores (Sois)
Average
66.5
Normal range
52 — 80.9
min.
0
max.
100
majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.
Attention Disorders (AD)
Average
5.6
Normal range
4.1 — 7.1
min.
0
max.
10
majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.
Abulia (A)
Average
8.9
Normal range
6.4 — 11.4
min.
0
max.
15
majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.
Alogia (A)
Average
10.3
Normal range
7 — 13.6
min.
0
max.
20
majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.
Affective Flattening (AF)
Average
12.7
Normal range
8.2 — 17.3
min.
0
max.
35
majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.
Overall score (Os)
Average
55.1
Normal range
37.4 — 72.8
min.
0
max.
125
majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.
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CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions

Any questions left?

What does this scale measure?
It measures negative symptoms such as reduced emotional expression, limited speech, lack of motivation, reduced pleasure, and reduced social engagement.
Who is the scale intended for?
It is intended for clinical assessment of people with schizophrenia or other severe psychotic disorders when negative symptoms are suspected or need monitoring.
How is the rating completed?
A trained clinician rates items using direct observation and a brief, structured interview focused on observable behavior and reported functioning.
How long does administration take and how many items are included?
Administration typically takes about 5 minutes. The scale includes 25 items.
How are results used in clinical practice?
Scores summarize severity across symptom areas and support baseline characterization and follow-up comparisons over time. Results are interpreted alongside other clinical findings.
WHAT THE TEST MEASURES
About This Assessment

Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) Test

psychopathologyschizophrenia

In clinical evaluation of psychotic-spectrum conditions, negative symptoms may be less apparent than positive symptoms but can substantially affect functioning. The Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) is a clinician-rated measure designed to systematically assess the presence and severity of core negative symptom domains based on interview and behavioral observation. It was developed by Nancy C. Andreasen.

The instrument includes 25 items and typically takes about 5 minutes to complete. Ratings support quantification of symptom severity and can be used to document baseline presentation and to track change over time; the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) is commonly incorporated into broader diagnostic and treatment-monitoring assessments.

Author: Nancy C. Andreasen
Literature: Andreasen, N. C. The Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS): conceptual and theoretical foundations. The British Journal of Psychiatry. Supplement. 1989.; Kirkpatrick, B., Fenton, W. S., Carpenter, W. T., & Marder, S. R. The NIMH-MATRICS consensus statement on negative symptoms. Schizophrenia Bulletin. 2006.
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