Prediabetes Risk Test: The Official Test and What Each Question Means
The official prediabetes risk test takes about a minute and is free. Take it on the CDC or ADA site; below we explain what each question is about so you know why it is asked. It estimates risk. It does not diagnose prediabetes.
Take the official test
CDC prediabetes risk testADA type 2 risk test
These open on cdc.gov and diabetes.org. We neither copy the questionnaire nor see your answers.
What the questions are about
| Question topic | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Age | Risk rises with age; the ADA suggests testing from age 35 for adults without other risk factors. |
| Sex | Used as a population-level risk adjustment. It does not predict you as a person. |
| Gestational diabetes | Having had diabetes during pregnancy raises later risk. See the postpartum screening page. |
| Family history | A parent, brother or sister with diabetes is a risk factor in the ADA screening criteria. |
| High blood pressure | Blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg or higher, or being treated for it, is on the ADA list of risk factors. |
| Physical activity | Being physically inactive is a listed risk factor; activity lowers risk. |
| Weight for height | Higher body weight for your height raises risk. The ADA uses a BMI of 25 or more (23 or more for people of Asian ancestry) as a trigger for testing when there are other risk factors. |
The topics are our summary of the risk factors in ADA Standards of Care 2026, Table 2.5, which the test is built around. The exact wording and scoring are on the official sites.
After the test
- Ask for a blood test if your score is high or you have risk factors. Only a lab test shows prediabetes. The ranges are on the A1C of 5.7 page and the blood sugar chart.
- Look at prevention. The Diabetes Prevention Program is a CDC-recognized yearlong program, and the prediabetes diet page covers eating patterns.
- Re-test on schedule. The ADA says people with prediabetes should be tested yearly, and those with normal results at least every 3 years.
Most people with prediabetes have no symptoms. If you have symptoms such as extreme thirst or frequent urination, see signs of diabetes and ask for testing now.
Frequently asked questions
Is the prediabetes risk test a diagnosis?
No. It is a short paper-style questionnaire that estimates risk from things like age, family history and activity. Only a blood test ordered by a clinician (A1C, fasting glucose or a glucose tolerance test) can show prediabetes or diabetes.
Who made the test?
The prediabetes risk test is a joint public health effort of the CDC with the ADA and AMA. It is published on the CDC site and on the ADA site. We link to both instead of reproducing the questions.
Why do you not show the test here?
We could not confirm that the questionnaire and its scoring may be republished or embedded, so we send you to the official versions instead. They are free and take about a minute.
What do I do with a high score?
Take the result to your clinician and ask about a blood test. The CDC also points people to the National Diabetes Prevention Program, which you can search by ZIP code.
Which blood tests show prediabetes?
The ADA ranges are an A1C of 5.7 to 6.4%, a fasting glucose of 100 to 125 mg/dL, or a 2-hour glucose tolerance value of 140 to 199 mg/dL. See the A1C of 5.7 page.
Information only, not medical advice. Your care team may set different targets for you, and only a lab test ordered by a clinician can diagnose diabetes or prediabetes. See our medical disclaimer.
Sources
- CDC: Prediabetes risk test
- ADA: Type 2 diabetes risk test
- ADA Standards of Care in Diabetes—2026, Section 2: Diagnosis and Classification
- NIDDK: Prediabetes and Insulin Resistance
Last reviewed: by the Diabetes Blogs editorial team. Information only, not medical advice.
