The How Are You? Quiz explained
The How Are You? Quiz is a health and wellbeing quiz. It suggests apps and resources, based on your answers, to help you live a healthier life.
On this page, we explain how we calculate your overall score and how the different sections of the quiz are scored.
The result
Your result has an overall score out of 10. We also tell you how you're doing in each lifestyle area.
It's important to remember that this quiz does not provide a medical diagnosis, it assesses your lifestyle and suggests ways to improve.
How we calculate your overall score
You will score a 0, 1 or 2 for each lifestyle section of the quiz. These scores are used in a calculation to get your overall score.
- 0 is the lowest score, it means you should focus on making changes in this area.
- 1 means you should make some improvements.
- 2 means you don't need to make any changes.
Although we ask general questions about you and your motivations, they do not count to your overall score.
Score calculation
If you score a 0 in alcohol or smoke tobacco products, your overall score will be limited to a 3. This is because smoking and drinking alcohol in this way can seriously impact your health.
To calculate your score, we:
- Add your section scores together
- Divide the total by 12 (to create a percentage)
- Multiply the divided total by 10
or
multiply the divided total by 3 if you smoke tobacco products, or score a 0 in the alcohol section - Round up your score to the nearest whole number
How sections are scored
Eating
This section is based on the Eat Well Guide. The more healthy foods you eat, the higher your overall score will be.
Read more about the Eat Well Guide on NHS.UK.
Alcohol
Alcohol is based on the government guidelines for safe drinking. The framework is based on how much alcohol you drink on a regular basis, and how often you exceed the recommended limit.
The less you drink, the higher your overall score will be.
Movement
This section is based on the government guidelines to do 150 minutes of exercise a week.
The more physical activity you do or the more active your job is, the higher your overall score will be.
Smoking and vaping
If you do not smoke or vape, you will receive a higher overall score. If you vape, you will receive a lower score.
If you smoke tobacco products, your overall score will be limited to a maximum of 3.
Mental health
If you rarely, or never feel stressed, anxious or low, your overall score will be higher.
This section is based on the Mind Plan on the Every Mind Matters website.
Sleep
If you sleep well or have the odd bad night, your overall score will be higher.
Section labels
You won't see a numbered score for each section. Instead, you receive a label for all categories except for mental health.
Focus on this
This means you are not meeting the government guidelines and you should make changes here first. This will have a big impact on your health and increase your score.
Try to improve
Try to improve means you're meeting some of the government guidance. By focusing on these changes, you'll be improving your score and building on some healthy habits you already have.
Great job
Great job means you're meeting most of the government guidance. We provide advice for things you could do to excel in this area, but it won't improve your score. Keep doing what you're doing!
Mental health
We do not assign a label to mental health but it is included in your overall score. There is no right or wrong way to look after your mental health so we haven't assigned a label to it.
If you're struggling with your mental health, the Every Mind Matters website provides advice and ways to help you cope.
Limitations of the quiz
The quiz is intended to be a quick way to assess your lifestyle and provide ways you can improve it. It does not give you a medical diagnosis.
Non-urgent advice: If you're worried about your health:
- contact your GP, or find a GP if you are not registered
- call 111 or visit 111 online if you think you need help right now