INTRODUCTION. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neuro-behavioral problem in childhood, with a prevalence of 15.8% in Colombia. Diagnosis requires a good history and implementation of several tests. It is essential to know the diagnostic utility of these tests in the diagnostic process. OBJETIVE. Evaluate the diagnostic utility of DSM IV-ADHD screening questionnaire in school population. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Representative, random, multistage sample, proportional to the size of the groups of school children between 4 and 17 years old. Measurement in 2 stages: first the implementation of the screening form as the DSM IV criteria; and then structured interview, Conners and intelligence tests, for those who were positive and in a negative subjects sample. Statistical analysis was performed using Epid version 3.0. RESULTS. Sensitivity values were poor when the questionnaire was filled out by parents and teachers. The specificity and PPV of the questionnaire in the hands of the parents showed values of 93.6% and 87.8% respectively. The positive LR was 8.9 when the screening was conducted on parents, compared with 1.5 when teachers responded. CONCLUTIONS. Further studies are needed to illustrate utility of DSM IV-ADHD screening questionnaire in different settings, particularly in screening studies of high-prevalence populations, for a disorder which affects school succes.