SCAT2

Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 2

Symptom Evaluation

Name

How do you feel?

You should score yourself on the following symptoms, based on how
you feel now.

Sport/team

none

Date/time of injury

Date/time of assessment

Age

Gender

M n

Years of education completed

Examiner

What is the SCAT2?1

This tool represents a standardized method of evaluating
injured athletes for concussion and can be used in athletes
aged from 10 years and older. It supersedes the original SCAT
published in 20052. This tool also enables the calculation of the
Standardized Assessment of Concussion (SAC)3,4 score and the
Maddocks questions5 for sideline concussion assessment.

Instructions for using the SCAT2

The SCAT2 is designed for the use of medical and health
professionals. Preseason baseline testing with the SCAT2 can
be helpful for interpreting post-injury test scores. Words in
Italics throughout the SCAT2 are the instructions given to the
athlete by the tester.
This tool may be freely copied for distribtion to individuals,
teams, groups and organizations.

What is a concussion?
A concussion is a disturbance in brain function caused by a
direct or indirect force to the head. It results in a variety of nonspecific symptoms (like those listed below) and often does not
involve loss of consciousness. Concussion should be suspected
in the presence of any one or more of the following:
Symptoms (such as headache), or
Physical signs (such as unsteadiness), or
Impaired brain function (e.g. confusion) or
Abnormal behaviour.
Any athlete with a suspected concussion should be
REMOVED FROM PLAY, medically assessed, monitored for
deterioration (i.e., should not be left alone) and should
not drive a motor vehicle.

mild

moderate

severe

Headache

Pressure in head

Neck Pain

Nausea or vomiting

Dizziness

Blurred vision

Balance problems

Sensitivity to light

Sensitivity to noise

Feeling slowed down

Feeling like in a fog

Dont feel right

Difficulty concentrating

Difficulty remembering

Fatigue or low energy

Confusion

Drowsiness

Trouble falling asleep (if applicable)

More emotional

Irritability

Sadness

Nervous or Anxious

Total number of symptoms (Maximum possible 22)

Symptom severity score
(Add all scores in table, maximum possible: 22 x 6 = 132)

Do the symptoms get worse with physical activity?

Do the symptoms get worse with mental activity?

Y
Y

N
N

Overall rating
If you know the athlete well prior to the injury, how different is the
athlete acting compared to his / her usual self? Please circle one response.
no different

SCAT2 Sport Concussion Assesment Tool 2 | Page 1

very different

unsure

Cognitive & Physical Evaluation

1

Symptom score (from page 1)

22 minus number of symptoms

of 22

Cognitive assessment
Standardized Assessment of Concussion (SAC)
Orientation (1 point for each correct answer)

Physical signs score

Was there loss of consciousness or unresponsiveness?
If yes, how long?
minutes
Was there a balance problem/unsteadiness?

of 2

Physical signs score (1 point for each negative response)

Glasgow coma scale (GCS)

Best eye response (E)
No eye opening
Eye opening in response to pain
Eye opening to speech
Eyes opening spontaneously

1
2
3
4

Best verbal response (V)

No verbal response
Incomprehensible sounds
Inappropriate words
Confused
Oriented

1
2
3
4
5

Best motor response (M)

No motor response
Extension to pain
Abnormal flexion to pain
Flexion/Withdrawal to pain
Localizes to pain
Obeys commands

1
2
3
4
5
6

Glasgow Coma score (E + V + M)

of 5

Trials 2 & 3:
I am going to repeat the same list again. Repeat back as many
words as you can remember in any order, even if you said the
word before.
Complete all 3 trials regardless of score on trial 1 & 2. Read the words at a rate
of one per second. Score 1 pt. for each correct response. Total score equals sum
across all 3 trials. Do not inform the athlete that delayed recall will be tested.
List

elbow
apple
carpet
saddle
bubble
Total

of 15

Maddocks score

1
1
1
1
1
of 5

Maddocks score is validated for sideline diagnosis of concussion only and is not
included in SCAT 2 summary score for serial testing.

This tool has been developed by a group of international experts at the 3rd
International Consensus meeting on Concussion in Sport held in Zurich,
Switzerland in November 2008. The full details of the conference outcomes
and the authors of the tool are published in British Journal of Sports
Medicine, 2009, volume 43, supplement 1.
The outcome paper will also be simultaneously co-published in the May
2009 issues of Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine, Physical Medicine &
Rehabilitation, Journal of Athletic Training, Journal of Clinical Neuroscience,
Journal of Science & Medicine in Sport, Neurosurgery, Scandinavian Journal
of Science & Medicine in Sport and the Journal of Clinical Sports Medicine.

1 

 cCrory P et al. Summary and agreement statement of the 2 International

M
Conference on Concussion in Sport, Prague 2004. British Journal of Sports
Medicine. 2005; 39: 196-204
nd

Trial 3

0
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0
0

1
1
1
1
1

1
1
1
1
1

1
1
1
1
1

Alternative word list

candle
paper
sugar
sandwich
wagon

baby
finger
monkey penny
perfume blanket
sunset lemon
iron
insect
of 15

Concentration
Digits Backward:
I am going to read you a string of numbers and when I am done,
you repeat them back to me backwards, in reverse order of how I
read them to you. For example, if I say 7-1-9, you would say 9-1-7.

Modified Maddocks questions (1 point for each correct answer)

0
0
0
0
0

Trial 2

If correct, go to next string length. If incorrect, read trial 2. One point possible for
each string length. Stop after incorrect on both trials. The digits should be read at
the rate of one per second.

I am going to ask you a few questions, please listen carefully

and give your best effort.

At what venue are we at today?

Which half is it now?
Who scored last in this match?
What team did you play last week/game?
Did your team win the last game?

Trial 1

Immediate memory score

Sideline Assessment Maddocks Score

Orientation score

1
1
1
1
1

Immediate memory
I am going to test your memory. I will read you a list of words
and when I am done, repeat back as many words as you can
remember, in any order.

GCS should be recorded for all athletes in case of subsequent deterioration.

0
0
0
0
0

What month is it?

What is the date today?
What is the day of the week?
What year is it?
What time is it right now? (within 1 hour)

Alternative digit lists

4-9-3
3-8-1-4
6-2-9-7-1
7-1-8-4-6-2

0
0
0
0

1
1
1
1

6-2-9
3-2-7-9
1-5-2-8-6
5-3-9-1-4-8

5-2-6
1-7-9-5
3-8-5-2-7
8-3-1-9-6-4

4-1-5
4-9-6-8
6-1-8-4-3
7-2-4-8-5-6

Months in Reverse Order:

Now tell me the months of the year in reverse order. Start
with the last month and go backward. So youll say December,
November ... Go ahead
1 pt. for entire sequence correct

Dec-Nov-Oct-Sept-Aug-Jul-Jun-May-Apr-Mar-Feb-Jan
Concentration score

1
of 5

 cCrea M. Standardized mental status testing of acute concussion. Clinical

M
Journal of Sports Medicine. 2001; 11: 176-181

 cCrea M, Randolph C, Kelly J. Standardized Assessment of Concussion:

M
Manual for administration, scoring and interpretation. Waukesha,
Wisconsin, USA.

 addocks, DL; Dicker, GD; Saling, MM. The assessment of orientation

M
following concussion in athletes. Clin J Sport Med. 1995;5(1):323

 uskiewicz KM. Assessment of postural stability following sport-related

G
concussion. Current Sports Medicine Reports. 2003; 2: 24-30

SCAT2 Sport Concussion Assesment Tool 2 | Page 2

Balance examination
This balance testing is based on a modified version of the Balance Error Scoring
System (BESS)6. A stopwatch or watch with a second hand is required for this
testing.

Coordination examination
Upper limb coordination
Finger-to-nose (FTN) task: I am going to test your coordination
now. Please sit comfortably on the chair with your eyes open
and your arm (either right or left) outstretched (shoulder flexed
to 90 degrees and elbow and fingers extended). When I give a
start signal, I would like you to perform five successive finger to
nose repetitions using your index finger to touch the tip of the
nose as quickly and as accurately as possible.

Balance testing
I am now going to test your balance. Please take your shoes
off, roll up your pant legs above ankle (if applicable), and
remove any ankle taping (if applicable). This test will consist
of three twenty second tests with different stances.
(a) Double leg stance:
The first stance is standing with your feet together with your
hands on your hips and with your eyes closed. You should try
to maintain stability in that position for 20 seconds. I will be
counting the number of times you move out of this position. I
will start timing when you are set and have closed your eyes.

Which arm was tested:

(b) Single leg stance:

If you were to kick a ball, which foot would you use? [This
will be the dominant foot] Now stand on your non-dominant
foot. The dominant leg should be held in approximately 30
degrees of hip flexion and 45 degrees of knee flexion. Again,
you should try to maintain stability for 20 seconds with your
hands on your hips and your eyes closed. I will be counting
the number of times you move out of this position. If you
stumble out of this position, open your eyes and return to
the start position and continue balancing. I will start timing
when you are set and have closed your eyes.

Coordination score

(c) Tandem stance:

Now stand heel-to-toe with your non-dominant foot in
back. Your weight should be evenly distributed across both
feet. Again, you should try to maintain stability for 20 seconds
with your hands on your hips and your eyes closed. I will be
counting the number of times you move out of this position.
If you stumble out of this position, open your eyes and return
to the start position and continue balancing. I will start timing
when you are set and have closed your eyes.
Balance testing types of errors
1. Hands lifted off iliac crest
2. Opening eyes
3. Step, stumble, or fall
4. Moving hip into > 30 degrees abduction
5. Lifting forefoot or heel
6. Remaining out of test position > 5 sec

Scoring:

Left

Right

5 correct repetitions in < 4 seconds = 1

Note for testers: Athletes fail the test if they do not touch their nose, do not fully
extend their elbow or do not perform five repetitions. Failure
should be scored as 0.

of 1

Cognitive assessment
Standardized Assessment of Concussion (SAC)
Delayed recall
Do you remember that list of words I read a few times earlier?
Tell me as many words from the list as you can remember in any
order.
Circle each word correctly recalled. Total score equals number of words recalled.
List

elbow
apple
carpet
saddle
bubble

Alternative word list

candle
paper
sugar
sandwich
wagon

Delayed recall score

baby
monkey
perfume
sunset
iron

finger
penny
blanket
lemon
insect

of 5

Overall score
Test domain

Each of the 20-second trials is scored by counting the errors, or

deviations from the proper stance, accumulated by the athlete. The
examiner will begin counting errors only after the individual has
assumed the proper start position. The modified BESS is calculated
by adding one error point for each error during the three
20-second tests. The maximum total number of errors for
any single condition is 10. If a athlete commits multiple errors
simultaneously, only one error is recorded but the athlete should
quickly return to the testing position, and counting should resume
once subject is set. Subjects that are unable to maintain the testing
procedure for a minimum of five seconds at the start are assigned
the highest possible score, ten, for that testing condition.
Which foot was tested:
Left
Right
(i.e. which is the non-dominant foot)

Condition

Total errors

Double Leg Stance (feet together)

Single leg stance (non-dominant foot)
Tandem stance (non-dominant foot at back)

of 10
of 10
of 10

Balance examination score (30 minus total errors)

of 30

Score

Symptom score
Physical signs score
Glasgow Coma score (E + V + M)
Balance examination score
Coordination score
Subtotal

of 22
of 2
of 15
of 30
of 1
of 70

Orientation score
Immediate memory score
Concentration score
Delayed recall score
SAC subtotal

of 5
of 5
of 15
of 5
of 30

SCAT2 total

of 100

Maddocks Score

of 5

Definitive normative data for a SCAT2 cut-off score is not

available at this time and will be developed in prospective studies.
Embedded within the SCAT2 is the SAC score that can be utilized
separately in concussion management. The scoring system also takes
on particular clinical significance during serial assessment where
it can be used to document either a decline or an improvement in
neurological functioning.

Scoring data from the SCAT2 or SAC should not be

used as a stand alone method to diagnose concussion,
measure recovery or make decisions about an athletes
readiness to return to competition after concussion.

SCAT2 Sport Concussion Assesment Tool 2 | Page 3

Athlete Information
Any athlete suspected of having a concussion should be removed from play, and then seek medical evaluation.

Signs to watch for

Return to play

Problems could arise over the first 24-48 hours. You should not be left
alone and must go to a hospital at once if you:
Have a headache that gets worse
Are very drowsy or cant be awakened (woken up)
Cant recognize people or places
Have repeated vomiting
Behave unusually or seem confused; are very irritable
Have seizures (arms and legs jerk uncontrollably)
Have weak or numb arms or legs
Are unsteady on your feet; have slurred speech

Athletes should not be returned to play the same day of injury.

When returning athletes to play, they should follow a stepwise
symptom-limited program, with stages of progression. For example:
1. rest until asymptomatic (physical and mental rest)
2. light aerobic exercise (e.g. stationary cycle)
3. sport-specific exercise
4. non-contact training drills (start light resistance training)
5. full contact training after medical clearance
6. return to competition (game play)
There should be approximately 24 hours (or longer) for each stage
and the athlete should return to stage 1 if symptoms recur. Resistance
training should only be added in the later stages.
Medical clearance should be given before return to play.

Remember, it is better to be safe.

Consult your doctor after a suspected concussion.

Tool

Test domain

Time

Score

Date tested

Days post injury

Symptom score

Physical signs score

Glasgow Coma score (E + V + M)

SCAT2
Balance examination score

Coordination score
Orientation score

Immediate memory score

SAC
Concentration score

Delayed recall score

SAC Score
Total

SCAT2

Symptom severity score (max possible 132)

Return to play

n Y

n N

n Y

n N

n Y

n N

n Y

n N

Additional comments

Concussion injury advice

(To be given to concussed athlete)

This patient has received an injury to the head. A careful

medical examination has been carried out and no sign of
any serious complications has been found. It is expected
that recovery will be rapid, but the patient will need
monitoring for a further period by a responsible adult. Your
treating physician will provide guidance as to this timeframe.
If you notice any change in behaviour, vomiting,
dizziness, worsening headache, double vision or
excessive drowsiness, please telephone the clinic
or the nearest hospital emergency department
immediately.

Patients name
Date/time of injury
Date/time of medical review
Treating physician

Other important points:

Rest and avoid strenuous activity for at least 24 hours

No alcohol
No sleeping tablets
Use paracetamol or codeine for headache. Do not use
aspirin or anti-inflammatory medication
Do not drive until medically cleared
Do not train or play sport until medically cleared

Clinic phone number

SCAT2 Sport Concussion Assesment Tool 2 | Page 4

Contact details or stamp