NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) Answer Key – All Test Groups A through F (Patients 1-6) with Total Scores, Severity Classification, and Detailed Descriptors | Updated Spring 2026

NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) Answer Key – All Test
Groups A through F (Patients 1-6) with Total
Scores, Severity Classification, and Detailed
Descriptors | Updated Spring 2026

Scoring Key for Severity Classification
0 = Normal / No deficit
1–4 = Minor deficit
5–15 = Moderate deficit
16–20 = Moderate to severe deficit
21–42 = Severe deficit



GROUP A – Patients 1 through 6
Patient 1
1a: 0 – Alert
1b: 0 – Answers both correctly
1c: 0 – Performs both tasks correctly
2: 0 – Normal gaze
3: 0 – No visual loss
4: 1 – Minor paralysis
5a: 3 – Some effort against gravity; limb cannot get to or maintain position (left arm)
5b: 0 – No drift (right arm)
6a: 1 – Drift, does not hit bed (left leg)
6b: 0 – No drift (right leg)
7: 1 – Ataxia present in one limb
8: 2 – Severe or total sensory loss
9: 0 – No aphasia
10: 0 – Normal articulation
11: 1 – Inattention to one sensory modality
Total Score: 9 – Moderate deficit




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,Patient 2
1a: 0 – Alert
1b: 2 – Answers neither correctly (aphasic or stuporous)
1c: 0 – Performs both tasks correctly
2: 0 – Normal gaze
3: 0 – No visual loss
4: 1 – Minor paralysis
5a: 0 – No drift (left arm)
5b: 0 – No drift (right arm)
6a: 0 – No drift (left leg)
6b: 0 – No drift (right leg)
7: 0 – No ataxia
8: 1 – Mild to moderate sensory loss
9: 2 – Severe aphasia
10: 1 – Mild to moderate dysarthria
11: 0 – No inattention
Total Score: 7 – Moderate deficit




Patient 3
1a: 0 – Alert
1b: 0 – Answers both correctly
1c: 0 – Performs both tasks correctly
2: 0 – Normal gaze
3: 0 – No visual loss
4: 1 – Minor paralysis
5a: 0 – No drift (left arm)
5b: 0 – No drift (right arm)
6a: 2 – Drifts to hit bed (left leg)
6b: 2 – Drifts to hit bed (right leg)
7: 0 – No ataxia
8: 1 – Mild to moderate sensory loss
9: 0 – No aphasia
10: 1 – Mild to moderate dysarthria
11: 0 – No inattention
Total Score: 7 – Moderate deficit




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, Patient 4
1a: 0 – Alert
1b: 0 – Answers both correctly
1c: 0 – Performs both tasks correctly
2: 0 – Normal gaze
3: 0 – No visual loss
4: 1 – Minor paralysis
5a: 0 – No drift (left arm)
5b: 0 – No drift (right arm)
6a: 0 – No drift (left leg)
6b: 0 – No drift (right leg)
7: 0 – No ataxia
8: 1 – Mild to moderate sensory loss
9: 0 – No aphasia
10: 0 – Normal articulation
11: 0 – No inattention
Total Score: 2 – Minor deficit




Patient 5
1a: 0 – Alert
1b: 1 – Answers one correctly
1c: 0 – Performs both tasks correctly
2: 0 – Normal gaze
3: 2 – Complete hemianopia
4: 2 – Complete or near-complete paralysis of lower face
5a: 4 – No movement (left arm)
5b: 0 – No drift (right arm)
6a: 1 – Drift, does not hit bed (left leg)
6b: 0 – No drift (right leg)
7: 1 – Ataxia present in one limb
8: 1 – Mild to moderate sensory loss
9: 1 – Mild to moderate aphasia
10: 0 – Normal articulation
11: 1 – Inattention to one sensory modality
Total Score: 14 – Moderate deficit




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