What is the normal Glasgow Coma Scale score range?

• A. 3 to 15
• B. 8 to 16
• C. 0 to 10
• D. 5 to 18

Answer: (A)

The Glasgow Coma Scale sums three components—eye opening, verbal response, and motor response—each with its own range (eye 1–4, verbal 1–5, motor 1–6). When you add these together, the lowest possible total is 3 (no eye opening, no verbal, no motor response) and the highest possible total is 15 (eyes opening spontaneously, oriented verbal response, and purposeful motor movement). A score of 15 is considered a normal level of consciousness. So the range of possible Glasgow Coma Scale scores is from 3 to 15; ranges that go below 3 or above 15 aren’t valid.