Acute Concussion Evaluation (ACE) Test

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The ACE — the easy name for the Acute Concussion Evaluation — is an innovative assessment tool that can be used for the initial evaluation and diagnosis of people who have a known or suspected concussion or mild TBI.

Click below to download the ACE assessment tool:

Posted on BrainLine November 30, 2017. Reviewed July 26, 2018.

This form is part of the "Heads Up to Health Care Providers" toolkit developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Retrieved Nov, 30, 2017.

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Comments (11)

Please remember, we are not able to give medical or legal advice. If you have medical concerns, please consult your doctor. All posted comments are the views and opinions of the poster only.

Anonymous replied on Wed, 01/04/2017 - 5:27am Permalink

Having been involved in rugby for many years, I believe, and statistics likely back me up, rugby is much safer than football, boxing, or MMA, although head injuries certainly occur. The lateral pass and the tackling somebody at the waist doesn't seem to have near the head contact in my humble opinion that football does and I certainly will allow my children to play it.

Anonymous replied on Fri, 04/01/2016 - 1:47pm Permalink

Concussion is a very serious problem with playing contact sports such as rugby American football etc. contact should be banned from every sport

Bilsky replied on Tue, 08/13/2019 - 9:37am Permalink

Even if that were to happen it doesn't mean they wont do it on their own time.

Anonymous replied on Thu, 03/10/2016 - 7:30am Permalink

Why wouldn't you just use the King-Devick Test in association with Mayo Clinic? Our youth team uses it and it's simple and highly accurate. It's objective and the only test endorsed by Mayo, NYU, BU, etc.

Angela replied on Wed, 07/11/2018 - 4:02pm Permalink

Because it used to be very reasonably priced and now that concussion is in the headlines, they have withdrawn the cheap system and charge and arm and leg for the electronic version (only one available now). Most schools, parents, etc cannot afford it.

Anonymous replied on Sun, 12/07/2014 - 5:40am Permalink

Does a nurse can complete the ACE ?

Anonymous replied on Sun, 07/20/2014 - 11:21am Permalink

Thanks so much for this tool. Helps show the extent of problems an individual with a concussion can have and be easily confused for other diagnosis. So important that we have this information. I will share with my son's physician.

Anonymous replied on Mon, 08/12/2013 - 10:17am Permalink

Regarding the Acute Concussion Evaluation (ACE) Test, how does one distinguish the consequences of mild brain concussion from Inattentive ADHD and Central Auditory Processing Challenge (CAPD)?

Anonymous replied on Thu, 04/11/2013 - 3:47pm Permalink

Thank you for providing this excellent evaluation tool-- I needed something for my physician to utilize for general reference criteria, and this totally filled the need.

Anonymous replied on Sun, 02/17/2013 - 6:04pm Permalink

Thank you so much! A great help to my science fair project, the only free concussion test that I could find and based on my research, covers everything.

Anonymous replied on Wed, 06/23/2010 - 4:47pm Permalink

Thanks for making this tool available - just what I was looking for.