The clinimetric criteria which any stroke scale must possess include specificity and prognostic value, reliability, validity and sensitivity. The definition of each of these criteria is discussed. A final requirement is that the scale should be easy to use. A number of stroke scales are described and their ability to meet the above criteria are discussed. Included are the Mathew and Toronto Stroke Scales, the MCA Neurological Scale, the Scandinavian, Hemispheric, Copenhagen and the NIH Stroke Scales. All of these scales have certain deficiencies in meeting the clinimetric criteria. In an attempt to overcome these problems, the European Stroke Scale has been devised for use in middle cerebral artery stroke trials.