Scoring for POMS

POMS is a standard validated psychological test formulated by McNair et al. (1971)^[1]. The test requires you to indicate how you have felt about each word or information in the past week, including today. The questionnaire contains 65 words/statements that describe the feelings people have.

Each adjective in the POMS questionnaire is awarded the following score:

0 - Not at all
1 - A little
2 - Moderately
3 - Quite a Lot
4 - Extremely

Except "Relaxed" and "Efficient", and they score the reverse:

4 - Not at all
3 - A little
2 - Moderately
1 - Quite a Lot
0 - Extremely

Total Mood Disturbance

A Total Mood Disturbance (TMD) can be calculated by adding Tension, Depression, Anger, Fatigue and Confusion scores and then subtracting the Vigour score.

TMD = (Tension + Depression + Anger + Fatigue + Confusion) - Vigour

Scores

The total score for "Tension" is determined by adding the scores for:

Tense, Shaky, On Edge, Panicky, Relaxed, Uneasy, Restless, Nervous and Anxious

The total score for "Depression" is determined by adding the scores for:

Unhappy, Sorry for Things Done, Sad, Blue, Hopeless, Unworthy, Discouraged, Lonely, Miserable, Gloomy, Desperate, Helpless, Worthless, Terrified and Guilty

The total score for "Anger" is determined by adding the scores for:

Anger, Peeved, Grouchy, Spiteful, Annoyed, Resentful, Bitter, Ready to Fight, Rebellious, Deceived, Furious and Bad Tempered

The total score for "Fatigue" is determined by adding the scores for:

Worn Out, Listless, Fatigued, Exhausted, Sluggish, Weary and Bushed

The total score for "Confusion" is determined by adding the scores for:

Confused, Unable to Concentrate, Muddled, Bewildered, Efficient, Forgetful, and Uncertain About Things

The total score for "Vigour" is determined by adding the scores for:

Lively, Active, Energetic, Cheerful, Alert, Full of Pep, Carefree and Vigorous

Dummy Items

The following adjectives are not used in the scoring:

Friendly, Clear Headed, Considerate, Sympathetic, Helpful, Good Natured and Trusting

References

McNAIR et al. (1971) Manual for the Profile of Mood States. San Diego, CA: Educational and Industrial Testing Service.

Page Reference

If you quote information from this page in your work, then the reference for this page is:

MACKENZIE, B. (2001) Scoring for POMS [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/pomscoring.htm [Accessed 29/7/2025]

Cookies

This website uses cookies placed by third-party services that appear on our pages. Cookies are used for ads personalisation. You consent to these cookies if you continue to use this website. The site does use Google ads and Google have published information about Google’s use of information.


topics A-Z Page Index Article Library Coaching General Young Athletes Literature Reviews Coaching Conditioning Endurance Ergogenic Aids Evaluation Injury Prevention Nutrition Physiology Planning Psychology Skill Development Speed Strength Female Athletes Master Athletes Young Athletes Sports Specific Basketball Bodybuilding Boxing Cycling Golf Rowing Rugby Soccer Squash Swimming Tennis Triathlon USA Football Training Conditioning Endurance Ergogenic Aids Evaluation Injury Prevention Nutrition Physiology Planning Psychology Skill Development Speed Strength Anatomy & Physiology Articles Biomechanics Body Systems Cardiovascular Digestive Endocrine Muscular Neurological Respiratory Skeletal Body Type Energy Systems Maximum Heart Rate Movement Analysis Coaching Articles Assessment Communication Ethics Group Dynamics Methods Philosophy Process Principles Responsibilities Styles Skills & Roles Young Athletes Fitness Development Articles Agility Conditioning Core Stability Endurance Flexibility Skill Speed Strength Training Principles VO2max Fitness Testing Articles Blood Pressure Evaluation Tests Ideal Weight Nutrition Articles Basal Metabolic Rate Eating & Competing Eating Disorders Glycemic Index Healthy Eating Minerals Vitamins Planning Articles Athlete Profiling Creating a Plan LTAD Tapering Warm Up & Cool Down Programs Aqua Training Circuit Training CNS Training Complex Training Fartlek Training Heart Rate Training Hill Training Medicine Ball Training Personal Exercise Plan Plyometric Training Track & Field Training Weight Training Psychology Articles Competitive Anxiety Mental Imagery Relaxation Techniques SCAT Sports Psychology Stress Management TEOSQ Sports American Football Basketball Boxing Cross Country Cycling Fell Running Golf Rowing Rugby Soccer Squash Swimming Tennis Triathlon Ultimate Frisbee Sport Development Funding in Sport History of Sport Olympic Games Sport Structure Sports Injury Articles ACL Cramp Cryotherapy Dehydration Hot & Cold Baths Injury Prevention Muscle Imbalance Over Training Shin Soreness Stitch Sports Merchandise Books & DVD's Clothing & Shoes Training Aids Magazines Track & Field Combined Events Decathlon Heptathlon Hexathlon Octathlon Pentathlon Jumps High Jump Long Jump Pole Vault Triple Jump Running Hurdles Long Distance Middle Distance Sprints Steeplechase Throws Discus Hammer Javelin Shot Putt Track & Field Safety Training Aids Articles Ergogenic Aids Massage Sports Drinks Supplements Website Blog Website Updates Website Information Awards Disclaimer & Copyright Help - where do I find Link Exchange Policy Visitors Comments Visitor Feedback Visitor Statistics Web Master Web Links Coaches Corner Useful Links	Scoring for POMS POMS is a standard validated psychological test formulated by McNair et al. (1971)^[1]. The test requires you to indicate how you have felt about each word or information in the past week, including today. The questionnaire contains 65 words/statements that describe the feelings people have. Each adjective in the POMS questionnaire is awarded the following score: 0 - Not at all 1 - A little 2 - Moderately 3 - Quite a Lot 4 - Extremely Except "Relaxed" and "Efficient", and they score the reverse: 4 - Not at all 3 - A little 2 - Moderately 1 - Quite a Lot 0 - Extremely Total Mood Disturbance A Total Mood Disturbance (TMD) can be calculated by adding Tension, Depression, Anger, Fatigue and Confusion scores and then subtracting the Vigour score. TMD = (Tension + Depression + Anger + Fatigue + Confusion) - Vigour Scores The total score for "Tension" is determined by adding the scores for: Tense, Shaky, On Edge, Panicky, Relaxed, Uneasy, Restless, Nervous and Anxious The total score for "Depression" is determined by adding the scores for: Unhappy, Sorry for Things Done, Sad, Blue, Hopeless, Unworthy, Discouraged, Lonely, Miserable, Gloomy, Desperate, Helpless, Worthless, Terrified and Guilty The total score for "Anger" is determined by adding the scores for: Anger, Peeved, Grouchy, Spiteful, Annoyed, Resentful, Bitter, Ready to Fight, Rebellious, Deceived, Furious and Bad Tempered The total score for "Fatigue" is determined by adding the scores for: Worn Out, Listless, Fatigued, Exhausted, Sluggish, Weary and Bushed The total score for "Confusion" is determined by adding the scores for: Confused, Unable to Concentrate, Muddled, Bewildered, Efficient, Forgetful, and Uncertain About Things The total score for "Vigour" is determined by adding the scores for: Lively, Active, Energetic, Cheerful, Alert, Full of Pep, Carefree and Vigorous Dummy Items The following adjectives are not used in the scoring: Friendly, Clear Headed, Considerate, Sympathetic, Helpful, Good Natured and Trusting References McNAIR et al. (1971) Manual for the Profile of Mood States. San Diego, CA: Educational and Industrial Testing Service. Page Reference If you quote information from this page in your work, then the reference for this page is: MACKENZIE, B. (2001) Scoring for POMS [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/pomscoring.htm [Accessed 29/7/2025] Cookies This website uses cookies placed by third-party services that appear on our pages. Cookies are used for ads personalisation. You consent to these cookies if you continue to use this website. The site does use Google ads and Google have published information about Google’s use of information.