Novaco Anger Scale (NAS) Test

See how quickly irritation turns to anger and how it shows up in just 5 minutes. A brief 25 item check-in that clarifies triggers and tracks change over time for counseling or stress support.

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Questions: 255 minutes

08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

30,721 view

3,910 completions

3,166 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

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How the Scales are Structured

example score

63/100

Novaco Anger Scale (NAS)

Measures how prone a person is to angry reactions and irritability in response to provoking situations.

Low

Moderate

High

0 – 55: Low | 56 – 75: Moderate | 76 – 100: High

A score of 63 falls in the Moderate range, suggesting a noticeable tendency toward anger and irritability in provocative situations that is still within a mid-level intensity.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Quick to get irritated

41%OF USERS

People who feel they snap easily use it to understand what sets them off and how their anger shows up in daily situations.

In therapy or coaching

34%OF USERS

Clients working on emotional regulation take it to track triggers and monitor changes in anger during treatment or skills training.

High-stress environments

25%OF USERS

People dealing with intense work, family conflict, or major life stressors use it to see whether pressure is increasing irritability and aggression.

BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.

Benchmarking

See How You Compare

Once you complete the test, your results are compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.

Novaco Anger Scale (NAS)

Average

39.4

Normal range

22.2 — 56.6

min.

max.

100

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

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SAMPLE QUESTIONS

Example Questions From the Test

Read the list of clearly conflict-provoking situations described below. After each item, rate the level of anger it would evoke using a 5-point scale from 0 to 4: 0 = mild irritation, 1 = somewhat stronger irritation, 2 = upset, 3 = considerable anger, 4 = intense anger. Rate each item as shown in the example: You are driving to meet a friend at the airport and are forced to wait while a long freight train passes. Response: 2. A person who gives this response would feel upset, but the feeling would pass once the train has gone by.

- mild irritation
- somewhat stronger irritation
- upset
- considerable anger
- intense anger
- mild irritation
- somewhat stronger irritation
- upset
- considerable anger
- intense anger
- mild irritation
- somewhat stronger irritation
- upset
- considerable anger
- intense anger

These are 3 of the 25 real questions — the rest appear in the test. No sign-up needed to start.

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WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Novaco Anger Scale (NAS) Test - Symptoms and Signs

anger

hostility

This self-report measure is designed to evaluate typical anger responses and irritability across a range of provoking situations. The Novaco Anger Scale (NAS) can support clinical formulation by characterizing how an individual tends to experience and express anger in response to perceived stressors.

The instrument consists of 25 items and typically requires about 5 minutes to complete. Results are commonly used to inform discussion of anger-related triggers and patterns, guide treatment planning, and monitor change over time; the Novaco Anger Scale (NAS) should be interpreted in the context of clinical interview and other relevant assessment data.

Author: Raymond W. Novaco

Literature: Beck, A. T. Cognitive therapy and the emotional disorders. International Universities Press. 1976.; Novaco, R. W. Dimensions of anger reactions. University of California. 1975.