30
/30
—
30
/30
—
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a rapid screening instrument designed to detect mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early-stage dementia. Developed by Dr. Ziad Nasreddine and colleagues in Montreal, Canada in 2005, the MoCA was specifically created to address the limitations of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), which has poor sensitivity for detecting mild cognitive impairment. The MoCA has since become one of the most widely used cognitive screening tools in clinical neurology, geriatric medicine, and primary care worldwide.
The MoCA evaluates multiple cognitive domains in approximately 10 minutes: visuospatial/executive function (trail making, cube copy, clock drawing — 5 points), naming (identification of 3 animals — 3 points), attention (digit span forward and backward, letter tapping task, serial 7 subtraction — 6 points), language (sentence repetition and verbal fluency — 3 points), abstraction (similarities between word pairs — 2 points), delayed recall (recall of 5 words after a delay — 5 points), and orientation (date, month, year, day, place, city — 6 points). The total score ranges from 0 to 30, with an additional point added for individuals with 12 or fewer years of education to adjust for educational bias.
A score of 26 or above is generally considered normal cognitive function. Scores of 18–25 suggest mild cognitive impairment, while scores below 18 may indicate moderate-to-severe cognitive impairment. The MoCA has demonstrated significantly higher sensitivity for MCI (90%) compared to the MMSE (18%) in the original validation study, making it the preferred screening tool when early cognitive decline is suspected.
This calculator tallies MoCA subscores by cognitive domain and provides the total score with clinical interpretation, supporting standardized cognitive screening in clinical practice. Note that proper administration requires the official MoCA test form and adherence to standardized testing procedures.
The MoCA assesses seven cognitive domains:
Total: 30 points maximum. Add 1 point if education ≤ 12 years (maximum total remains 30). Normal: ≥ 26; MCI: 18–25; Moderate-severe impairment: < 18.
A MoCA score of 26–30 indicates normal cognitive function. Scores of 18–25 suggest mild cognitive impairment, warranting further neuropsychological evaluation and monitoring. Scores below 18 suggest moderate-to-severe cognitive impairment consistent with possible dementia. Specific domain scores can help identify the pattern of cognitive deficit (e.g., isolated memory impairment suggesting amnestic MCI vs. multi-domain deficits).
Inputs
Results
MoCA 29/30 — normal cognitive function across all domains.
Inputs
Results
MoCA 20/30 — impairments in memory, visuospatial, and language suggest MCI. Further evaluation recommended.
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment is a 30-point screening test for mild cognitive impairment that evaluates visuospatial/executive function, naming, attention, language, abstraction, delayed recall, and orientation in approximately 10 minutes.
Scores below 26 suggest possible cognitive impairment. Scores of 18–25 indicate mild cognitive impairment. Scores below 18 suggest moderate-to-severe impairment. The education adjustment (+1 point for ≤12 years education) should be applied.
The MoCA is more sensitive for detecting mild cognitive impairment (90% sensitivity vs. 18% for MMSE), includes executive function and visuospatial testing, and is more challenging for high-functioning individuals.
The MoCA is recommended for patients with subjective memory complaints, risk factors for dementia, or clinical suspicion of cognitive decline. It is commonly used in memory clinics, neurology, geriatrics, and primary care.
Yes. The MoCA is copyrighted by Dr. Nasreddine and requires certification for use. The official test forms and training are available at mocatest.org. Unauthorized use of the MoCA is prohibited.
No. The MoCA is a screening tool, not a diagnostic test. An abnormal MoCA score should prompt comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation, medical workup, and neuroimaging for definitive diagnosis.
Individuals with lower education levels tend to score lower on cognitive tests regardless of actual cognitive function. Adding 1 point for those with 12 or fewer years of education helps reduce this bias.
Yes. Multiple parallel versions of the MoCA exist to reduce practice effects when testing is repeated. Serial testing every 6–12 months can help track cognitive trajectory.
Delayed recall (memory) is typically the first domain affected in early Alzheimer disease. Isolated impairment in delayed recall with normal performance in other domains is characteristic of amnestic MCI.
Yes. The MoCA has been translated into over 60 languages and validated in numerous cultural contexts, making it one of the most internationally applicable cognitive screening tools available.
Roboculator Team
The Roboculator Team explains calculations, planning tools, and practical formulas in clear language for real-life situations.
How helpful was this calculator?
Be the first to rate!
