Folstein Normative Data and Cutoff Scores 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the maximum possible score on the Folstein Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE)?
- 25
- 28
- 30 (Correct answer)
- 35
Correct answer: 30
The MMSE has a maximum score of 30 points, with points distributed across orientation, registration, attention, recall, language, and visuospatial tasks.
Question 2: What is the most commonly used cutoff score to indicate possible cognitive impairment on the MMSE?
- ≤20
- ≤23 (Correct answer)
- ≤26
- ≤28
Correct answer: ≤23
A score of ≤23 (out of 30) is the most widely accepted cutoff indicating possible cognitive impairment, though some guidelines use ≤24.
Question 3: A score in the range of 10–18 on the MMSE typically suggests which severity of cognitive impairment?
- Mild
- Moderate (Correct answer)
- Severe
- Normal with age-related variation
Correct answer: Moderate
Scores of 10–18 are generally categorized as moderate cognitive impairment, reflecting significant deficits across multiple cognitive domains.
Question 4: Which score range on the MMSE is generally considered to indicate severe cognitive impairment?
- 15–20
- 10–14
- 5–9
- 0–9 (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 0–9
Scores of 0–9 on the MMSE indicate severe cognitive impairment, reflecting profound deficits that affect most tested domains.
Question 5: A score of 27–30 on the MMSE is typically interpreted as indicating:
- Severe impairment
- Moderate impairment
- Normal cognitive function (Correct answer)
- Mild impairment
Correct answer: Normal cognitive function
Scores of 27–30 fall within the normal range, suggesting intact cognitive functioning with no clinically significant impairment.
Question 6: In the original Folstein et al. (1975) study, patients diagnosed with dementia scored an average of approximately what on the MMSE?
- 5–6
- 9–10 (Correct answer)
- 15–16
- 20–21
Correct answer: 9–10
The original 1975 study reported that patients with dementia scored a mean of approximately 9.7, clearly distinguishing them from normal controls who averaged around 27.6.
Question 7: Which demographic factor is most consistently shown to influence MMSE normative scores in the general population?
- Gender
- Handedness
- Education level (Correct answer)
- Marital status
Correct answer: Education level
Education level is the single strongest demographic predictor of MMSE performance, with higher education associated with higher scores independent of cognitive status.
Folstein Normative Data and Cutoff Scores 1
What is the maximum possible score on the Folstein Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE)?