MoCA Digit Span (Forward and Backward) Flashcards

Digit span on the MoCA is administered how soon after the digits are read?

Answer: Immediately

Digit span requires immediate repetition, unlike delayed word recall.

What is the main purpose of reading digits at a steady, even rate?

Answer: To standardize difficulty across patients

A consistent pace keeps administration standardized and avoids grouping cues.

An examiner reads the forward digits in pairs (21-85-4). What is the problem?

Answer: It introduces chunking cues and violates standard administration

Grouping digits gives chunking cues and deviates from the one-per-second rule.

A patient corrects their own forward response immediately: 2-1-8-4... no, 2-1-8-5-4. How is this typically handled?

Answer: Accept the final self-corrected response if given immediately

An immediate spontaneous self-correction is generally accepted as the final answer.

Which condition could reduce digit span performance without reflecting true cognitive impairment?

Answer: Uncorrected hearing loss

Because digits are given auditorily, hearing problems can lower scores.

How does the MoCA digit span differ from a full neuropsychological digit span test such as WAIS Digit Span?

Answer: MoCA uses one fixed-length sequence for each direction

The MoCA screen uses a single fixed sequence per direction rather than progressively longer trials.

A patient scores perfectly on digit span. What is the maximum contribution of this item to the 30-point MoCA total?

Answer: 2 points

Digit span contributes up to 2 of the 30 total points.