The MoCA test (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) is a 30-point cognitive screening tool used by healthcare professionals to detect mild cognitive impairment and early dementia. It takes approximately 10 minutes to administer, is scored out of 30 with a normal cutoff of 26 (plus 1 point for 12 years of education or fewer), covers 8 cognitive domains, and is published by MoCA Cognition in nearly 100 languages. Developed by Dr. Ziad Nasreddine in 1996, the MoCA is now the most widely used brief cognitive screening tool globally. This guide explains what the MoCA test measures, how it is scored, what a passing score means, and how to prepare if you or someone you know needs to take the assessment.
Numbers in brackets link to the official sources listed under Sources & last verified. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
| Item | Detail | Source · Verified |
|---|---|---|
| Time limit (MoCA Blind / Telephone) | About 10 minutes (22 points)[1] | MoCA Cognition · Oct 17, 2026 |
| Time limit (MoCA Full) | About 10 minutes (30 points)[1] | MoCA Cognition · Oct 17, 2026 |
| Passing score (MoCA Full) | 26 and above = normal (of 30)[2] | MoCA Cognition · Oct 17, 2026 |
| Exam fee (MoCA app) | 20 USD per month per rater[2] | MoCA Cognition · Oct 17, 2026 |
| Exam fee (Patient assessment) | Free of charge to patients[3] | MoCA Cognition · Oct 18, 2026 |
| Exam fee (Training & Certification) | Free for students, faculty, academic researchers and public healthcare (proof required)[5] | MoCA Cognition · Oct 17, 2026 |
| Renewal (Training & Certification) | Renewal recommended every two years[4] | MoCA Cognition · Oct 17, 2026 |
| Delivery (MoCA Blind / Telephone) | Voice-only administration[1] | MoCA Cognition · Oct 17, 2026 |
| Eligibility (Training & Certification) | Required when interpreting individual tasks[4] | MoCA Cognition · Oct 17, 2026 |
The MoCA Full is a single-page, 30-point screen administered by a clinician in about 10 minutes. Points by domain: visuospatial/executive 5, naming 3, attention 6, language 3, abstraction 2, delayed recall 5 and orientation 6 (the 5-word registration trials are not scored). A total of 26 or above is in the normal range, and 1 point is added for 12 years of education or fewer, to a maximum of 30. The current English forms are 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3; 8.2 and 8.3 are alternate forms for retests every 3 months or less. The Blind/Telephone version is scored out of 22 and converted to a /30 equivalent. Since December 2025, official certification is optional for total-score screening but still required to interpret sub-scores. Practice with the free Montreal Cognitive Assessment practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (9 questions with answer explanations).
Interactive Montreal Cognitive Assessment resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a one-page, 30-point cognitive screening instrument developed by Dr. Ziad Nasreddine at the MoCA Clinic & Institute. It screens for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) — a stage of cognitive decline greater than expected for a person's age and education level, but not severe enough to interfere significantly with daily life. MCI is often a precursor to dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.
Who uses the MoCA:
When the MoCA is used: A healthcare provider may administer the MoCA when a patient or their family reports memory problems, confusion, difficulty with daily tasks, or when a routine screening suggests cognitive concern. It is also used to track progression of known cognitive conditions and to evaluate recovery after stroke, traumatic brain injury, or other neurological events.
How it differs from the MMSE: The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is an older, similar screening tool. Research shows the MoCA is significantly more sensitive to mild cognitive impairment than the MMSE — it detects subtle cognitive changes that the MMSE misses. Most healthcare providers now prefer the MoCA for this reason. The official form, scoring instructions and the 1-hour training module are distributed by MoCA Cognition at mocacognition.com; since December 2025 the certification is optional when only the total score is used for screening, triage or referral.
Practice with our MoCA practice test free to understand each task type before your assessment.
Each section of the MoCA test targets specific cognitive abilities. Understanding what each section tests helps you interpret your score and understand which cognitive functions are being evaluated.
Visuospatial/Executive Function (5 points): The Trail Making Task (connect circles alternating numbers and letters), a clock-drawing task (draw a clock set to 11:10), and a cube-copy task. These assess spatial reasoning and planning. Visuospatial tasks are sensitive early markers of cognitive decline.
Naming (3 points): Identify 3 pictures of animals (typically a lion, camel, rhinoceros). Tests object recognition and word retrieval — both often impaired in early dementia.
Memory/Delayed Recall (5 points): The examiner reads 5 words twice (two registration trials, which are not scored). You are asked to recall them approximately 5 minutes later, at the end of the test. The delayed recall score is 0–5 points. This is one of the most sensitive indicators of memory decline — difficulty with 5-word recall is associated with early Alzheimer's pathology.
Attention (6 points): Includes a forward digit span (repeat 5 digits), backward digit span (repeat 3 digits in reverse), a vigilance task (tap on A), and serial subtraction (count back from 100 by 7s, five subtractions: 3 points for 4–5 correct, 2 for 2–3, 1 for 1). Tests working memory and sustained attention.
Language (3 points): Repeat 2 complex sentences verbatim, then name as many words as possible starting with the letter F in 1 minute (fluency; 11 or more words earns the point). Language tasks detect word-finding difficulties and verbal fluency changes.
Abstraction (2 points): Explain how 2 pairs of objects are alike (e.g., train and bicycle, watch and ruler). Tests conceptual reasoning — a higher-order cognitive function often affected in frontal lobe conditions.
Orientation (6 points): Name today's date, month, year, day of week, place, and city (1 point each). The seven scored sections add up to 30 points; 1 point is added for 12 years of education or fewer. Orientation errors indicate more advanced cognitive impairment.
Use our MoCA Practice Tests to practice each domain and our MoCA test for full-format simulations.
Try these questions from our free Montreal Cognitive Assessment practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
What cognitive deficit does poor MoCA sentence repetition most strongly suggest?
Answer: B. Impaired verbal working memory and phonological processing
Poor sentence repetition is most associated with impaired phonological loop functioning (verbal working memory), which can also be seen in aphasia and other language disorders affecting syntactic processing.
How does the ability to recall the time of day help with cognitive assessment?
Answer: B. It helps assess awareness and the ability to track time effectively.
The ability to recall the time of day helps with cognitive assessment by evaluating an individual's immediate temporal awareness and their capacity to track time effectively within a shorter period. This skill is vital for daily scheduling, planning, and maintaining a sense of routine. It provides insight into their attention and short-term memory for current events.
What is the role of Clock Drawing in cognitive assessment?
Answer: B. It assesses cognitive processing, recall, and memory in clock drawing.
Clock drawing tests spatial and executive function by requiring individuals to draw a clock face showing a specific time.
What is the primary cognitive function assessed by the MoCA cube copy task?
Answer: C. Visuoconstructional ability
The cube copy task measures visuoconstructional ability — the capacity to perceive a three-dimensional spatial arrangement and accurately reproduce it through a motor drawing response. Deficits often reflect posterior cortical or parietal lobe pathology.
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