MoCA Abstraction and Language 2

Question 1

Which cognitive domain is the MoCA abstraction task primarily designed to assess?

Accepted Answer

Executive function and conceptual reasoning

Answer

Abstraction measures conceptual thinking, a component of executive function.

Question 2

What is the total number of points available across the MoCA language section (repetition and fluency)?

Accepted Answer

3

Answer

Language includes sentence repetition (2 points) and verbal fluency (1 point) for a total of 3.

Question 3

How should the examiner instruct the patient before reading the first repetition sentence on the MoCA?

Accepted Answer

'I am going to read you a sentence. Repeat it after me, exactly as I say it'

Answer

The patient is asked to repeat the sentence exactly as spoken.

Question 4

A patient answers the train-bicycle pair with 'you can ride both of them'. According to MoCA scoring guidance, how should this be treated?

Accepted Answer

1 point, since it captures the shared function of transport

Answer

Answers that capture the transport function, such as riding or travelling in both, are accepted.

Question 5

Why does the MoCA include both abstraction and sentence repetition, when the MMSE has only a single repetition item?

Accepted Answer

To increase sensitivity to mild cognitive impairment, especially executive and language deficits

Answer

The MoCA adds executive and language items to detect milder impairment than the MMSE.

(MoCA) Montreal Cognitive Assessment Practice Test