MoCA Calculation Skills 3

Question 1

The MoCA serial 7s subtraction task is primarily designed to assess which cognitive domain?

Accepted Answer

Attention and working memory

Answer

The serial 7s task targets attention and working memory by requiring sustained mental calculation.

Question 2

A patient scores 1 out of 3 on the MoCA serial 7s. How many of the five subtractions did the patient answer correctly?

Accepted Answer

Exactly 1

Answer

MoCA scoring: 1 correct = 1 point, 2–3 correct = 2 points, 4–5 correct = 3 points.

Question 3

What is the correct result of subtracting 7 from 79?

Accepted Answer

72

Answer

79 minus 7 equals 72, which is the fourth step in the serial 7s sequence from 100.

Question 4

In the MoCA serial 7s task, the examiner says 'subtract 7' five times starting at 100. What is the fifth (final) expected answer?

Accepted Answer

65

Answer

The sequence is 93, 86, 79, 72, 65; the fifth subtraction results in 65.

Question 5

Which condition would most directly impair a patient's ability to complete the MoCA serial 7s task?

Accepted Answer

Working memory impairment

Answer

Working memory is essential for holding intermediate results during sequential subtraction.

(MoCA) Montreal Cognitive Assessment Practice Test