MoCA Memory 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: On the MoCA, subjects are told to remember the words for 'later.' What instruction is NOT given during encoding?
- Read each word aloud
- Try to memorize them
- Recall them immediately after the list (Correct answer)
- They will be asked to recall the words later
Correct answer: Recall them immediately after the list
Immediate recall of all words is not requested during the MoCA encoding phase; only delayed recall is formally scored.
Question 2: Which word is NOT part of the standard English MoCA word list used in the memory task?
- FACE
- VELVET
- CHURCH
- APPLE (Correct answer)
Correct answer: APPLE
The standard MoCA word list is FACE, VELVET, CHURCH, DAISY, RED — APPLE is not included.
Question 3: What is the maximum score a patient can achieve on the MoCA delayed recall component?
- 3
- 4
- 5 (Correct answer)
- 6
Correct answer: 5
There are five target words, and one point is given for each recalled without a cue, for a maximum of 5 points.
Question 4: In the MoCA memory section, multiple-choice cues are offered as a last resort. What form do they take?
- A synonym is provided
- The first letter of the word is given
- The patient chooses the correct word from three options (Correct answer)
- The examiner re-reads the full list
Correct answer: The patient chooses the correct word from three options
If category cuing fails, the examiner presents three words (including the target) and the patient selects the correct one.
Question 5: Early Alzheimer's disease most characteristically impairs which aspect of the MoCA memory task?
- Encoding speed during learning trials
- Spontaneous delayed free recall (Correct answer)
- Ability to recognize words from a list
- Semantic category knowledge
Correct answer: Spontaneous delayed free recall
Hippocampal damage in early AD characteristically causes poor spontaneous delayed free recall before recognition is affected.
Question 6: Which demographic variable most consistently lowers MoCA memory scores in normal aging?
- Sex
- Height
- Years of education (Correct answer)
- Handedness
Correct answer: Years of education
Lower education is strongly associated with lower MoCA scores; MoCA adds 1 bonus point for ≤12 years of schooling.
Question 7: If a patient scores 0 on free recall but correctly identifies all 5 words on multiple-choice, the most appropriate clinical interpretation is:
- Normal memory — no concern
- Severe encoding failure
- Moderate retrieval deficit with relatively preserved recognition (Correct answer)
- Malingering confirmed
Correct answer: Moderate retrieval deficit with relatively preserved recognition
Intact recognition despite absent free recall points to a retrieval-access problem rather than complete storage failure.
MoCA Memory 3
On the MoCA, subjects are told to remember the words for 'later.' What instruction is NOT given during encoding?