MoCA MoCA Score Interpretation and Cutoff Scores 2

Question 1

A patient with 10 years of formal education scores 25 on the MoCA. What is the adjusted total score?

Accepted Answer

26

Answer

One point is added for patients with 12 or fewer years of formal education, raising 25 to 26.

Question 2

A patient with 11 years of education earns a raw score of 30. What total is recorded?

Accepted Answer

30

Answer

The education point cannot push the total above the 30-point maximum.

Question 3

In the original 2005 validation study, what sensitivity did the MoCA show for detecting mild cognitive impairment at the cutoff of 26?

Accepted Answer

About 90%

Answer

Nasreddine et al. reported roughly 90% sensitivity for MCI, versus about 18% for the MMSE.

Question 4

Which MoCA total score range is commonly cited as suggesting moderate cognitive impairment?

Accepted Answer

10-17

Answer

Commonly cited ranges are 18-25 mild, 10-17 moderate, and under 10 severe impairment.

Question 5

A patient scores 23 on the MoCA. Which interpretation is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Screen-positive for possible cognitive impairment needing further evaluation

Answer

The MoCA is a screening tool, so a below-cutoff score warrants further evaluation rather than a diagnosis.

(MoCA) Montreal Cognitive Assessment Practice Test