MoCA Word Recall 2

Question 1

In the MoCA word recall task, what happens if a patient cannot spontaneously recall a word but recalls it after a category cue?

Accepted Answer

No point is awarded, but it suggests encoding vs. retrieval deficit

Answer

Cued recall scores no points but helps distinguish retrieval failures from true encoding deficits.

Question 2

Which condition most specifically impairs free recall while leaving recognition relatively intact on the MoCA?

Accepted Answer

Alzheimer's disease

Answer

Alzheimer's disease produces a true amnesia where even cued recall and recognition are impaired.

Question 3

A patient recalls 4 of 5 words spontaneously on the MoCA delayed recall. What is their score?

Accepted Answer

4

Answer

Each spontaneously recalled word earns 1 point, so 4 recalled words = 4 points.

Question 4

Why does the MoCA use a 5-minute delay before testing word recall?

Accepted Answer

To allow interference and assess true long-term retention

Answer

The delay with intervening tasks creates interference, revealing whether information was truly encoded into long-term memory.

Question 5

On the MoCA, the word recall section is worth a maximum of how many points?

Accepted Answer

5

Answer

There are 5 target words and each earns 1 point for spontaneous recall, totaling 5 possible points.

(MoCA) Montreal Cognitive Assessment Practice Test