In short
The MoCA, or Montreal Cognitive Assessment, is a short screening that clinicians use to detect mild cognitive impairment and other problems with thinking. It checks short-term memory, visuospatial skills, executive function, attention, language and orientation. A trained professional gives it, and a low score leads to further evaluation, not a diagnosis by itself.
What the MoCA measures
The publisher lists the areas it assesses:
- Short-term memory
- Visuospatial abilities
- Executive functions, such as planning
- Attention, concentration and working memory
- Language
- Orientation to time and place
Who gives it
Nurses, doctors, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, psychologists and researchers use the MoCA. The publisher requires training and certification to administer the paper version. We don't reproduce the test here; it is meant to be given under standard conditions by a trained person.
What a result means
A screening shows whether more evaluation is worthwhile. The National Institute on Aging notes that dementia is diagnosed by looking at symptoms, history and tests together, and that other conditions can cause memory problems. If the MoCA suggests a problem, ask the doctor what comes next: blood tests, a medication review, imaging or a referral to a specialist.
Before the appointment
Questions to ask the doctor
Questions families ask
Can I take the MoCA at home?
The publisher offers a separate self-testing tool for the public. The standard MoCA is given by a trained professional, and results should be discussed with a doctor.
Does a low MoCA score mean dementia?
No. A screening flags possible problems. Diagnosis needs a fuller evaluation, since other conditions can affect memory and thinking.
How is the MoCA different from the SLUMS?
Both are brief clinical screenings for cognitive problems. The SLUMS comes from Saint Louis University and is designed for adults 60 and older. Your doctor will choose one.
How often should the MoCA be repeated?
Ask the doctor. Repeating a screening over time can show whether thinking is changing.