30-point cognitive screening test for dementia and cognitive impairment. ≈ 10 min to complete. Free with attribution.
MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination) is a validated clinical instrument used to assess 30-point cognitive screening test for dementia and cognitive impairment.. It is most often used for 30-point cognitive screening test for dementia and cognitive impairment.. The instrument contains 11 items. Typical administration time is ≈ 10 min.
Source / attribution: Copyrighted; free for clinical use
30-point cognitive screening test for dementia and cognitive impairment. MMSE is part of standard practice in this setting because it provides a structured, replicable assessment that can be tracked over time and compared across patients or visits.
Like all screening or assessment instruments, MMSE is a structured aid — not a diagnostic test in isolation. Results should be interpreted alongside history, examination, and clinical context. Where a score crosses an actionable threshold, the next step is typically a more detailed clinical evaluation rather than a definitive diagnosis.
Answer all 11 items below to see your MMSE score and interpretation.
Each item is scored on a 6-point scale (0–5). Your score updates live as you answer.
All scoring runs in your browser. No data is sent anywhere — close the tab and the answers are gone.
Sum correct responses across orientation, registration, attention, recall, language, and visuospatial domains. Max 30.
Scoring notes: Sum correct responses across orientation, registration, attention, recall, language, and visuospatial domains. Max 30.
The cutoffs below are drawn from the published validation literature. Always interpret in clinical context.
| Score range | Band | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 24–30 | Normal cognition | None |
| 18–23 | Mild cognitive impairment | Further evaluation |
| 0–17 | Severe cognitive impairment | Comprehensive assessment |
This is an illustrative walkthrough, not a real patient. Follow the same four steps with your own answers — or use the live calculator at the top of this page.
Read each question and choose the response that best fits. Each response has a number next to it — that number is the item's score. The example below uses illustrative answers.
| # | Item | Example response | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orientation to time — year, season, date, day, month (1 point each, max 5) | 2 | 2 |
| 2 | Orientation to place — country, state, city, building, floor (1 point each, max 5) | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | Registration — name 3 unrelated objects, 1 point each on first try | 2 | 2 |
| 4 | Attention and calculation — serial 7s or spell WORLD backwards (max 5) | 2 | 2 |
| 5 | Recall — recall the 3 objects from registration | 2 | 2 |
| 6 | Naming — name 2 common objects shown (e.g., pencil, watch) | 2 (max) | 2 |
| 7 | Repetition — repeat the phrase 'No ifs, ands, or buts' | 1 (max) | 1 |
| 8 | 3-stage command — take paper, fold in half, place on floor (1 point per step) | 2 | 2 |
| 9 | Reading — read and obey 'Close your eyes' | 1 (max) | 1 |
| 10 | Writing — write a complete sentence | 1 (max) | 1 |
| 11 | Drawing — copy intersecting pentagons | 1 (max) | 1 |
Add up all the item scores you noted in Step 1.
2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 18
Find the row in the interpretation table whose range contains your total:
Total = 18 falls between 18 and 23 → Mild cognitive impairment
Mild cognitive impairment. Further evaluation
A score is one input alongside history and examination. MMSE supports clinical judgment — it does not replace it.
Psychometric figures are drawn from the validation literature and may vary across clinical populations and translations.
If MMSE doesn't fit your context, related instruments in cognitive include:
| Scale | Measures | Items | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPCOG | 9-item cognitive screen designed for general practice with patient and informant components. | 15 | ≈ 5 min |
| PHQ-9 | Severity of depression | 9 | ≈ 3 minutes |
| GAD-7 | Severity of generalized anxiety | 7 | ≈ 2 minutes |
| AUDIT | 10-item WHO screening tool for hazardous alcohol consumption and dependence. | 10 | ≈ 3 min |
| CHA2DS2-VASc | Annual stroke risk in non-valvular atrial fibrillation | 8 | — |
| Glasgow Coma Scale | Level of consciousness after head injury | 3 | — |
| MELD-Na | 3-month mortality in advanced liver disease; transplant prioritization | 5 | — |
MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination) is a validated instrument that assesses 30-point cognitive screening test for dementia and cognitive impairment.. Its primary clinical use is 30-point cognitive screening test for dementia and cognitive impairment..
MMSE typically takes ≈ 10 min to administer. Time can vary slightly depending on whether it is self-administered or clinician-led.
MMSE contains 11 items. Items are summed to produce a total score.
Scores of 0–17 fall in the "Severe cognitive impairment" band. Comprehensive assessment
Scores of 24–30 fall in the "Normal cognition" band. None
MMSE has reported Cronbach's α of 0.84 in validation samples and test–retest reliability of 0.8. Most widely used cognitive screen; validated in 100+ languages.
MMSE is free to use with attribution. Copyrighted; free for clinical use
Folstein, M. F., Folstein, S. E., & McHugh, P. R. (1975). Mini-mental state. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 12(3), 189-198.
No. MMSE is a structured assessment aid. A score is one input alongside history, examination, and clinical context. Treatment decisions should never rest on a screening score alone.
MMSE is supported by the following peer-reviewed sources: