Cognitive Function: Exam to Assess Mental Status — AIPM HealthyLife®
Cognitive Function: Exam to Assess Mental Status
July 20, 2026
Online Clinic
Brain & Nervous System
A number of tests can assess cognitive impairment. More than one test conducted by health care providers should always be used for a more accurate result. A common one used is called “Mini-Mental State Examination.” It was written by M.S. Folstein, S.E. Folstein, and P.R. McHugh. Adapted from this examination are the questions that follow.
Questions & Tasks
Score
These questions test for orientation to time and place.
Give 1 point for each correct answer.
What year is it?
What season is it?
What is today’s date?
What day is it?
What month is it?
What state are you in?
What country are you in?
What city or town are you in?
What place (home, building, etc.) are you in?
What room are you in or what floor are you on in this place?
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This part tests instant recall. (These things will be asked to be recalled later.)
Give 1 point for each object named.
Name 3 objects (e.g. apple, table, dime.) Take 1 second to name each object.
Have the person repeat the 3 objects named.
_____ out of 3
This part of the exam tests for attention and calculation skills.
Give 1 point for each correct answer.
Count backwards from the number 100 by 7s.
Do this for 5 numbers. (Answer: 93, 86, 79, 72, and 65.)
Another option is to spell the word WORLD backwards.
(Answer: D L R O W.)
_____ out of 5
This part tests for recall. Give 1 point for each object named.
Ask for the 3 objects stated in step 2 (i.e., apple, table, dime).
_____ out of 3
This part tests for language skills.
Give 1 point for each correct answer.
Point to a pencil or pen. Ask the person to name it.
Point to a wristwatch or clock. Ask the person to name it.
Ask the person to repeat this phrase “No ifs, ands, or buts”.
Ask the person to do these 3 things:
Take a piece of paper in your right hand.
Fold the paper in half.
Put the paper on the floor.
Write CLOSE YOUR EYES in large letters on a piece of paper.
Ask the person to read the phrase and to do what it says.
Give the person a pen or pencil and a piece of paper.
Tell him or her to write a sentence with a subject and an object.
It’s okay if words are not spelled correctly.
Give this design on a piece of paper to the person.
Tell the person to copy it on the same piece of paper.
