Alzheimer's Society

The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) is the most commonly used test for complaints of memory problems or when a diagnosis of dementia is being considered. This guide is intended to provide information about the MMSE so that that you can be prepared for the test.

The MMSE is the test that the NHS recommends for deciding whether a drug treatment for Alzheimer's disease should be prescribed. NHS guidance recommends that you should score 12 points or more out of a maximum of 30 points to be considered for treatment with donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon) or galantamine (Reminyl).

The MMSE is a series of questions and tests, each of which scores points if answered correctly. If every answer is correct, a maximum score of 30 points is possible. People with Alzheimer's disease generally score 26 points or less.

Important: The MMSE is not a test for Alzheimer's disease. There are many other reasons why you might score less than 26 points.

Below are four sample questions that give an indication of the style of the MMSE.

1 Orientation to time

'What is the date?'

2 Registration

'Listen carefully.  I am going to say three words.  You say them back after I stop. 
Ready?  Here they are…
APPLE [pause], PENNY [pause], TABLE [pause].  Now repeat those words back to me.'

[Repeat up to 5 times, but score only the first trial.]

3 Naming

'What is this?' [Point to a pencil or pen.]

4 Reading

'Please read this and do what it says.' [Show examinee the following words on the stimulus form.]
CLOSE YOUR EYES

Sample questions reproduced by special permission of the Publisher, Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc., 16204 North Florida Avenue, Lutz, Florida 33549, from the Mini Mental State Examination, by Marshal Folstein and Susan Folstein, Copyright 1975, 1998, 2001 by Mini Mental LLC, Inc. Published 2001 by Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc.  Further reproduction is prohibited without permission of PAR, Inc.  The MMSE can be purchased from PAR, Inc. online at www.parinc.com, by calling (813) 968-3003, or by email at custsup@parinc.com

Information sheet 436

Last updated: February 2008
Last reviewed: February 2008