What is a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)?

A Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is a set of 12 questions. It's used by doctors and other health professionals to check for cognitive impairment (problems with thinking, communication or memory). Your doctor might use the MMSE if you seem confused.

It can also be called the Standardised Mini-Mental State Examination (SMMSE).

What is a MMSE used for?

The MMSE is used as a screening test. It is used to see if you might have a condition that causes cognitive impairment, such as dementia. It can also be used after a head injury or during a sudden illness to see if your brain has been affected.

Cognitive impairment is when you have problems with your mental ability. You might have trouble remembering things. You might also have trouble learning new things or concentrating. Sometimes it affects how you make decisions that affect your daily life.

Cognitive impairment is a common problem as people age. It can affect anyone.

The MMSE test does not provide a diagnosis.

What does the MMSE check?

The MMSE checks 6 areas of mental ability. These include:

• knowing where you are — the time and place
• attention and concentration
• short and long term memory
• language skills
• visual and spatial relationships between objects
• ability to understand and follow instructions

What happens in the MMSE?

The MMSE is a test. You will be asked to do a set of tasks such as:

• trying to remember a few objects and then repeating the list back later
• copying a drawing
• writing a short sentence with correct grammar. An example could be: 'the dog sat on the floor'.
• correctly saying the current day of the week. You may also be asked to say the date, month, season and year.
• correctly saying where you are

The test takes about 10 minutes. The test is usually the same or similar for everyone.

It does not matter who gives you the test. It's the same whether it is done in hospital or by your doctor.

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How is the MMSE scored?

The top score for the MMSE is 30. A score of 25 or higher is said to be likely normal. A score below 24 could mean cognitive impairment.

What are the limitations of the MMSE?

An MMSE is just one way you can be tested for your mental ability. By itself, the MMSE test does not mean that you have a problem with your mental ability. Your doctor or healthcare professional will look at your MMSE results along with all your other health results.

A low score does not always mean that you have dementia. Low scores can also be caused by:

• physical problems
• intellectual disability
• language or speech problems
• education level
• cultural differences

This is why other tests are needed.

A high MMSE score does not always mean that you have a normal mental ability. You may still have signs of cognitive impairment. For example, a very educated person with early dementia can still score highly.

Your doctor will take all this into account when looking at your results. They will tell you if they think you should have further tests or see a specialist such as a geriatrician for a more thorough assessment.

Why might I be asked to repeat the test?

The MMSE may be repeated. This is to check for changes in your mental ability over time. If your MMSE score goes down, your doctor might ask more questions about your health. They might need to arrange other tests.

The MMSE can be repeated for someone who has already been diagnosed with dementia. In this case, a repeat MMSE test may show how quickly their dementia is advancing.

What if I am feeling anxious about the MMSE?

The MMSE is a short set of questions. It is not trying to trick you. It asks you to do things that are part of normal daily life. It's important to know:

• you should not prepare or try to study for the test
• you cannot pass or fail
• it's not an IQ or intelligence test
• by itself, the test will not diagnose you with any health issue — other tests are needed

Resources and support

Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about your thinking skills or memory. Getting an early diagnosis is important so that you get the right treatment as early as possible.

You can use the Worried About Your Memory checklist to help guide you on what to do next.

Visit the Dementia Australia website to find out more or call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 for information and support.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.