Mini-Cog Calculator (3-Word Recall + Clock Drawing)
Score the Mini-Cog dementia screen — 3-word recall (0–3) plus the clock-drawing test (0 or 2) — for a total of 0–5 with the standard cut-off of under 3 and the more sensitive cut-off of under 4.
How it works
Mini-Cog = word recall (1 point per word, 0–3) + clock drawing (normal 2, abnormal 0); total 0–5. A total of 0–2 is a positive screen for possible cognitive impairment; 3–5 is negative. When higher sensitivity is wanted, under 4 is used as the cut-off.
The Mini-Cog (Borson et al., 2000) is a 3-minute dementia screen that combines a three-word recall test with a clock-drawing test, and it is little affected by language or education. The standardised scoring from mini-cog.com gives one point per recalled word and 2 points for a normal clock. A score under 3 has been validated for dementia screening; because many people with clinically meaningful impairment still score 3 or 4, a cut-off under 4 is recommended when greater sensitivity is desired. A positive screen calls for a full cognitive evaluation, not a diagnosis.
Worked example
An older adult remembers two of the three words (2 points) and draws a normal clock showing ten past eleven (2 points): Mini-Cog = 2 + 2 = 4 / 5. That is a negative screen at the standard cut-off (under 3), but it would be positive at the more sensitive cut-off (under 4), so watch for other signs of memory decline.
Sources: Borson S et al. The Mini-Cog: a cognitive “vital signs” measure for dementia screening in multi-lingual elderly. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2000 · Mini-Cog© — standardized instructions and scoring
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal Mini-Cog score?
A total of 3, 4 or 5 is a negative screen — dementia is less likely, though milder impairment is not ruled out. A total of 0, 1 or 2 is a positive screen and should lead to a fuller assessment.
What counts as a normal clock?
All twelve numbers are present once, in the correct order and roughly correct positions, and the hands point to the requested time. The hand lengths are not scored. Anything else, or refusing the task, scores 0.
Can I use the Mini-Cog to diagnose dementia?
No. It is a quick screen used in primary care and hospital wards. A positive result should be followed by a history, a longer cognitive test such as the MoCA or MMSE, and a medical review for reversible causes.
Does education or language affect the result?
Much less than with longer tests. The Mini-Cog was designed for multilingual and less-educated populations, which is one reason it is widely used for screening.
Related calculators
Clinical decision tool for education and for use by trained clinicians alongside clinical judgement — not a diagnosis and not a substitute for medical assessment. Scores validated in specific populations may not apply to every patient.