FOLSTEIN Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield FOLSTEIN facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What is the maximum score a patient can earn on the MMSE registration task? → 3
2. The reported sensitivity of the MMSE for detecting Alzheimer's disease at a standard cutoff is approximately: → 85–90%
3. How does the examiner document an item that could not be administered due to a physical limitation? → Mark it as untestable and note the reason
4. Poor performance on the MMSE pentagon copying task in patients with dementia is most commonly associated with what? → Posterior cortical atrophy and parietal involvement
5. How many points is the MMSE visuospatial construction task worth? → 1
6. What type of environment is recommended for MMSE administration? → Quiet, private setting with minimal distractions
7. Which score range on the MMSE is generally considered to indicate severe cognitive impairment? → 0–9
8. Which MMSE language item involves following a written instruction? → Reading comprehension
9. The test-retest reliability coefficient of the MMSE is generally reported in the range of: → 0.80–0.95
10. Which question tests a patient’s orientation to time? → What is today’s date?
11. A score in the range of 10–18 on the MMSE typically suggests which severity of cognitive impairment? → Moderate
12. A patient is unable to name the month or day of the week. This indicates difficulty with: → Temporal orientation
13. What phrase must the patient repeat verbatim in the MMSE repetition task? → No ifs, ands, or buts
14. The MMSE is primarily used as a screening tool for which condition? → Cognitive impairment and dementia
15. What is the maximum total score on the MMSE? → 30
16. What instruction does the examiner give before administering the three-stage command? → Listen carefully and do exactly what I say
17. A patient successfully copies the intersecting pentagons with slight tremor-related imperfections. Should they receive the point? → Yes, minor motor imperfections do not disqualify a correct response
18. How many points does the visuospatial construction task contribute to the total MMSE score of 30? → 1
19. What is the primary purpose of the MMSE Orientation section? → Evaluating a person’s sense of time and place
20. How is the MMSE used to track cognitive changes over time? → By comparing scores from repeated tests
21. In the MMSE three-stage command, what is the first action the patient performs? → Take the paper in your right hand
22. What is the primary purpose of the MMSE in clinical practice? → Assess general cognitive function
23. What is the correct way to introduce the serial sevens task if a patient has difficulty with arithmetic? → Offer the WORLD backwards task as an alternative
24. Which response indicates disorientation to place? → Stating the wrong city or state
25. How is the MMSE most appropriately used in a dementia diagnosis? → As a screening tool that informs but does not replace full clinical evaluation
26. A patient correctly names one of two objects on the MMSE naming task. What is their score? → 1
27. How does higher education level typically affect MMSE scores? → It raises scores, so cutoffs may need adjustment upward
28. A score of 27–30 on the MMSE is typically interpreted as indicating: → Normal cognitive function
29. During the registration task, which instruction does the examiner typically give? → Repeat the words after me and remember them
30. Compared to younger adults, cognitively healthy adults aged 80 and older tend to score how on the MMSE? → Lower due to normal aging effects on cognition