MACE Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. What does the acronym MACE stand for in military medicine? → Military Acute Concussion Evaluation
2. How many words are typically used in the word recall task during the MACE? → 5 words
3. Which of the following is typically included in the cognitive testing section of the MACE? → Memory recall
4. How many trials are administered during the Immediate Memory portion of the MACE? → 3
5. In the MACE, what is the significance of asking patients to recall a list of words? → To assess short-term memory and attention
6. What does the History section of the MACE specifically document regarding amnesia? → Whether any amnesia is present and whether it is retrograde, anterograde, or both
7. Within what timeframe should the MACE ideally be administered after a potential concussive event? → Within 12 hours
8. How many points is the Orientation section worth on the MACE? → 5
9. Which cognitive function is evaluated by asking the patient to recite the months of the year in reverse order? → Attention and concentration
10. If a patient struggles with the word recall task during the MACE, what might this indicate? → Cognitive impairment
11. What is the primary purpose of the Military Acute Concussion Evaluation (MACE)? → To evaluate acute concussions
12. What cognitive task is used in the Concentration section of the MACE? → Digits backwards
13. What type of task might be used to assess orientation in the MACE cognitive testing? → Asking the patient to state the current date and location
14. During the MACE cognitive testing, how is immediate memory tested? → By asking the patient to recall a list of words immediately after hearing them
15. During the MACE, which cognitive function is commonly tested? → Memory recall
16. What is a key symptom evaluated in the MACE neurological examination? → Headache
17. Which of the following best describes the purpose of administering the MACE Neurological Exam component? → To assess pupil reactivity, coordination, facial sensation, and upper extremity strength
18. What is the primary purpose of cognitive testing in the MACE? → To assess cognitive impairment
19. How is delayed memory assessed in the MACE? → By asking the patient to recall the word list after a period of time
20. Which symptom might indicate the need for immediate medical attention during a MACE evaluation? → Severe headache
21. Who is authorized to administer the MACE in a military setting? → Trained medical personnel such as corpsmen, medics, PAs, and physicians
22. What does the neurological screening portion of the MACE evaluate? → Pupil response, speech fluency, grip strength, and balance/gait abnormalities
23. A service member scores 28 out of 30 on the MACE SAC with no neurological abnormalities and no loss of consciousness. What does this generally indicate? → Negative screen — likely no significant cognitive impairment from concussion
24. What is the recommended action if a service member scores ≤25 on the MACE SAC? → Remove from duty and initiate rest and further medical evaluation
25. What aspect of neurological function is assessed with balance tests in the MACE? → Coordination and equilibrium
26. Which component is NOT part of the MACE neurological examination? → Physical endurance test
27. How many points is the Delayed Recall section worth on the MACE? → 5
28. What is the most commonly reported symptom of concussion? → Headache
29. Which of the following is NOT a typical component of the MACE cognitive testing? → Blood glucose measurement
30. What is the maximum score on the MACE cognitive assessment? → 30 points