Mini-Cog — Standardized English clinician examination
Professional instrument reference.
Reference information · Questionnaire
- Last content update
- 2026-10-26
- Clinical review
- Not independently reviewed
- Source jurisdiction
- See individual sources
- Coverage
- Questionnaire
| Field | Instrument context |
|---|---|
| Version | Standardized English Mini-Cog, v. 01.19.16; three examination steps with six original word-list versions |
| Population | Clinical cognitive screening in adults using the original English clinician-administered protocol |
| Respondent | Health professional records an in-person examination; not patient self-report |
A total does not establish individual item responses.
A health professional administers all three standardized steps in one sitting. Keep this examiner screen and the word lists out of the person’s view during recall. Use the original paper form linked under Sources, including its preprinted circle on page 2. This website does not analyze a drawing or replace the actual clock-drawing task. Step 1: Three Word Registration. Look directly at person and say the exact registration prompt below, using one of the six original word-list versions. If unable to repeat after three attempts, continue to clock drawing; initial registration is not scored. Step 2: Clock Drawing. Give the exact two instructions in order, using the preprinted circle. Repeat instructions as needed; clock drawing is not a memory test. If the clock is not complete within three minutes, proceed to recall. The clinician rates the actual paper drawing using the complete source anchor below. Step 3: Three Word Recall. Ask the exact recall question below without cueing. Record actual responses on the paper clinical record, then record the number of spontaneously recalled words. Complete recall even if initial registration was unsuccessful. Word-list choice and registration recording are mandatory procedural records but add no points.
Mini-Cog © S. Borson. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission of the author solely for clinical and educational purposes. May not be modified or used for commercial, marketing, or research purposes without permission of the author (soob@uw.edu).
Responses stay in this page’s memory. Reset or leave the page to clear them. No patient identifiers are collected.
Interpretation & limitations
- Total0–5 equals the spontaneous word-recall count0–3 plus the clinician-rated clock score0or2. Word-list choice and initial registration add no points.
- The standardized form describes a cut point below3; it also describes below4 when greater sensitivity is desired. A score3 therefore still may merit further cognitive evaluation. The website uses the below3 primary guide and preserves the alternative in this note.
- A higher score does not exclude clinically meaningful cognitive impairment. Memory or thinking concerns require clinical follow-up regardless of this result. This screen does not generate a diagnosis or declare safety.
- Requires actual standardized verbal administration and a paper clock drawing, with clinician judgment. It is not a self-administered online test or an automated drawing scorer.
- Use is limited to the owner-authorized free health-professional clinical/educational route. Research, marketing, commercial-entity/pharma use or changes to the instrument require the owner’s permission.
References · 3
- Original standardized English Mini-Cog instructions, six word lists and blank clock circle (page 2)
- Developer clinical/educational versus commercial/research permission categories · The developer explicitly permits health professionals and clinics to use, reproduce and distribute Mini-Cog without permission for clinical/educational use when free to patients. This implementation is limited to this health professional’s free clinical/educational scale library, not commercial-entity/pharma, marketing or research use. The original standardized paper examination and copyright remain unchanged; the website records clinician ratings. Other scopes require the owner’s permission.
- Developer source scoring and qualified interpretation