The abbreviated mental test score

Age

Must be correct (years)

Time

Without looking at timepiece; correct to nearest hour

Short term memory

Give the address ‘42 West Street’ Check registration

Check memory at end of test

Recognition of two persons

For example doctor, nurse, carer

Year

Exact, except in January when the previous year is satisfactory. Replies ‘206’, ‘207’, etc. in place of 2006, 2007 should be considered correct, as they confirm orientation

Name of place

If not in hospital ask type of place or area of town

Date of birth

Exact

Start of World War 1

Exact

Name of present monarch

Exact

Count from 20 to 1 (backwards)

Can prompt with 20–19–18, but no further prompts. Patient can hesitate and self-correct but no other errors are permitted