COGNITIVE TESTING

BARN OWL

Below is the post for week 11 of 2026

COGNITIVE TESTING

I have used the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) more often than I care to remember. I may know it by heart. It is rarely used on cognitively healthy people. It is apparent within moments how well a person will respond to the questions on the test. Some simply fail. Others may have built layers of defense against such inquiries, telling you that they just don’t pay attention to the date or time anymore, or they refuse to test at all, get ornery and indignant. All are significant signs. Apparently the POTUS has passed the test at least three times he says.

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COGNITIVE TESTING

In January, President Trump bragged he passed a mental ability test. He “ACED” it, “for the third straight time.” He said no other President, or Vice President, would take the test. He said that anyone running for President, or Vice President, should be forced to take a “strong, meaningful, and proven Cognitive Examination.” “Our great Country cannot be run by STUPID or INCOMPETENT PEOPLE!”

He said the test showed pictures of animals, and he named them easily. From what he described, the test was probably the MONTREAL COGNITIVE ASSESSMENT (MoCA).

The MoCA is one of many tests that doctors, psychiatrists, social workers and therapists use to check for dementia. It helps them decide if a person has the memory, understanding and mental skills to care for themself.

Let’s be very clear. The MoCa is not a part of a normal check-up.

It is used when there is concern that a person may not be able to think clearly or make good decisions. The MoCA tells us if there may be a problem and if more tests need to be done. In a more serious case, the MoCA can help decide if someone else should be making decisions for that person.

The test is not done in a rush. It starts by asking the person to connect dots in order. Then they copy a drawing of a box, draw a clock face and name drawings of three things like a duck, boat and horse.

To test memory, the person repeats 4 words right away. Then they repeat the words again after 5 minutes. Then they are asked to repeat 5 numbers in order, then another three numbers – but backwards.

Then the tester reads a list of letters. The person taps the table whenever they hear the letter “A.” They are asked to subtract 7 from 60 then subtract 7 again four more times. They repeat two sentences back to the tester, then name as many words as they can in one minute that start with the letter “B.” They are asked how two things are alike, such as a banana and an orange or a hammer and a screwdriver.

Near the end, they try to remember the four words they heard earlier. They are given hints if they need them. Finally, they are asked the date, month, year, day of the week, place and city. You “pass” with 26 out of 30 points.

Unless there are serious concerns about a person’s mental health, people are never asked to take it. Trump was proud to pass the test.

By Ben Boardman. Paid by gifts from supporters

Now published in Buffalo, Clark, Trempealeau and Jackson counties.

Submit comments or questions to 57boardman@gmail.com

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