Which test uses a 26 or higher threshold to indicate normal performance?

Which test uses a 26 or higher threshold to indicate normal performance?

• A. MMSE
• B. Mini-Cog
• C. MOCA
• D. Clock Drawing Test

Answer: (A)

The key idea is how cognitive screening scores define normal performance. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment uses a 0 to 30 scale, and a score of 26 or higher is considered normal. This threshold makes MOCA more sensitive to mild cognitive changes while still identifying typical performance as normal. In contrast, the MMSE is usually interpreted with a cut-off around 24 out of 30; a score of 24 or below suggests possible impairment, so 26 isn’t the standard normal threshold for that test. The Mini-Cog yields a 0–5 score with a simple pass/fail interpretation rather than a fixed 26-point cut-off, and the Clock Drawing Test lacks a universal 26-point threshold and is interpreted more qualitatively or with variable scoring systems. So the test that uses 26 or higher to indicate normal performance is the MOCA.

The key idea is how cognitive screening scores define normal performance. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment uses a 0 to 30 scale, and a score of 26 or higher is considered normal. This threshold makes MOCA more sensitive to mild cognitive changes while still identifying typical performance as normal.

In contrast, the MMSE is usually interpreted with a cut-off around 24 out of 30; a score of 24 or below suggests possible impairment, so 26 isn’t the standard normal threshold for that test. The Mini-Cog yields a 0–5 score with a simple pass/fail interpretation rather than a fixed 26-point cut-off, and the Clock Drawing Test lacks a universal 26-point threshold and is interpreted more qualitatively or with variable scoring systems.

So the test that uses 26 or higher to indicate normal performance is the MOCA.