MoCA Abstract Thinking 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the MoCA abstraction task, how many pairs of items does the patient need to explain?
- One pair
- Two pairs (Correct answer)
- Three pairs
- Four pairs
Correct answer: Two pairs
The MoCA abstraction domain presents the patient with two pairs of items and asks how they are alike. This tests the ability to think beyond concrete features and identify categorical similarities.
Question 2: When a patient says a train and bicycle are alike because "they both have wheels," the MoCA scorer should:
- Score 1 point for a correct concrete response
- Score 0 because it is a concrete answer (Correct answer)
- Score 0.5 as a partial credit
- Score 1 point only if no second chance was needed
Correct answer: Score 0 because it is a concrete answer
Concrete responses that describe a physical feature (wheels) rather than a categorical concept (modes of transportation or vehicles) receive a score of 0 on the MoCA abstraction task.
Question 3: What is the maximum score a patient can earn on the MoCA abstraction domain?
- 1 point
- 2 points (Correct answer)
- 3 points
- 4 points
Correct answer: 2 points
The abstraction section is worth a maximum of 2 points — 1 point for each correct categorical similarity identified for the two word pairs presented.
Question 4: Which of the following is an acceptable abstract response when a patient is asked how a ruler and a watch are alike?
- They are both small
- They are both made of metal
- They are both measuring instruments (Correct answer)
- They are both rectangular
Correct answer: They are both measuring instruments
Saying they are both measuring instruments is a categorical/abstract response and earns full credit. Mentioning that both are physical objects or made of material are too vague and not accepted.
Question 5: If a patient gives an incorrect abstraction response on the first attempt, the MoCA administrator should:
- Immediately move to the next pair
- Provide the correct category as a prompt for the first pair only (Correct answer)
- Provide a prompt for both pairs
- Record 0 and move on without prompting
Correct answer: Provide the correct category as a prompt for the first pair only
On the first pair, the examiner may give a hint if the patient fails: "On this test, a train and a bicycle are both vehicles." No such help is given for the second pair.
Question 6: Abstract thinking as tested by the MoCA falls under which broader cognitive domain?
- Memory
- Language
- Executive functioning (Correct answer)
- Orientation
Correct answer: Executive functioning
The MoCA groups the abstraction items under the executive functioning domain because forming abstract categories requires higher-order reasoning and flexibility in thinking.
MoCA Abstract Thinking 2
In the MoCA abstraction task, how many pairs of items does the patient need to explain?