MoCA Attention and Concentration 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the MoCA sustained attention task, the examiner reads a list of letters and the patient must tap whenever they hear which letter?
- E
- A (Correct answer)
- S
- T
Correct answer: A
The vigilance task requires the patient to tap each time the letter "A" is read aloud. It tests sustained attention and the ability to inhibit responses to non-target stimuli.
Question 2: How many points is the MoCA serial 7 subtraction task worth?
- 1 point
- 2 points
- 3 points (Correct answer)
- 4 points
Correct answer: 3 points
The serial 7s task (starting at 100 and subtracting 7 repeatedly) is scored on a sliding scale: 3 correct subtractions = 3 pts, 2 correct = 2 pts, 1 correct = 1 pt, 0 correct = 0 pts.
Question 3: On the MoCA digit span task, what are the two sequences administered?
- 3-digit forward and 5-digit backward
- 5-digit forward and 3-digit backward (Correct answer)
- 7-digit forward and 4-digit backward
- 4-digit forward and 4-digit backward
Correct answer: 5-digit forward and 3-digit backward
The MoCA uses a 5-digit forward span and a 3-digit backward span. Each correct sequence earns 1 point, for a maximum of 2 points in this attention subtask.
Question 4: If a patient makes 2 errors on the letter vigilance (tapping) task, how is this scored?
- 1 point — minor errors are forgiven
- 0 points — threshold exceeded (Correct answer)
- 0.5 points as partial credit
- 2 points minus 1 per error
Correct answer: 0 points — threshold exceeded
The vigilance task gives 1 point if the patient makes no more than 1 error. Two or more errors result in a score of 0 for this subtask.
Question 5: The MoCA attention domain assesses which of the following specific abilities?
- Only sustained attention
- Only working memory
- Sustained attention, working memory, and concentration (Correct answer)
- Attention and language combined
Correct answer: Sustained attention, working memory, and concentration
The attention domain covers sustained attention (vigilance), working memory (digit span), and concentration (serial 7 subtraction), reflecting multiple attentional processes.
Question 6: What is the maximum total score for the entire MoCA attention section?
- 4 points
- 5 points
- 6 points (Correct answer)
- 7 points
Correct answer: 6 points
The attention domain is worth 6 points total: 1 for forward digit span, 1 for backward digit span, 1 for vigilance, and 3 for serial 7s.
MoCA Attention and Concentration 2
In the MoCA sustained attention task, the examiner reads a list of letters and the patient must tap whenever they hear which letter?