MoCA Cube Copying (Three-Dimensional Copy) — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the MoCA, what geometric figure is the examinee asked to copy in the three-dimensional copy task?
- A two-dimensional square
- A three-dimensional cube (Correct answer)
- A pyramid viewed from the side
- A cylinder
Correct answer: A three-dimensional cube
The examinee is asked to copy a pre-drawn three-dimensional cube. This task specifically assesses the ability to perceive and reproduce three-dimensional spatial relationships — a visuoconstructional skill distinct from the executive demands of clock drawing.
Question 2: Which of the following criteria must be met to earn the 1 point on the MoCA cube copy task?
- The drawing must be shaded or hatched to indicate depth
- The drawing must be three-dimensional, all lines present, and no incorrect lines added (Correct answer)
- The drawing must be the same size as the stimulus figure
- The drawing must be completed within 60 seconds
Correct answer: The drawing must be three-dimensional, all lines present, and no incorrect lines added
To score 1 point, the copy must be three-dimensional, all lines must be drawn (12 lines for a complete cube), and no extra lines may be added. Size matching, shading, and timing are not scoring criteria.
Question 3: How many points is the cube copy task worth on the MoCA?
- 3 points
- 2 points
- 1 point (Correct answer)
- 5 points
Correct answer: 1 point
The cube copy task is worth a maximum of 1 point. It is scored pass/fail based on whether the drawing meets the three-dimensional accuracy criteria.
Question 4: What is the primary cognitive function assessed by the MoCA cube copy task?
- Verbal memory encoding
- Phonological processing
- Visuoconstructional ability (Correct answer)
- Sustained auditory attention
Correct answer: Visuoconstructional ability
The cube copy task measures visuoconstructional ability — the capacity to perceive a three-dimensional spatial arrangement and accurately reproduce it through a motor drawing response. Deficits often reflect posterior cortical or parietal lobe pathology.
Question 5: How does the cube copy task differ from the clock drawing task in what it primarily measures on the MoCA?
- The cube copy tests planning and temporal concepts while clock drawing tests spatial construction
- The cube copy tests pure 3D visuoconstructional ability while clock drawing additionally requires executive planning and number knowledge (Correct answer)
- The cube copy is timed while clock drawing has no time limit
- The cube copy is worth more points than clock drawing
Correct answer: The cube copy tests pure 3D visuoconstructional ability while clock drawing additionally requires executive planning and number knowledge
The cube copy is a relatively pure measure of visuoconstructional ability. Clock drawing additionally requires executive planning (setting the hands to a specified time), conceptual knowledge (clock face layout, numerals), and abstract representation — making it a richer multidomain task.
Question 6: If an examinee draws a two-dimensional square instead of a three-dimensional cube on the MoCA, how should this be scored?
- 1 point, because all lines are present and no lines are added
- 0 points, because the drawing is not three-dimensional (Correct answer)
- 0.5 points as partial credit for correct line count
- 1 point if the square is drawn accurately
Correct answer: 0 points, because the drawing is not three-dimensional
The drawing must be three-dimensional to earn the point. A two-dimensional square fails the three-dimensionality criterion and scores 0, regardless of how accurately the square itself is drawn.
MoCA Cube Copying (Three-Dimensional Copy)
In the MoCA, what geometric figure is the examinee asked to copy in the three-dimensional copy task?