Which cognitive domains are assessed by the MMSE?

• A. Visual acuity and motor speed.
• B. Orientation, registration, attention and calculation, recall, language, and visuospatial abilities.
• C. Executive function.
• D. Only memory and attention.

Answer: (B)

The MMSE is designed as a quick, broad screen of cognitive functioning, so it covers several domains in one short assessment. It includes orientation to time and place, registration (immediate memory by having you repeat words), attention and calculation (such as simple arithmetic or serial tasks), recall (delayed recall of those words after a short interval), language (naming, repetition, following commands, and comprehension/reading), and visuospatial abilities (copying a drawing). This combination captures multiple areas of cognition, not just memory.

Visual acuity and motor speed aren’t the primary focus of the MMSE, and executive function isn’t targeted as a separate domain. Saying it covers only memory and attention also misses the language, orientation, and visuospatial components that are part of the test. So the described set of domains best matches what the MMSE assesses.