President Donald Trump recently highlighted his performance on a cognitive test, claiming it demonstrated ‘extreme intelligence.’ However, medical experts clarify that the test, believed to be the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), is designed to screen for cognitive impairment, not to assess intelligence levels.

Understanding the Test

The MoCA is a tool used by healthcare professionals to detect early signs of cognitive decline, such as dementia. It evaluates various cognitive skills including attention, memory, language, and abstract thinking. A perfect score of 30 out of 30, which Trump reportedly achieved, indicates normal cognitive function, not high intelligence.

Dr. Ziad Nasreddine, the creator of the MoCA, explains that while cognitive function is related to IQ, the test’s primary purpose is to ensure cognitive functions are intact. Tasks in the test include drawing a clock, naming animals, and recalling a list of words. Scores between 26 and 30 are considered normal, while scores below 26 may suggest cognitive impairment.

Trump’s Assertions and Expert Opinions

In a Truth Social post, Trump stated that his perfect score was rare and suggested that all presidential candidates should take similar tests. However, experts like Nasreddine and Dr. Ishani Ganguli from Harvard Medical School emphasize that the test is not of high difficulty and is not intended to measure intelligence. They note that while a perfect score is not extremely common, it is not as rare as Trump suggests.

Trump has taken the MoCA multiple times, including in 2018 and twice in 2025, often citing his scores in public speeches and interviews. Despite his claims, experts maintain that the test’s purpose is to assess cognitive health rather than intelligence.

Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.