Commonly used clinical test that consists of 30 questions that determine the cogitive function level and dementia. It takes only five minutes to administer and is scored from 1-30. (20-24:suggests mild dementia; 13-20 suggests moderate dementia; Less than 12 suggests severe dementia). The MMSE is most useful as a screening measure, and not as a stand-alone test for dementia. Like many screening tools it has strengths and weaknesses. It is relatively unable or insensitive to detect mild cognitive problems, when the earliest stage of dementia is beginning. It's more likely to pick up problems that involve memory and orientation and less likely to pick up problems involving reasoning, judgment, planning, or organizing ones' thoughts.