What Is the 5 Word Memory Test?

As we age, it can become more common to forget the occasional anniversary, appointment date, or actor's name. However, when memory slips become more frequent and affect daily living — especially in older adults — they can require closer attention. 

Nearly one-third of Americans live with some form of cognitive impairment, including more than 6.7 million older adults in the U.S. with Alzheimer's disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Worldwide, dementia affects close to 57 million people.

Simple tools like the five-word memory test are a quick yet effective way to assess how well the brain can absorb and store new information. While the test cannot provide a diagnosis on its own, it can help to flag early signs of cognitive changes — helping you and your doctor explore if you or a loved one can benefit from more comprehensive assessments. 

This guide covers details on the 5 word test, including how it assesses cognitive function. Explore how to administer the test, potential conclusions to draw from results, and signs to consider if you're concerned about memory changes in yourself or a loved one.

 

The five-word memory test is a quick way to assess someone's short-term memory and recall abilities. During the test, a person is given five random words to remember and must recall them after a short distraction. Doctors often use this simple exercise to spot early stages of dementia and mild cognitive impairment.

The 5 word test follows a basic format. It starts by giving the person five unrelated words to remember. Once they repeat the words, there's usually a short distraction, like a brief task or casual conversation. They're asked to recall the words a few minutes later to see how well they remember each item.

Although the five-word test is a simple verbal exercise, it's most effective when delivered by a healthcare professional who can accurately interpret any difficulties with recall.

While people can administer the test at home as a quick memory check, it shouldn't replace a cognitive assessment by an expert. Still, an at-home test may help spot early concerns worth discussing with a doctor.

Whether you're trying it on your own or in a healthcare setting, here's what to expect from the 5 word test:

• Present the Words: Start by saying five unrelated, easy-to-understand words — like table, ready, leaf, quiet, and fig.

• Immediate Recall: Ask the person to repeat the words to confirm they've heard and understood them.

• Distraction Phase: Introduce a short distraction, such as a brief conversation or simple task lasting a few minutes. This element helps to test short-term memory recollection.

• Delayed Recall: After the distraction, ask the person to recall the original five words without any hints.

• Use Prompts if Needed: If they struggle to remember a word, offer gentle prompts like "a part of a tree" to cue "leaf." These cues can help to determine if the memory issue is with storage or retrieval, providing insight into overall cognitive function.

 

Assessments like the 5 word memory test can help spot signs of memory loss early, often before it interferes with daily life. Early detection offers many benefits, including:

• Clarity and reassurance for individuals and their loved ones
• The chance to stay independent for longer, with the right support in place
• More time to plan for legal, financial, and care needs for those wishing to maintain independent living and loved ones who take on caregiving responsibilities
• Access to treatments that may help to protect memory and support day-to-day living

 

Some memory changes are a natural part of aging, as certain parts of the brain gradually shrink and are unable to process information as quickly. If memory lapses become more frequent or interfere with quality of life, however, they could signal something more serious that deserves closer attention. Here are some common signs to watch for:

• Consistent memory loss and confusion
• Challenges with speaking, understanding, and expressing thoughts
• Wandering and having challenges navigating familiar surroundings
• Difficulty handling money and financial responsibilities 
• Using unusual words to describe familiar objects
• Experiencing delays in carrying out daily tasks 
• Hallucinating or experiencing delusions or paranoia
• Acting impulsively
• Losing balance and having problems with movement

 

Simple checks like the five-word memory test can help you uncover deeper memory issues early on. If you or a loved one struggles to find the right words, name familiar objects, or express thoughts clearly, a healthcare provider may use this test to help make a diagnosis.

The five-word test is a helpful starting point for understanding memory changes and researching memory care facilities or nursing homes that offer appropriate support.

 

• About dementia. (2024). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Banovic, Silva., et al. (2018). Communication difficulties as a result of dementia. Materia Socio-Medica
• Cognitive impairment affects 1 in 10 older Americans. (n.d.). AARP
• Dementia. (2023). World Health Organization 
• How the aging brain affects thinking. (n.d.). National Institute on Aging
• Mild cognitive impairment. (n.d.) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 
• Rasmussen, Jill, et al. (2019). Alzheimer's disease – Why we need early diagnosis. National Library of Medicine
• Rozzini, Luca, et al. (2017). The Italian version of the Five-Word Test: A simple diagnostic test for dementia due to Alzheimer's disease in routine clinical practice. Behavioural Neurology