Clock-Drawing Test

Clock-Drawing Test

The clock-drawing test can be useful to screen for cognitive impairments in connection with the deterioration of mental capacities. It is one of the tests used to screen for Alzheimer's disease and other types of senile dementia. The test can be given repeatedly to follow the course of a disease. You can take the test at home and bring the results (drawing of the clock and score) to your physician.

Instructions

• Give the attached page to the person taking the test and explain that the circle represents the outline of a clock.
• Ask the person to fill in the numbers by placing them in the correct order.
• Then, ask them to draw in the hands of the clock so that they read 21:15. (If the person is not familiar with the 24h clock, say 9:15 instead).

Adding up the score

Add one point for each criterion that is met.

Criteria	Score
Presence of the numbers 1 through 12 (Arabic or Roman numerals). Incorrect if several of the numbers are missing; Incorrect if one or several numbers are repeated; Incorrect if one or several numbers have been added (ex. 17).
The numbers are in the right order. Always increasing; Correct even if they do not reach 12.
Numbers are arranged correctly. Mentally divide the circle into quarters, with each quarter containing 3 numbers; The numbers must be in the proper quadrant (ex. 1, 2 and 3 in the top right quadrant).
Presence of both clock hands.
Presence of the hour hand reading (9). An arrow or a circle will do as long as it is closer to the 9 than any other number.
Presence of the minute hand reading (3). An arrow or circle will do as long as it is closer to the 3 than any other number.
The hands are proportional (the hour hand is shorter than the minute hand).

Clock-Drawing Test