Self Administered Gerocognitive Exam Sage

How the SAGE test for dementia works

SAGE stands for Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination and was developed by researchers at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

The SAGE test has 12 questions that cover all aspects of cognition, including memory, problem solving, and language.

There are 4 different versions of the test. They’re similar enough, but having multiple versions means that someone could take the test once a year and wouldn’t improve their score each year just from the “practice” of taking it before.

This way, the test is slightly different each time.

Take the SAGE test at home

Anyone can take the SAGE test anytime. It’s free and you can get it here on the Ohio State University website.

Click the “Download Test” button and select “I agree and download test” to choose one of the 4 test versions – it doesn’t matter which one.

Print the test and take it with a pen or pencil. There’s no time limit, but most people finish in about 15 minutes.

Sample questions from the test:

• How many nickels are in 60 cents?
• You are buying $13.45 of groceries. How much change would you receive back from a $20 bill?
• Write down the names of 12 different animals.
• Draw a large face of a clock and place in the numbers. Position the hands for 10 minutes after 11 o’clock. On your clock, label “L” for the long hand and “S” for the short hand.

Discuss test results with a doctor

Don’t assume that the test results are equal to a diagnosis of any kind.

The SAGE test is a screening tool that helps doctors detect early signs of cognitive impairment that are typically not noticeable during a normal office visit.

When the test is repeated over time, doctors can watch for changes in cognitive ability. Being able to measure changes helps them detect and treat health conditions early.

That’s why it’s important to bring the completed test to the doctor to have it reviewed. If there are signs of cognitive impairment, they may recommend further testing.