6CIT Calculator
6-Item Cognitive Impairment Test (Kingshill version) - rapid screening tool for cognitive impairment at the bedside.
1. What year is it?
Ask the patient the current year.
2. What month is it?
Ask the patient the current month.
3. About what time is it?
Ask the patient the approximate time (within 1 hour).
4. Count backwards from 20 to 1
Ask the patient to count backwards from 20 to 1.
5. Say the months of the year in reverse
Ask the patient to recite the months backwards starting from December.
6. Repeat the memory address
Earlier, give the patient an address to remember (e.g. "42 West Street"). Now ask them to recall it.
Complete all 6 items to calculate the 6CIT score.
When to use the 6CIT
The 6CIT is a brief cognitive screening tool suitable for primary care, emergency departments, and inpatient settings. Use it when cognitive impairment is suspected, as a follow-up to 4AT screening, or as part of a comprehensive geriatric assessment. It takes approximately 3-5 minutes.
How to interpret
- Score 0-7: Normal - significant cognitive impairment unlikely
- Score 8-9: Mild cognitive impairment - consider monitoring and repeat testing
- Score 10+: Significant cognitive impairment - refer for further assessment (e.g. memory clinic, ACE-III)
Clinical context
The 6CIT (Kingshill version) was validated as a brief alternative to the MMSE. It is free to use and does not require copyright permissions. Higher scores indicate greater impairment (inverse of MMSE scoring). It should be interpreted alongside clinical history and collateral information. Acute illness, delirium, pain, and medication effects can all affect performance.
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