The Self-Administered Gerocognitive Exam (SAGE) is a 12-question test for catching cognitive problems early on. Cognitive problems generally refer to problems with thinking, remembering, understanding, and learning. The SAGE test is simple to take — all you need is a pen and paper. It allows people concerned about cognitive problems to take action to understand what they’re experiencing.

Read on to learn more about the SAGE test, including who should take it, how to take it, and next steps to help you or your loved one.

Purpose of the SAGE Test

The SAGE test was made to detect early signs of cognitive impairment, including problems with memory and thinking. It was developed by Dr. Douglas Scharre at The Ohio State University.

The SAGE test isn’t used to diagnose specific conditions, like Alzheimer’s disease. But it does detect mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early dementia. Mild cognitive impairment is a condition that involves problems with memory, judgment, and language, but it isn’t yet considered dementia. The SAGE test has been shown to correctly identify cognitive impairments 79 percent of the time. It’s a useful screening tool for doctors to get a better sense of the severity of cognitive problems and determine if more evaluation is needed.

The SAGE test was designed to be easy and practical to give out. It only requires a pen and paper, making it accessible to anyone concerned about their own cognitive health or that of a loved one.

Effectiveness of the SAGE Test

The SAGE test is important because it helps doctors identify cognitive problems that can be hard to notice in a normal doctor visit. One study found that when primary care providers used the SAGE test, they were able to identify new cognitive conditions or concerns six times more often than without the SAGE test.

The SAGE test can also help doctors detect cognitive impairments sooner than other tests. A study from the Center for Cognitive and Memory Disorders at The Ohio State University found that the SAGE test identified people with mild cognitive impairment that progressed to dementia six months earlier than the usual go-to test (the Mini-Mental State Examination, or MMSE).

Early detection of cognitive problems with the SAGE test is important because it allows doctors to start treatment sooner, when it’s most effective. In addition, the SAGE test is easy to repeat, which gives doctors a simple and objective way to monitor cognitive function over time.

Who Should Take the SAGE Test?

The SAGE test is for anyone who is concerned that they have cognitive problems. The SAGE test can also be of interest to caregivers or family members who are concerned about cognitive problems of a loved one and want to assess their cognitive functioning.

About two-thirds of people with serious cognitive problems already have cognitive scores that point to dementia when they are first assessed by a doctor. This suggests that people likely have mild cognitive symptoms long before they are seen by a doctor. The SAGE test helps catch signs of dementia early on.

Symptoms of mild cognitive impairment to watch out for include:

• Difficulty making decisions or with problem-solving
• Challenges with language, such as difficulty finding the right word when talking to someone
• Less motivation or interest in hobbies or activities that used to be of interest
• Trouble remembering things that happened recently
• Difficulty staying focused on a task
• “Brain fog” or not being able to think clearly
• Challenges with learning new things

It’s important to keep in mind that some amount of memory and thinking problems is a normal part of getting older, being under a lot of stress, or feeling tired. However, if you think that memory or thinking problems are more than what you would expect with age or stress, the SAGE test can be a good first step to understand if cognitive impairments are at play.

Talk to your own or your loved one’s primary care provider about the SAGE test to help you figure out if and when it’s the right time to take the test. There is no harm in taking the test, but it can help to talk to a doctor about it first.

How To Take the SAGE Test

The SAGE test is self-administered, meaning you take it on your own. It has 12 questions. All that is needed is a pen and the paper test.

The steps to take the test are as follows:

1. Download and print the test.
2. Take the test. Answer the questions in ink.
3. Give the finished test to your primary care provider for scoring.

The SAGE test can be completed at home or anywhere that feels comfortable. The test can also be completed at the doctor’s office so that the test can be scored then and there. It usually takes 15 minutes or less to complete the test, but there is no time limit.

The person taking the test must do so on their own, without the help of others or the internet. This makes sure the results accurately reflect the test-taker’s brain function. The test should be taken without looking at clocks or calendars.

If you’re giving the test to a loved one, encourage them to just do their best. The same thing applies if you’ve decided to take the test yourself.

You can download the test for free from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center website. There are four forms of the SAGE test, but you only need to take one. It doesn’t matter which one you take. The test comes in multiple languages. You can also take a digital version of the test via a mobile app called BrainTest.

Next Steps After Taking the SAGE Test

Once the test is complete, it should be given to the test-taker’s primary care provider so that they can score it. They will use a scoring sheet and interpret the results for you.

Depending on the score, your doctor may do more tests to assess your symptoms and get a deeper understanding of what’s going on. They might also refer you to another doctor for further evaluation.

If the test results don’t show cognitive concerns, your doctor may just keep your test on record and ask you to complete it again in the future to see if there have been any changes. The SAGE test is a useful tool to track cognitive health over time.

While the word “test” can cause some anxiety, keep in mind that the SAGE test is designed to help you. With the help of a healthcare provider, the test allows you to get a better understanding of your own or your loved one’s brain health. The SAGE test may be the thing that allows you or your loved one to get help with cognitive issues when it can do the most good.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On myALZteam, the social network for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their loved ones, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with Alzheimer’s.

Have you considered taking the SAGE test or giving it to a loved one? If you have taken it yourself or given it to someone, how did it go? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.