How Many Presidents Have Taken A Cognitive Test

Let’s be real: the phrase “cognitive test” used to sound like something you’d only encounter in a sci-fi movie or a particularly stressful neurology appointment. But lately, it’s slipped into dinner-party chatter and Twitter threads like an uninvited but fascinating guest. You’ve probably wondered: how many presidents have actually taken one? Spoiler alert: the list is shorter than you’d think, and it doesn’t include most of the guys on Mount Rushmore.

The Short List: Only Two (So Far)

As of 2025, only two sitting U.S. presidents have publicly disclosed results from a formal cognitive screening test. That’s Donald Trump and Joe Biden—the two most recent commanders-in-chief, and yes, the irony is not lost on anyone. Trump took the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in 2018, scoring a perfect 30 out of 30, and famously bragged about it for months. Biden’s physician reported in 2021 that he had taken a cognitive test as part of a routine physical, with results described as “reassuring” and “normal.”

But here’s the kicker: no other president in American history has ever publicly taken or acknowledged such a test. Not Washington, not Lincoln, not FDR, not JFK. The whole concept is a 21st-century phenomenon, born from aging populations, media scrutiny, and our collective anxiety about what’s happening inside the Oval Office’s gray matter.

Why so few? For one, cognitive testing for presidents wasn’t a cultural expectation until recently. The 25th Amendment (1967) created a process for presidential incapacity, but it doesn’t require a test. It’s a little like asking how many presidents have taken a spin class—technically possible, but not part of the job description.

How the MoCA Test Works (And Why It’s Not a Brain IQ)

The MoCA test, which both Trump and Biden took, is not a deep dive into your intellect. Think of it as a quick dashboard light check for your brain’s basic functions. It includes drawing a clock, naming animals, and recalling a short list of words after a few minutes. It’s designed to catch early signs of dementia or cognitive decline, not to measure your ability to negotiate nuclear treaties.

Here’s a fun little fact: the MoCA was created by a Canadian doctor in 2005 and takes about 10 minutes. That’s shorter than a typical Netflix episode or scrolling through your ex’s Instagram. Perfect scores are rare—even healthy adults average around 27 out of 30. Trump’s “perfect 30” became a political talking point, but doctors will tell you that a single test result is just a snapshot, not a biography.

The Cultural Context: Why We Suddenly Care

Pop culture has done a number on our obsession with presidential cognition. Remember The West Wing episode where President Bartlet reveals he has MS? Or the 2019 film Long Shot where Seth Rogen’s character jokes about the office? The Trump-Biden era made cognitive fitness a daily headline, with late-night hosts like Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel turning the topic into comedy gold.

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On a serious note: the average age of a U.S. president at inauguration is 55, but recent contenders like Biden (78) and Trump (70) have pushed the envelope. With longevity come questions. A 2023 Pew Research study found that 67% of Americans favored mandatory cognitive tests for presidents over 75. That’s a huge cultural shift from 1980, when Ronald Reagan’s age was barely a whisper.

Fun fact: The only other world leader known to have taken a cognitive test publicly is the UK’s Boris Johnson, who reportedly aced a test designed by his own doctor. Not exactly a rigorous standard.

Practical Tips for Your Own Cognitive Check-In

So, what can you take from all this presidential intrigue? First, don’t panic if you forget where you put your keys—that’s normal. But if you’re curious about your own brain health, here are three steps that are way more Hollywood than a doctor’s office.

1. Play “The Clock Drawing Test” at home. Grab a paper, draw a clock face, and set the time to 10:11. If the hands are in the right place and all numbers are there, you’re in good shape. It’s a standard MoCA item and takes 30 seconds.

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2. Use a free online MoCA-like screener. Websites like the Alzheimer’s Association offer short, anonymous quizzes (e.g., recall three words after a two-minute distraction). Treat it like a fun party game, not a diagnostic tool.

3. Focus on lifestyle, not tests. The best cognitive “test” is living well: daily exercise, good sleep, social connection, and a diet rich in leafy greens. That’s how you keep your brain sharp without a single appointment. As the saying goes, the best cognitive test is the life you’re already living.

The Bigger Picture: A Reflection for Daily Life

Here’s the takeaway that hits a little deeper: presidents have taken a cognitive test because we demand transparency from people who hold the nuclear codes. But in our own lives, we often avoid checking in with our own minds. We push through brain fog, ignore memory blips, and chalk up forgetfulness to “stress.” Maybe the real lesson from this odd presidential trivia is that curiosity about our minds is a form of self-care.

You don’t need a White House physician to give you a pass. Just take a moment to notice: are you present? Do you laugh easily? Can you still find joy in a good story? The greatest cognitive test isn’t drawing a clock or naming animals—it’s the quiet, daily check-in with yourself. And trust me, that’s a test you can ace every time.