BIMS Score

The BIMS score, short for Brief Interview for Mental Status, comes from a quick test that looks at how well you think, learn and remember. Scores range from 0 to 15. Lower scores can point to difficulties with memory or thinking (cognitive) skills.

Most people in nursing homes or long-term care settings take the BIMS. If someone is too ill to answer questions or has advanced dementia, staff use other tools to check memory and thinking.

You don’t need to prepare for this test, and there’s no passing or failing. The goal is simply to help your care team understand how your brain is working so they can give you the right support.

When is the BIMS score performed?

Caregivers use the BIMS assessment in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. It checks how well your brain works. They include it as part of a regular assessment called the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0. It tracks your health. Caregivers give you this short test when you move in and again every few months during check-ups. It helps them learn if your memory or cognitive abilities have changed.

How you get a BIMS score

A provider will ask you a few simple questions in a short interview or conversation. There are three parts to the test:

• Recall: Your provider will say some words and ask you to repeat them. This checks your immediate memory.
• Orientation: You’ll answer basic questions, like where you are or what day it is.
• Short-term memory: Your provider will ask you to remember those words you recalled when you started the test. They may give you some hints that might help trigger this memory if you get stuck.

Each correct answer earns points. At the end, your provider adds up the points to determine your BIMS score. The test only takes a few minutes.

What are the benefits of a BIMS score?

The BIMS assessment is a safe way to check on basic aspects of your brain function. In just a few minutes, it helps providers assess your short-term memory and orientation. They can use your score to track changes over time. If your thinking improves or gets worse, the Brief Interview for Mental Status score helps monitor that, so your care team knows what kind of support you may need.

How accurate are the results?

The BIMS score is most useful for identifying moderate to severe problems with memory and thinking. It isn’t designed to detect mild cognitive impairment, where changes can be harder to measure.

Because it’s such a brief test, early warning signs may be missed. If your provider is concerned about possible mild cognitive changes, they may recommend additional testing.

When should I know the results of a BIMS score?

You’ll get your BIMS score right after the test, as it’s scored on the spot. Your provider will explain what your score means.

How to understand your BIMS score

Providers use score ranges to help explain what your BIMS score means:

• 13 to 15: Normal thinking and memory (no or very little impairment)
• 8 to 12: Moderate problems with thinking and memory
• 0 to 7: Severe problems with thinking and memory

These categories help your care team understand how your brain is working. It helps them decide if you need more support or testing.

What is a normal BIMS score?

A normal BIMS score ranges from 13 to 15. Scores between 8 and 12 suggest moderate issues. An example could be sometimes making a small mistake when doing your daily routine, like putting a frying pan away in the refrigerator. A score between 0 and 7 points to more serious problems, like trouble remembering names, the date or what’s on your grocery list.