Health calculators

BIMS Calculator

Updated Jun 22, 2026 By Jehan Wadia
Formulas Medical disclaimer
Current Score (live)
0 / 15
Questions Answered
0 of 7

Part I – Repetition of Three Words

Immediate recall — maximum 3 points
“I am going to say three words for you to remember. Please repeat the words after I say them. The words are: sock, blue, and bed. Now please repeat those words back to me. [Score the number of words repeated on the first attempt only.]”
Part I – A: How many words did the resident repeat on the first attempt? (maximum 3 points)

Part II – Temporal Orientation

Orientation to year, month, and day — maximum 6 points
“I am going to ask you some questions about today's date. Please tell me: What year is it? What month is it? What day of the week is it?”
Part II – A: What year is it? (maximum 3 points) Correct answer: —
Part II – B: What month is it? (maximum 2 points) Correct answer: —
Part II – C: What day of the week is it? (maximum 1 point) Correct answer: —

Part III – Recall

Delayed recall of the three words — maximum 6 points
“Now I would like you to recall the three words I told you earlier. [If unable to remember a word after approximately 5 seconds, provide the cue listed below for that word.]”
  • Cue for “sock”: “something to wear”
  • Cue for “blue”: “a color”
  • Cue for “bed”: “a piece of furniture”
Part III – A: Did the resident recall “sock”? (maximum 2 points)
Part III – B: Did the resident recall “blue”? (maximum 2 points)
Part III – C: Did the resident recall “bed”? (maximum 2 points)
BIMS Result & Interpretation
Total BIMS Score: 0 / 15
—
Note: A decline of even 1–2 points between evaluations may be clinically significant and should be reviewed by the care team.
A higher score indicates better cognitive status. The closer the score is to 0, the greater the potential cognitive impact.
Step-by-Step Solution
Score Breakdown by Question

Introduction

The Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) is a quick test used to check how well a person can think and remember. It is part of the Minimum Data Set (MDS 3.0) assessment used in nursing homes and long-term care settings. Doctors, nurses, and care staff use the BIMS to screen for cognitive impairment, which means problems with memory, thinking, or orientation to time. It is often administered alongside functional assessments like the Barthel Index, which measures a resident's ability to perform daily activities independently.

The BIMS test has three parts. First, the resident is asked to repeat three words: sock, blue, and bed. Second, the resident is asked what year, month, and day of the week it is. Third, the resident is asked to recall the three words from earlier. Each part earns points, and the total score ranges from 0 to 15.

A score of 13 to 15 means the person is cognitively intact with little or no impairment. A score of 8 to 12 suggests moderate cognitive impairment. A score of 0 to 7 points to severe cognitive impairment. A higher score is better.

Use this BIMS calculator to enter the resident's responses, get an instant total score, and see a clear breakdown of results. The tool also shows a step-by-step solution and a chart so you can understand exactly how the score was reached.

How to Use Our BIMS Calculator

Enter the results from each part of the Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) below. The calculator will add up the scores and tell you if the resident's cognitive status is intact, moderate, or severe.

Part I – A: Words Repeated. Say the three words (sock, blue, bed) to the resident. Select how many words they repeated back on the first try. This is worth up to 3 points.

Part II – A: Year. Ask the resident what year it is. Select how close their answer was to the correct year. This is worth up to 3 points.

Part II – B: Month. Ask the resident what month it is. Select how close their answer was to the correct month. This is worth up to 2 points.

Part II – C: Day of the Week. Ask the resident what day of the week it is. Select whether they answered correctly or not. This is worth up to 1 point.

Part III – A: Recall "Sock." Ask the resident to recall the word "sock." If they cannot after 5 seconds, give the cue "something to wear." Select whether they recalled it on their own, with the cue, or not at all. This is worth up to 2 points.

Part III – B: Recall "Blue." Ask the resident to recall the word "blue." If they cannot after 5 seconds, give the cue "a color." Select whether they recalled it on their own, with the cue, or not at all. This is worth up to 2 points.

Part III – C: Recall "Bed." Ask the resident to recall the word "bed." If they cannot after 5 seconds, give the cue "a piece of furniture." Select whether they recalled it on their own, with the cue, or not at all. This is worth up to 2 points.

Click Calculate Score to see the total BIMS score out of 15, a step-by-step breakdown, and the cognitive impairment level. A score of 13–15 means intact cognition, 8–12 means moderate impairment, and 0–7 means severe impairment.

What Is the Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS)?

The Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) is a short test used to check how well a person's brain is working. It measures cognitive function, which means things like memory, thinking, and knowing what day it is. Doctors, nurses, and care staff use it most often with older adults in nursing homes and long-term care settings. Because cognitive function can be influenced by factors like sleep quality, overall nutrition, and general health, the BIMS is just one piece of a comprehensive assessment.

The BIMS is part of the Minimum Data Set (MDS 3.0), which is a standard assessment required in U.S. nursing facilities. It takes only a few minutes to give and is done by talking directly to the resident.

How Does the BIMS Work?

The test has three parts and a total score of 15 points:

  • Part I – Repetition (0–3 points): The person is asked to repeat three words right away. This tests attention and immediate recall.
  • Part II – Orientation (0–6 points): The person is asked what year, month, and day of the week it is. This tests whether they are oriented to time.
  • Part III – Recall (0–6 points): The person is asked to remember the three words from Part I. If they cannot, a hint is given. This tests short-term memory.

What Do the Scores Mean?

A higher BIMS score means better cognitive function. The scores break down into three levels:

  • 13–15: Cognitively intact (little to no impairment)
  • 8–12: Moderate cognitive impairment
  • 0–7: Severe cognitive impairment

Even a small drop of 1 to 2 points between tests can be a warning sign. It may point to a new problem like an infection, medication side effect, or early signs of dementia. The care team should always review any score change.

Why Is the BIMS Important?

The BIMS helps care teams spot cognitive decline early. Early detection means faster treatment and better care planning. When paired with other clinical tools such as the Barthel Index Calculator for functional ability, the GFR Calculator for kidney function, or the BMI Calculator for overall health status, the BIMS gives a more complete picture of a resident's wellbeing. It is also used to track changes over time, so staff can see if a person's thinking skills are getting better or worse. Because it is quick and simple, it can be repeated regularly without putting stress on the resident.

Formulas used

Part II – Temporal Orientation Score
\text{Part II} = \text{Year} + \text{Month} + \text{Day}
Part III – Recall Score
\text{Part III} = \text{Recall}_{\text{sock}} + \text{Recall}_{\text{blue}} + \text{Recall}_{\text{bed}}
Total BIMS Score
\text{Total} = \text{Part I} + \text{Part II} + \text{Part III}
Interpretation Thresholds
\text{Classification} = \begin{cases} \text{Severe} & \text{if Total} \le 7 \\ \text{Moderate} & \text{if } 8 \le \text{Total} \le 12 \\ \text{Intact} & \text{if } 13 \le \text{Total} \le 15 \end{cases}

Frequently asked questions

What is a good BIMS score?

A good BIMS score is 13 to 15. This means the person is cognitively intact with little or no impairment. Their memory, thinking, and sense of time are working well.

How long does it take to give the BIMS test?

The BIMS test usually takes about 3 to 5 minutes. It is a short interview done by talking directly to the resident. No special tools or equipment are needed.

Can the BIMS diagnose dementia?

No. The BIMS is a screening tool, not a diagnostic test. It can show signs of cognitive problems, but a doctor must do more tests to diagnose dementia or other conditions.

How often should the BIMS be given?

In U.S. nursing homes, the BIMS is given at admission, quarterly, annually, and whenever there is a significant change in the resident's condition. It is part of the required MDS 3.0 assessment schedule.

What if the resident cannot speak or refuses to answer?

If the resident cannot communicate or refuses to answer, the BIMS cannot be completed. In that case, staff should use the Staff Assessment of Mental Status (also called the CPS or observational assessment) instead to rate cognitive function.

Why are the three words always sock, blue, and bed?

These words are standardized in the MDS 3.0 manual. Using the same words every time makes the test consistent and reliable. Each word comes from a different category: clothing, color, and furniture. This helps test different parts of memory.

What is the difference between recall with a cue and recall without a cue?

Recall without a cue means the person remembered the word on their own. This earns 2 points. Recall with a cue means the person needed a hint (like "a color" for blue) to remember. This earns 1 point. Not recalling at all earns 0 points.

Can I use this calculator for home caregiving?

Yes. While the BIMS is designed for nursing homes, family caregivers can use this calculator to track a loved one's thinking skills over time. However, always share the results with a doctor for proper evaluation.

What should I do if the BIMS score drops by 1 or 2 points?

Even a small drop can be important. It could be caused by an infection, a medication change, poor sleep, or early cognitive decline. Report any score change to the care team or doctor right away so they can investigate.

Is a BIMS score of 0 possible?

Yes. A score of 0 means the person could not repeat any words, could not answer any orientation questions correctly, and could not recall any words. This falls in the severe cognitive impairment range and needs immediate medical review.

Does the BIMS test measure physical ability?

No. The BIMS only measures cognitive function like memory and orientation. It does not test physical ability. Physical function is measured by other tools like the Barthel Index.

Can medications affect BIMS scores?

Yes. Some medications, especially sedatives, pain drugs, and anticholinergics, can make thinking and memory worse. If a low score seems unexpected, the care team should review the resident's medication list.

Is the BIMS the same as the MMSE?

No. The BIMS and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) are different tests. The BIMS is shorter, free to use, and built into the MDS 3.0. The MMSE is longer, copyrighted, and tests more areas of cognition. Both screen for cognitive impairment, but they are not interchangeable.

Why does the calculator show today's date?

The calculator shows today's year, month, and day of the week as a reference. This helps you quickly check if the resident's answers to the orientation questions in Part II are correct.

Can the BIMS be given in a language other than English?

The BIMS should be given in a language the resident understands well. If the resident speaks another language, a trained interpreter or a translated version should be used to make sure results are accurate.