The Mini-Cog test screens for cognitive impairment in older adults in 3 minutes by assessing 3-item recall and a clock drawing test, with a score of 0-2 indicating impairment depending on the clock test result and a score of 3 indicating a negative screen; it was found to be as effective as or better than other tests and less affected by variables like ethnicity, language, and education level in detecting various dementias or mild cognitive impairment.