The Mini-Oxford Cognitive Screen (Mini-OCS) is now available!
8th April 2026
A rapid, stroke-specific cognitive screening tool for primary and community care, the Mini-OCS provides a sensitive 7–9 minute assessment of the diverse cognitive difficulties that can follow stroke.
We’re excited to announce the launch of the Mini-Oxford Cognitive Screen (Mini-OCS), a rapid, stroke-specific cognitive screening tool designed for use in primary and community care settings.
Developed by researchers at the University of Oxford, Newcastle University and University of Cambridge, the Mini-OCS addresses a critical need in post-stroke care: brief, sensitive cognitive assessment that captures the wide range of cognitive difficulties experienced by stroke survivors.
The Mini-OCS combines features of the OCS and OCS-Plus into one brief (<8mins) cognitive screen suitable for primary care. The Mini-OCS is also adaptable for aphasia and motor impairments with heavier emphasis on Memory and Executive function, whilst also covering all core domains (language, attention, memory, praxis, number, and executive function).
Why use the Mini-OCS?
Cognitive impairment affects up to 65% of stroke survivors long term, yet remains under-recognised in routine follow-up care. Existing screening tools, such as the MoCA or GPCOG, were developed for dementia and often miss key stroke-related deficits, including:
- Spatial neglect
- Apraxia
- Reading and writing difficulties
- Executive dysfunction
- Non-verbal memory issues
The Mini-OCS fills this gap by providing a stroke-specific cognitive profile in just 7–9 minutes, suitable for use in busy clinics and GP appointments.
Built for Real-World Use
✔️ Designed for short 10-minute consultations, average administration time ~7–9 minutes
✔️ Covers both domain-specific and domain-general cognitive functions
✔️ Standardised and validated in a large cohort of stroke survivors and neurologically healthy adults
✔️ Available free of charge for publicly funded research and clinical use
From the OCS Family of Tools
The Mini-OCS joins the suite of Oxford Cognitive Screens, which includes:
- The original Oxford Cognitive Screen (OCS), widely used in acute stroke services
- The OCS-Plus – a detailed assessment tool focused on capturing subtle impairments in memory and executive function
Together, these tools offer scalable cognitive screening options across the entire stroke care pathway.
To learn more about the Mini-OCS, access training materials, or request a license for clinical use, visit our Mini-OCS assessment page or get in touch with the Clinical Outcomes team via healthoutcomes@innovation.ox.ac.uk.
